State and Government in Ancient India c21.48

c21.48

The person of the ambassador was regarded as inviolable in ancient as in modern times. *Dūta* is a mere messenger, says the *Rāmāyaṇa*, delivering his master's message, and so he should not be punished even if he is provoking.³ The *Mahābhārata* declars that a king who kills an ambassador will go to hell along with all his ministers.⁴ Even when hostilities start, the *dūta* and his entourage are not to be touched.⁵ If, however, he misbehaved, he could be branded or disfigured, as was done by Rāvaṇa in the case of Māruti.