The King remained absolute ruler but with the increase in power came the necessary restrictions. The Samiti (Parliament) was the most powerful of the assemblies and the coronation ceremony came to include the prayer that the wishes of the Samiti be in sync with those of the newly annointed ruler. Likewise, a horrific curse from a Brahman to an unjust King would be that of a disagreeable Samiti! Vedic texts do not provide any clear information on the election, constitution and full powers of the Samiti or the other two assemblies. These were the Vidatha i.e. probably, assembly of scholars and the Sabha i.e. probably, assembly of villagers.

War & peace, and justice were the chief duties of the King, although the first two were undoubtedly his exclusive prerogative. His military might was the means to maintaining peace and warding off aggression, and the epithet dhrtavrata demonstrates the additional requirement of establishing moral order. Whilst cases were tried by the village courts, the monarch remained the supreme judge of the land.

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