Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 103

78
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. III
(dandadharabhave) the strong will swallow the weak but under his protection the weak resist the strong."
It is stated in the BhS that king Bala of Hastinapura promulgated his order with a warning to his officers that the birth ceremony of his new born son, Mahabala must not be marked with impunity and unjust punishment (AdamḍaKodamḍima).
The same view on the Danda is expressed by the Arthasastra which says "whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people, while he who awards mild punishment (he) becomes contemptible."
This voice of Kautilya is also echoed by KamandakiyaNitisara in which it is said that "the king intimidates the people by severe punishment, (he) becomes contemptible by light punishment, so the just punishment is admired.
"Udvejayati tīkṣṇena mṛdunā paribhūyate/ Dandena nṛpatiḥ tasmat yuktadandaḥ praśasyate."'||
Thus it is clear that the Danda is the symbol of punish. ment and justice, army, sceptre of power, and paramountcy.
Idea of kingdom and power of kingship
The word 'Cauraṁtacakkavati' as used in the BS carries the conception of an empire governed by a powerful monarch, while the term 'Rajja' mentioned in this canonical work denotes the monarchical state (kingdom) as distinguished from the 'Gana" (republic) referred to in it.
The political situation probably demanded a strong monarchy, but the unbriddled authority of the sovereign king was not vested in kingship. Thus it is laid down in the Manusmṛti "While a just king prospers, one who is voluptuous, partial and deceitful will be destroyed". The very Danda, the symbol of
1 Arthasastra, 9 BhS, 11, 11, 429. 4 Kamandakiya-Nitisära, Sarga II, 37. Ib, 11, 9, 417., 13, 6, 491.
Arthasastra, 9. BhS, 1. 1. 7 [b, 7, 9, 303.
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