Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s3.21

c8.s3.21

Here the word ‘भूयिष्ठाः’ has been interpreted by all scholars as the ‘majority opinion’. It is open to doubt whether this construction could be placed upon this term. For we know, taking the *Rāmāyaṇa* for our illustration, that two important councils were held one on the eve of entertaining Vibhīṣaṇa as an ally, and the second by Rāvaṇa on the eve of Rāma-Rāvana-Yuddha. Rāma certainly pursued the way ordained in the *Dharma-śāstras*. Manu lays down that the ministers must be consulted individually and then jointly. (Cf. Kāmand., xi. 68.) This means full discussion was allowed in the council. Every member is entitled to have his say for or against a certain proposition.