The Mauryan Polity c11.s2.t5.4

c11.s2.t5.4

Says Megasthenes, “The first is formed by the collective body of the philosophers which in point of number is inferior to the other classes, but in point of dignity is pre-eminent over all. For the philosophers being exempted from all public duties are neither the masters nor the servants of others. They are however engaged by private persons to offer sacrifices due in lifetime and to celebrate the obsequies of the dead; for they are believed to be most dear to the gods and to be the most conversant with matters pertaining to Hades. In requital of such sacrifices they receive valuable gifts and privileges. To the people of India at large they also render great benefits; when gathered together at the beginning of the year, they forewarn the assembled multitudes about droughts and wet weather, and also about propitious winds and diseases, and other topics capable of profiting the hearers. Thus the people and the sovereign learning beforehand what is to happen always make adequate provision against a coming deficiency and never fail to prepare beforehand what will help in time of need. The philosopher who errs in his predictions incurs no other penalty than obloquy and he then observes silence for the rest of his life.”¹ From this it is evident that not only was the Brahman a member of the society who fulfilled a sacred function, but a person who was sacred.² The same notion more or less prevailed among the Buddhists also.¹ The Dhammapada has the following statement:—