The absence of proper governance in a society can lead to catastrophic consequences, including social disruptions, an increase in crime, and a lack of moral and ethical values. This is a warning that is echoed in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Srimad Bhagavatam. The verses in this text paint a bleak picture of a society without proper governance, with people deviating from the path of a progressive civilization and the world becoming filled with thieves and an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys. However, the concept of Rama Rajya offers a solution to these problems. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of proper governance in society, the consequences of its absence, and the principles of Rama Rajya as a remedy for these issues.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, there are three verses that paint a bleak picture of a society without proper governance. The first verse, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.43, compares the ideal ruler to the Lord who carries the wheel of a chariot. When this monarchical regime is abolished, the world becomes filled with thieves who prey upon the unprotected subjects like scattered lambs.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.44 goes on to describe the consequences of the termination of monarchical regimes and the plundering of people’s wealth by rogues and thieves. This leads to great social disruptions, with people being killed and injured, and animals and women being stolen. The verse warns that all these sins will be the responsibility of society.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.45 speaks of the systematic falling of the people from the path of a progressive civilization when they deviate from the qualitative engagements of the castes and orders of society and the Vedic injunctions. This deviation leads to a society more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, resulting in an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.
These verses show the importance of proper governance in society and the dire consequences of its absence. The idea of Rama Rajya, as described in Hindu tradition, emphasizes the principles of justice, righteousness, and virtue, with the welfare of the people being the highest priority. It promotes moral values and spiritual growth, not just economic development for the sake of material gratification.
As a reference, I have included the original verses and their translations in the appendix below.
Check out the appendix below for the original verses and their translations.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.43
alakṣyamāṇe nara-deva-nāmni
rathāṅga-pāṇāv ayam aṅga lokaḥ
tadā hi caura-pracuro vinaṅkṣyaty
arakṣyamāṇo ’vivarūthavat kṣaṇāt
Translation
My dear boy, the Lord, who carries the wheel of a chariot, is represented by the monarchical regime, and when this regime is abolished the whole world becomes filled with thieves, who then at once vanquish the unprotected subjects like scattered lambs.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.44
tad adya naḥ pāpam upaity ananvayaṁ
yan naṣṭa-nāthasya vasor vilumpakāt
parasparaṁ ghnanti śapanti vṛñjate
paśūn striyo ’rthān puru-dasyavo janāḥ
Translation
Due to the termination of the monarchical regimes and the plundering of the people’s wealth by rogues and thieves, there will be great social disruptions. People will be killed and injured, and animals and women will be stolen. And for all these sins we shall be responsible.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.45
tadārya-dharmaḥ pravilīyate nṛṇāṁ
varṇāśramācāra-yutas trayīmayaḥ
tato ’rtha-kāmābhiniveśitātmanāṁ
śunāṁ kapīnām iva varṇa-saṅkaraḥ
Translation
At that time the people in general will fall systematically from the path of a progressive civilization in respect to the qualitative engagements of the castes and the orders of society and the Vedic injunctions. Thus they will be more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, and as a result there will be an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.