History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c46.144

v3.c46.144

It is well-known that Shivaji, the great founder of the Maratha Empire, established a council of eight ministers, viz. Mukhya Pradhāna, Amātya, Saciva, Mantrī, Senāpati, Paṇḍitarao, Nyāyādhīśa and Sumanta. ‘The jurisdiction of the Paṇḍitarao extended over ²²¹⁶ all religious matters, he was to examine and decide disputes about dharma and adharma, he was to honour śiṣṭas (respectable people) on behalf of the king, was to make his signature expressing his approval of the writings (decisions) about ācāra, vyavahāra and prāyaścittas (made by learned brāhmaṇas). He was to superintend and carry into immediate execution gifts, propitiatory rites (for the king).’ This shows that even in matters of prāyaścitta (penance for lapses and sins) the final control rested with the Paṇḍitarao, who used to send doubtful matters to learned brāhmaṇas at holy places like Wai, Nasik, Karad for their opinions and accept them. There are letters which show that the Paṇḍitarao convened meetings of learned brāhmaṇas and with their approval declared prāyaścitta in the case of a brāhmaṇa who had been forcibly converted by Mahomedans and who was thereafter restored to caste.