Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s4.53

c6.s4.53

Thus the *kṣatria-dharma* leads on to universal welfare (लोकहितं धर्मम्).³ It is the *ādidharma* of every *yuga*. It keeps order in society and assures progress of the community.⁴ It is Bhīṣma who says that *daṇḍa nīti* establishes the four castes in their *svadharma*.⁵ But this could be effected only if the king were to be helped by the community at large. Indian social philosophers recognize state and society as distinct units but both complementary to each other and supplementary. Whenever society gets into distress the king must come forward to help. The people on the other hand must be aware of the usefulness and value of the *imperium* for their progress and welfare, and must help the authority whenever it runs into difficulties.⁶