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Glossary
 
and to look after their welfare. From the same
Edict, asking them to follow a uniform policy in
punishment, we learn that the Rajjukas had
judicial powers as well. The word rajju means
a rope and hence these officers presumably were
responsible also for revenue settlement and re-
venue assessment etc. But the word rajju may
not be the land-measuring rope and may be the
rope for binding a thief or such criminal and
hence the term may mean something like a
police officer. Cf. the term Dandapāśika.
RATNA-HAVIS-A Vedic ritual forming part of
the coronation ceremony and more precisely
of the Rajasuya sacrifice. 'In this ceremony
the King-designate goes to the house of each of
the Ratnins (q.v.) and offers an oblation at his
(or her) place in honour of a particular deity."
This is also an act of honour to the Ratnins who
are recognised as King-makers Rajakṛtah. The
details of this ceremony are given in the Sata-
patha Brāhmaṇa, 5-3-1.
 
139
 
RATHAKĀRA-(1) One of the Ratnins (q.v.)
named in the Maitrāyaṇī Samhita (i.e., the Mai-
trāyaṇī edn. of Yajurveda).
 
(2) The plain meaning of the term is 'chariot-
builder'. In order to have special recognition
from the King-elect in time of his consecration
as a Ratnin, this Rathakara must have been
the chief of the chariot makers, holding a high
degree of technological proficiency.
 
3. Cf. viyohala-samata ca siya danda-samata ca (Ibid.-
Line 15).
 
4. See Altekar, SGAI, pp. 213 f.
5. J, R. Basu, IAB, p. 108.
 
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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN