Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.54

c43.54

² Divyāvadāna, p. 430. Aśoka anxious to complete his intended gift of money to the Kukkuṭārāma monastery says, 'Rādhagupta, I do not mind the loss of money, of government, of authority,' राजाऽऽह। राधगुप्त, नाहं द्रव्यविनाशं न राज्यनाशनं न चाप्यधिपत्यभ्रंशं शोचामि।
* * * * तस्मिंश्च समये कुणालस्य सम्पदिनामपुत्रो युवराजोऽववर्त्तते। तत्रामात्यैरभिहितम्। कुमार, अशोको राजा स्वल्पकालावलम्बी, इदम् च द्रव्यं कुक्कुटारामं प्रेष्यते, कोषबलिनश्च राजानो, निवारयितव्यः। यावत् कुमारेण भाण्डागारिकः प्रतिषिद्धः। "At that particular time Kunāla's son, Saṁpadi, was filling the post of Yuvarāja. He was told by the Ministers 'Your Royal Highness, King Aśoka is temporarily in his position but he is sending away the money to the Kukkuṭārāma. Kings' strength lies in treasury. He is to be checked.' The Prince prohibited the Treasurer." [For the position of Yuvarāja as a High Minister, and resolutions going up to him from other members of the Cabinet, see below § 312].
* * * * अथ राजाशोकः संविग्नौऽमात्यान् पौरंश्च संनिपात्य कथयति। कः साम्प्रतं पृथिव्यामीश्वरः। ततोऽमात्य उत्थायासनाः येन राजाशोकस्तत्राञ्जलिं प्रगृह्योवाच। (p. 431) देवः पृथिव्यामीश्वरः। अथ राजाशोकः बाष्पदुर्द्दिननयन-वदनोऽमात्यानुवाच— दाक्षिण्यादनृतं हि किं कथयथ भ्रष्टाधिराज्या वयम्। "Now King Aśoka, very much agitated in mind, called a meeting of the Ministers and the Pauras. He asked—'Who at present is the Sovereign of the Country'? On that the Prime Minister rising from his seat approached the place where King Aśoka was and saluting him respectfully spoke, 'His (=Your) Majesty is the Sovereign of the Country.' Then King Aśoka with tears trickling down his face answered the Ministers: