Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s4.t1.16

c8.s4.t1.16

Hārita’s classification of the *sabhā*.—There is an interesting chapter (V) in Caṇḍeśvara’s *Rājanīti Ratnākara* which further throws light on the *sabhā* and its constitution. This is not an original work but a compendium of the various *smṛti* texts. Hārita is quoted. According to him there are four kinds of *sabhā*: *pratiṣṭita*, *apratiṣṭita*, *mudrita*, and *śasita*. It is *pratiṣṭita* if it were established by the king himself in his royal domains; *apratiṣṭita* if it were a voluntary organization of the villagers, *mudrita* if established by the king’s secretaries or judges, and *śasita* if established by the king himself by a royal writ. The *sabhā* is likened to an organism. The head is the king, the face secretary, the arms members, the hands *śasta*, knees accountants and scribes, eyes gold and fire, and feet servants. Each of these ten members has its own individual and collective functions to perform. The secretary is the speaker, the king is the person who finally decides, members discuss questions of policy, *smṛti* is the law, gold and fire are for oath, the accountant counts the *artha* or wealth, the scribe is the writer of writs and orders, witnesses are servants, *anagnakau* (अनग्नकौ) are the plaintiffs and defendants. The judicial aspect of the assembly would be more fully treated under the chapter on the administration of justice.