In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya’s detailed explanation on the “Ganatantra-Raajyam” to Yudishtra. Bhishmachaarya commences his explanation by explaining that this “Ganatantra Raajyam” (Democracy) is possible only when people have the basic awareness of value systems and a selfless attitude. If people are going to be selfish, the concept of democracy is going to go for a toss, as it is currently happening in India. Saying thus, Bhishmachaarya is currently explaining about the origin of the concept called “Raajyam” and then subsequently he is going into details of the “Ganatantra-Raajyam”. Bhishmachaarya explains that during the “Satya Yuga” there was no concept of a “Raajyam” at all. People were governing themselves without any unwanted desires, greed, etc. Because people were extremely disciplined, there was no need for a ruler to govern them. Because people were void of unwanted desires, there were no thefts, and other kinds of criminal activities. Hence, there was no requirement of law, judiciary, etc. However, with the passage of time, everything became a necessity because people’s desires started to grow. As a result of desires, selfish attitudes started growing. Because of selfish attitudes, people started to go out of the path of “Dharma” to earn money, name and fame. The moment this happens, ruling, administration, law, justice, etc. become paramount.
Saying thus, Bhishmachaarya explains how Bhagawan Brahma authored the great “Brahma-Shaastram” keeping all these in mind. With the request of Indra, Bhagawan Brahma gave it to him, which contained more than a lakh “Adhyaayams”. Because of its sheer size, Indra decided to condense it. Subsequently, others like Bhagawan Muruga (Skandha), Sage Shukrachaarya, etc. came up with several revised versions of the “Brahma-Shaastram”, and now we have just over a thousand “Adhyaayams”. In this, Bhagawan Brahma explains enormous nuances on the “Raaja-Dharma” extensively.
Thus, continuing further, Bhagawan Brahma elucidates the need for kings to rule the country. He says thus, “Because people’s greed started increasing, they started to do whatever it takes to earn wealth. In this way, the path of “Dharma” started to get forgotten. Brahmanas who were dedicated to performing all the offerings towards Bhagawan, started getting attacked for no reason. Thus, as the Brahmanas and Indra went to Bhagawan Brahma to seek protection for the Brahmanas, Bhagawan Brahma created a new “Varnaashrama Dharma” called “Kshatryas”. Thus, the “Kshatryas” were designated to protect the kingdom, especially the Brahmanas, whose duty was to protect the Vedas and Shaastras. This is how several kingdoms started emerging here and there!”
Saying thus, Bhishmachaarya now quotes further from the Brahma-Shaasthram – “Oh Yudishtra! It is only as per the principles laid down in this “Braham-Shaastram”, every king should operate. It has been fairly followed till now. However, as time progresses, many of these principles would get compromised. Now let me tell you two important things which are important for the success of “Ganatantra Raajyam”. The first requirement here is that people in the country should have a societal awareness. In other terms, because people will be the rulers for themselves in the “Ganatantra Raajyam”, they should know what is right and what is wrong for their own society. Knowledge of this will lead to unity amongst people. If people are united, the “Raajyam” will be very strong. However, if this unity is broken due to several reasons, chances are very high that the “Raajyam” will be invaded by foreign elements and the concept of “Ganatantra Raajyam” will thereby collapse!”
This is an extremely important point that Bhishmachaarya is making here – In fact, this has been true already in India. If we look at our own history over a thousand-year period, we can see how our unity was broken level after level, and how foreign invaders came in and looted us left right and centre. It is not that we were so weak in terms of military power. The problem was lack of unity amongst ourselves. Earlier when kings like Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Rajputs, Marathas, Hoysalas, etc. were ruling our Bhaarata Desha, the country’s boundaries were spanning across a huge geographical area – From almost Iran and Afghanistan in the west, to almost Indonesia and Cambodia in the east. Thus, the entire geography within this region (“Akhanda Bhaaratam”) was originally the land of “Sanaatana Dharma”. However, with a lot of breakdown of unity amongst the erstwhile kings, several muslim invasions and subsequenttly the British invasion ensured that our country was split into several pieces and ruined! Now whatever we are left with as “Bhaarata Desha” is only a miniscule part of the “Akhanda Bhaaratam” that we had earlier. Why do we think this happened? It is primarily because of lack of unity – In fact, we might have read in our history books – Several Indian kings acted against the interests of our country and rather extended support to the British at various points of time. This clearly shows the lack of societal awareness that we’ve had during the past. Subsequently, the British rulers used this lack of unity, in order to push their agenda upon us. This resulted in Indians becoming slaves under the Britishers until 1947.
So the point that Bhishmachaarya is trying to highlight here is that unity builds a nation together and binds it strongly. Lack of unity will disintegrate the country into pieces, resulting in foreign invasions happening easily without any hiccups! Thus, unity is the fundamental principle upon which “Democracy” thrives. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this interesting discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 