Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c11.s1.5

c11.s1.5

In the Buddha Charita or Life of Buddha which enjoyed tremendous vogue all over the Buddhist world, Aśvaghoṣa paints Śuddhodana as the mighty and glorious leader of his people. "He illumined his people on every side, showing them the paths which they were to follow."³ He had numberless councillors.⁴ Śuddhodana was not really a king but the chief of a republican clan. But by the time of Aśvaghoṣa republics were a thing of the past and the clansmen were taken to be counsellors. Aśvaghoṣa wants that princes should receive a thorough education.¹ The king takes one-sixth of the produce as price of the protection he affords. Śuddhodhan was gentle and kind to all. Guilty persons were reformed with gentle words.²