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Line 46: − == विधिताचरणम् ॥ Code of Conduct == − The smrtis laid down a code of conduct to be diligently observed by the Rajas which applies to every kind of rulers and officers exercising governmental powers even today. They are are as follows: − − The Manusmrti mentions that a Raja must subdue his senses.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>इन्द्रियाणां जये योगं समातिष्ठेद्दिवानिशम् | जितेन्द्रियो हि शक्नोति वशे स्थापयितुं प्रजाः ||७.४४||<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''indriyāṇāṁ jaye yogaṁ samātiṣṭheddivāniśam | jitendriyo hi śaknoti vaśe sthāpayituṁ prajāḥ ||7.44||''</blockquote>Meaning: Day and night the Raja must strenuously exert himself to conquer his senses for, he alone who has conquered his own senses can keep his subjects in obedience. − − Elaborating on the need to uphold good qualities, the Katyayani Smrti mentions that a Raja must guard himself against going astray.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>वश्येन्द्रियं जितात्मानं धृतदण्डं विकारिषु । परीक्ष्यकारिणं धीरं अत्यन्तं श्रीर्निषेवते ।। ००३ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83 Raja Gunas].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>शौर्यविद्यार्थबाहुल्यात्प्रभुत्वाच्च विशेषतः । सदा चित्तं नरेन्द्राणां मोहं आयाति कारणात् ।। ००४ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माच्चित्तं प्रबोद्धव्यं राजधर्मे सदा द्विजैः । पवित्रं परमं पुण्यं स्मृतिवाक्यं न लङ्घयेत् ।। ००५ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>आत्मीये संस्थिता धर्मे नृपाः शक्रत्वं आप्नुयुः । अवीचिवासिनो ये तु व्यपेताचारिणः सदा ।। ००९ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83 Raja Dharma].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''vaśyendriyaṁ jitātmānaṁ dhr̥tadaṇḍaṁ vikāriṣu । parīkṣyakāriṇaṁ dhīraṁ atyantaṁ śrīrniṣevate ।। 003 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''śauryavidyārthabāhulyātprabhutvācca viśeṣataḥ । sadā cittaṁ narendrāṇāṁ mohaṁ āyāti kāraṇāt ।। 004 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasmāccittaṁ praboddhavyaṁ rājadharme sadā dvijaiḥ । pavitraṁ paramaṁ puṇyaṁ smr̥tivākyaṁ na laṅghayet ।। 005 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''ātmīye saṁsthitā dharme nr̥pāḥ śakratvaṁ āpnuyuḥ । avīcivāsino ye tu vyapetācāriṇaḥ sadā ।। 009 ।।''</blockquote>Meaning: − * Glory very much resorts (to a Raja) whose senses are under control, who can curb his passions, who wields (the rod of) punishment against those who fall victims to temptations, and who does (every act) after due deliberation, and who is extremely calm and steady. − * By reason of their being endowed with an abundance of valour, learning and wealth, and particularly on account of the supreme power (they wield), the minds of Rajas always tend to go astray (even) for the slightest reason (or impulse). − * Rajas who abide by the duties especially prescribed for them attain the position of Indra, but those who go astray deviating from the path of Dharma go to the nether world (after death). − In fact, Manusmrti declares that death is preferable to leading a vicious life.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>अदेश्यं यश्च दिशति निर्दिश्यापह्नुते च यः । यश्चाधरोत्तरानर्थान्विगीतान्नावबुध्यते ||८.५३||<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 8].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''adeśyaṁ yaśca diśati nirdiśyāpahnute ca yaḥ । yaścādharottarānarthānvigītānnāvabudhyate ||8.53||''</blockquote>Meaning: In a comparison between vice and death, vice is declared to be more harmful because a vicious man sinks to the nethermost region while he who dies free from vice goes to svarga. − − The Manusmrti also enlists the vices that must be avoided, especially by a Raja.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>दश कामसमुत्थानि तथाऽष्टौ क्रोधजानि च | व्यसनानि दुरन्तानि प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत् ||७.४५|| </blockquote><blockquote>कामजेषु प्रसक्तो हि व्यसनेषु महीपतिः | वियुज्यतेऽर्थ धर्माभ्यां क्रोधजेष्वात्मनैव तु ||७.४६||</blockquote><blockquote>मृगयाक्षो दिवास्वप्नः परिवादः स्त्रियो मदः । तौर्यत्रिकं वृथाट्या च कामजो दशको गणः ||७.४७||</blockquote><blockquote>पैशुन्यं साहसं द्रोहः ईर्ष्यासूयार्थदूषणम् | वाग्दण्डजं च पारुष्यं क्रोधजोऽपि गुणोऽष्टकः ||७.४८||<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''daśa kāmasamutthāni tathā'ṣṭau krodhajāni ca | vyasanāni durantāni prayatnena vivarjayet ||7.45||''</blockquote><blockquote>''kāmajeṣu prasakto hi vyasaneṣu mahīpatiḥ | viyujyate'rtha dharmābhyāṁ krodhajeṣvātmanaiva tu ||7.46||''</blockquote><blockquote>''mr̥gayākṣo divāsvapnaḥ parivādaḥ striyo madaḥ । tauryatrikaṁ vr̥thāṭyā ca kāmajo daśako gaṇaḥ ||7.47||''</blockquote><blockquote>''paiśunyaṁ sāhasaṁ drohaḥ īrṣyāsūyārthadūṣaṇam | vāgdaṇḍajaṁ ca pāruṣyaṁ krodhajo'pi guṇo'ṣṭakaḥ ||7.48||''</blockquote>Meaning: − # Let him shun the ten vices springing from love of pleasure and the eight proceeding from wrath, which end in misery. − # The Raja who is attached to vices springing from love of pleasure loses his virtue and wealth, and he who is given to vices arising from anger loses even his life. − # Hunting, gambling, sleeping during the day, hyper-criticism, lust, drunkenness, an inordinate love for dancing, singing and music, and useless travel are the ten vices flowing from love of pleasure. − # The four vices - drinking liquor, gambling, lust and hunting arising out of love of pleasure are the most detrimental in the same order. − # Gossip, violence, treachery, envy, defamation, unjust seizure of property, reviling and assault are the set of eightfold vices flowing from wrath; out of these, doing bodily injury, reviling and seizure of property are the most destructive.<ref name=":0" /> − Line 95:
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Raja Dharma (राजधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 14:01, 12 November 2020
, 14:01, 12 November 2020no edit summary
* the institution of kingship
* the institution of kingship
* the duties and powers of the Raja
* the duties and powers of the Raja
Great stress is also laid on the personal character and qualities which a Raja in whom vast political power is vested must possess for the proper and effective discharge of his functions.
Great stress is also laid on the personal character and qualities which a Raja, in whom vast political power is vested, must possess for the proper and effective discharge of his functions.
While, in the Dharma Shastras and Smrtis, Raja Dharma is dwelt upon as a topic separate and independent from civil, criminal and procedural law. In view of the great importance of the topic of Raja Dharma, several eminent writers also wrote independent treatises on it under various titles such as Rajanitisara, Dandaniti, Nitisara, etc. It is also dealt with as part of Arthashastra. And the monumental work on Arthasastra is by Kautilya, who was the Prime Minister of the Magadha Empire Patalipura (modern Patna, in the State of Bihar) as its capital.
While, in the Dharma Shastras and Smrtis, Raja Dharma is dwelt upon as a topic separate and independent from civil, criminal and procedural law. In view of the great importance of the topic of Raja Dharma, several eminent writers also wrote independent treatises on it under various titles such as Rajanitisara, Dandaniti, Nitisara, etc. It is also dealt with as part of Arthashastra. And the monumental work on Arthasastra is by Kautilya, who was the Prime Minister of the Magadha Empire Patalipura (modern Patna, in the State of Bihar) as its capital.
Raja Dharma, so clearly laid out, is vast like an ocean. It consists of invaluable and eternal principles worthy of emulation under any system of polity and by all persons exercising political power.<ref name=":0" />
Raja Dharma, so clearly laid out, is vast like an ocean. It consists of invaluable and eternal principles worthy of emulation under any system of polity and by all persons exercising political power.<ref name=":0" />
== राजधर्मः ॥ Raja Dharma ==
== राजधर्मः ॥ Raja Dharma ==
Raja Dharma regulated the power and duties of the Raja. The Atrisamhita declared that there were five fundamental duties of a Raja.<blockquote>दुष्टस्य दण्डः सुजनस्य पूजा न्यायेन कोषस्य च संप्रवृद्धिः । अपक्षपातोऽर्थिषु राष्ट्ररक्षा पञ्चैतेव यज्ञाः कथिता नृपाणाम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''duṣṭasya daṇḍaḥ sujanasya pūjā nyāyena koṣasya ca saṁpravr̥ddhiḥ । apakṣapāto'rthiṣu rāṣṭrarakṣā pañcaiteva yajñāḥ kathitā nr̥pāṇām ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : To punish the wicked, to honour (protect) the good, to enrich the treasury by just methods, to be impartial towards the litigants and to protect the Rajya - these are the five yajnas (selfless duties) to be performed by a Raja.
Raja Dharma regulated the power and duties of the Raja. The Atrisamhita declared that there were five fundamental duties of a Raja.<blockquote>दुष्टस्य दण्डः सुजनस्य पूजा न्यायेन कोषस्य च संप्रवृद्धिः । अपक्षपातोऽर्थिषु राष्ट्ररक्षा पञ्चैतेव यज्ञाः कथिता नृपाणाम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''duṣṭasya daṇḍaḥ sujanasya pūjā nyāyena koṣasya ca saṁpravr̥ddhiḥ । apakṣapāto'rthiṣu rāṣṭrarakṣā pañcaiteva yajñāḥ kathitā nr̥pāṇām ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : To punish the wicked, to honour (protect) the good, to enrich the treasury by just methods, to be impartial towards the litigants and to protect the Rajya - these are the five yajnas (selfless duties) to be performed by a Raja.
The Raja was required to conform to this rule of Raja Dharma and act only in the interests of the people and not according to his likes or dislikes or whims and fancies. He was directed not to act erratically or arbitrarily. It was pointed out that his interests and the interests of his subjects were inseparable. What was good for the people was to be regarded good for him irrespective of any disadvantage or inconvenience caused to him.<ref name=":0" />
The Raja was required to conform to this rule of Raja Dharma and act only in the interests of the people and not according to his likes or dislikes or whims and fancies. He was directed not to act erratically or arbitrarily. It was pointed out that his interests and the interests of his subjects were inseparable. What was good for the people was to be regarded good for him irrespective of any disadvantage or inconvenience caused to him.<ref name=":0" />
== विधिताचरणम् ॥ Code of Conduct ==
The smrtis laid down a code of conduct to be diligently observed by the Rajas which applies to every kind of rulers and officers exercising governmental powers even today. They are are as follows:
The Manusmrti mentions that a Raja must subdue his senses.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>इन्द्रियाणां जये योगं समातिष्ठेद्दिवानिशम् | जितेन्द्रियो हि शक्नोति वशे स्थापयितुं प्रजाः ||७.४४||<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''indriyāṇāṁ jaye yogaṁ samātiṣṭheddivāniśam | jitendriyo hi śaknoti vaśe sthāpayituṁ prajāḥ ||7.44||''</blockquote>Meaning: Day and night the Raja must strenuously exert himself to conquer his senses for, he alone who has conquered his own senses can keep his subjects in obedience.
Elaborating on the need to uphold good qualities, the Katyayani Smrti mentions that a Raja must guard himself against going astray.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>वश्येन्द्रियं जितात्मानं धृतदण्डं विकारिषु । परीक्ष्यकारिणं धीरं अत्यन्तं श्रीर्निषेवते ।। ००३ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83 Raja Gunas].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>शौर्यविद्यार्थबाहुल्यात्प्रभुत्वाच्च विशेषतः । सदा चित्तं नरेन्द्राणां मोहं आयाति कारणात् ।। ००४ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माच्चित्तं प्रबोद्धव्यं राजधर्मे सदा द्विजैः । पवित्रं परमं पुण्यं स्मृतिवाक्यं न लङ्घयेत् ।। ००५ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>आत्मीये संस्थिता धर्मे नृपाः शक्रत्वं आप्नुयुः । अवीचिवासिनो ये तु व्यपेताचारिणः सदा ।। ००९ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83 Raja Dharma].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''vaśyendriyaṁ jitātmānaṁ dhr̥tadaṇḍaṁ vikāriṣu । parīkṣyakāriṇaṁ dhīraṁ atyantaṁ śrīrniṣevate ।। 003 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''śauryavidyārthabāhulyātprabhutvācca viśeṣataḥ । sadā cittaṁ narendrāṇāṁ mohaṁ āyāti kāraṇāt ।। 004 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasmāccittaṁ praboddhavyaṁ rājadharme sadā dvijaiḥ । pavitraṁ paramaṁ puṇyaṁ smr̥tivākyaṁ na laṅghayet ।। 005 ।।''</blockquote><blockquote>''ātmīye saṁsthitā dharme nr̥pāḥ śakratvaṁ āpnuyuḥ । avīcivāsino ye tu vyapetācāriṇaḥ sadā ।। 009 ।।''</blockquote>Meaning:
* Glory very much resorts (to a Raja) whose senses are under control, who can curb his passions, who wields (the rod of) punishment against those who fall victims to temptations, and who does (every act) after due deliberation, and who is extremely calm and steady.
* By reason of their being endowed with an abundance of valour, learning and wealth, and particularly on account of the supreme power (they wield), the minds of Rajas always tend to go astray (even) for the slightest reason (or impulse).
* Rajas who abide by the duties especially prescribed for them attain the position of Indra, but those who go astray deviating from the path of Dharma go to the nether world (after death).
In fact, Manusmrti declares that death is preferable to leading a vicious life.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>अदेश्यं यश्च दिशति निर्दिश्यापह्नुते च यः । यश्चाधरोत्तरानर्थान्विगीतान्नावबुध्यते ||८.५३||<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 8].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''adeśyaṁ yaśca diśati nirdiśyāpahnute ca yaḥ । yaścādharottarānarthānvigītānnāvabudhyate ||8.53||''</blockquote>Meaning: In a comparison between vice and death, vice is declared to be more harmful because a vicious man sinks to the nethermost region while he who dies free from vice goes to svarga.
The Manusmrti also enlists the vices that must be avoided, especially by a Raja.<ref name=":0" /> It says,<blockquote>दश कामसमुत्थानि तथाऽष्टौ क्रोधजानि च | व्यसनानि दुरन्तानि प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत् ||७.४५|| </blockquote><blockquote>कामजेषु प्रसक्तो हि व्यसनेषु महीपतिः | वियुज्यतेऽर्थ धर्माभ्यां क्रोधजेष्वात्मनैव तु ||७.४६||</blockquote><blockquote>मृगयाक्षो दिवास्वप्नः परिवादः स्त्रियो मदः । तौर्यत्रिकं वृथाट्या च कामजो दशको गणः ||७.४७||</blockquote><blockquote>पैशुन्यं साहसं द्रोहः ईर्ष्यासूयार्थदूषणम् | वाग्दण्डजं च पारुष्यं क्रोधजोऽपि गुणोऽष्टकः ||७.४८||<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''daśa kāmasamutthāni tathā'ṣṭau krodhajāni ca | vyasanāni durantāni prayatnena vivarjayet ||7.45||''</blockquote><blockquote>''kāmajeṣu prasakto hi vyasaneṣu mahīpatiḥ | viyujyate'rtha dharmābhyāṁ krodhajeṣvātmanaiva tu ||7.46||''</blockquote><blockquote>''mr̥gayākṣo divāsvapnaḥ parivādaḥ striyo madaḥ । tauryatrikaṁ vr̥thāṭyā ca kāmajo daśako gaṇaḥ ||7.47||''</blockquote><blockquote>''paiśunyaṁ sāhasaṁ drohaḥ īrṣyāsūyārthadūṣaṇam | vāgdaṇḍajaṁ ca pāruṣyaṁ krodhajo'pi guṇo'ṣṭakaḥ ||7.48||''</blockquote>Meaning:
# Let him shun the ten vices springing from love of pleasure and the eight proceeding from wrath, which end in misery.
# The Raja who is attached to vices springing from love of pleasure loses his virtue and wealth, and he who is given to vices arising from anger loses even his life.
# Hunting, gambling, sleeping during the day, hyper-criticism, lust, drunkenness, an inordinate love for dancing, singing and music, and useless travel are the ten vices flowing from love of pleasure.
# The four vices - drinking liquor, gambling, lust and hunting arising out of love of pleasure are the most detrimental in the same order.
# Gossip, violence, treachery, envy, defamation, unjust seizure of property, reviling and assault are the set of eightfold vices flowing from wrath; out of these, doing bodily injury, reviling and seizure of property are the most destructive.<ref name=":0" />
== राज्यस्य उत्तराधिकारत्वम् ॥ Rule Of Succession ==
== राज्यस्य उत्तराधिकारत्वम् ॥ Rule Of Succession ==
The implicit faith of the Rajas in Raja Dharma (Constitutional Law of ancient Bharata) has been the basis of the smooth functioning of the State as also the peaceful transfer of power from a Raja/emperor to his successor since ancient times.
The implicit faith of the Rajas in Raja Dharma (Constitutional Law of ancient Bharata) has been the basis of the smooth functioning of the State as also the peaceful transfer of power from a Raja/emperor to his successor since ancient times.