Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni

SR No.: 001743
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 432
Language: English, Prakrit
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & Literature
File Size: 23 MB

Page 51

POLITY AND ADMINISTRATION
31
ministers and a number of State-officials have been mentioned who used to assist the king in matters concerning state-craft and administration. The political lawgivers of the age contended that “even an intelligent king cannot know every thing, the king, therefore, should enlist the help of competent ministers”. 1 A list containing names of the senior most authorities of the State has been frequently mentioned in the NC. It includes the king (raya), the crown-prince (juvarāyā), primeminister (amacca), setthi and purohita.2 These five or rather three members excluding the king and the crown-prince must have formed the royal cabinet. Elsewhere in the NC. two other officers, viz. sena pati (commander-in-chief) and satthavāha ( chief caravan-leader ), are included in the list. It is also stated that the king enjoyed the rights of kingship along with the crown-prince, the commander-in-chief, the primeminister, the purohita, the setthi and the satthavaha. 3
According to Somadeva, the ministry of the king should consist of 3, 5 or 7 members, while Sukra recommends a ministry of 10 members. It is evident that our author sharing his views with Somadeva favours a smaller cabinet of only 3 to 7 members to which the king was bound to consult for all the important matters of the State. This royal council must have exercised immense influence over the king. The Jaina monks were advised to please the members of the royal council (parisa) for the achievement of any objectives. The opposition from the royal council was the greatest misery that could befall the fate of a king and could also result into
1. Sukraniti, Chap. II; also Nititā., p. 114; Manu. VIII. 30. 2. tir Jatir 37571 TEGI yelleat-NC. 4, p. 281; NC. 1, p. 164. 3. तस्स आदिराइणा अभिसित्तो मुद्धो मुद्धाभिसित्तो, सेणावइ अमच्च पुरोहिय सेछि
Hera H i To Jaia-NC. 2, p. 449. 4. Nitiva., p. 128. 5. Sukraniti, II. 10. 6. दुह्र णाम राया पदुट्ठो होज्जा, तंमि पदुठे जा तस्स परिसा सा उवचरियव्वा-NC.
1, p. 140.