Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.109

c9.s4.109

It is also clear from the study of the *Arthaśāstra*⁴ and the *Śānti Parva* that great importance was placed on the manner in which meetings of the councils were to be conducted. Note how serious is Bhīṣma on this point: “It is not advisible that the republic [*gaṇa*] as a whole should know the [secret] counsels. But the chiefs of a republic [*gaṇamukhyāḥ*], having assembled in secret, should do what is for the good of the republic [*gaṇa-hitam*].”⁵