Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c37.10

c37.10

§ 224. The point of greatest constitutional import is that the king is to be protected by the four estates of the realm. Protected by the people (in his office) he is to carry on the administration. This principle was one of the accepted axioms of Hindu politics: *rāshtreṇa rājā vyasane parirakshyastathā bhavet*.¹ "Ascend thou the East......may the spring season, the priesthood protect thee (*avatu* अवतु), that precious treasure. Ascend thou the South......may the Kshatra protect thee, that precious treasure. Ascend thou the West......may the Viś protect thee, that precious treasure. Ascend thou the North......may the Phala² protect thee, that precious treasure".