King and 8 Ministries in Vedic Period
Vedic people were not primitive. They were more civilized than any other race of that period. The rules and regulations stipulated for the king and the duties and prerogatives assigned to the king show that they are highly organised and very much advanced in civilization.
It is amazing to see all the important Departments or Ministries were in place during the Vedic time.
Ministries: Grhapati, Vanaspati, Pasupati, Dharmapati, Brhaspati
Ministers : Savita, Agni, Soma, Brahaspati, Indra, Rudra, Mitra, Varuna
Coronation and Consecration
The rites and rituals connected with the Coronation and Consecration ceremony are described in the Satapata Brahmana (5-3, 5-4). On the first day of the five day ceremony, offerings are made to eight deities-
Savita, Agni, Soma, Brahaspati, Indra, Rudra, Mitra, Varuna
These eight Gods are called ‘Devasus’ or Divine Quickeners’ and each has an epithet of his own.
While offering the oblations, each is invoked along with his epithet which bespeaks one or other aspect of royal prerogatives, duties and functions.
Thus Savita is invoked as Satyaprasava for true impulse or righteous energy of the king. ( I will compare it to the modern Ministry of External Affairs and Prime Minister’s Office)
Agni as Grhapati for mastery of the household( Ministry of Human Resources)
Soma as Vanaspati for the protection of forests and agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture and Forests)
Brhaspati Vak for power of speech ( Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
Indra as Jyeshta for supremacy or predominance in matters of administration (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Rudra as Pasupati for protection of cattle,(Ministry of Animal Husbandry)
Mitra as Satya for truth,(Ministry of Moral Education)
And lastly offering to Varuna and moral governor as Dharmapati for upholding Dharma or Law. The last epithet viz, that of Varuna makes the king upholder of law or one who enforces law and order. (Ministry of Law and Order)
Thus each epithet is applied with an eye to each prerogative or duty of the king-designate.
Eight Ministers for Tamil Kings
Tamil kings who ruled in the southern part of India two thousand years ago also had Eight Advisers. The council was called ‘EnPerayam.’ It consisted of
Chief of Accounts
Chief of Executive officials
Chief of Treasury officials
Chief of Palace guards
Leading citizens representatives
Chief of Infantry
Chief of Elephantry
Chief of the Cavalry
Shivaji’s Eight Ministers
Ashta Pradhan of Veera Shivaji
Shivaji who was coronated in 1674 had Eight Ministers to run the country. The council was called Ashta Pradhan.
Peshwa: Prime Minister
Amatya: Minister in charge of Financial matters
Sacheev: Chief of Administration
Mantri: Home Minister
Sumant: Foreign Minister
Senapati: Commander in Chief, Defence Minister
Nyayadish: Law Minister/ Chief Justice
Panditrao: Minister in charge of Religious Affairs
Council of Eight Poets: Ashta Diggajas
Ancient King Vikramaditya had a Council of Nine Scholars known as Navaratnas (Nine Gems). Vijayanagara kings had a group of Eight Poets/scholars knows as Ashta Diggajas ( Eight Elephants in 8 cardinal points). They were very popular because of their poetical works. The eight poets were Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayagari Mallana, Pingali Surana,Tenali Ramakrishna, Dhurjati Ayyalaraju, Ramaraja Bhushandu, Rama Bhadrudu.
Of the eight poets, Tenali Ramakrishna was the most famous person. He was a great poet and a jester. His anecdotes are known to every child of South India.
Vijayanagara Emperor Krishna Devaraya who ruled between 1509 and 1529 AD had these eight poets. He himself was a great poet.
Looking at these councils, one may conclude that the ancient practice of having EIGHT COUNCILLORS was followed till recent times.
Democratic Election:- First King Soma
The first king elected democratically on earth was a Vedic king named SOMA.
As to the origin of kingship or institution of monarchy the Aitareya Brahmana recounts the following anecdote. Once Gods were defeated by the Asuras (demons) in every direction. At that time there was no king among Gods. Brooding over the cause of their signal defeat at the hands of the Asuras, thus said the Gods—Because we are without a king they have been able to defeat us;we shall ELECT a king.’ All consented unanimously. They ELECTED god Soma as their king and conquered all the directions guided by King Soma. This passage proves the emergence of kingship by ELECTION at the time of emergency or national calamity. Naturally the first king had to be elected whether in heaven or earth. Later hereditary kingship was followed.
Please read my earlier post Lord Shiva’s favourite No 8
( Details of Vedic times are gathered from the book ‘Life during Brahmana Period’)
Pictures are taken from other websites.Thanks.
