Cultural Study of Nisitha Curni

Author(s): Madhu Sen
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar

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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
representatives of the people. This definition of verajja mentioned in the NC. virtually corroborates the account of the Aitareya Brahmana where it is stated, "in this type of govern. ment the whole country or nation (jana pada.? ) took to conse-- cration of rulership.”. However, it appears that, because of their democratic set-up, such States often became the centres of struggle, conflict and confusion. Kau'ilya also observes, no body feels in a vairajya government the feeling of mine ( with regard to the State ); the aim of political organism is. rejected; any one can sell away (the country), no one feels responsible, or one becoming indifferent leaves the State."2 In the NC. verajja is counted among the anarchical regions, where a monk is categorically restricted to move without any specific reasons, and if needed it was to be done after taking proper permission or letter of authority ( muddapatta) from the senior administrative authorities. However, as seen above, it can be supposed that the word verajja was originally meant to denote a perfect democratic type of government, but this meaning was distorted in later centuries because of the continuous insecure and anarchical conditions in such States.
(iv) States in Hostility--The term viruddha-rajja has been mentioned in a multifarious way in the NC.-- sometimes with verajja5 and sometimes independently. Jayaswal's interpretation of the term as “States ruled by parties"7 has not been supported by the NC. The NC. explains viruddha-rajja as “States which were hostile with aggresive postures towards each other which resulted in the imposition of restrictions on trades and communication, to conduct which special sanction from proper authorities was required."8 The government was in a state of turmoil and any person of
1. Aitareja Brālmana, VIII. 14; Jayaswal, Hindu Polity', pp. 81-82. 2. Arthašāstra, VIII. 2; Jayaswal, op. cit., p. 83. 3. NC. 3, p. 202. 4. NC. 3, p. 203; also Bịh. Vr. 3, p. 786. 5. Ibid. 6. NC. 3, p. 198. 7. Jayaswal, op. cit., p. 88. 8. NC. 3, p. 196.