(i) In some cases, the position of the raja was hereditary. In other words, sons inherited or could legitimately claim the kingdom of their fathers.

(ii) Whoever was capable of performing the elaborate rituals of rajasuya and the asvamedha would be recognized as king.

(iii) Many people were expected to take part in such sacrifices. These included the raja. This was major occasion for declaring his power. His family, especially his wives and sons, had to help him in the sacrifices. The other supporters of raja including the chariot driver, family priest, purohita, head of the army, messengers also joined in. The common people, the vis or vaishya, were expected to bring gifts for the raja, which provided much of the wealth needed to perform the sacrifice. Neighbouring rajas were often invited to watch the spectacle. The entire ritual is performed by the priests.

(iv) In the case of the asvamedha or the horse sacrifice, the sacrificial horse was let loose to wander for a year, accompanied by a group of armed men. All those who allowed the horse to pass through tacitly acknowledged the authority of the owner of the horse.

(v) When the horse was brought back, it was sacrificed in an elaborate ritual. Large number of people, including other rulers, priests, and common people, were invited to participate in and/or witness the event. There was feasting and story-telling as well. The entire ceremony was an enormous, expensive ceremony.

(vi) Any aspiring ruler who wanted to perform such a ritual had to be both powerful and wealthy. The priests were rewarded with large sacrificial fees or daksina. These could include horse, cattle, gold and silver objects, chariots, cloths and slave men and women, amongst other things. Thus, by performing the ritual successfully, the raja was able to make a public announcement, as well as a display of this power.

(vii) Many of these rituals included an abhiseka which was a process in which a sprinkling of the ruler with purified, holy water took place. Usually, the first sprinkling was done by the priest, though others, such as the vaisya and the ruler's relatives, could also participate in the process.