Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c41.178

c41.178

Another class of their resolutions was called *Sthiti* (lit. 'fixed,' 'immutable,') or *Deśasthiti*¹ (the *sthiti* of the 'country' or 'country-assembly') which were enforceable against every body. The *Sthiti* was probably the same as the class of their enactments called S a m v i d, 'agreement' or 'laws by agreement.' The *Saṃvids*² were passed by the Jānapada and they were recorded on a roll (*Saṃvitpatra*). They were enacted with the formality of the members taking some special oath. They were binding on the whole kingdom. There is clear evidence of the fact that some-times *Saṃvids* were a g a i n s t t h e i n t e r e s t o f t h e k i n g as some authors of the Codes lay down the exception that those Saṃvids only shall be enforced by the Law Courts which are not opposed to the king.³ The *Samayas* also were put on a roll.⁴