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Line 127: − == Importance of Raja Dharma == − The paramount importance of kingship and the profound influence a Raja has on the state of society has also been crisply expressed in the Mahabharata as follows:<blockquote>कालो वा कारणं राज्ञो राजा वा कालकारणम् । इति ते संशयो माभूद्राजा कालस्य कारणम् ॥6॥<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-069 Adhyaya 69].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kālo vā kāraṇaṁ rājño rājā vā kālakāraṇam। iti te saṁśayo mābhūdrājā kālasya kāraṇam।।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whether, it is the Raja who is the maker of the age or the age that makes the Raja is a question about which there is no room for doubt. The Raja is undoubtedly the maker of the age. − − Because, whatever system of polity, it is the ruler who is largely responsible for the state of the nation or society. Whether the people in general are virtuous or not also largely depends upon the character and conduct of the ruler and his capacity to enforce Dharma, i.e., the rule of law. <blockquote>यथा राजा तथा प्रजा | ''yathā rājā tathā prajā |''</blockquote>Since enforcement of Dharma was entirely dependent upon the effective implementation of Raja Dharma, it was considered supreme. And the propounders of Dharma Shastra declared the Raja (State) as an absolute necessity to maintain the society in a state of Dharma which was essential for the fulfillment of Artha and Kama. Thus, Raja Dharma, which laid down the Dharma of the Raja, was paramount. Mahabharata (Shanti Parva) reinforces this. It says that 'all Dharmas are merged in Raja Dharma, and it is therefore the Supreme Dharma.'<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>सर्वे धर्माः सोपधर्मास्त्रयाणां राज्ञो धर्मादिति वेदाच्छृणोमि ॥24॥... एवं धर्मान् राजधर्मेषु सर्वान् सर्वावस्थान् सम्प्रलीनान् निबोध ।<ref>Pandit Ramnarayanadatta Shastri Pandey, Mahabharata (Khanda 5-Shantiparva), Gorakhpur: Gita Press.</ref> (Maha. Shan Parv. 63.24-25)</blockquote><blockquote>''sarve dharmāḥ sopadharmāstrayāṇāṁ rājño dharmāditi vedācchr̥ṇomi ॥24॥... evaṁ dharmān rājadharmeṣu sarvān sarvāvasthān sampralīnān nibodha । (Maha. Shan Parv. 63.24-25)''</blockquote> − − + + + + +
Raja Dharma (राजधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 14:27, 13 November 2020
, 14:27, 13 November 2020Editing
This directive principle laid down five thousand years ago is of eternal value and is very much relevant even now. It is worthy of emulation by all those who take oath of office in different capacities according to the relevant Constitution under the present day Democratic system of Government; and they would do well to remember always that they are not merely wielders of power but they stand charged with the duty of rendering selfless service to the people in conformity with the constitution and the laws of the land.
This directive principle laid down five thousand years ago is of eternal value and is very much relevant even now. It is worthy of emulation by all those who take oath of office in different capacities according to the relevant Constitution under the present day Democratic system of Government; and they would do well to remember always that they are not merely wielders of power but they stand charged with the duty of rendering selfless service to the people in conformity with the constitution and the laws of the land.
== राजधर्मस्य प्रयोजनम् ॥ Purpose of Raja Dharma ==
== राजधर्मस्य प्रयोजनम् ॥ Purpose of Raja Dharma ==
The ideals placed before an individual for the welfare and happiness of oneself and all others in this world were Dharma, Artha and Kama which were known as Trivarga. And every individual was asked to reject Artha and Kama (material wealth and desires) if they were in conflict with Dharma. These were the same ideals kept before the state by Raja Dharma. The ideal of Raja Dharma placed before the state was to assist and support the achievement of the threefold ideals (Trivarga) by individuals and to ensure that they secure wealth (Artha) and fulfil their desires (Kama) in conformity with Dharma; and that they do not transgress Dharma. In this regard, the Barhaspatya Sutra says,<blockquote>नीतेः फलं धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिः ॥ 2.43 ॥ ''nīteḥ phalaṁ dharmārthakāmāvāptiḥ ॥'' 2.43 ''॥'' </blockquote>Meaning: The goal of polity (Rajaniti) is the fulfillment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.
The ideals placed before an individual for the welfare and happiness of oneself and all others in this world were Dharma, Artha and Kama which were known as Trivarga. And every individual was asked to reject Artha and Kama (material wealth and desires) if they were in conflict with Dharma. These were the same ideals kept before the state by Raja Dharma. The ideal of Raja Dharma placed before the state was to assist and support the achievement of the threefold ideals (Trivarga) by individuals and to ensure that they secure wealth (Artha) and fulfil their desires (Kama) in conformity with Dharma; and that they do not transgress Dharma. In this regard, the Barhaspatya Sutra says,<blockquote>नीतेः फलं धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिः ॥ 2.43 ॥ ''nīteḥ phalaṁ dharmārthakāmāvāptiḥ ॥'' 2.43 ''॥'' </blockquote>Meaning: The goal of polity (Rajaniti) is the fulfillment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.
It further adds that Artha (the wealth) and Kama (desire) must stand the test of Dharma. <blockquote>धर्मेण कामार्थौ परीक्ष्यौ ॥ 2.44 ॥ ''dharmeṇa kāmārthau parīkṣyau ॥ 2.44 ॥''</blockquote>Kautilya also declares that a Raja must strive for the achievement of Trivarga. While Kamandakiya Nitisara, after an elaborate discussion of the seven constituents of the state, concludes that,<blockquote>गृहीतमेतत्रिपुणेन मन्त्रिणा त्रिवर्गनिष्त्रिवर्गनिष्पत्तिमुपैति शाश्वतीम् || IV-7</blockquote><blockquote>''gr̥hītametatripuṇena mantriṇā trivarganiṣtrivarganiṣpattimupaiti śāśvatīm ||''</blockquote>Meaning: The state administered with the assistance of wise ministers secures the three goals (Trivarga) in an enduring manner.
It further adds that Artha (the wealth) and Kama (desire) must stand the test of Dharma. <blockquote>धर्मेण कामार्थौ परीक्ष्यौ ॥ 2.44 ॥ ''dharmeṇa kāmārthau parīkṣyau ॥ 2.44 ॥''</blockquote>Kautilya also declares that a Raja must strive for the achievement of Trivarga. While Kamandakiya Nitisara, after an elaborate discussion of the seven constituents of the state, concludes that,<blockquote>गृहीतमेतत्रिपुणेन मन्त्रिणा त्रिवर्गनिष्पत्तिमुपैति शाश्वतीम् || 4.7 || </blockquote><blockquote>''gr̥hītametatripuṇena mantriṇā trivarganiṣpattimupaiti śāśvatīm || 4.7 ||''</blockquote>Meaning: The state administered with the assistance of wise ministers secures the three goals (Trivarga) in an enduring manner.
Infact, Somadeva begins his Nitivakyamrta in a characteristic way by performing obeisance to Rajya (the state) which yields the three fruits of Dharma, Artha and Kama.
Infact, Somadeva begins his Nitivakyamrta in a characteristic way by performing obeisance to Rajya (the state) which yields the three fruits of Dharma, Artha and Kama.
The Dharma Shastra authors held that Dharma was the supreme power in the state and was above the Raja who was only the instrument to realize the goal of Dharma. This purpose of Raja Dharma is reiterated by all the works on Raja Dharma. All of them declare with one voice that the highest duty of a Raja is to afford 'protection to his subjects (praja) and to dedicate himself to their welfare and happiness'.
The Dharma Shastra authors held that Dharma was the supreme power in the state and was above the Raja who was only the instrument to realize the goal of Dharma. This purpose of Raja Dharma is reiterated by all the works on Raja Dharma. All of them declare with one voice that the highest duty of a Raja is to afford 'protection to his subjects (praja) and to dedicate himself to their welfare and happiness'.
== Importance of Raja Dharma ==
The paramount importance of kingship and the profound influence a Raja has on the state of society has also been crisply expressed in the Mahabharata as follows:<blockquote>कालो वा कारणं राज्ञो राजा वा कालकारणम् । इति ते संशयो माभूद्राजा कालस्य कारणम् ॥6॥<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-069 Adhyaya 69].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kālo vā kāraṇaṁ rājño rājā vā kālakāraṇam। iti te saṁśayo mābhūdrājā kālasya kāraṇam।।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whether, it is the Raja who is the maker of the age or the age that makes the Raja is a question about which there is no room for doubt. The Raja is undoubtedly the maker of the age.
Because, whatever system of polity, it is the ruler who is largely responsible for the state of the nation or society. Whether the people in general are virtuous or not also largely depends upon the character and conduct of the ruler and his capacity to enforce Dharma, i.e., the rule of law. <blockquote>यथा राजा तथा प्रजा | ''yathā rājā tathā prajā |''</blockquote>Since enforcement of Dharma was entirely dependent upon the effective implementation of Raja Dharma, it was considered supreme. And the propounders of Dharma Shastra declared the Raja (State) as an absolute necessity to maintain the society in a state of Dharma which was essential for the fulfillment of Artha and Kama. Thus, Raja Dharma, which laid down the Dharma of the Raja, was paramount. Mahabharata (Shanti Parva) reinforces this. It says that 'all Dharmas are merged in Raja Dharma, and it is therefore the Supreme Dharma.'<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>सर्वे धर्माः सोपधर्मास्त्रयाणां राज्ञो धर्मादिति वेदाच्छृणोमि ॥24॥... एवं धर्मान् राजधर्मेषु सर्वान् सर्वावस्थान् सम्प्रलीनान् निबोध ।<ref>Pandit Ramnarayanadatta Shastri Pandey, Mahabharata (Khanda 5-Shantiparva), Gorakhpur: Gita Press.</ref> (Maha. Shan Parv. 63.24-25)</blockquote><blockquote>''sarve dharmāḥ sopadharmāstrayāṇāṁ rājño dharmāditi vedācchr̥ṇomi ॥24॥... evaṁ dharmān rājadharmeṣu sarvān sarvāvasthān sampralīnān nibodha । (Maha. Shan Parv. 63.24-25)''</blockquote>
== धर्मप्राधान्यम् ॥ Supremacy of Dharma ==
== धर्मप्राधान्यम् ॥ Supremacy of Dharma ==