The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c9.s2.t1.16

c9.s2.t1.16

A third factor which promotes the feudal tendency in the Mahābhārata is the usual bid for supremacy symbolised by the Digvijaya. The Digvijayas or "conquests of the quarters," carried out by Duryodhana and Yudhiṣṭhira do not result in any annexations. It was enough that their suzerainty was acknowledged by those whose dominions they or their lieutenants chose to enter. Again, on Pāṇḍu's Digvijaya, "the kings of the earth with joined hands waited on him with presents of various kinds of gems and wealth, precious stones and pearls and corals, and much gold and silver and first-class kine and handsome horses," etc., etc. Pāṇḍu accepted all the presents and retraced his steps towards his capital.¹ Thanks to these factors, a sort of feudalism seems to have become the order of the day. The Sabhā Parvan brings on the stage a whole crowd of feudatories in whose presence Kṛṣṇa slays his perverse relative, Śiśupāla.² In the same Parvan, again many Rājans are seen bringing excellent jars for water for the bath of Yudhiṣṭhira after the great sacrifice.³ In a private conflict Karṇa and Duryodhana attack and slay many Rājans.⁴ In the many Svayamvaras in the Epic, the number of "kings" is legion.⁵ In the Aśvamedha Parvan, a prince salutes all his seniors of the Kuru race and the other 'kings' present.⁶