Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s1.15

c6.s1.15

Under the storm and stress of anarchy the people elected Manu as their king. In this passage Kauṭalya lends the weight of his authority to the human origin of the state. The word ‘प्रजाः’ distinctly emphasizes the human origin of kingship. The state of nature became so depressing that the people had Manu, son of Vivasvān, appointed as king. The terms on which the office was conferred on him are also given. The people agreed to pay one-sixth of the grains in kind, one-tenth of other articles of merchandise, besides a portion of the gold in their possession. Such wages to the king were in return for his guaranteeing to the people their *yogakshema* or social welfare. Towards this end the king enforced order and obedience by varied forms of punishment and by means of levy of several fees. In return for the king's protection even hermits in the forest had to give one-sixth of their forest-produce to him. The king was the visible awarder of punishment as well as favours, and hence he occupied a position only equal to that of Indra, the lord of heaven, and Yama, the lord of justice. To disregard him was to incur punishment. On this account it was ruled that kings ought not to be disrespected.²