Sambodhi 2004 Vol 27

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 29

Vol. XXVII, 2004
UPAVEDAS - ARTHAŚĀSTRA IN RĀMĀYAŅA
23
vayam tu bharatādeśāvadhim krtvā harīsvara tvadvidhānbhinnamaryādan nigrahitum vyavasthitah.
(VR IV 18, 24 & 25). 'Bharata is the king of Ayodhyā and he is ruling the whole kingdom having it as his capital. We are all appointed by him to take care of the forest region and it is my duty to establish dharma and enforce law and order, take care of the code of conduct.' So Vāli has swerved from his dharma hence has to be punished, killed.
Code of laws for war was also prescribed and it was carried out. When an enemy is tired and unarmoured, it is not proper to wage war with him. Here the famous statement of Rāma to Rāvana is very significant. Rāma asked Rāvana to go back from the battlefield and come fresh and re-equipped the next day to fight.
Krtam tvayā mahat karma subhīmam Hatapraviraśca krtastrayaham Tasmāt pariśrānta iti vyavasya na tvam saraimrtyuvasam nayami
prayāhi jānāmi ranārditastvam.... (VR VI 59, 142). People were very well cared for. The king or the high officials never used to trouble or disturb the people at any time. After hearing from Hanumān about the situation in Lankā, Rāma started collecting all the monkeys for their mission of fighting. A large number of monkeys, bears and others were marching towards the sea-shore. But to avoid disturbance to the people living in the city Rāma gave strict orders that this marching of army should not cause any disturbance to the people. It was also carried out in strict discipline.
Rāmasya śāsanam jñātvā bhimakopasya bhītavat varjayn nagarābhyāsān tathā janapadānapi' (VR VI 4 -38).
'Understanding the order of Rāma, afraid of the wrath of Rāma when his orders were trespassed, the whole army marched towards the sea-shore leaving the cities and towns, without any disturbance to the people.'
Like this there are several instances in Rāmāyaṇa which bring out the principles of Arthaśāstra and Nītiśāstra in a clear, simple and useful manner. These advices and aphorisms are not only useful at that time when this treatise was written but also for future times across centuries. Code of conduct and personnel character are very essential for a good and harmonious society, so that people can lead a peaceful and comfortable life and thus it leads one to enjoy heavenly bliss, which is the ultimate aim of human life. Like this all the vedic and