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Line 123: − The great stress laid on character and discipline on the part of Rulers applies with equal force to all persons who come to exercise political and administrative power under any system of government, if the people are to be really benefited. They are the internal checks which automatically control the evil propensities of people in power and position and prevent them from swerving from the path of righteousness. And these in-built traits are more effective than all the external constitutional and legal checks and inquiry commissions, though their importance cannot in any way be minimised. + − + − Apart from laying down the code of conduct, the Raja was also required to ensure that there was no arbitrariness in state action. In this aspect, Kautilya declared that the welfare of the people was the Raja's chief concern.<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥०१.१९.३४॥<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitam ॥01.19.34॥''</blockquote>Meaning: In the happiness of the subjects lies the Ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the Ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the Ruler shall consider good. − − − − −
Raja Dharma (राजधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 13:27, 13 November 2020
, 13:27, 13 November 2020→Training of Princes: Editing
# The four vices - drinking liquor, gambling, lust and hunting arising out of love of pleasure are the most detrimental in the same order.
# 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" />
# 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" />
This great stress laid on the character and discipline of Rulers is applicable to all persons who exercise political and administrative power under any system of government as it facilitates the welfare of the people. They act as internal checks which automatically control the evil propensities of people in power and position and prevent them from swerving from the path of righteousness. And these in-built traits are more effective than all the external constitutional and legal checks, though their importance cannot in any way be minimised.
== 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.
This firm commitment to Raja Dharma and the refusal to secure or accept power by Bharata is all the more relevant now and serves as an example even to present day rulers to remain true to their Dharma.
This firm commitment to Raja Dharma and the refusal to secure or accept power by Bharata is all the more relevant now and serves as an example even to present day rulers to remain true to their Dharma.
== Training of Princes ==
== उत्तराधिकारिणः प्रशिक्षणम् ॥ Training of Princes ==
Since the ancient times, the duties and responsibilities of the Raja were regulated by Raja Dharma. Therefore, inculcating the desire to implicitly obey Raja Dharma was part of the education of the princes, who were to succeed to the throne.
Since the ancient times, the duties and responsibilities of the Raja were regulated by Raja Dharma. Therefore, inculcating the desire to implicitly obey Raja Dharma was part of the education of the princes, who were to succeed to the throne.
In fact, the outstanding rulers in the history of Bharata are known to have exhibited remarkable ability in administration, skill in warfare as well as mastery of the arts. And this was possible due to the training imparted to them in and about Raja Dharma.
In fact, the outstanding rulers in the history of Bharata are known to have exhibited remarkable ability in administration, skill in warfare as well as mastery of the arts. And this was possible due to the training imparted to them in and about Raja Dharma.
=== राज्याभिशेकः ॥ Coronation ===
Every prince before assuming office as Raja was required to take an oath that he would rule the Rajya strictly in accordance with Dharma. The more important aspect relating to assumption of office as Raja at the coronation ceremony was, it was regarded as 'Samskara' for the commencement of selfless discharge of duty as a Raja during his entire tenure of office and not assumption of power. On this aspect K.M.Panikkar observes,<blockquote>''"Great importance was, therefore, attached to the coronation ceremony. Not only was it a dedication to the service of the people but also an affirmation of the covenant between the people and the ruler.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The coronation was a Diksha, a dedication, and a king bearing the crown became a Vrati, i.e., a person devoting his life to a cause (in this case, the service of the people)."''</blockquote>The Mahabharata has expressed this ideal with great clarity and precision. The Shanti Parva says,<blockquote>धर्माय राजा भवति न कामकरणाय तु ।...3<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%B5-090 Adhyaya 90].</ref> ''dharmāya rājā bhavati na kāmakaraṇāya tu।''</blockquote>Meaning : The proper function of the Raja is to rule according to Dharma (the law) and not to enjoy the luxuries of life.
=== Rajyabhisheka ===
Every prince before assuming office as Raja was required to take an oath that he would rule the Rajya strictly in accordance with Dharma.
The more important aspect relating to assumption of office as Raja at the coronation ceremony was, it was regarded as 'Samskara' for the commencement of selfless discharge of duty as a Raja during his entire tenure of office and not assumption of power. On this aspect K.M.Panikkar observes,<blockquote>''"Great importance was, therefore, attached to the coronation ceremony. Not only was it a dedication to the service of the people but also an affirmation of the covenant between the people and the ruler.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The coronation was a Diksha, a dedication, and a king bearing the crown became a Vrati, i.e., a person devoting his life to a cause (in this case, the service of the people)."''</blockquote>The Mahabharata has expressed this ideal with great clarity and precision. The Shanti Parva says,<blockquote>धर्माय राजा भवति न कामकरणाय तु ।...3<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%B5-090 Adhyaya 90].</ref> ''dharmāya rājā bhavati na kāmakaraṇāya tu।''</blockquote>Meaning : The proper function of the Raja is to rule according to Dharma (the law) and not to enjoy the luxuries of life.
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.