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== शासकशासितधर्मः ॥ Dharma of the Rulers and the Ruled ==

== शासकशासितधर्मः ॥ Dharma of the Rulers and the Ruled ==

Propounders of Dharma realised that fulfillment of human desires was essential to secure happiness but were of the opinion that unless the desires were regulated by Dharma, they would bring about undesirable results.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />Therefore, the doctrine of Trivarga was evolved to secure happiness to all without discrimination and in an enduring manner. There was no difference between the ideals kept before the State by Raja Dharma and those enshrined in the hearts of individuals through the Shrutis and other works on Dharma. The Ramayana, Mahabharata, Manusmrti, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Brhaspati Smrti, Somadeva’s Nitivakyamrta, Kamandaka's Nitisara all unanimously declare that the rule of Trivarga should be followed by both, the rulers and the ruled and that alone is a guarantee for peace and happiness of human beings. In fact, the doctrine of Trivarga is referred to as an enduring system of values that holds good in the social, political, domestic and international planes of human business. And thus, has been the guiding principle for both, the rulers and the ruled.<ref name=":0" />

Propounders of Dharma realised that fulfillment of human desires was essential to secure happiness but were of the opinion that unless the desires were regulated by Dharma, they would bring about undesirable results.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />Therefore, the doctrine of Trivarga was evolved to secure happiness to all without discrimination and in an enduring manner. There was no difference between the ideals kept before the State by Raja Dharma and those enshrined in the hearts of individuals through the Shrutis and other works on Dharma. The ideals placed before the individual, for purposes of welfare and happiness of himself and all others in this World, were Dharma, Artha and Kama (Trivarga or the three Purusharthas).  While, the ideals of Raja Dharma placed before the State were to assist and support the achievement by individuals of the threefold ideals (Trivarga). In this regard, the Barhaspatya Sutra says,<blockquote>नीतेः फलं धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिः ॥ 2.43 ॥{{Citation needed}} ''nīteḥ phalaṁ dharmārthakāmāvāptiḥ ॥'' 2.43 ''॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The goal of polity (Rajaniti) is the fulfillment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.

 

The Ramayana, Mahabharata, Manusmrti, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Brhaspati Smrti, Somadeva’s Nitivakyamrta, Kamandaka's Nitisara all unanimously declare that the rule of Trivarga should be followed by both, the rulers and the ruled and that alone is a guarantee for peace and happiness of human beings. In fact, the doctrine of Trivarga is referred to as an enduring system of values that holds good in the social, political, domestic and international planes of human business. And thus, has been the guiding principle for both, the rulers and the ruled.<ref name=":0" />

=== राजनीत्याः आधारः ॥ Basis for Rajaniti ===

=== राजनीत्याः आधारः ॥ Basis for Rajaniti ===

In fact, Mahabharata calls Danda that is representative of Raja's regulatory powers as ‘Trivarga Rupa' since it protects Trivarga ie. Dharma, Artha and Kama (the law, lawful wealth and lawful desires of human beings).<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>दण्डः संरक्षते धर्मं तथैवार्यं जनाधिप । कामं संरक्षते दण्डस्त्रिवर्गो दण्ड उच्यते ।।१२.१५.३<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%B5-015 Adhyaya 15]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''daṇḍaḥ saṁrakṣate dharmaṁ tathaivāryaṁ janādhipa । kāmaṁ saṁrakṣate daṇḍastrivargo daṇḍa ucyate ।।12.15.3''</blockquote>

In fact, Mahabharata calls Danda that is representative of Raja's regulatory powers as ‘Trivarga Rupa' since it protects Trivarga ie. Dharma, Artha and Kama (the law, lawful wealth and lawful desires of human beings).<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>दण्डः संरक्षते धर्मं तथैवार्यं जनाधिप । कामं संरक्षते दण्डस्त्रिवर्गो दण्ड उच्यते ।।१२.१५.३<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%B5-015 Adhyaya 15]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''daṇḍaḥ saṁrakṣate dharmaṁ tathaivāryaṁ janādhipa । kāmaṁ saṁrakṣate daṇḍastrivargo daṇḍa ucyate ।।12.15.3''</blockquote>

=== Ideal for the State and Individuals ===

Kautilya declares that a Raja must strive for the achievement of Trivarga. Kamandakiya Nitisara, after an elaborate discussion on the seven constituents of the State, concludes thus:-<blockquote>गृहीतमेतत्रिपुणेन मन्त्रिणा त्रिवर्गनिष्पत्तिमुपैति शाश्वतीम् || 4.7 ||{{Citation needed}}</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.<ref name=":6">M.Rama Jois (2004), Trivarga, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.</ref>

The ideals placed before the individual, for purposes of welfare and happiness of himself and all others in this World, were Dharma, Artha and Kama [Trivarga or the three Purusharthas]. The ideals of Raja Dharma placed before the State were to assist and support the achievement by individuals of the threefold ideals [Trivarga].

In this regard, the Barhaspatya Sutra says,<blockquote>नीतेः फलं धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिः ॥ 2.43 ॥{{Citation needed}} ''nīteḥ phalaṁ dharmārthakāmāvāptiḥ ॥'' 2.43 ''॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The goal of polity (Rajaniti) is the fulfillment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.

Acharya Somadeva in his Nitivakyamrita stresses the importance of enforcement of Trivarga by the State in the following words:-<blockquote>अथ धर्माय काम फलाय राज्याय नमः । ''atha dharmāya kāma phalāya rājyāya namaḥ ।''</blockquote>Meaning: My Salutation to the State, which ensures acquiring of wealth and fulfillment of desires without violating Dharma.

It further adds that Artha (the wealth) and Kama (desire) must stand the test of Dharma. Kautilya declares that a Raja must strive for the achievement of Trivarga. Kamandakiya, after an elaborate discussion of the seven constituents of the State, concludes thus:-<blockquote>गृहीतमेतत्रिपुणेन मन्त्रिणा त्रिवर्गनिष्पत्तिमुपैति शाश्वतीम् || 4.7 ||{{Citation needed}}</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.<ref name=":6">M.Rama Jois (2004), Trivarga, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.</ref>

All of them warn that mere acquisition of Artha Wealth or Money i.e., economic prosperity and fulfillment of desires disregarding dharma, is sure to result in disaster, such as moral degradation, rampant corruption and large scale commission of offences.

 

Whatever be the system of government, it could become a good government provided those who exercise the power are good. It depends upon their quality. These qualities have been specified as part of Raja Dharma in conformity with the doctrine of Trivarga. (refer Raja Dharma article).

After a through discussion of the topic Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Panduranga Vamana Kane states :

After a through discussion of the topic Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Panduranga Vamana Kane states :

“The goal of the State was deemed to be enable men to attain the four Purushasthas, particularly the first three, [as the last viz, Moksha depended only upon individual philosophical insight and mystical experience and was attainable only by a microscopic number]. Even the Barhaspatya Sutra [II-43 ] says that the fruit of polity was the attainment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.  Somadeva begins his Nitivakyamrita in a characteristic way when he performs obeisance to Rajya [the State ] which yields the three fruits of Dharma, Artha and Kama.

“The goal of the State was deemed to be enable men to attain the four Purushasthas, particularly the first three, [as the last viz, Moksha depended only upon individual philosophical insight and mystical experience and was attainable only by a microscopic number]. Even the Barhaspatya Sutra [II-43 ] says that the fruit of polity was the attainment of Dharma, Artha and Kama.  Somadeva begins his Nitivakyamrita in a characteristic way when he performs obeisance to Rajya [the State ] which yields the three fruits of Dharma, Artha and Kama.

The Dharmashastra 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”.

The Dharmashastra 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”.<ref name=":0" />

 

 

 

Whatever be the system of government, it could become a good government provided those who exercise the power are good. It depends upon their quality. These qualities have been specified as part of Raja Dharma in conformity with the doctrine of Trivarga. (refer Raja Dharma article).<ref name=":0" />

== कौटुम्बिकजीवनस्य आधारः ॥ Foundation of Family Life ==

== कौटुम्बिकजीवनस्य आधारः ॥ Foundation of Family Life ==