The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s2.t2.29

c16.s2.t2.29

This concept of a scale of nationalities or a rank of states, as “first class powers” or “great powers” and “small nations” or the like, according to income and title, is essentially linked up in Hindu theory with the concept of political *yajnas*, sacrifices and rituals, which are fully described in the *Brâhmanas*. The *Gopatha Brâhmana*¹ says that Prajâpati became *râjâ* by *râjasûya* sacrifice, *samrât* by *vâjapeya*, *svarât* by *aśvamedha*, *virât* by *puruṣamedha*, and so forth. We need not go into the details of these rituals. We have only to note that not every ruler is entitled to perform any and every sacrifice. Each sacrifice has its own value or mark of sovereignty attached to it; the dignity, might and rank of states being dependent on the character of the sacrifice performed.