The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s5.t1.3

c10.s5.t1.3

A specimen of the *pratijnâ*, promise, vow or oath made by Kings to the people is thus worded in the *Aitareya Brâhmaṇa*:² "Between the night I was born and the night I die, whatever good I might have done, my heaven, my life and my progeny may I be deprived of, if I oppress you." And the *Mahâbhârata*³ furnishes the traditional form of the oath administered to Vena's son Prithu in the following terms: "I shall always regard the *bhauma* (the country) as the Brahma (the highest God). And whatever is to be prescribed as law on the basis of statecraft I shall follow without hesitation, never my own sweet will." A *samaya*⁴ or compact was in this way entered into by the king and the people. The non-fulfilment of the *pratijnâ* was tantamount to the violation of the compact, comparable to the feudal contract introduced in Norman England, which Adams considers to be the real origin of limited monarchy in Europe.