Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c37.6

c37.6

The business-like and contractual nature of the oath is noteworthy. There is no reference to any divine agency in the oath. It is purely human. It is humanly solemn. According to the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa the oath was common to all constitutions. It was administered to the Ruler (Kshatriya) whatever the form of polity, whether he was desirous of being consecrated to Sāmrājya, Bhaujya, Svārājya, Vairājya, Pārameshthya, Rājya, Mālārājya, Ādhipatya, or Sārva-bhauma (Monarchy.)¹ As we shall deal with the history and effect of the Coronation-Oath presently we may pass on to the remaining ceremonials and their meaning.