Changes

As explained in the preceding chapters, Dharma regulated the conduct of all individuals in every sphere of human activity. Thus, it also included the rules to be observed both by the employers and by the employees. They were part of Rajadharma (Constitutional Law) and [[Vyavaharadharma]] (The Law on various other topics) and applied to government and private employment. There were eighteen major topics of law which were in force at the earliest point of time. Two of them laid down the Dharma of Employers and Employees. They were "[[Swamipala Vivada]]" (disputes between master and servant) and "[[Vetanadana]]" (payment of wages). This law was expanded further from time to time as and when the situation demanded. [[Sukraniti]] contains several provisions which prescribe the duties of the employers towards employees and vice-versa.

At the outset it has to be pointed out that the two salient principles of the basic philosophy governing the relationship of employers and employees were that the right given to both was the right to perform their duty, in that the employers were required to discharge their obligations towards their employees and the employees were required to discharge their duty towards the employers. This ideal followed from Dharma which had endeavoured to establish a duty-based society. Its postulate was not only the duty of the individual towards the society but also the duty of the society towards the individuals through political and commercial and other organisations. The ancient thinkers of our land had clearly identified the mark of distinction in the approach to life in this land Bharat and have recorded it in [[Vishnupurana]]. (See Chapter-IV).

 

The stress was on the duty of an individual towards others ( selflessness) and not on the right to fulfill selfish desires. This is also evident from the time-honoured statement in the [[Bhagavadgeeta]], which declared "Your right is to perform your duty" ([Karmanyevadhikaraste]). Every individual was asked to be Dharma-abiding and discharge his duty towards the society so that all would live happily. The duty of the State as laid down in "[[Rajadharma]]" was to ensure that everyone conforms to Dharma. The doctrine of Laissez-faire was never accepted in this land.

Another distinctive feature was the rejection of the principle of "the greatest good of the greatest number", according to which, in order to secure the good of a large number of persons, injustice could be caused to a small number of persons. The ideal laid down was that all the people should be happy (Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu). The rules of Dharma prescribed that the conduct of employers should be such as would secure justice and happiness to the employees and the conduct of the employees should be such as would not cause any hardship or injustice to the employers. Thus, the principle of class co-operation was adopted in preference to class conflict.

Dharma regulates the conduct of all individuals in every sphere

All these rules which regulated the conduct of employers and employees flowed from the basic rules of "Dharma", the observance of which was regarded as essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and the society. Basic rules of Dharma were

of human activity. One aspect is the rules to be observed both by employers and

declared in various works on Dharma Sastra and Smritis as indicated in earlier chapters. The Shanti Parva (60- 7 -8) in Mahabharatha which has indicated nine basic aspects of Dharma which is relevant to the topic reads thus:-

the employees. These were part of Rajadharma (Constitutional Law) and Vyavaharadharma (The Law on

various other topics) and applied to both government and private employment.

There were eighteen major topics of law which were in force at the earliest

point of time. Two of them "Swamipala Vivada" (disputes between master and servant) and "Vetanadana"

(payment of wages) laid down the Dharma of Employers and Employees. This law

was expanded further from time to time as and when the situation demanded. Sukraniti contains

several provisions which prescribe the duties of the employers towards

employees and vice-versa.  

 

=== The two salient principles ===

The two core principles governed the basic philosophy in the

relationship between employers and employees.

 

The right to

perform their duty: Employers were required to discharge their obligations

towards their employees and the employees were required to discharge their duty

towards the employers. This Dharmic ideal endeavoured to establish a duty-based

society. Its postulate was not only the duty of the individual towards the

society but also the duty of the society towards the individuals through

political and commercial and other organisations. The ancient thinkers of Bharat

had clearly identified the mark of distinction in the approach to life in this

land Bharat and have recorded it in Vishnupurana. The

stress was on the duty of an individual towards others (selflessness) and not

on the right to fulfill selfish desires. This is also evident from the

time-honoured statement in theBhagavadgeeta, which declared  

 

"Your right is to perform your duty"

([Karmanyevadhikaraste]). Every individual was asked to be Dharma-abiding and

discharge his duty towards the society so that all would live happily. The duty

of the State as laid down in "Rajadharma"

was to ensure that everyone conforms to Dharma. The doctrine of Laissez-faire

was never accepted in this land.  

 

Another

distinctive feature was the rejection of the principle of "the greatest

good of the greatest number", according to which, in order to secure the

good of a large number of persons, injustice could be caused to a small number

of persons. The ideal laid down was that everyone should be happy (Sarve Janah

Sukhino Bhavantu). The rules of Dharma prescribed that the conduct of employers

should be such as would secure justice and happiness to the employees and the

conduct of the employees should be such as would not cause any hardship or

injustice to the employers. Thus, the principle of class co-operation was

adopted in preference to class conflict.  

 

All these rules which regulated the conduct of employers and

employees flowed from the basic rules of "Dharma", the observance of

which was regarded as essential for the sustenance and welfare of the

individual and the society. Basic rules of Dharma were declared in various works

on Dharma Sastra and Smritis.  

 

 

The Shanti Parva (60- 7 -8) in Mahabharatha which has indicated

nine basic aspects of Dharma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all sections of society". Of these five are relevant in the context of the

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 An exemplary Role:-

 

'''vØks/k% lR;opua lafoHkkx% {kek rFkkA iztu% Los"kq nkjs"kq 'kkSpenzksg ,o pAA vktZoa Hk`R;Hkj.ka uoSrs lkoZof.kZdk%A'''

'''vØks/k% lR;opua lafoHkkx% {kek rFkkA iztu% Los"kq nkjs"kq 'kkSpenzksg ,o pAA vktZoa Hk`R;Hkj.ka uoSrs lkoZof.kZdk%A'''