Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c49.2

c49.2

§ 356. It would be evident from the above discussion of Mīmāṁsā, from the theory of taxation, from the coronation oath and other points noticed above that the **State under Monarchy** in the eyes of the Hindu was a **Trust.** The object of the trust is clearly stated in the Śruti text which had to be repeated at every Coronation: *"This State to Thee (is given)—Thou art the* "director, regulator, firm bearer (of this responsibility)—*for* "(the good of) *agriculture, for well-being, for prosperity, for growth* "(of the people), (that is) *for success*."¹