The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.167

c17.167

In spite of the career of Śaśâṅka who is said to have uprooted the Bodhi tree and destroyed the "Law" so far as he could,⁷ religious toleration must be held to be the rule in the seventh century in India. The "Life" and account of Yuan testify abundantly to the catholicity of the Brahmanic Kumāra. Bāṇa speaks of the presence of Jainas, Ārhatas, Pāśupatas, Brāhmaṇas and mendicants of the school of Parāśara at the court of Harṣa.¹ Planning a big religious assembly, the emperor sent commands from Kajughira in Bengal to the different "kingdoms" that followers of all the various sects and schools should attend. So the Kanauj assembly included 3,000 Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna Buddhists, nearly 1,000 Buddhist scholars from Nālanda, and 3,000 Brāhmaṇas and Nirgranthas.² The discussions were conducted in the usual scholastic fashion. For instance, Yuan Chwang propounded a thesis, posted it outside the assembly-hall and challenged its refutation.³ The practice of holding such assemblies was widespread and of long duration. Yuan was told that king Vikramāditya who had been renowned for his charity all over India had summoned a religious gathering to discuss spiritual doctrines.⁴ The Chinese pilgrim speaks of numerous other rulers who had done the same and records some anecdotes. One of the kings is said to have proclaimed that "whoever is defeated shall die, as a proof of his inferiority."⁵ On another occasion a great discussion was conducted in a big hall in the presence of a king, his ministers and a vast concourse. When Mādhava, one of the controversialists, happened to die, his widow occupied his place and took up the cudgels.⁶ In such gatherings feeling sometimes ran high. On the occasion of one of Harṣa's assemblies, it was rumoured that the life of Yuan Chwang was in danger. The emperor issued a proclamation to the effect that "if any one should touch or hurt the Master of the Law, he shall be forthwith executed; and whoever speaks against him, his tongue shall be cut out; but all those who desire to profit by his instructions, relying on my good will, need not fear this manifesto."¹