Bhaujya is a system of governance in ancient Hinduism. It also denotes the
oath-taking part of the coronation ritual (Mahabhisheka). This ritual called
Aindra Mahabhisheka is described in detail, in the Vedic text of Aitareya
Brahmana. The text contains the words ‘samrajyam’, ‘bhaujyam’, ‘svarajyam’, ‘vairajya’
and ‘paramestya’ used in the context of sovereignty over people. There have
been interpretations of these hyperbolical and grandiloquent terms conveying
supreme power. Some scholars interprets the term ‘bhaujya’ occurring here as a word
referring to a kind of constitution or a methodology of governance.
‘Bhaujya’ is derived from the word ‘bhoja’. The Mahabharata,
while classifying the different classes of monarchs, mentions bhoja to be one.
The reference in the Kharavela inscription describing the rashtrikas and
bhojakas with the paraphernalia of sovereignty substantiates this point. The
further proof for the term ‘bhoja’ occurring in the sense of ‘governance’ is
provided by the inscription which states that ‘Bhoja’ and ‘Mahabhoja’
signifying the ordinary and higher class of leaders. The constitution of the
bhojas was called ‘Bhaujya’, as referred to in Aitareya Brahmana. These bhojas
referred to in Aitareya Brahmana. These bhojas were, in later literature, mentioned
as the class of the Yadavas who observed the ‘Bhaujya’ Constitution.
Gujarat was one of the most ancient seats of ‘Bhauj’, which
moved to South and later to the East. Megasthanes points out the ‘Bhaujya’ as a
temporary rulership system wherein the monarchy could be rejected and democratic
form of government could be set up.
But these explanations are not accepted are not
accepted by both the traditional and modern scholars. Sayana in his Bhashya explains
‘Bhaujya’ to be the kingdom where there is abundance of comfort – ‘Bhaujyam
bhogo samvriddhi’ Aitareya Brahmana, 37.2.