History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.248.5

v4.c62.248.5

This hereditary character is borne out by many inscriptions. For example, in the Allahabad stone pillar ins. of Samudragupta, Hariṣeṇa is himself a Mahādaṇḍa-nāyaka whose father Dhruvabhūti was also a Mahādaṇḍanāyaka (Gupta Inscriptions pp. 10, 15) and in the Udayagiri cave Inscription of Candragupta II (ibid p. 34) Vīrasena is described as 'anvayaprāptasācivya' (who hereditarily obtained the post of *saciva*). The R. N. P. (p. 176) after quoting the Matsyapurāṇa expressly states that the hereditary principle was to be given up, if the son or grandson of a former minister had not the requisite qualifications, but that such a descendant was to be employed only in such state work as was suited to his¹⁸⁷ attainments. The mantrins should, according to most authorities, be chosen from among brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, but not from śūdras, even if the latter be endowed with qualities (vide Śukra II. 426-427, Nītivākyāmṛta p. 108).137a The consultation with the council of ministers was to be in secret. Kauṭilya (I. 15) says 'All administrative undertakings must be preceded by consultation with ministers.