Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.161

c6.161

Such are the arrangements prescribed by the Mahâbhârata for the internal government of a state. The principles which underlie them are conceived, on the whole, in a high moral spirit. But in the treatment of relations of states with one another, morality is thrown to the winds. Except during a few recurring interludes, the country was parcelled out into a large number of states. As a rule, they had no scientific frontiers, neither the sea nor lakes, neither mountains, deserts nor unfordable rivers. Every state was tempted to encroach on the bounds of its neighbours. The