The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c7.56

c7.56

In the Atharvaveda the waters are supposed to be collected from many quarters. "The waters of heaven that revel with milk, in the atmosphere or also on the earth--with the splendours of all those waters do I sprinkle thee."¹ It appears that prior to the sprinkling, the king-designate, attired in bright clothing strode upon the tiger's skin unto the great quarters.² In several compositions of this period is mentioned the Râjasûya, a yet more complex ceremony for the inauguration of a king, which consisted of a series of sacrifices lasting for a year or so.³ In the Taittirîya Saṃhitâ⁴ during the Râjasûya rite of adoration the king is addressed as Mitra, Varuṇa, etc.⁴ The rite of consecration raised the king almost above humanity. It is, however, in the later Brâhmaṇas that varieties and details of the consecration ceremonial are fully developed.⁵