Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c17.4

c17.4

§ 82. Passing to the constitution of the Kathaians or the Kaṭhas, we find an elected 'king.' In this state children were born to their parents as citizens first and individuals afterwards, the state deciding as to which of the prospective citizens were perfect in 'limbs and features' and which of them should be allowed to grow into manhood. (Diodorus, XCI). The Saubhūta constitution was similar. In these states, man was really a political animal The individual existed for the state. To secure the life of the group, the individual sacrificed himself and his sentiments as father and mother. Probably it was due to this law that the Kaṭha philosophers glorified a child (Nachiketas), offered to Death by his father, as attaining immortality.