State and Government in Ancient India c15.166

c15.166

Cases above referred to were, however, unusual. Normally kings had a high regard for their ministers and the latter were loyal to them; they also regarded themselves as trustees of the interest of the people. Ministers were the pillars of the state⁵ and normally the kings used to accept their advice, though the ultimate responsibility rested with the crown.¹ It was the first and foremost duty of the minister to control the king and to see that he did not follow the wrong path.² They are the real friends of the king, says Kāmandaka, who prevent him from following a dangerous path.³ Ministers, worth their name, must inspire the king with awe; they must devote themselves wholeheartedly to the proper performance of public duties and never think of pandering to the whims of the ruler.⁴ As ministers occupied so important a place in the body politic, it was but natural that some thinkers should have held that the ministerial debacle was the greatest calamity that could fall upon a kingdom.⁵