Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.54

c9.s10.54

The king was consecrated after his succession or election with an **elaborate ritual** which is described in several *Brāhmaṇas*, and for which the appropriate formulas (*mantras*) are given in the Vedic *Saṁhitās*. Those who aided in the consecration of the king were called *Rājakartṛi* or *Rājakṛit*, i.e., "king-maker." In the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*¹ the persons meant and specified are the *Sūta* (minstrel, chronicler or charioteer), and the *Grāmaṇī*, leader of the host or of the village.² Prof. Rādhākumud Mookerji observes :³ "It is apparent from the lists of persons aiding in the royal coronation that both official and non-official or popular elements were represented in the function." The principal ceremonies or sacrifices of royal inauguration were the *Vājapeya*, the *Rājasūya*, the *Punar-abhisheka* and the *Aindra Mahābhisheka*.