The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s2.t2.20

c16.s2.t2.20

The doctrine of *sârva-bhauma* does not stand alone in Hindu political philosophy. It is backed up by several other concepts which may be regarded as its logical feeders. First is the concept of the gradation of rulers in the scale of *aiśvarya* (sovereignty). The *Rig Veda*,³ the *Śatapatha Brâhmaṇa*,⁴ and other ancient documents recognize a hierarchy or graded rank of states from the lowest unit up. According to the *Aitareya Brâhmaṇa*⁵ the smallest nationality is a *râjya*. From this rung the ladder gradually takes us through higher or larger “powers” like the *sâmrâjya*, *svârâjya*, *vairâjya*, and *mahârâjya* up to the greatest power, known as the *âdhipatya*.