The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s5.t2.5

c10.s5.t2.5

Rudra-dâmana (*c* 125—150) acknowledged his claim to the crown in the Satrapy of Western India because of election by "all the orders of the people".⁴ And Śiśunâga's Dynasty was set up, as we have seen, as the result of a mass movement. The city mob,⁵ infuriated at the parricide of Nâgadasako, and desirous of gratifying the whole nation, "unanimously installed in sovereignty the eminently wise minister bearing the historically distinguished appellation of Śiśunâga" (B. C. 603). Further, the *Mahâbhârata* records the tradition that Kuru⁶ was elected king by "all the people" because he was *dharmajña* i. e. proficient in law, and that the "people of the cities and villages" prevented Devapi's accession to the throne because he had *tvagdoṣa* or skin-disease⁷ (leprosy) and installed Śântanu the youngest son.