Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c36.6

c36.6

the *Rājasūya* or the Inauguration of a king, there is, secondly, the *Vājapeya* used for consecrating a king or a high functionary as the royal priest, and thirdly, there is the *Sarva-medha*, 'a sacrifice for universal rule.'² The Vājapeya probably did not partake of political nature in its origin, it being primarily designed to celebrate something like an Olympic victory. It was, later on, adopted for royal and religious consecrations. The Sarvamedha¹ is an exceptional ceremony performed by emperors who are already consecrated to rulership. The ceremony proves the existence of the territorial ideal of a one-state India.² The normal ceremony of Coronation, however, is the Rājasūya.