The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.76

c10.76

Once a Purohita tries to take the entire control of the state in his hands (V, 57). Sometimes he identifies his ambitions with the glory and greatness of his master. “I will make this king conquer all other kings in the whole of India; in this way he will become the sole king and I the sole house-priest” (III, 159). If, however, a Purohita deeply displeased the king, he could be consigned to dire punishment. We see him once dragged to the place of execution by the king’s people (I, 439). There is mention of corrupt back-biting priests (V, 2 et seq.). The judgments of another hopelessly corrupt priest were rectified by the prince who is then appointed judge of all suits and earns the bitter hostility of the priest (VI, 131). It goes without saying that, besides the house-priest, other Brâhmaṇas were consulted by the king. We hear of Brahmadatta of Benâres and his queen calling 800 Brâhmaṇas to forecast their child’s destiny (I, 272).