Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s4.3

c5.s4.3

*Vādin* (proponent/disputant), *prativādin* (respondent), *prāśnika* (jury) and *sabhya* (member of the assembly) — these are said to be the four pillars of *vāda*.²⁸ A king should employ only those as the members of the *sabhā* who are religious, well tested, and can bear the *dhūḥ* (brunt) of *vyavahāra* (issues for debate/petitions) like good bulls. They should be adept in Dharmaśāstras, should come from good families, should always speak truth, and should consider a friend or a foe as equal.²⁹