[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) › c14.136 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.136 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.136 - **Language:** English ### [c14.136](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.136) But the kings required the Brâhmaṇas not simply for sacrifice. Manifestly not less important for them was a service the performance of which is even to-day in India an affair of the Brâhmaṇas,¹ namely, the prediction of the future. Although the king in difficult cases, especially, when he had to decide on war and peace, first betook himself to his \*purohita\*, there remained also for the other Brâhmaṇas in his court enough opportunity for displaying their supernatural wisdom. Whether the king will take the field or not, whether the king remaining in the city or the king besieging him will attack, whether the king besieged in his city or the one who is outside will win—with such prophecies the Brâhmaṇas used to earn their livelihood, according to a Buddhist treatise, called Mahâsîla, on the “right conduct” (sîla) of a \*samaṇa\* or Brâhmaṇa (Digha Nikâya II, 58). - [Previous: c14.135](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.135) - [Next: c14.137](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.137) - [Up: c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14) ## Cites (1) - [Mahānidānasutta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.digha.15.6.1) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.136](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c14.136) · Pramāṇa