[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968) › c7.488 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.488 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.488 - **Language:** English ### [c7.488](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.488) However, there is not much evidence to show that only the learned and the wise were concerned with the \*vidatha\*, and that it meant spiritual authority. Bloomfield, on the other hand, insisted that the \*vidatha\* referred to a "house" in the first place (from \*vid\*, acquire) and then to the "sacrifice" as connected with the house.¹ In the opinion of Keith and Macdonell "this . . . appears to suit all the passages."² We do not agree with this interpretation entirely, although in some cases the \*vidatha\* stands for sacrifice. Its connection with house is misleading. Bloomfield's derivation of the word from \*vid\*, to acquire, is doubtful. This connotation may have been given to the word at a later period. In Vedic literature the root \*vid\* has primarily the connotation of knowledge, and not of acquisition.³ - [Previous: c7.487](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.487) - [Next: c7.489](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.489) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.488](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.488) · Pramāṇa