We have grown up hearing the term “Ram Rajya” (Sri Rama’s rule”) which is always used as a synonym for ideal governance as well. Theoretically, Ram Rajya has been detailed in the Valmiki Ramayana throughout the conversation that takes place between Sri Rama and his younger brother Prince Bharat, who comes to convince the exiled Sri Rama to return to Ayodhya and take his rightful position of its King.

Goswami Tulsidas Ji’s beautifully poetic description of the same in Ramcharitmanas is also very enlightening.

On the other hand, we have “Krishna Rajya”, a concept we have never heard of even though Sri Krishna is widely worshipped and sung about all over the world as the perfect son, brother, lover, husband, father and householder.

Do watch an enligtening talk on this Book on Sangam Talks:

We have almost never paid attention to the fact that, he was much more than that. To put it in the words of eminent scholar P. Banerjee:

“As a warrior, Krishna was without a rival.

As a statesman, the most shrewd.

As a Social thinker, very liberal.

As a Teacher, the most eloquent.

As a Friend, never failing.

And, as a householder, the most ideal.”

To begin with, let’s get to the reason why Parafull Goradia Ji in his book “Krishna Rajya” : An Alternate System Of Government for Modern India” refers to Sri Krishna as a ‘ruler’ by coining the term “Krishna Rajya”.

It is a well-known fact that Sri Krishna is also called Dwarakadheesh as he was the ruler of a city called Dwaraka (in current day Gujarat), mentioned in the works of Sanskrit Grammarian Panini as well as in the earliest epigraphical evidence of it mentioned in the Palitana Copperplate grants of Samanta Simhaditya.

This Dwaraka city submerged in water upon Sri Krishna’s exit from this earth is mentioned in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana which has been archaeologically proven via Shri S.R. Rao’s archaeological excavations off the Bay of Kutch in Bet Dwaraka where a once prosperous ancient city’s remains were found intact which dates back to the era of Mahabharata.

Coming to Prafull Goradia Ji’s description of Sri Krishna as a ‘Colossus’ (a person of enormous importance and/or ability) is based on sound logic, since as a General Sri Krishna fought 18 battles, out of which 17 were against Jarasandha (Emperor of Magadh) and one to annihilate Kalyavan, a Greek invader.

And all this was done by the time he was just 25! Sri Krishna therefore was a genius strategic thinker who knew when to attack before the enemy does so, when to defend and above all when to retreat without second thoughts (Rannchhod).

In the Vedas, Dharma comes from the root word Dhr which means “that which holds together” and adharma is its opposite. Dharma is to be maintained at all times to uphold Rta (Rigveda mentions it as ‘natural order/cosmic order/eternal truth’).

Sri Krishna was viraat in his outlook as he always had Dharma and the welfare of entire Bharata in his mind and actions ultimately resulting in the establishment of the ethical Pandavas on the throne of the virtual centre of Bharatvarsha which was Hastinapur.

Apart from the deep insights on the ever relevant governance mechanisms of Sri Krishna, Prafull ji also makes a few very important arguments in order to base his proposition on valid grounds which is “Krishna Rajya”, in theory as well as practice.

Firstly, he urges us to consider the characteristics which are specific to Indians and given their genius they need a system that is not a copy or adaptation of the West since we are in total contrast to the Abrahamic foundations of civilization and beliefs which maintain that it is a “White Man’s burden” to civilize the infidels and pagans who do not pay allegiance to the one God.

We believe in Karma and how it leads to our bhagya or abhagya and we look to actuate ourselves rather than dominate others.

We prefer a minimal government that does not curtail our space yet we exhort the strict enforcement of law when needed.

Among others, we prefer interpersonal loyalty instead of Institutional loyalty.

Last but not the least, we are not naturally inclined towards rebelling and revolting without a great cause.

Secondly, he points out the dire need for Indian polity to be governed by an Indian system rather than by a structure built upon imported bricks which is the Indian Constitution enacted by Congress in 1950 that has only suffocated and distorted the political potential of our country.  

The book also beautifully puts into perspective the dilemmas of Arjuna on the battlefield and Krishna’s answers and transcendental knowledge in simple and practical words.

A few gems on the same from the book:

i) A capable individual who resorts, for any compulsion whatsoever to shirk his duty would do an incalculable harm, not only to his own interests but also to dharma in the world and unwittingly becoming the cause of furtherance of the very evil he sought to end.

Does this remind us of a certain “Silent PM” who was perennially tongue-tied and hands tied due to supposed Coaltion-Dharma?

ii) Any action taken into defence of human values and indeed human civilizations itself, falls into the category of non-violence.

iii) Nishkama Karma which is action without desire for the fruits of it leaves the soul unstained.

The book moves on detailing Bismarck, Plato, Ram Rajya concepts and theories and the book ends on a wonderful note where a conclusive chapter outlines the governance system based on Krishna Rajya which will be ‘By Indians, For Indians’.

A must read book and a must read watch on Sangam Talks for every Indian. #SangamTalks

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