Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c10.12

c10.12

§ 14. One function of the Sabhā is definitely clear. The Sabhā acted as the national judicature. The Sabhā is called 'T r o u b l e' and 'V e h e-m e n c e' in the Pāraskara Gṛihya.⁵ As 'trouble' and 'vehemence' were in store there for the culprit, the Sabhā seems to have acquired those names, like the present day appellation "Crimnal" of our Criminal Courts. In the Purushamedha of the Śokla Yajur-Veda, Sabhā-Chara, 'one going to the Sabhā,' is dedicated as a victim to Justice (धर्माय सभाचरम्, 30.6). Again, the Ṛig-Veda (X. 71 10) describes the friends of one who has come back successful from the Sabhā 'joyful' and 'delighted' and the man himself as 'free from blame:'