Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s2.t2.44

c7.s2.t2.44

There is the other interesting question whether kings were elected for life or for a period of time. Kingship does not appear to have been limited in ancient India to any fixed period though such limitation was insisted on in other countries. Kingship was undoubtedly for life. But a king might abdicate the throne voluntarily.¹ Besides the theory of abdication in the *Kauṭalīya*, there is, in the *Mahāprasthānika Parvan* of the *Mahābhārata*, a practical instance of abdication where Yudhiṣṭhira abdicates in favour of Parīkṣit.² People did not at first consent to his abdication, but after much persuasion it commended itself to their approval. Then Yudhiṣṭhira, his brothers and Draupadī laid aside all royal ornaments and robes, and, dressing themselves in garments of fibre, started for the woods. Such abdications were usual in cases of extreme old age, or other physical disability, or because of a strong inclination for the performance of penance. Śīradhvaja Janaka, the father of Sītā and father-in-law of Rāma, went to the forest to do penance after relinquishing his throne. His is only one case among many who practised likewise. Otherwise there seem to have been no definite cases where the office of monarchy was fixed to any periodical limits.