[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) › c7.571 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.571 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.571 - **Language:** English ### [c7.571](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.571) The references to \*vidathya\*, "one worthy of the congregation", indicate that it was a title for which some qualification was necessary and not all those who attended the synod were called by this designation.⁵ One hymn refers to two laud-singing Brāhmaṇas in the \*vidatha\*⁶ and a \*Ṛg\* and an Atharvan hymn refer to poets (\*kavayaḥ\*) in the \*vidatha\*.⁷ Later, we find Brāhmaṇas with proper names such as \*Vidathin\*,⁸ \*Vidathakṛtin\*,⁹ and the Lexicons interpret the word \*vidathya\* as "a saint", or an "ascetic".¹⁰ It is then a tempting conclusion that only those Brāhmaṇas who had learned the sacrificial lore and performed the actual sacrifice or assisted in its performance were designated as \*vidathyas\*. The references to Brāhmaṇas and poets singing in the \*vidatha\* support this conclusion, which is further confirmed by Brāhmaṇas versed in sacrificial-lore being called \*vidathya\*. Usually in the Vedic hymns \*vidatha\* thus has the connotation of a "congregation" or "synod".¹ The evidence shows that local congregational meetings were held at which gods were worshipped and the Brāhmaṇas sang hymns in praise of the gods, asking for good luck and prosperity for the settlement. - [Previous: c7.570](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.570) - [Next: c7.572](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.572) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.571](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.571) · Pramāṇa