Sri Ram better known in the Indic civilization as
"Maryada Purushottam Ram" lived by the highest standards of
principles and virtue. In India also known as "Bharat" or
"Hindustan", believers of Sri Ram swear by his conduct, morality, and
ethics. The kingdom of Lord Ram manifested in his mind and heart. Ram Rajya thus
began well before Lord Ram was crowned the King of Ayodhya.
Over four millenniums,
people have worshipped Sri Ram for his conduct and principles that he stood for
in times of adversity. His life has been narrated as a shining example of
values an individual must aspire to attain. One of the cornerstones of Sri
Ram's value system was justice.
The virtues of Sri Ram
in the minds of believers has traversed through millenniums in the Indian
sub-continent and across rest of the world. In pursuit of public recognition of
the name of Sri Ram, the principles of justice of Ram Rajya (rule of Lord Ram)
are being blatantly compromised in contemporary India.
Therefore, the questions
to ask ourselves is what does Ram Rajya for the 21st century really mean? Ram
Rajya is an embodiment of the highest values of ethics and morality. It would
be justice for everyone, social, economic, and political. Political justice
would include the right to pursue any religious path and spiritual faith in
realizing the truth of our existence.
Ram Rajya would mean not
oppressing the weak and especially those who are destitute. It would mean not
causing any harm to the poor. It would mean sheltering those who are being
needlessly persecuted in the pursuit of power anywhere on the planet. It
would mean honest and truthful conduct.
The rule of law in
such a society would be based on sound and ethical principles. It would mean, rulers
and administrators are fair and just. The rule of law in society would be
administered impartially. The system of justice would protect the weakest and
the most vulnerable from any tyranny and oppression. Such rule would not divide
people to achieve narrow aims of staying in power. It would be a society where
those who rule do so with a spirit to serve.
Ram Rajya would be
achieving emancipation from poverty, ignorance, and hatred. It would mean protecting
the earth and natural endowments from human greed. Such a rule would ensure the
air and water are the true commonwealth to be cherished by everyone.
The pursuit of such lofty
goals is extremely difficult. Therefore, the name of Lord Ram most of all should
not be used for unjust oppression while those highest standards of virtue remain
unmet. Ram Rajya would be in existence when the last person has been adequately
taken care of and does not live in perpetual state of fear for survival.
We should ask
ourselves whether we are living in Ram Rajya. I certainly believe witnessing
contemporary events that we are far from the exalted principles of Ram Rajya. Furthermore,
it must begin in our collective minds and hearts before it can really be
translated in a functional society and Institutions of governance. We would
have achieved Ram Rajya, when we put the truth before our narrow interests and
principles before short term gains.
We are yet to strive sufficiently
to achieve a just world for everyone. Merely building an edifice in the memory
of Lord Ram is not enough, we must restore virtue and truthful principles in
society. We must do it in a manner that paves the path for peace, amity, and a
better existence for everyone.
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