Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s1.9

c6.s1.9

Whatever was the origin, human or divine, the fact was that there was a science extant in the world, *daṇḍa nīti*. The object of the science was to make the world happy and prosperous. This could not be effected by the science itself. It required an authority to enforce its practical application. Towards this end the institution of kingship came into being. Here again there are two traditional schools of thought, one describing the origin of kingship as divine and the other human. In the *Mahābhārata* Bhīṣma recounts how kingship was instituted. When the world was in a state of nature (in the sense in which Hobbes uses the term) and when people suffered untold misery arising from a state of anarchy, the Devas approached Viṣṇu and requested him to appoint the best leader of men. Then from His Mind sprang Virājasa. But he did not wish for the overlordship of the earth. His son Kīrtimān and his son Kardama were of the same temperament. But Anaṅga, son of Kardama, ruled the people according to *daṇḍa nīti*. So also his son Atibala. But his son Vena conducted himself badly by taking to unrighteous ways. The sages had him killed by the use of a charm (*mantra*). Out of his right thigh sprang Niṣādas (hill-tribes) and Mlechchas. Out of his right hand came Vainya, accoutred in military attire and versed in *daṇḍa nīti*. He satisfied the sages by promising to rule according to the laws of *dharma*, and to render even-handed justice by looking upon friend and foe alike. On this the sages vested him with the office of kingship and appointed Śukrāchārya his *Purohita* while the Vālakhilya sages and Sārasvata *Gaṇas* became his ministers. Gārga was appointed astrologer, Sūta and Māgadha entered into their respective duties, and Vainya's government was an ideal government. Wealth and treasure flowed from the mines of the land and the ocean as well as from mountains. Under his rule the whole earth was tilled and cultivated with seventeen kinds of grain. He first got the name *rāja* by giving his subjects the greatest amount of happiness. He got the name *Kṣatriya* for having freed the peoples from all their troubles. Under him again the earth became *pṛthivi* for the king's name was Pṛthu. Even Lord Viṣṇu was pleased with his great acts and deeds and entered his body. From that time forward Pṛthu became infused with divinity.¹