[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c13.4 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c13.4 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c13.4 - **Language:** English ### [c13.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13.4) Even in the pre-Vedic times, intercourse with the gods was not permitted to everybody, but it required the intervention of "a certain person with special knowledge and special magical powers."² This privilege, this claim, based upon wisdom and supernatural powers, to be alone in communication with the world of demons and gods and to exercise influence upon it through sacrifice and magic, led to the institution of the office of a priest, an exclusive priest class, who through this privilege exercised a preponderating influence upon other classes of the population and even upon the ruling class. It is precisely the latter class which required the help of the priest, either in injuring its enemies or for protection against threatening evil. - [Previous: c13.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13.3) - [Next: c13.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13.5) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c13.4) · Pramāṇa