History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.101

v4.c62.101

In almost all works on rājaśāstra there is a disquisition on the qualities that a good king should possess. Vide Kauṭ. VI. 1, Manu VII. 32-44, Yāj. I. 309-311 and 334, Śaṅkha-Likhita quoted in R. D. K. III. p. 14 and Rājanīti-prakāśa p. 116, Śānti 57. 12 ff. and 70, Kām. I. 21-22, IV. 6-24, XV. 31, Mānasollāsa II. 1. 1-9 (p. 29), Śukra I. 73-86, Viṣṇudharmottara II. 3. Only one or two passages can be set out here. Yāj. (I. 309-311 and 334) states 'a king should have great energy, should be generous, mindful of past (good or bad) turns done by others, dependent on those who are advanced (in austerities, knowledge and experience), possessed of a disciplined mind, endowed with an even temper (in good or bad luck), born of a noble family (on both sides), truthful, pure (in body and mind), prompt in action, of strong memory, not mean-minded, not harsh (in words or acts), observant of the rules of *dharma* (as to varṇas and āśramas), free from vices, talented, brave, clever in concealing secrets (or acc. to Bhāruchi and Aparārka 'clever in scenting the secrets of his enemies'), guarding the weak points of his state, well-taught as regards logic, the science of government, the science of wealth and the three vedas. He should be forbearing towards brāhmaṇas, straightforward towards his friends, wrathful towards his enemies, and should be (kind) like a father towards his servants and subjects'. Manu VII. 32 is very similar to Yāj. I. 334. The Mit. says that the qualities specified in Yāj. I. 309-311 are *antaraṅga* (inward or more essential). The 2nd quality 'sthūla-lakṣa' occurs also in the inscription of Rudradāman (E. I. vol. VIII. at p. 44). From I. 312 Yāj. states the *bahiraṅga* qualities viz. selection of ministers, purohita and sacrificial priests, gifts to worthy brāhmaṇas, protection &c.