Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. III
of honest, sincere and loyal officers of all grades, so it was an imperative necessity that he should have ministers and a cabinet consisting of them for consultation before deciding upon a course of action regarding the state policy.
The Bh1 only mentions Mantz and Mahāmaṁti', along with other high dignitaries of the government who formed the royal retinue, but there is no indication of the council of ministers (Mantriparisad) and its functions anywhere in this work.
The BhS is acquainted with two kinds of 'Parisa", viz. the religious Parisa (assembly) and the royal retinue as recognized institutions.
But it is not clear whether the royal retinue mentioned here denotes the political parisad as revealed in the Manu-smṛti3, the Panini, the Arthaśastra, the Buddhist texts and the Aśokan Inscriptions.
The character of administration as reflected here clearly shows that the absolute monarch presided over all functions of the state by exercising his autocratic sovereign authority over every branch of the administration of the government, the people and the state. So it was not probably thought necessary by him to form a council of ministers, who would advise and assist him in his deliberation on important state affairs with their wise counsel based on knowledge and experience. The council of ministers (Mantriparisad) which is referred to in some Jaina, Buddhist and Brahmaṇical works as one of the most important limbs of the state was perhaps a later phase of administrative evolution.
1 BhS, 7, 9 300. See the Sūri.
Commentary of Sri Abhayadeva
21b, 1, 1, 6. (Parisā niggaya parisā paḍigayā). 3 Manu-Smrti, VII, 146
5
Arthasastra, 13,-1, Ch. XV, p. 26-29. Mahäsilava Jataka, 1. 264.
4 Panini, V, 2, 112.
7 Asoka's Inscription, Rock Edicts III and VI.
8
Bhs, 11, 11, 429; 7, 9, 300; 11, 9, 417; 13, 6, 491.