Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.241

c7.241

We have referred already to the fact that a few references indicate that the term *sabhā* was also used as the meeting place or council-hall.³ Our sources do not specifically mention what the *sabhā* actually discussed apart from the judicial matters indicated by some passages. There seem to have been at least two, and perhaps three, grades of members of the *sabhā*. All those qualified to sit in the council, and entitled to take part in the deliberations were called *sabhyas*. Words such as *sabhāga* and *sabhācara* indicate that the councillors went to the *sabhā* to participate in discussions.⁴ Those *sabhyas* who sat at a jury to administer justice were called *sabhāsads*. The distinction between the *sabhyas* and the *sabhāsads* is evident from an Atharvan verse: “O thou of the council [*sabhya*], protect my council [*sabhām*] and [they] who are the council or the councillors [*sabhyāḥ*]; sitters in the council or assessors [*sabhāsadaḥ*].⁵ Another verse refers to the assessors of Yama’s council.⁶ One passage in the *Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa* also mentions the *sabhām*, the *sabhyāḥ* and the *sabhāsadaḥ* separately.¹ Yet, another passage in the same text gives the impression that the *sabhācaras* were connected with the *dharma* or Law as the *sūtas* with singing and the actors with performing.² In most cases the *sabhāsads* are distinguished from the ordinary councillors.