Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.10

c17.10

§ 84. As to the executive authority in these republics, it was in some constitutions delegated to a Second Chamber or the House of Elders, while in others there are indications that it remained with the general Gaṇa or Parliament. According to the Greek writers the Council of Elders at Patala had the supreme authority, and the Ambaṣṭhas listened to the advice of their Elders. The Mahā-Bhārata says that the chief difficulty in the Gaṇa constitution is to keep a resolution of theirs secret, because their number is large. It is therefore urged that the matters of policy (mantra) should not be discussed by the whole Gaṇa and that the state policy should remain in the hands of the Leaders.¹ One set of the coins of the Yaudheyas is struck in the name of the *Mantra-dharas* and the Gaṇa, while other coins are struck simply in the name of the Gaṇa. *Mantra-dharas* mean the council which is vested with the authority of *mantra* or policy. The officers called the chiefs or leaders of the Gaṇa thus formed the Executive Body or the Cabinet. The Elders formed another body. They were like a *Second House*. They had varying powers according to individual constitutions. Amongst the Patalas; they were for all purposes the *Government*. In the Ambaṣṭha Saṃgha they were not so. They were like the Vṛiddhas mentioned in the Mahā-Bhārata who advised on matters of mutual subordination and correct dealings, etc. (ch. xiv). The *Vṛiddhas* or *Elders* were not necessarily people old in age, though primarily age might have been the qualification. The Mahā-Bhārata has the expression ‘*Elders by knowledge*,’ i.e., by merit. Evidently one was elected an elder on merit.