Sramana 2014 04

Author(s): Ashokkumar Singh, Rahulkumar Singh, Omprakash Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

Page 65

60 : Sramaņa, Vol 65, No. 2, April-June 2014 liberal, just and courageous, free from addictions, be a sound judge of persons and possess the gift of foresight, be a man of deep faith, be able to treat a guilty brother and an enemy alike and belongs to a family where such job was hereditary.20 This implies that the post like ministers were generally hereditary. The existence of this practice from early days is evident both from epigraphs as well as from texts on polity. Although the advice to choose a hereditary minister was often followed, it never foreclosed the options of the ruler. The minister is also advised to avoid acting with anger, greed, pride or vanity. He should always speak what is conductive to welfare. His decision should always be fair. His concern should be only the good of the people. After consulting properly, he should act in such a manner with reference to other constituents of the state as well as enemy states that the work of the sovereign is not impeded.21 Acārya Hemacandra's sole attempt is to form a team which can serve the state more efficiently. The ministers, like the king, are for the state, i.e., inhabitants and they should not use the power over the people for their individual interest. His greatest emphasis has been on the king and the minister working in the interest of the people, not otherwise. Prajāhita is to be their sole criterion; public welfare and impartial justice are to be the second by the application of a wise, trained and virtuous mind.
Sovereignty is neither conceived as personal property or that of dynasty, nor as a game of power. It is not even conceived as the means of enjoyment of wealth and power. It is not also a matter of divine right nor necessary evil arising from anarchy. Sovereignty is conceived, herein from the standpoint of high moral idealism and a great faith in the efficacy of knowledge, training and virtue. The king and his higher officers are expected to follow wisdom and exercise self-control so that they may serve the general good. Here the whole effort of Ācārya Hemacandra is to build an institution which would facilitate the people to realise their own goals. The