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ECONOMIC, POLITICAL & RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS
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elephants (8.178;218) and turbulent horses (28.27). Capturing of wild elephants was also practised by some kings (94.103).
Personal Qualities:-A king was required to belong to 'utta makula' (6.18; 9.26) and to have superior qualities (naravaiguņehi jutto 2.15).
He was required to possess robust health (2.16,17), strength bala 6.221, sakti 28.127) and majesty (pratapa 7.170). Self confidence (darpa 6,221), courage and qualities of goodness (vīrya & sattva 7.170) were considered to be indispensable for a king. He was required to have modesty (vinaya 3.7; 9.26) and to be virtuous in his thought and deeds (dharmabuddhi 65.1). He was considered to be the root of morality (marayādā 53.4).
A good king is said to be one who has a flawless character, who is affectionate to the people (uttamapii 9.26), helpful and beneficial to his servants and relations (bhiccaņa bandhavāņa uvayāraparo). He should worship all sorts of religious persons (sahūņa devaguru-puyaṇaparo). He should be devoted to the religious duties (dhammuvagaraṇesu sāhīņo). He should consider other's wife as his mother and other's wealth as grass (7.60-62).
Duties:-The PCV mentions that a king should treat his subjects as his children (janavacchala 27.11) and see to their utmost welfare (uvayara 3.7). The protecting of the people was the fundamental duty (3.115) of a Ksatriya. The Sukraniti (14) observes that one who can protect men, who is valorous, restrained and powerful and who is the chastiser of the wicked is called a Kṣatriya i.e. a person capable of ruling over others.
Hospitality: The PCV reveals that on various occasions kings made munificent grants of land to learned persons (77.88; 88.26), their friends (12.12) and well-wishers (88.21,34). Similarly they granted gifts of wealth to several persons1.
Amusements:-Hunting (33.30) was one of the common four addictions of a king. The other three are mentioned in the Arthasastra (8.3.42) as the gambling, drinking and association with women.
Happy bath in accompaniment of the ladies of the harem (69.9-10) was one of the common entertainments of kings. Kings generrally sported with their wives in gardens (6.100; 86.34), enjoyed watersports in reservoirs (5.218) and rivers (10.35; 42.17).
1. See Supra, Ksatriya' under 'Castes'.
