Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c4.t4.44
Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jātaka Stories c4.t4.44
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c4.t4.44
For other functions of the *purohita*, we have no clear proof. Guarding of the king’s treasures seems to have been one of his duties, if we can believe in the words which he utters when arrested by the king's servants on a false charge of misbehaviour. "Bring me into the king's presence before you slay me," so he prays, "because as the king's servant (*rājakammiko*), I have toiled greatly on the king's business, and know where great treasures are hidden.... and I have the interests of the royal family at my heart (*rājakutumbam mayā vicāritam*).¹ If I am not brought before the king, all his wealth will be lost."²