Influence of Religion in Ancient Indian States


The interplay between religious authority and royal governance has been a pivotal aspect of ancient Indian states, a dynamic vividly captured in Indian literature. The relationship, characterized by mutual dependence yet occasional conflict, reveals the significant role that the priestly class held in shaping the authority of kings.

According to the Aitareya Brahmana, a king's efficacy in his duties was contingent upon his selection of a qualified priest; failure to do so could render his oblations unacceptable. This hierarchical structure placed the priest, particularly the Brahmana, in a position of influence during royal coronations, where the king was required to bow thrice before the Brahmana. Such rituals were meticulously designed to reinforce the subordination of the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas under the Brahmins' spiritual authority. The Rig Veda suggests that a king who honored his priest could attain mastery over his subjects and achieve military successes, further underscoring the necessity of a harmonious relationship between these two entities.

Brahmanical texts assert that the prince and, by extension, the state, remained under the oversight of the Brahmanas, who claimed exemptions from taxation and harsher penalties. This led to the establishment


of roles such as dharmamahamatras by the Mauryas and vinayasthitisthapakas by the Guptas, which facilitated the regulation of moral conduct and religious practices, marking an inclination toward theocracy. Despite the notable pre-eminence of the royal priest during the Vedic age, Vedic literature does contain passages permitting a king to expel a Brahmana if necessary, indicating that the king wielded ultimate authority.

By the 4th century BCE, a notable shift occurred as the influence of theological dictates began to wane; the perception of Vedic sacrifices diminished, and a clear distinction arose between positive law and religious customs. Consequently, the ancient Indian state maneuvered toward autonomy from ecclesiastical control by the dawn of the Christian era, ultimately solidifying the notion that while religion significantly influenced governance, it did not wholly dictate it.

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