22nd January, 2024. The day is destined to go into the history of Bharat (India) as the day of restoration of pride. Humiliated for 500+ years the Bharatiyas have proved their resilience facing much resistance from various rulers and dynasties. My article is not about Religion. It is about character. I hope the readers will look at the subject matter.
RAM is not a name. The name symbolises Duty, Equality, Absence of Self-interest, fairness, Patience, Loyalty, Friendship, Love, Affection, and Governance. The whole world knows about (E) Utopia a theory floated by Sir Thomas More in 1516. Around this time few robbers from Afghanistan moved towards a land that had everything the so-called Eutopia talks about. The robbers won and went on to humiliate the losers. The best way to humiliate anyone is to destroy his home, culture and pride. So they went on destroying the temples which were the cultural centres of Bharat.
Ramrajya is all about good governance. A time when the law and law only prevailed. When Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years everyone was happy to accept him as their Ruler. There was no one to oppose him as their King (out of love not out of fear). When he ruled as King of Ayodhya there was overall economic development, and everyone readily followed the Dharma (Law of the Land), Health was given utmost importance, there was no shortage of food and other needs, fear was absent, no premature deaths, women were happy, no fire accidents occurred, no epidemics or pandemics, no fevers, no hunger, no robberies, abundant food was available. (Valmiki Ramayana: Balakanda 1st Chapter Verse 90 to 100). We are talking about the Human Development Index in the 21st Century. What does that include? Long and Healthy Life, Knowledge, and a Decent Standard of Living. (https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
How Ramarajya is achieved? It is based on Dharma. Dharma flows from top to bottom. Today we talk about Management theories Top-down approach. The culture of an organization, or a country is developed through a top-down approach. Once it becomes rock solid no one can change that. 1,000 years of history of robberies and invasions could not change what Bharat is all about. Ram's life story is all about following Dharma. A few hours before his anointment as the King of Ayodhya, he was asked to leave. He was more than happy to do that. He went to live at Chitrakoot. The general public started visiting his place frequently. This disturbed the environment. Having respect for the environment and the people living there, he moved away from Chitrakoot. This led to struggles with the local gangs. He won over them in many skirmishes. This infuriated the King of the gangs. He wanted to punish Ram. The best way is to humiliate him. Kidnapped Ram's wife. Ram went in search of his wife. Made friends en route. The whole universe became his friends. He took on the mighty Ravana. He needed to be innovative. His forces consisted of indisciplined and untrained persons. He needed to lead them setting the greatest examples of leadership and management. How he won the wars, the strategies, the conflict between Dharma and Adharma (unfair), and how every time he trod the path of Dharma makes the story of Ram unique.
Only when we read the Ramayana we will understand how difficult it is to tread the path of Ram. It is really difficult. But one who understands Ram understands the Dharma. Only when everyone follows Dharma the society can achieve the Human Development. Mere economic theories without the real character will not understand the essence of Ramarajya.
Then wonder why some people consider "Jai Shree Ram" as a political slogan rather than an ode to Ram the symbol of 100% Fair, Just governance.
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