In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Bhishmachaarya’s important accord on “Ganatantra Raajyam” (Democratic administration). We’re amidst a democratic administration in today’s context in several countries, but it is worth noting that Bhishmachaarya has spoken about this around 5000 years ago. Here, as the first prerequisite for the “Ganatantra Raajyam” to be successful, people should have that awareness that they are working for the betterment of the nation as a whole, and not just for their selfish requirements. This seems to be absent completely in today’s context, especially in India, wherein especially those who are in the administrative circles like politicians and government bureaucrats, who are only striving for their personal brownie points and keeping people’s interests at bay, ever since independence. If this is the case, common people in India also lack sense in several issues – We do not understand basic discipline while moving in public places, such as cleanliness, damaging public property like buses, trains, etc., taking / giving bribes for even small tasks – The list goes on and on and because of this, a serious question arises whether India really deserves to have a “Ganatantra Raajyam” in the first place!
Thus, the point here is that, in a “Ganatantra Raajyam”, people should be empowered as decision-makers. People should be given the power in their hands to run the country. But if people in the country are pathetic like how we are in India, it can easily be understood that the entire concept of “Ganatantra Raajyam” in India is an utter failure. Such countries are better governed using the military force, wherein strict punishments through stricter enforcement of law will be the only way to bring such people to book! With this context, Bhishmachaarya continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Do you know what was the need for all these “Ganatantra Raajyam” and the other types of administration? Let me tell you the origin for all these! Initially during the “Satya Yuga” when the world was created for the first time by Bhagawan Vishnu, people during that time had complete awareness about “Dharma”. Whatever activities / tasks people performed, were per the principles of “Dharma”. At that time, there was no concept of an administration, a king, a kingdom, law, justice, etc. This was because people were highly disciplined and there was no need for anything like these. Oh Yudishtra! Imagine this – If there is no theft, why do we need policing? If people behave according to the principle of “Dharma” that one should not desire for others’ possessions, why do we need “law enforcement”? It is only when people started becoming selfish over time, such necessities began to arise. The moment people started giving priority to “desire”, “wealth”, “name”, “fame”, etc. “Dharma” started getting compromised at several levels. For instance, if I require money urgently, I can resort to any way of earning it – Even via pickpocketing, theft, etc. If such a thing is happening, it is definitely against the principle of “Dharma”. Thus if such incidents start happening, someone has to be there to enforce the “Dharma” through some ways and means!”
Saying thus, Bhishmachaarya continues further – “Oh Yudishtrs! As crimes started increasing and as people started talking about their own preferences more than the welfare of everyone, Indra and the other “Devas” (Celestial Beings) came to a conclusion that we need some law enforcement in this world, so that things are maintained in order. The moment human beings lost their self-control, enforcement became the order of the day. Sensing this, Bhagawan Brahma took it upon himself and authored the revered “Brahma-Suthram”. This is an extensive book containing the various nuances of “Dharma” and its implications. This “Brahma-Shaastram” text that Bhagawan Brahma authored, had more than one lakh “Adhyaayams” and was too extensive. Indra had received the first copy of the book and he tried to read it. Of course, he managed to read the entire book but he felt that this is too big for human beings to read. Hence, he decided to shorten the version by only having around 10,000 “Adhyaayams”. Later on, Skanda (Bhagawan Muruga) had an opportunity to read it, and he further condensed it to around 5,000 “Adhyaayams”. Further later, Brihaspati had a chance to read it, and he too thought who is going to read 5,000 “Adhyaayams” at a stretch! He shortened it to around 3,000 “Adhyaayams”. Further, Sage Shukrachaarya had a chance to go through it, and he further condensed it into a 1,000 “Adhyaayas”. Thus, this 1000-Adhyaayam-”Brahma-Shaastram” contains several important aspects of “Raaja-Dharma”, “Aapad Dharma”, “Ganatantra Raajyam”, etc. covered in it in detail. Subsequently, with the propagation of this “Brahma-Shaastram”, and also with the dire need for enforcing “Dharma”, the concept of a “king” came into being!”
This is an important point that Bhishmachaarya is discussing here with regards to the origin of “Brahma-Shaastram” and is worth noting it. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 