State and Government in Ancient India c19.16

c19.16

The king however was expected to be strictly impartial in deciding the cases or appeals that came before him. He was to decide according to law; otherwise he would be guilty. Dharma or law in India was not a measure passed by a legislature; if religious in nature, it was regarded as based upon Śrutis and Smṛitis, which were revered as super-human in origin; if secular, it was based upon custom of universal validity and authority. One sacred text points out how law is the king of the king;⁴ he could not therefore set it aside.