The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s1.t4.13

c16.s1.t4.13

The non-existence of *varṇâśrama* is possible only under conditions of non-performance of duty. Suppose the *varṇas* do not follow *dharma*, e. g. the soldier flies from the enemy in a cowardly manner, the husband does not maintain the wife, the judge encourages the fabrication of false evidence, the king violates the *samaya* or compact with the *prakriti*, and so forth. According to Śukra⁴ the offenders are to be rectified by the *daṇḍa* of the state. This is the supreme moment for the exercise of *aiśvarya* (sovereignty). Why, even the king is not immune from penalty.