[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924) › c9.6 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c9.6 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c9.6 - **Language:** English ### [c9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9.6) § 7. The functions of the Samiti may be gathered from different references. We have already noticed the most important business of the Samiti, to wit, electing the \*Rājan\*.³ It could also re-elect a king who had been banished.⁴ They were thus a sovereign body from the constitutional point of view. In the Atharva-Veda, VI. 64, which is a prayer-hymn for union and concord, and also in the Ṛig Veda, (X 191. 3), we have a prayer for a ‘common Samiti’ and ‘common policy of State’ (समानो मन्त्रः समितिः समानी), a ‘common aim and a common mind’ (समानं व्रत॑ सह॒ चित्तमे॑षाम् ).¹ This indicates that matters of state (\*‘mantra’\*) were discussed in the Samiti. - [Previous: c9.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9.5) - [Next: c9.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9.7) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9) ## Cites (2) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg.10.191.3) — Sanskrit - [Atharvavedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.atharva.5.19.15) — Atharvan & Aṅgiras, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c9.6) · Pramāṇa