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138
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. III
Varuna, a prominent citizen of the state who was ordered by the king, the assembly and the army respectively to join the Rathamusala Sangrama in order to fight the forces of Magadha led by king Kūņika.
So one should turn his attention to other sources which present an elaborate account of the constitution and form of government of the Licchavi Republic which formed a part of the greater Vajjian confederacy.
The fundamental principles of the Vajjian constitution are embodied in the following famous dialogue of Lord Buddha with his disciple, Ananda at Rajagrha, when Vassakāra, the prime minister of Magadha paid a visit to the Blessed one with an intention to know his mind about the Vajjians.
1. "So long, Ananda, as the Vajjians hold full and frequent assemblies."
2. "So long as they meet together in concord and rise in concord and carry out Vajjian business in concord. (Vajji karaniyani).
3.
So long as they enact nothing already established, abrogate nothing that has been already enacted and act in accordance with the ancient institutions of the Vajjians as established in the former days.
4.
So long as they honour, esteem and revere and support the Vajji Elders and hold it a point of duty to hearken to their words.
5.
So long as no women or girls belonging to them are detained among them by force or abduction (i, e. law and not force reigns).
6. So long as they honour, esteem and revere and support the Vajjian Caityas (sacred monuments) (i. e. follow the religion established).
7.
So long as the rightful protection, defence and support shall be fully provided for the Arhants amongst them
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