Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s4.4

c7.s4.4

The *rājasūya* then is the inauguration ceremony of a monarch. The *Śrauta Sūtras* elaborately describe a series of sacrificial rites to be performed during the sessions. The *sattras* or sessions of this *yajña* continue for a period of two years and three months. Continuing for such a long period this whole sacrifice could not but be complex in its nature and character. From this complexity one can envisage distinctly seven minor sacrifices—(1) the *pavitra*, (2) the *abhiṣechanīya*, (3) *daśapeya*, (4) *keśavapānīya*, (5) *vyuṣṭhi dvirātra* (*agniṣṭoma*), (6) *vyuṣṭhi dvirātra* (*atirātra*) and (7) the *kṣatra dhṛti*. Though the *Śrauta Sūtras* deal with these rituals with instructions in sufficient detail, they still find clear exposition in several of the *Brāhmaṇas*. We will confine ourselves to the details found in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa* and the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa*. Into the details of this elaborate ceremonial we will not enter here. Suffice it to examine a few rituals which have a direct bearing on the political development of the state. The offerings are called *ratnahavis* which were performed in the houses of the *ratnins*. The Vedic index explains the term *ratnin* thus: ‘those people of the royal entourage in whose houses the *ratnahavis* was performed in the course of *rājasūya*.’¹ It is interesting to examine who these *ratnins* were. They were the commander of the army, *purohita*, *kṣatra*, queen, *sūta* (chronicler), *grāmaṇī*, *kṣattṛ* (chamberlain), *saṅgrahītṛ* (treasurer), *bhāgadugha* (collector-general), *akṣavāpa* (superintendent of accounts) *gōvikartana* (huntsman), *pālāgala*, and *parivṛkti*. In the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*² the list of *ratnins* is different. These are court chaplain, *rājanya*, *mahiṣī*, favourite wife or queen, discarded wife, commander of the army, *sūta* (ministrel), *grāmaṇī*, *kṣattṛ* (chamberlain)