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ECONOMIC, POLITICAL & RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS
The PCV reveals that sometimes if a king died issueless, some divine method was used to selcct his heir1. When the king of Mahapura died issueless an elephant was released. He selected king Saudasa who was dethroned and exiled from Ayodhya. was installed as the king of Mahapura (22.91).
He
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When Lakṣmaṇa became the king of Ayodhya, his brother Śatrughna was granted the rulership of Mathura (Ch 86). It indicates that younger brother of a king were appropriately granted some
towns or lands.
Consecration Ceremony It is a called 'rajjābhiseya = rājyābhiṣeka (80.17) or Paṭṭabandha' (5.41). The latter term indicates the practice of binding of a royal turban which was an emblem of sovereignty.
The work of consecration was assigned to the ministers (19.5). The Purohita (31.57), Samantas (31.50) and the Vassal king (85,16) also played an important part in it. The occasion was celebrated with the performances of music (19.5; 85.18) and dance (85.19). Bards sang panegyrics (85.20). Sacred water brought from sacred places was sprinkled over the body of the installing king (85.20). His body was besmeared with sanda! paste and was decorated with ornaments and garlands (85.21).
Chief queen was also consecrated on this occasion (85.22, 23). Or when some one of the queens was made the chief queen she was also duly consecrated (abhiseyapaṭṭabandhaṁ.........paviyā 105.95)2.
Types of Rulers:
The PCV refers to the following types of rulers :
Cakravartin:-It is stated that Cakravartin Bharata enjoyed Suzerainty over 32,000 kings (4.58). He governed the whole of India (Samatta Bhārahāhivo 5.118) and his rule was 'egachattam' i. e. one umbrella and one ruler (4.56). He was saluted by all the kings under him (āṇāpaņāma 4.38). Thus a Cakravartin was a paramount king whose authority was reeognised by all the other rulers of the country. The Tiloyapannatti corroborates it (1.48). It can be compared with 'Sarvabhauma' type of king the Śukraniti described in
the
1. See also Darimukha Jataka No. 378; Devendragani's Commentary on Uttaradhyayana 3. p. 63a; Karakandacariu, 2. 20.
2. Pattabandha is called as Usnisapatta also. It was a golden band wrapped over the turban of a king. Heir-apparent, queen or armychief also were authorised to wear such royal bands. Mahadevi-patta is also mentioned -Hargacarita cka Simskṛtika Adhyayana, p. 155. See also Varahi Vṛhat Samhita (49. 2.4) which mentions five kinds of Pattas.
