Bhagavana Mahavira and his Relevance in Modern Times

Author(s): Narendra Bhanavat, Prem Suman Jain, V P Bhatt
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Varshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh

Page 194

Insti. Models of State and Govt. in Mahāvīra's Tradition
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Purohita, have been depicted as Pradhāna Puruşa, who ruled the State and were like eves and ears of the Government. 10
But in the post-canonical literature, the king's cabinet consisted of twelve heads named as Purohita, Amātya, Saciva, Mantri, Dandanāyaka, Mahattara, Pradhāna-Senā pati, Dūta, Yuvarāja, Pattanahisi, Jyotişi and Koşādhyakshall and in the same context their roles and obligations have also been defined. But in Somadeva's Nītivākyā msta,' specific stress is laid on the interpersonal relationship between the king and his cabinet and intrarelationship in the cabinet colleagues. The guiding principle for the kings was generally to choose honest persons to serve him, who could truthfully play their roles and help him in fulfilment of his varried obligations. They should be men of pure lives, legal and well versed in the science of Government, they should be men of high birth and natives of the country. But Somadeva in 'Nitivākyāmsta' warns the kings of 'ministerial corruption' who could cause sedition among the citizens, depletion of treasury, decimation of the population, disaffection of kinsmen, hostility of friends and the emigration of the high born.12 Hence the king was advised to exercise strict watch and control over his officials.13 He opines that "kings who enjoy pleasures at will, leaving the charge of the kingdom in the hands of the officials are foolish indeed.” Of all the cautions, Somadeva warns kings to be on their guard in their relations with women. 14
Various departments :
The organisation of Government also included the functioning of various departments, of which the four were the most important ones such as Judiciary', Taxation & Revenue , ‘Police & Army' and 'Foreign Affairs, '15 The Judiciary comprised of eminent judges & all types of crimes were subjected to severe punishments, depending on the nature of crime involving punitive measures from rigorous public condemnation to even capital punishment. Even women, except the pregnant ones, were subjected to similar punishments for the same offence. Jails were highly abominable and prisioners were contemptuously treated and penalised. The second department of Taxation and Revenue was headed by 'Sunkpal', who imposed taxes, I lowed by stringent punitive measures in the cases of
default. 16 T'he universe of taxes, according to Dhanañjaya, was