The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c6.72

c6.72

The administration was expected to conform to law or custom. "Varuṇa true to holy law, sits down among his people; he, most wise, sits there to govern all."³ Elsewhere in the course of a hymn to Mitra and Varuṇa, the laws of kings are spoken of as standing firm.⁴ The idea of order as dwelling among men has emerged.⁵ "Strong is the thought of Ṛita (law or truth), the behest of Ṛita."⁶ In the task of administration, the king seems to have been assisted by a number of men. The gods Mitra and Varuṇa are spoken of as having set their warders "who visit every spot and watch unceasing." They keep guard over fields and plants; they find out those bent on evil.⁷ Spies are often mentioned in the hymns. They seem to have been more than detectives; they partook of the character of agents general. Varuṇa's spies are pictured as seated round about.⁸ Elsewhere they are "ever true and never bewildered."⁹ Sent on their errand, they "survey the two world-halves well-formed and fashioned. Wise are they, holy, skilled in sacrifices, the furtherers of the praise-songs of the prudent."¹⁰ Agni is implored to send forward his spies.¹¹ It is possible to distinguish only two officers specifically in the entourage of the king. The Senānī, 'leader of an army,' seems to have been a military commander appointed by the king.¹²