The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c9.s2.t1.89

c9.s2.t1.89

In the Sabhā Parvan Nārada hints the advice that a king should constantly consult his ministers.³ In practice, however, the rule was not always observed. Nor was the advice of ministers, when tendered, always followed. In the Bhīṣma Parvan, Dhṛtarāṣṭra is blamed for refusing to listen to Vidura, Bhīṣma, Droṇa and Sañjaya. Sañjaya himself blames Dhṛtarāṣṭra for the evil policy he had pursued.⁴ When leaving the capital the king might entrust his affairs to the Purohita or some other dignitary. In the Āśramavāsi Parvan, when Yudhiṣṭhira goes out with his brothers, the city is left in the charge of the Purohita and Yuyutsu, a general.⁵ When for some extraordinary reason the king was unable or unwilling to perform his duties, the charge of the state might devolve on the queen and ministers. In the episode of Nala, the king forgets all in the fascination of dice. His queen Damayantī meets a deputation of citizens and herself summons a council, though she fails to rouse her husband from his stupor to attend it. Apprehensive of the worst, she asks Vārṣṇeya, the royal charioteer, to take her children to her parents in Kuṇḍina. Before obeying her command, Vārṣṇeya seeks and obtains the approval of the chief officers.⁶ In the Mahābhārata there is no fixed rule about regency during a minority. In one such contingency Bhīṣma alone guards the realm.⁷