Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c7.28

c7.28

alone can keep the world in order. Why, even the gods and demons perform their functions only when they are tormented by the fear of punishment. The object of punishment is, of course, the good of the people. Fundamentally, the policy of the government ought to be a paternal one. The king should "behave like a father towards all men." His very appearance, like that of the full moon, should be a signal for joy. As Indra, the god of rain, besprinkles the earth with water, so should the king shower favours upon the people. On Brāhmaṇas, in particular, lavish gifts should be bestowed. Śrotriyas must be provided for according to the degree of their learning. If they suffer penury, the kingdom is afflicted by famine. The king under whose protection, Brāhmaṇas perform meritorious acts is rewarded with a long life, prosperity and increase of dominion. In fact, he receives one-sixth of their spiritual merit. A Kṣatriya should never take a Brāhmaṇa's property. A king who cannot protect his subjects from robbery is a dead and not a living king. It falls to the king to regulate the economic life of the community. Traders are open thieves, a species of robbers. They must be watched and controlled by the king. He must fix the prices of all marketable goods, mark the weights and measures and re-examine them every six months. The followers of various occupations, mechanics, manual workers, all come in for state supervision. It is the duty of the king above all to annihilate theft, adultery, defamation, violence and assault. Physicians or veterinary surgeons who wrong their patients must be fined. Oppression is bound to deprive the king of his life and possessions and ruin all his relations.¹