Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c13.87

c13.87

Much later than Kalhaṇa came the Jaina writer Merutuṅgāchārya who brought out his Prabandha Chintāmaṇi or Wishing-stone of Narratives in the fourteenth century.² He writes legends when treating of Vikramāditya and though gains in sobriety as his narrative proceeds, he retains his passion for tales which rebound to the glory of Jainism. Shortly after his account of Vikramāditya he records old stories of fabulous rewards to poets from princes.³ In "The History of Siddhārāja" he obviously approves of the king's action in granting exemption from taxes to some people who had been oppressed by royal officers.⁴ Later in the same story we find the minister Muñjāla dissuading his master from a foolish promise. The minister recites a couplet:—