[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [State and Government in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949) › c9.7 # State and Government in Ancient India c9.7 State and Government in Ancient India c9.7 - **Language:** English ### [c9.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9.7) The Śāntiparvan² goes on to narrate that society flourished without a king or law court for a long time, but later somehow there was a moral degeneration. People fell from rectitude; greed, selfishness and cupidity began to sway their mind and the earthly paradise which they had been enjoying was soon converted into a veritable hell. The law of the jungle began to prevail; the strong devoured the weak, as is the order of the day among the fish (\*mātsyanyāya\*). Gods then became alarmed and decided to remedy the situation, when men went out in a deputation to pray for relief. Brahmadeva, the chief god, thought over the matter and came to the conclusion that human society can survive only if a code of law was framed and enforced through the instrumentality of a king. He composed a comprehensive code, created an asexual son named Virajas, appointed him king and men agreed to obey his orders.² - [Previous: c9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9.6) - [Next: c9.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9.8) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa*vulgate) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c9.7) · Pramāṇa