Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s2.89

c8.s2.89

importance of the *purohita* to the king. Though a *karmavṛtta*, a king will be able to conquer the Rākṣasas provided the *purohita* leads him in front. He is the source of the king's name and fame. To that king whose *purohita* is self-controlled, versed in *Vedas* and *Vedāṅgas*, pure, truthful, selfless and devoted to *dharma*, heaven is certain. To him even the unattainable fruits could be got, and those got would be easily and safely kept. That king who yearns after the welfare of all must be in the confidence of this official. It is wrong to assume that a Kṣatriya conquers the whole world by sheer prowess and mere family greatness. It is only a kingdom under the guiding hand of a Brahman that will last long.¹ That on him hangs the thread of the realm is again brought out in chapter (cxc) where it is said that the Ikṣvāku kings attained celebrity and greatness owing to Vasiṣṭha, their *purohita*.¹ The same Gandharva recommends Dhaumya, the younger brother of Ṛshi Devala as the *purohita* of the Pāṇḍavās. On request Dhaumya accepted the offer; and led by him the Pāṇḍavās reached Pañchala-deśa. Here is a case of departure from the hereditary system of appointment.² That he must be duly qualified and honoured by the king is further repeated by the sage Nārada.³ The same ideas are given to Yudhiṣṭhira by Ṛshi Vāka in the *Vana Parvan*. The sage quotes the classic example of the Asura king Bali whose success was due to the Brahmans only. A king without a *purohita* is like an elephant without the mahout. A king with the *purohita* is compared to the fire united with wind.⁴ These important comparisons have indeed a significance of their own. They signify the great and imperative value of this functionary.