The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c9.s2.t1.42.3

c9.s2.t1.42.3

When Dhṛtarāṣṭra proposes to pass over his nephew Yudhiṣṭhira, the rightful heir, in favour of his own son, the people raise a fearful outcry. They meet in assemblies, streets and courtyards and demand that Dhṛtarāṣṭra should be deposed, that Yudhiṣṭhira should not only be declared heir-apparent but forthwith installed as King. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, they declared, had long ago forfeited the right to the kingdom on account of his blindness. How could he now have a right to transmit it to his son¹ Towards the close of the story, when old Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves for forest-life, he addresses the whole multitude and commends the people to the care of Yudhiṣṭhira who speaks in his turn.² When resolved on renunciation, Yudhiṣṭhira arranged that his grand-nephew Parīkṣit should be king in Hastināpur. He called his subjects together and informed them of his plans. They were disconcerted at the news and unanimously disapproved of the king's intention to abdicate. "This should never be done." But Yudhiṣṭhira succeeded in persuading them to accept his proposals.³ (The king was expected to be accessible to all, even to agriculturists.⁴) On the other hand, the Epic, in some of its episodes, assumes that the king could do what he liked with his kingdom.