Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c10.6

c10.6

Sabhā is called *narishtā* which Sāyaṇa explains as a resolution of 'many' that cannot be broken or violated (नरिष्टा; अहिंसिता परैरनभिभाव्या बहुवः संभूय यद्येकं वाक्यं वदेयुस्तद्धि न परैरतिलङ्घ्यम् अतः अनतिलङ्घ्यवाक्यत्वात् नरिष्टेति नाम ।). 'Hence from the inviolability the name is derived.' With reference to this name, the speaker wishes that *'all those that sit assembled in Thee, utter speech in harmony with me.'* Free discussion was thus held in the Sabhā, and a resolution of the Sabhā was considered binding on all and inviolable. Evidently, the Sabhā was almost as important as the Samiti.