Vatsa - The Vatsa Vow

The Vatsa Vow

The descendents of Vatsa were famous for keeping their words to people. To ensure their promises were fulfilled, the famous Vatsa Adarsh II started the idea of the famous Vatsa Vow in Pali language. The vow was given as an oath to the person it was made to by the swearing of the familial names. The vow could pledge anything ranging from political to monetary and emotional to protectional support to the one it was given. Powerful indeed, the culture lost its followers slowly with the decline of the Vatsa Mahajanapada. The first ever recorded oath was from a rich landlord Aditya III to his subjects. The English translation of the oath is mentioned here.

" I Aditya the third of the ancient Aryans, personally known as Vatsa the two hundred and sixth pledge to protect my subject till death until and unless it affects my family and clans."