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
Ganapüraka(whip) of the assembly. But it had to face sometimes difficulty in securing a complete quorum like the Athenian Republic of Greece.
Then a motion on a particular subject was moved by a mémber like this “Let the Venerable Sangha hear me,'}, etc., and it was debated by the house before passing a resolution on it for its final acceptance or rejection.
In this parliament of the Licchavis every member whether young or old was entitled to equal rights, expression (speech) and franchise on any bill placed before the house for enactment and also had the privilege to be the chairman of the assembly, as it is reflected in the following passage.
"Nocca madhya výddha jeşthānupālitā ekaika eva manyate aham rājā abaṁ rājeti na ca kasyacit șișyatvamupagacchati"4.
The acceptance of any resolution proposed by a member for final enactment was subject to the approval of all the members present in the assembly house. In the case of division of opinion and dispute over any issue the final decision on the subject was taken by ballot votes counted by an officer designated as Salākā grāhāpala with the help of Salākās (sticks)
two types chosen and collected by the members according to their respective support for and opposition to the bill.
A provision was also made for taking votes of absentee members who could not attend the session due to una voidable circumstances?.
1 Mahāvagga, III, 66 (Ganapurako vā bhavissāmite or I will
help to complete the quorum); Sacred Books of the East, XIII,
p. 307. 3 Glotz, The Greek city and its Institution, p. 153. It is said
that the chairman of the Athenian Republic had to collect the indifferent citizens of this city-state with the help of officials and to bring them to the parliament in order to
form the quorum. & Cullavagga, IV, 11,2 (S.B.E., XX, 29); Cullavagga, XI, 1, 4. 4 Lalitavistara-Ch, III, p. 21. 6 Cullavagga-IV, 9, 5; S.B.E. XX, p. 25. 8 These pins or sticks--are of wood according to a Chinese
record; See Hindu polity by Dr. K. P. Jayaswal, p. 91-13f, 1 Cf. Mahavagga-S.B.E. III, p. 277.