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Significance of Kingship

Kingship in various contexts refers to the authority, responsibilities, and attributes associated with being a king. In Hinduism and Arthashastra, it emphasizes royal power, governance, and moral obligations, while the South Asian perspective highlights significant changes in leadership and competition for power among characters. According to Theravada, it reflects a historical monarchy system lacking central governance. Additionally, Indian history portrays kingship as a status entailing struggles for power, maintaining order, and a connection to wealth and political authority, as seen in Kamashastra.

Synonyms: Monarchy, Sovereignty, Rule, Reign, Leadership, Governance, Authority, Crown, Dominion, Empire, Rulership, Autocracy, Overlordship

In Dutch: Koningschap; In Finnish: Kuninkuus; In Spanish: ²Ñ´Ç²Ô²¹°ù±ç³Üí²¹; In German: °­Ã¶²Ô¾±²µ³Ù³Ü³¾; In Malay: Kerajaan; In Swedish: Kunglighet; In French: ¸é´Ç²â²¹³Ü³Ùé

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Kingship'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Kingship can be interpreted as a significant role accepted by Sihabahu through heritage, desired by VIJAYA’s ministers to establish a rule, and reflective of a pre-Buddhist monarchy's fragmented governance in Ceylon.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Mahavamsa

(1) The title and role that VIJAYA’s ministers desired him to accept as they sought to establish his rule.[1] (2) The position that Sihabahu accepted after he returned with the lion's head and was recognized as the king's grandson.[2]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Kingship'

Hinduism Books

Kingship in Hinduism encompasses governance supported by advisors, bestows royal legitimacy during ceremonies, involves moral responsibilities to subjects, encompasses authority over territories, decision-making for stability, and reflects a fusion of wealth, power, and political governance.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The authority and domain of a king, involving the rule over a country and its constituents, including ministers and military leaders.[3]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) An attribute bestowed upon the Sacrificer during the ceremony, indicating royal power and legitimacy.[4]

Significance in Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making):
Kamashastra Books

From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)

(1) The highest expression of wealth formation, intertwined with political power, taxation, and governance of productive territory.[5]

Kamashastra deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) The role and responsibilities of a king, encompassing virtues, governance, and moral obligations to the subjects.[6]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

The concept of Kingship in local and regional sources

History Books

Kingship encompasses various aspects, including the rise to power through military prowess, changing fortunes, authority and governance, struggles for dominance, desired status among characters, and the monarchy's role in maintaining order within a state.

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3

(1) The position of power and sovereignty that several characters in the story desired and competed for.[7] (2) A high position given to the youngest son after demonstrating great military capability.[8] (3) The position of the Vaedda who became king after the events of the story, suggesting a change in fortune.[9]

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The institution of monarchy, where a king or ruler is responsible for maintaining order and prosperity in a state.[10] (2) The state or condition of being a king, often associated with authority, responsibility, and governance.[11] (3) The status and authority of being a king, often accompanied by struggles for power and the resulting conflicts.[12]