Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c10.53

c10.53

The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, though remarkably free from sectarianism, wants the rules of the social order to be enforced with the utmost strictness. All must be kept within bounds, within their particular duties and occupations. It is permitted to a high-caste man to marry, for the second time, into a lower caste but he must then fall to the lower rank. For example, a royal heir-apparent who married a Vaiśya forfeited his right to the throne and had to content himself with Vaiśya occupations.² On the king's paramount importance, his divine character, his qualifications and duties, on his ministers, officers, spies and so forth, the Mārkaṇḍeya repeats the Smṛtis.³ It emphasises the duty and wisdom of conciliating the subjects.