Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.41

c9.s10.41

At times the popular choice fell on persons who did not belong to the ruling dynasty. Such may have been the case when the Sṛiñjayas expelled their hereditary ruler together with the *Sthapati*.³ Clear instances of popular preference for individuals outside the royal family are furnished by the *Jātakas*. The *Pādañjali Jātaka*,⁴ for instance, tells us that when a certain king of Benares died, his son, Pādañjali by name, an idle lazy loafer, was set aside, and the minister in charge of things spiritual and temporal was raised to the throne. The *Sachchaṁkira Jātaka*,⁵ relates a story how nobles, Brāhmaṇas and all classes slew their king and anointed a private citizen. Sometimes the candidate comes from a place outside the realm. The *Darīmukha*⁶ and *Sonaka Jātakas*⁷ tell us how on failure of heir at Benares a prince of Magadha was elected king.