Public Administration in Ancient India c10.124

c10.124

So much about the institution of Kingship. We shall conclude this chapter with a short description of some of the ceremonies connected with Kingship. Great importance was in early times attached to those ceremonies. The most important of the sacrifices performed by Kings were Rājasūya, Vājapeya, Asvamedha, and Aindra Mahābhisheka. The Rā-sūya or Consecration sacrifice is thus described in the Satapatha-Brāhmana : First of all, hymns are chanted, and prayers are offered to the gods with libations of soma. Then a throne-seat is brought for the King which the Priest (Adhvaryu) spreads before him with the words, “This is thy Kingship,” whereby he endows him with royal power. He then makes him sit down, with the words, “Thou art the ruler, the ruling lord!” whereby he makes him the ruler, ruling over those his subjects. Then he says, “Thou art firm and steadfast!” whereby he makes him firm and steadfast in the world. Thereupon taking hold of the sacrificer by the right arm, the Adhvaryu mutters, “May Savitṛ quicken thee for (powers of) quickening (ruling). . . . Quicken him, O Gods, to be unrivalled. Quicken him, O Gods, so as to be without an enemy,—for great chiefdom, for great lordship, for the ruling of men.” He then presents the sacrificer to the people with the words, “This man, O ye (people), is your King, Soma is the King of us Brāhmaṇas.” Then the Priest sprinkles him with water and utters mantras. He then invests the King with the consecration garments, and hands to him a bow and three arrows with the words, “Protect ye him in front! Protect ye him behind! Protect ye him from the sides! Protect ye him from all quarters!” Thereupon he makes him pronounce the avid (announcement) formulas. He thus announces him to Prajāpati, to the priesthood, to the nobility, to Mitra and Varuna (the upholders of the Law), to Heaven and Earth, and to the deities, and they approve of his consecration, and approved by them he is consecrated.¹