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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
Ministers advised king on the matters of national importance (65. 1;66.1) and war-policy (88.28). They also helped king in settling the marriage of the latter's progeny (7.3;12.1;15.14). The work of coronation was entrusted to them (31.1.52). They were fully entrusted with the treasury and the work of administration when the king happened to be absent from the capital (23 16). They remained vigilant that the kingdom was not lost to any other power (34.21). A king who did not listen to the minsters about things good and bad brought his own downfall (64.6.9). This is the reason why a king has been enjoined to act always with the advice of his ministers (Kautilya, 1.15).
Ministers were required to possess the qualifications of good learning in various subjects relating to polity, administration (nayasatthavisārayā 8.5; nayasatthapandiyā 5.176) and secular matters (bahussue 77.77; pandiyā 77.78).
Other Officers : Purohita:-He is variously associated with a king (5.31;26.6;41.45; 103.92) but his function is nowhere referred to. The Sthānanga (Abhaya. 7.558) defines him as a 'Santikarmakāri', i e. he performed rituals for the peace of the country. In the works of Kalidasa (IK, p. 129) he is associated with the consecration work. The Arthasastra (1.9.15-16) lays down that a person of high family and character learned in the Vedas and their parts, well-read in portents, omens and the science of Government should be appointed as high priest. The king is advised to follow him as a teacher, father, and master,
Senapati:-Senāpati (37.2;86.26) or Balānika (7.11) was the Commander-in-chief of the army. In the matters of war his say was held supreme (86.30).
Salarakṣa:-He (52. 8) is mentioned to have been appointed to protect the fort of Larkāpuri. He can be identified with the Durgapāla of Arthaśāstrā (1.12) i. e. the officer incharge of Home Defences,
Bhāņdārika :-Bhandariya (29.11) was the officer of stores He is explained to be the superintendent of various store-houses, treasure, trade, grains, forest produce, armoury and jail (Kautilya, 2.5).
Kañcuki:-He (93.8) was the lord chamberlain or the lord of the servants of the inner apartment of the king. He was an aged person and was held in good esteem by the king (29.7).
Mahattaras:— They are found to be in association with princesses. Vidyadhara princess accompanied by Mayaharayas go to the battlefield to hail Lakşmaņa fighting with Rāvana (71.6). Sita was surrounded
