History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.354

v4.c62.354

In numerous places rules are laid down about the qualifications of the ordinary servants (parivāra, bhṛtya or anujīvin) of kings, how they should conduct themselves, how servants should find out whether the king is pleased or displeased with them. Vide Kauṭilya V. 4, Virāṭaparva 4. 12-50 (where the refrain of most verses is 'sa rājavasaṭim vaset'), Matsyapurāṇa 216 (the whole of which is quoted in the Rājadharmakāṇḍa pp. 24-27 and in the Rājanītiprakāśa pp. 189-192), Agni-purāṇa 221, Viṣṇudharmottara II. 25. 2--28, Kām. IV. 10-11, V. 1-4, 6, 9, 11-63 (most of which are quoted in the Rājanītirat-nākara pp. 51-58), Śukranītisāra II. 54-68, 205-253. On the word 'akṣudrapariṣad' occurring in Yāj. I. 310 (where the Mit. has the reading 'akṣudrosparuṣaḥ') Viśvarūpa quotes a passage from Śaṅkha¹⁹⁹ 'a *haṁsa* (swan i. e. a good king) surrounded by vultures (greedy servants) is not desirable, but a vulture (i.e. a greedy king) surrounded by haṁsas (servants of spotless character) may be preferred.' The Rājanītiprakāśa (p. 185) quotes the same passage from Śaṅkha-Likhita with an addition viz. 'faults arise from those who surround the king and such faults are enough to ruin (the king). Therefore the (king) should first (before engaging his servants) put down in writing whether servants are endowed with learning, character and good family.' Śukra inculcates loyalty on servants in the following remarkable²⁰⁰ words 'one should not forsake a good master when he is in adversity. Should not one always and quickly desire the welfare of one's protector whose salt (lit. food) one has eaten with honour even once' (II. 246-247)? This senti-ment pervaded most Hindu servants in ancient and medieval times, even under foreign rulers professing a different religion. The Rājanītiprakāśa p. 176 quotes a fine verse from the Garuḍa-purāṇa as to matters to be principally considered in selecting servants, which are four, viz. education, character, family and actions, just as gold is tested in four ways, viz. by weighing it or by rubbing it (on a touchstone), by cutting it and by heating it.²⁰¹