Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c13.59

c13.59

§ 39. Apparently, the Vrishṇi-Andhaka league had a joint federal constitution where executive power was vested in two *rājanyas*, with their respective *vargas*, representing each division; and this was probably the Rājanyaka of Amara.⁵ Kātyāyana mentioning 'the Party (Varga) of Akrūra' and the 'Party of Vāsudeva,' undoubtedly draws on old literature. Akrūra was an Andhaka leader; and it seems that at one time he was one of the two presidents of the Federal Council. This explains Kṛishṇa's saying in the Mahā-Bhārata¹ that he holds authority or *Aiśvarya* to the extent of one half only (*ardhabhoktā*). In the tradition quoted in the Mahā-Bhārata, the party of Akrūra is bitterly complained against by Kṛishṇa. Probably it is to a constitution like that of the Andhaka-Vṛishṇis that the Jaina Sūtra refers as the rule of opposing parties.²