Kingdom

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-

1. Savita, 
2. Agni, 
3. Soma, 
4. Brahaspati, 
5. Indra, 
6. Rudra, 
7. Mitra, 
8. 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.

1. 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) 
2.  Agni as Grhapati for mastery of the household( Ministry of Human Resources)
3.  Soma as Vanaspati for the protection of forests and agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture and Forests)
4.  Brhaspati Vak for power of speech ( Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) 
5. Indra as Jyeshta for supremacy or predominance in matters of administration (Ministry of Home Affairs) 
6. Rudra as Pasupati for protection of cattle,(Ministry of Animal Husbandry) 
7. Mitra as Satya for truth,(Ministry of Moral Education) And lastly 
8. 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

1. Chief of Accounts 
2. Chief of Executive officials 
3. Chief of Treasury officials 
4. Chief of Palace guards 
5. Leading citizens representatives 
6. Chief of Infantry 
7. Chief of Elephantry 
8. 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.

1. Peshwa: Prime Minister 
2. Amatya: Minister in charge of Financial matters 
3. Sacheev: Chief of Administration 
4. Mantri: Home Minister 
5. Sumant: Foreign Minister 
6. Senapati: Commander in Chief, Defence Minister 
7. Nyayadish: Law Minister/ Chief Justice 
8. 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). 

http://religiousway.blogspot.com/search/label/Navaratnas

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 

1. Allasani Peddana, 
2. Nandi Thimmana, 
3. Madayagari Mallana, 
4. Pingali Surana,
5. Tenali Ramakrishna, 
6. Dhurjati Ayyalaraju, 
7. Ramaraja Bhushandu, 
8. 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.