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and Palagala (the royal courier).³
 
(6) The last two are not mentioned in the Taitti-
riya Brāhmaṇa. The Maitrāyaṇī Saṁhitā (i.e.,
the Maitrāyaṇī edition of the Yajurveda) does
not give the name of Palāgala, but instead gives
the names of Takṣā (the royal carpenter) and
Rathakara (the royal chariot maker). Thus
the Ratnins seem to have formed a very im-
portant council of ministers and executive offi-
cers in the later Vedic age.
 
Political Concepts in Ancient India
 
RAJA-DHARMA (1) Literally "Law for the
Rulers". As such the term means "The science
of Politics" and it is same as Dandanīti (q.v.).
(2) In the Mahābhārata, Šānti Parva, there is a
long discourse on the nature, utility and indis-
pensability of Rajadharma. U.N. Ghoshal, with
reference to that discourse, renders the term as
the "whole Duty of the King". But in course
of that discourse too Mahabharata uses the
term Dandanīti also.
 
(3) According to a Buddhist tradition, as record-
ed in certain Jataka stories, this term implies
ten specific royal duties. Those who ruled in
 
3. This meaning is given by Jayaswal (loc. cit.) Altekar sug-
gests that Palagala was probably the King's bosom companion,
corresponding to the Viduşaka of the later period.
 
4. The Kathakasaṁhitā gives Govyaca for Govikarta and omits
Taksa and Rathakāra. For details see also Vedic Index. Vol.
II, pp. 199 f.
 
5. U. N. Ghoshal, HIPI, pp. 189 f.
 
6. Ibid., p. 190.
 
Cf. majjet trayi dandanītau hatāyām sarve dharmaḥ praksa-
yeyur vibuddhāḥ sarve dharmaścāśramāṇāṁ hatah syuh ksatre
tyakte rājadhar ma purāṇe (Mahābhārata, Sānti Parva, 63.28).
 
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