Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.27

c6.27

like fishes in the waters. People got weary of it. They made certain pacts among themselves to the effect that any one who was harsh in speech, or violent in temper, who robbed others of their wealth or seduced or abducted the wives of others, should be cast off by the rest. The object of the pact was to inspire confidence among all classes of the people. So they lived for a while but, after some time, they felt acutely the need of a king. They assembled and approached the Grandsire, saying, "without a king, O Divine Lord, we are going to destruction. Appoint some one as our king! All of us shall worship him and he shall protect us." The Grandsire nominated Manu to be a king but Manu replied, "I fear all sinful acts. To govern a kingdom is exceedingly difficult, especially among men who are always false and deceitful in their behaviour." But the people gave an assurance to Manu. "Don't fear" they said to him. The sins would touch only those who committed them. They promised to contribute to his treasury one-tenth of their crops and one-fiftieth of their animals and precious metals, to give him the most beautiful maidens in marriage, and to depute the foremost of their warriors and riders to form his retinue. So, strong and invincible, he would be their king and protect them happily. A fourth part of the merit which they would earn would go to him. "Like the sun scorching everything with his rays, go out for winning victories, crush the pride of foes and let righteousness always triumph." Thus reassured, Manu assumed the sceptre and descended on the world with a large force. Struck with fear, the people put themselves to their duties. Manu made a round of the world, extinguished wickedness and set every one to his duty.¹. In this account the state of nature is reminiscent of Hooker and Hobbes but the first pact only establishes society. Ex-communication is the only instrument for enforcing social conventions. Government is instituted by the joint action of human intelligence and divine will. Protection on one side and obedience and financial contribution on the other, are the essential conditions of political organisation. Throughout, a low view of human nature is in evidence. Left to themselves men devoured one another. They are false and deceitful. Only a strong man can keep them in order and make them attend to their duties.