Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s1.3

v2.c19.s1.3

This conformity to, and apparent violation of, classical injunctions by the Hindu rulers of Vijayanagara is amply illustrated in their theory as enunciated by Kṛiṣhṇa Dēva Rāya, and in the inscriptions which give us the history of the Brahmans in mediaeval times. Ancient precept still influenced the mediaeval mind. Nowhere has the case for the Brahmans been so powerfully advocated as in the following words of Manu: "Let the king, after rising early in the morning, worship Brāhmaṇas who are well versed in the three fold sciences and learned (in polity), and follow their advice. Let him daily worship aged Brāhmaṇas who know the Veda and are pure; for he who always worships aged men, is honoured even by the Rākṣhasas".¹ Then again: "Let him (the king) not, though fallen into the deepest distress, provoke Brāhmaṇas to anger; for they, when angered, could instantly destroy him with his army and his vehicles".² Manu further says: "A Brāhmaṇa be he ignorant or learned, is a great divinity, just as the fire, whether carried forth (for the performance of a burnt-oblation) or not carried forth, is a great divinity".³ "Thus, though Brāhmaṇas employ themselves in all (sorts of) mean occupations they must be honoured in every way; for (each of) them is a very great deity".⁴