“Ram Rajya” is Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s contribution to achieve world peace

By

A N Pandey

Director Spiritual Awareness Program (SAP), Hyderabad,

www.yogicconcepts.in

ORCID Amrendra Pandey (0000-0003-3882-2416) – ORCID | Connecting Research and Researchers.

   Ram Rajya was ruled by Sri Rama but the actual foundation of the same was paved by Bhagvan Parashu Rama who is the sixth avatar (Incarnation) of Sanatan Dharma. He established Dharma (righteousness) which in turn, was the favorable condition for establishment of a popular kingdom, later on known as a Ram Rajya. The prevailing condition of Ram Rajya got lost due to many hidden factors. Present day, there is dilemma whether Ram Raya could be re established? To understand the favorable conditions of Ram Rajya, the present day scenario have to be reviewed. 

1. What is the call of the World?

    The world needs “Sustainable peace” in all rounds, especially in the scenario of “Networking” & “Trafficking”. These (Networking & Trafficking) are the parts of Energy & Space. This means that Energy & Space of individual, society, country & the world are to be well balanced to meet the smooth function of completed universe including worldwide human transactions. How to achieve or inculcate the balancing mechanism between “Networking” & “Trafficking” in macrocosm (in Brahmand or universe) & also in microcosm (in human body)? The answer is to fuse the love & justice (action oriented) with “strong determination (Dhairya Sankalpa)”. The same kind of approach was undertaken by Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s Dharma principles, where he had used “Love & Axe” to achieve the same. This means that Axe & love are the two means to establish dharma (Righteousness) among bad & good, cruel & peace lover, anti-social & social elements. This principle will patch the discrepancy among environment, economy, education & heritage prevailing in different parts of the world.

    The world needs to have the balance among environment, economy, education & cultural (heritage) aspects to have sustainable networking & trafficking among the people, objects, places & situations. The world can achieve the harmoniously balanced factors among them provided each segment follows the natural law of “love & Axe” (action of love & action of justice) given by Bhagwan Parashu Ram. How to ensure whether the call of the hour is implemented? The result could be perceived, analyzed, measured & sensed. The two limbs for setting right the dharma could be inculcated among individual of the society (atleast 5-10% of social population) by means of introspection, yoga & meditation.

    These kinds of approaches have already been taken in past. In Treta Yuga (Kala), especially during lord Rama’s government, the Dharma concept given by Bhagwan Parashu Ram was used completely to establish a unique kingdom which was known as “Ram Rajya”. That is why Bhagwan Parashu is known for setting the foundation of Ram Rajya by providing the clear concept of Dharma to be followed in all four segments (environment, economy, education & culture) of the society & the country. To achieve the prosperity in all around (all four segments of society of the world) & also to achieve the world peace, the call of the hour is to have a model like “Ram Rajya” as far as possible, which has already been witnessed in India.

1.1What is the scenario existing in present moment?

  20th century was the era of Science; which has invented technology and provided the concept of modernization.  Unfortunately, modernization and western models of progress have categorized these knowledge systems into artificial categories of intelligence leading to explore the boons of science but certainly not the banes of science. This does not mean that the progress or achievement lead by boons of science should not be enjoyed by the common people. Only alertness should be inculcated to know the banes of science erupted during advancement of science; at the same time, the solution “How to overcome the banes” should also be thought over. The science does not provide how to come out of the banes but fortunately, yoga is the means to conquer the effect of banes without interrupting the act for enjoying the boons of science. Unfortunately, the yoga and meditation have been ignored since long and only introspection was carried out while analyzing the people, objects, places and situations. Earlier era, introspection on retaining Dharma used to be practiced as introspection along with meditation.

However, the concept given by Lord Parashu Rama about the sustainability of Dharma & later on implementation of the same by lord Rama to establish Ram Rajya was slowly forgotten. In this process, the same devalued the doctrine of Ram Rajya laid by Bhagvan Parashu Rama & implemented by lord Rama as Ram Rajya. This clarifies that unless the basic principles on which Ram Rajya was functioning is made alive, there won’t be system like Ram Rajya & there will not be the world peace at all.

Similar kind of concept was given by Lord Buddha in his doctrine “Four noble parts” to achieve the complete solution of any situation including world peace. This reveals that all great personalities like Parashu Ram, Ram, Krishna, Shiva and Lord Buddha have elaborated the fundamental aspects of establishment of pure Dharma to achieve the world prosperity and peace. In this connection Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s (The originator of Dharma establishment) action could be remembered and his efforts to make the world in equilibrium of dharma should be implemented by balancing justice (Nyaya) and forgiveness (Kshma). This (Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s) can be taken as India’s asset for establishing and maintaining world peace. Viewing the above analysis, it could be presumed that present day scenario is normally favorable to review the status and implementation of Ram Rajya in India as well as in the world. This is because; hundred percent favorable features of Ram Rajya could be possible, if certain attempts to improve the lagging scenario against Ram Rajya is improved. 

2. Basic Foundation of Ram Rajya by Bhagwan Parashu Rama

Bhagwan Parashu Ram installed “Love & Axe”, the two firm component of Dharma and it was practiced (fused) by individual, society and people in the country at large. The concept given by Bhagwan Parashu Ram reinforced the natures (Prakriti) against getting imbalanced at three stages namely i) Nature needs not to get blocked at creation level ii) Have the freedom to nourish the growth of creation as mother and iii) To protect the culture or heritage earned by the humanity or by the nature (Prakriti) itself. These kinds of approach earlier followed by Lord Shiva to maintain the harmony in the nature’s creation and also while the protection of women. Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s establishment of Dharma made the people of that era to follow the pious action by being disciplined (Anushasanam), specialized in action (Karmasu Koushalam) and maintaining the inner purity (Chitta Vritti Nirodha). By this way, there was a good ground for Ram Rajya which was installed by Lord Rama after his return from Lanka. Basic features of Ram Rajya have been defined in many manuscripts.

Let us analyze that how far Love & Axe principle of dharma is endorsed by Bhagwan Rama & by Sri Hanuman. In this connection, it may be noted that Bhagwan Parashu Ram established Love & Axe to correct the missing links between Energy (Networking) & Space (Trafficking) prevailed at that time. The missing link forced the Incarnation of Parmatma (was the need of the hour) to balance “Networking (Energy) & Trafficking (Space) to achieve world Peace & Harmony. The same (Love & Axe) principle was endorsed by Lord Rama in Ram Rajya for the welfare of the people (Vide Choupai No: 5 in Hanuman Chalisa). The Ram Rajya was protected by Sri Hanuman Ji by using Love & Action (Energy). Sri Hanuman Ji has endorsed the principle of Axe & Love of Bhagwan Parashu Ram’s by following “Dhwaja” (Victory with Love & forgiveness) & “Gada” (using forceful action wherever required) as two means. Till starting of 21^st century, many Incarnation took place. In all the incarnations, the basic principle of correction (because of mismatch between Energy & Space) was the same as laid by Bhagwan Parashu Ram.

In brief, Bhagwan Parashu Ram gave the strong foundation for Dharma for World; which in turn was the basic feature for setting up Ram Rajya. They are i) Action of Justice Containing the persistence for Law of the society with determination & forcefulness; minimizing disparity in education, economy and strengthening the assets, and ii)Action of Love It consisting Tolerance, Acceptance, Appreciation and Love. In addition, the sense of forgiveness, kindness, pity and mercy should be the part of policy maker’s nature. Bhagvan Parashu Ram fused the action of Justice and the Action of Love to establish the cosmic Dharma during his Incarnation which also paved the foundation for Ram Rajya. Lord Rama (7th incarnation) has established Ram Rajya to attend the world peace in “Akhand Bharat”. The image “Basic foundation of Ram Rajya by Bhagvan Parashu Rama” briefly describes the dimensions of Axe and Love adopted by Bhagvan Parashu Rama.

  Ram Rajya has been defined in every Ramayana and most prominent are Valmiki Ramayan, Tulsi Krit Ramayan and also in Kambaramayanam. According to the definition given in Ramayana, Rama’s reign is known as the Rama Rajya which lasted for about 11,000 years or more. During this period, people were healthy, holy, satisfied and lived with complete peace and harmony. There was no evil, no wars, no natural calamity and no diseases. Rama ruled the whole earth (The discovered land of the world) without using military force as all kings submitted themselves to him. Rama acquired a rare Gem from Rishi Agastha which entombed the powers of the gods Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera, which helped the king rule efficiently.

3. What is Ram Rajya?

      Ram Rajya is the land of Dharma, poetically described as a realm of peace, harmony and happiness for young and old, high and low, all creatures and the earth itself, in recognition of a shared universal consciousness. The message of the Ram Rajya is the need to hold to Righteous duty (Dharma), perfection in action (karma yoga) and respect for the sacred nature of all life. The modern concept explores that Ram Rajya is said to be the type of ruling in which all the citizens are happy. The employed people should be able to feed themselves & also be contented. There should not be any situation for terrorism; theft, communal riots and no citizen ever need to sleep hungry. The ruler of the land should be wise, honest and able to protect its citizen from the foreign invasions. The ruler should also be having motive of being selfless and hardworking.

      The stepping stone like development of every segment of society along with all (“Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ke Sath”) has been initiated by the present Government. This in turn, will establish a strong foundation for Ram Rajya in due course provided all other factors related to Ram Rajya are met.  

3.1 The Structure of Original Ram Rajya

      Original Ram Rajya was based on the culture, educational, economy & environmental development of Kishkindha (environment and culture for heritage) and Lanka (economy and education). The Kishkindha kingdom was rich in environment and culture or heritage. Likewise, Lanka was prospering in economy and education.

These factors (environment, economy, education and culture or heritage) are the basic fabrics of healthy society. Lord Rama has strengthened these factors taking the model of then Kishkindha and Lanka. The healthy fabrics of society consisting the factors like environment and culture or heritage where taken from Kishkindha kingdom. Likewise, the economy and education (high technology) were taken from Lanka kingdom. Keeping the proper development on these factors, then Ram Rajya in Ayodhya (capital of Rama) was established.  The image describes the original concept of Ram Rajya in brief.    

  Original Ram Rajya was based on truth. Dharma was its foundation. Shastras were the guiding principles. Rishi, Yogi, Muni and Brahma Gyani were the guiding lights. The Vedas were respected and followed. Therefore, Rama Rajya endured and prospered. It (Ram Rajya) is even now spoken of as the most perfect form of government. The ancient ideal of Ram Rajya is undoubtedly one of true democracy in which the meanest citizen could be sure of rapid justice without an elaborate and costly procedure. 

4.0 Concept of Ram Rajya in independent India

After independence, there was thinking about establishment of Ram Rajya in India (of course in later stage) when the background to achieve Ram Rajya is supposed to be fulfilled. Because of inherent many problems prevailing after the independence, policy maker of India could not pay the attention on the subject (Ram Rajya). However, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation was keeping in his mind the concept of Ram Rajya.

4.1 Vision of Mahatma Gandhi about Ram Rajya

      Ram, Allah and God were convertible terms to Mahatma Gandhi, and his concept of Ram-Rajya represented not Hindu rule but principled rule. Gandhi Ji meant Ram Rajya as Divine Raj, the Kingdom of God. He stated that Ram Rajya of my dream ensures equal rights alike of prince and pauper. Bapu has visualized that Ram Rajya is a system where the society is run by principles of Lord Rama. Mahatma Gandhi talks about some of the key features of this Ram Rajya: They are

i) It is a democratic system where the ruler rules with the pleasure of people ii) There are equal rights for everyone iii) Violence cannot be the means to achieve justice iv) The justice is swift, accessible even by the poorest and at the lowest possible cost v) The rules are based on moral principles and the stress is on moral authority than real politics vi) Government should uphold truth in its own actions and also expect the same from others vii) Army doesn’t have a major role to play in governance viii) Respect for all religions and faiths.

  The key features of Ram Rajya have been briefly described in the image.

  All the important features of Ram Rajya should have the reinforcing effect of honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability so that the manipulation and corruption in the field of administration, judiciary and business are eliminated.    

To achieve the goal of vibrant India in coming years, we have to make a specific mission like “Dream India 2022” (being 75^th anniversary of independence).

4.2. The basic elements of Ram Rajya

      In 21st century, the basic elements which can provide the sustainable form of Ram Rajya are i) Vibrant Individual and ii) Vibrant Society. To eliminate corruption, materialism and manipulation (the root cause of non development or weakening the society and country), honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability are to be followed by the people for achieving the best possible development in the society. The analysis indicates how the vibrant individual and vibrant society can make the strong foundation of Ram Rajya.   

 4.2.1. Vibrant Individual and Vibrant Society

       Normally, common people are having weak and need based personality. This means that they are always hankering for bread butter, shelter and cloths. For this, they adopt the means of manipulation and corruption. In Ram Rajya, these needs are automatically met; hence they will be free from this kind of hankering. But, next to that is materialism. When the basic needs are fulfilled, the people become materialistic. To eliminate or minimize the materialistic approach, they need spiritual or yogic approach so that they can work for others or selflessly. This kind of personality can perform the job of vibrant individual. To achieve this, the identification of two poles existing in human system like i) civilization and ii) cultural or heritage wisdom is to be integrated. The civilization part consists of pollution free environment, adequate economy and balanced education; whereas, cultural part consists of prevailing heritage in the society.           

Integration of two poles reveals that in ideal situation, where both the poles (civilization and cultural wisdom) get unified, the interface result (interplay of two) will yield maximum value.  The achievement of conducive and sustainable quality of any domain (like economic development, good governance, sound social structure and strong individuality) can be armored with moral, ethnic and virtuous values. Many great thinkers of India including Pandit Deendayal have visualized the same.

5. The Fabrics of Healthy Society

      Even today Healthy Society needs the balancing of four fabrics of society namely Environment, Economy, Education and culture.

Each unit of Healthy fabrics of society depends on development of an individual having  decision making capability, Excellence or Sharpness in duty, and asset (Sampada) of Higher qualities of Human being, Social development and Divinity (Manvik or Humanity, Samajik or Equality in society   & Daivik Gunas or Divine quality).         .

 Decision making capability of individual will lead the social development with proper planning, organizing, leading and controlling the each and every aspect of the fabrics of society. This means that individual has to be trained in such a way that they should have the leadership quality with Ancient Indian Wisdom concept like uplifting of energy or prana, space or mind and consciousness or spirit in the background.    

5.1 Present day Status

Presently, there is no stress on exploring the possibility of Ram Rajya by the leaders of India. This is because presently the country has become the developed country in the world but having much discrepancy in Economy, Education and culture. Unless, adequate progress is achieved in these fields, there won’t be good success for exploring the establishment of Ram Rajya. However, the leaders of the country are trying to resolve the missing links prevailing in every walk of life. Few thinkers of India are trying to explore the possibility of Ram Rajya on the eve of 75^th anniversary of Independent India. If this happens, this will be a great tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who was having this kind of vision for this nation.

5.2 DREAM INDIA 2022 NEEDS RAM RAJYA

      Indian Nation is going to celebrate 75th year of Independence with enthusiastic manner. Naturally, the vision of Gandhi Ji must be remembered and an attempt should be made to achieve Ram Rajya by the government as well as the by people of India. Some of the thinkers have visualized the vision of Gandhi Ji as the basis for modern Ram Rajya. They have nicely elaborated that Gandhi’s Ram Rajya does not mean Hindu Raj. Hinduism teaches us to respect all religions. Gandhi Ji has acknowledged only one God, which is Truth or Absolute. Gandhi said the withdrawal of British power does not mean Ram Rajya. How can it happen when we all have been nursing violence in our hearts under the garb of non-violence?

      In his vision, Gandhi wanted to see each village as a little republic, self-sufficient in its vital wants, organically linked with the larger spatial bodies and enjoying the maximum freedom of deciding the affairs of the locality based on the principal of “simple living and high thinking”. Gandhi had suggested that decentralized democratic political system is the only means to resolve the worldly problems. 

6. Modern Concept of Ram Rajya

     What is the need and object of establishing kingdom, government, rulers, executives, and arm forces? In brief, the answer could be i) To save the money of country one needs establishment of government and ii) To safeguard government, government needs arm forces and arm forces need the money. This means that everyone needs the money to perform the business whether it could be of managerial, rulers, executives and arm forces types of curriculum.

Image briefly describes the various need of Ram Rajya

To achieve the concept of Ram Rajya, we certainly need a new ideal of Ram Rajya to fight the many new factors (Ravana) of corruption, manipulation and materialism that seem to have a thousand heads these days. To defeat Ravana (wicked and selfish nature) we must gain Hanuman (selfless vibrant personality) as an ally, meaning selfless personality having Divine nature and full of enthusiasm to work for the society.

6.1 Least disparity in society encourages achieving Ram Rajya model

There should be complete development of all elements of social fabrics. The healthiness of all can be achieved in balanced way by any other means, but application of Raj–yoga seems to be most effective and easy one. Balanced society in Ram Rajya model will have least disparity in social components. The image indicates the functional aspects of fabrics of society in order to have least disparity in the social structure in brief. 

For example, to keep good health, the growth of awareness of Yogic practice is developed. Also, it should have proper investigating approach in medical research. Likewise, there should be effective management to distribute the wealth in proportionate way so as to reduce the gap between Rich & Poor. This will eliminate the disparity feeling among the members. For proper employment, modern education should be devised with Job oriented skills. This will help to evolve inner skill and creative approach so as to reduce unemployment problem. Similarly, Preservation of cultural heritage (music, arts, dance etc.) will be retained in the society to achieve creative entertainment atmosphere. By this way the model or concept of Ram Rajya could be achieved.

      There could be many approaches for achieving the concept of Ram Rajya. Among them, the yogic concepts seems to be the most effective and ideal approach for achieving the principle and process of Ram Rajya. This is because; the yogic concept provides overall development of an individual for providing selfless service in the society. Yogic concept also develops the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual level of an individual.  

7. Why to integrate Ram Rajya model with Yogic approach?

The question like “Why to integrate Ram Rajya model with Yogic approach?” is genuine one.

      In this connection it may be noted that many models could be analyzed, but the best holistic approach would be adopted by integrating Rama Rajya model and Yogic model together. Ram Rajya model depends on healthiness of social fabrics like i) Environment ii) Economy iii) Education and iv) Culture (Heritage) prevailing with sound & adequate means in the society. To sustain this, yogic concept will be quiet appropriate to balance the Energy (force or prana) & Space (Subconscious mind) of the people to perform best possible action while framing & maintaining the laws of the society in every segment. Role of Yoga in environmental, economic, education and cultural development have been analyzed separately. The features of yogic practice reveals that the Vibrant personality & balanced society of the byproducts of yoga. This is because, yoga works on reprogramming of mind (space) & rising of force or strength or prana (Energy) at higher level. These two (Energy & Space) are very essential & the same to be purified & raised to the extent possible by an individual to contribute Vibrant personality & healthy society. In this connection, the special features of Yoga could be utilized for balancing the intelligent quotient (IQ) & Emotional quotient (EQ) to maintain the sustainability of Holistic model during its implementation.

We have understood that the factors like vibrant individual and vibrant society are very important for Ram Rajya. Among the two, the first one (vibrant individual) is the most important which will be responsible for implementing the rules and regulations of Ram Rajya. Generally, people are intellectually developed having high IQ (Intelligent Quotient) but lags behind EQ (Emotional Quotient). There are many methods to develop or evolve EQ but Yoga seems to be the easiest one. When IQ and EQ are equally developed there will be least possible chance of corruption in the society. This is because, corruption exists whenever IQ is more but EQ is less. Similarly, another factor which is dragging the society is materialism. The people become more materialistic and trying to hoard the wealth whenever there is large disparity in financial condition between rich and poor. By developing EQ, this disparity will be minimized or eliminated.

Likewise, the problem of manipulation at environment, economy, education & cultural level (another factor of poor society) depends on the factors like caste, language, area and religion. These (caste, language, area and religion) factors are the food for raising the ego of an individual. When EQ is developed the factor like manipulation is minimized or eliminated. The analysis indicates that whenever these factors (corruption, materialism and manipulation) are minimized or eliminated, the favorable atmosphere of Ram Rajya will prevail. By this means we can conclude that development of EQ of individual is very important for establishment of Ram Rajya and the same can be built up with the help of Yogic practices.

The special features of yogic practice are to develop Spiritual Quotient (SQ) which is very very important for the leaders of the country who are policy maker, law framer & surveillance manager. This is because, even if EQ is raised, the balanced society can get tumbled down if the implementation of law & the policy are not regularly introspected & watched carefully (surveillance). That is why the yogic practice should be implemented as a culture in the everyday’s life of elite & common people.

Author’s Photograph