Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s5.197

v2.c4.s5.197

*Tenure of Monarchy.*—Zimmer⁵ is of opinion that while the Vedic monarchy was sometimes hereditary, as is indeed shown by several cases where the descent can be traced,⁶ yet in others the monarchy was elective, though it is not clear whether the selection by the people was between the members of the royal family only or extended to members of the noble clans. It must, however, be admitted that the evidence for the elective monarchy is not strong. As Geldner⁷ argues, all the passages cited⁸ can be regarded not as choice by the cantons (*Viś*), but as acceptance by the subjects (*viś*): this seems the more probable sense. Of course this is no proof that the monarchy was not sometimes elective: the practice of selecting one member of the family to the exclusion of another less well qualified is exemplified by the legend in Yāska⁹ of the Kuru brothers, Devāpi and Śantanu, the value of which, as evidence of contemporary views, is not seriously affected by the legend itself being of dubious character and validity.