Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c14.s2.1

c14.s2.1

at two, three or five. According to Kātyāyana the assembly has the right to punish the officers, but the latter seem generally, or at any rate in important disputes, to have been dealt with by the king. If they acted according to the law, all their dealings, harsh or kind, towards their own people should be approved by the king. But if they were swayed by malice, or if they were guilty of misappropriation of money, they fell into the clutches of the king. For members in general Bṛihaspati prescribes a rigid discipline to be enforced by various penalties. All must abide by the terms of agreement of the corporation and fulfil their share of undertakings. He who wilfully refuses to adhere to the agreement "shall be punished by confiscation of his entire property and banishment from the town." For wrangling with fellow-members and neglect of work, one is to be heavily fined. For breaking a mutual agreement, injuring the common stock, as for insulting a Brāhmaṇa acquainted with the three Vedas, one is to be banished from the town.¹