The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.73

c10.73

The Purohita is the Âcârya, teacher or preceptor (II, 376; IV, 270; V, 127). He is actually seen teaching sacred texts to a king of Benâres (III, 28). We see him admonishing a king who was set on evil ways (III, 317). In the Tilamuṭṭhi Jātaka, the king makes his Takkasilâ teacher his Purohita, looks upon him as a father and follows his advice (II, 282). Sometimes the king and the Purohita are friends and companions (I, 289). A prince and a Purohita’s son born on the same day are brought up together and go to Takkasilâ together (III, 31). Fleeing at night from an invaded town, a king takes with him only his queen, a servant and the Purohita (III, 417). For his maintenance, the Purohita seems to have enjoyed, besides any presents, a Bhogagâma, the revenues of a village (III, 105; IV, 475). The consecration of state elephants brings a Purohita ten millions (II, 46). To the Purohita, as to priests in general, land may be given as sacrificial fee (III, 516).