[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927) › c16.s2 # Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c16.s2: II. The Epics Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c16.s2 - **Language:** English ### II. The Epics ### [c16.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.1) The text of the epics has come down in various recensions, but no one edition can be said to be wholly accurate. The Calcutta edition of the Mahābhārata (1834-9) includes the Harivaṃśa. The Bombay edition (1888) does not contain it and also differs in some places from the Calcutta edition. ### [c16.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.2) The text handed down by South Indian tradition differs substantially from the northern recensions. It has been published in Bombay, 1906--10. The northern texts are in general use. ### [c16.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.3) The Rāmāyaṇa text has a similar history. The Bengal text, without the last book, was published by G. Gorresio in Paris, 1843--50. The Bombay edition, with the complete text, appeared in 1895. The South Indian readings given in another edition (published in Bombay, 1905) do not materially differ from the above edition. ### [c16.s2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.4) Translations. The Mahābhārata in the northern recension was translated into English under the editorship of P.C. Ray in Calcutta, 1883-96; also by M. N. Datta (Calcutta, 1896). R. C. Dutta published an abridged translation (London, 1899). P. C. Ray's translation has been followed in the text. ### [c16.s2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.5) The Rāmāyaṇa has not been wholly translated into English yet. G. Gorresio edited it with an Italian translation in 1843--67. ### [c16.s2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.6) A beautiful commentary was published by Jacobi (Bonn, 1893). ### [c16.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.7) R. T. H. Griffith published an abridged translation (Benares, 1895). J. Muir's Original Sanskrit Texts (London, 1868--84) gives copious extracts from the religious chapters of the epics. ### [c16.s2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.8) Hopkins, E. W. The Great Epics of India, and India Old and New of (New York, 1901). ### [c16.s2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2.9) J.A.O.S., 1888, for the social and military position of the ruling caste. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1927.c16.s2) · Pramāṇa