History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.127.1

v4.c62.127.1

Kāmandaka⁷³ (V. 82-83) makes it clear that the subjects require protection against the king's officers, thieves, enemies of the king, royal favourites (like the queen and the princes) and the greed of the king himself. As an extension of the king's duty to protect, the works lay down that it is his duty to support students, learned brāhmaṇas, and sacrificers.⁷⁴ Vide Gaut. X. 9–12, XVIII. 31, Kauṭ. II. 1, Anuśāsana 61. 28–30, Śānti 165. 6–7, Viṣṇudharmasūtra III. 79–80, Manu VII. 82 and 134, Yāj. I. 315 and 323 and III. 44, Matsya 215. 58, Atri 24. The Hindu kings of ancient and medieval India followed this advice with great liberality for centuries and the subject has already been treated in vol. II. pp. 113, 856–864. The functions of Government were not supposed to end with the maintenance of peace and order, but Government must be an instrument of the diffusion of culture. The king is also called upon to support helpless and aged people, the blind, the cripple, lunatics, widows, orphans, those suffering from diseases and calamities, pregnant women by giving them medicines, lodging, food and clothing according to their requirements⁷⁵. Vide Vas. 19. 35–36, Viṣṇudharmasūtra III. 65, Matsya 215. 62, Agni 225. 25, Ādiparva 49. 11, Sabhā 18. 24, Virāṭaparva 18. 24, Śānti 77. 18. The Rājanīti-prakāśa (pp.