The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s1.t3.54

c16.s1.t3.54

The doctrine of duty as stated in the *Gîtâ*³ runs thus: "One's own duty, though defective, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in performing one's own duty is preferable; the performance of the duties of others is dangerous". The passage here has no mere metaphysical significance. This theory of *sva-dharma* (one's own duty) or "My station and Its Duties" as Bradley would define it, has a political significance as well. It has the sanction of the state behind it; for, says Manu⁴ "neither a father, nor a teacher, nor a friend, nor a mother, nor a wife, nor a son, nor a domestic priest must be left unpunished if they do not keep within their duty". According to Śukra⁵ also, the people should be kept each in his proper sphere by a "terrible use" of the weapon of sovereignty.