Prabhu Shriram’s wisdom and His advice for ruling a Kingdom

Valmiki Ramayan has many examples that testify to Prabhu Shriram’s wisdom. Besides, we can learn a lot from His biography. Sage Valmiki has described 16 qualities of Prabhu Shriram, whereas Sage Narad has described over 70 qualities. If someone tries to imbibe these qualities, one birth would be insufficient for each of them. Famous people have one or two qualities. However, there is no one who has all His qualities. Merely reading His advice to His brother Bharat on how to administer the kingdom is enough to understand many aspects of administration. Ramayan is full of such advice. The only question is how much can we take from it.

Shriram’s advice to Bharat

Shriram’s coronation is cancelled due to the intellectual aberration of Queen Kaikeyi. Shriram, Seeta and Lakshman go into exile. King Dasharath dies. When Bharat returns to Ayodhya, he is upset after knowing the truth and refuses to take over the kingdom. He goes to the forest with Chaturanga Sena, his mother, the knowledgeable and elders to bring Prabhu Shriram back. He searches for Shriram in the forest, and later, upon finding Him meets Him with utmost sorrow and urges Him to return to Ayodhya. The advice of Prabhu Shriram to Bharat is a proof of His intelligence and skills. Similarly, it is a fine example of how a ruler should be.

A. Characteristics of ministers mentioned by Prabhu  Shriram : Shriram addresses Bharat as Tat (Father) and asks –

1. I hope that ministers who are valiant like you, learned, masters of their senses, of noble birth and skilled in interpreting internal sentiments by external gestures, have been assigned to you. (Valmiki Ramayan, Ayodhyakanda -100.15)

2. The source of victory for kings indeed comes from a discreet counsel from ministers, who are well-versed in political sciences and can keep their thoughts to themselves. (Valmiki Ramayan, Ayodhyakanda -100.16)

While suggesting to Bharat how should the minister be, Prabhu Shriram has also told their characteristics.

Shriram asks Bharat – “You are not sleeping at odd hours, are you ? O’ Raghunandan !
Is your consultation limited to two or four ears only ? Are you taking care not to extend it to six ears (Many becoming aware of the ongoing consultation). If that happens, your secrets will be known to the enemies”.

Often, politicians and journalists in India are not aware of this. They openly write about the Indian Army’s tactics, war preparations, etc., so that these secrets automatically reach the enemy. (Do not forget that during the Jihadi attack of 26.11.2008, news channels showed Indian commandos landing from helicopters. As a result, terrorists in Pakistan saw them and gave this information to the attacking Jihadis.) The enemy should always be deceived, caught on the wrong foot. These tactical aspects should be taught right from school. Instead, what is being taught is – If the enemy hits you on one cheek, give him the other cheek too. If some examples from the Ramayan are taught to children, there is a hue and cry of saffronisation of education.

B. Shriram asks Bharat about politics and army : Shriram asked Bharat many such questions related to politics. The fascinating aspect of these questions is that the question itself contains the answer.

1. I hope you solicit for one wise man rather than for a thousand stupid; for, a wise man can be of a great help to you in difficult matters. (Valmiki Ramayan, Ayodhyakanda – 100.22)

2. Even if a king employs thousands or tens of thousands of fools, they will not be helpful to him. (Valmiki Ramayan, Ayodhyakanda – 100.23)

There is a beautiful verse in the Mahabharat on the 3 enemies of knowledge that states – Not serving the Guru, being hasty and praising oneself are the 3 enemies of knowledge. (Mahabharat, 5.40.4)

Further, Shriram asks Bharat – “Have you appointed an individual who is brave, intelligent, noble, skilled in warfare and who loves you as your commander-in-chief ? Are you paying the soldiers their proper salaries regularly ? Otherwise, they will get angry with the rulers and this can lead to disaster. The army survives on its stomach. Taking care of it is the duty of the king.

Shriram asked many such questions. If I were to mention all and provide the explanation given by Shriram, space here would be insufficient.

Another reason for these questions was to know if Bharat had reduced the old ranks (Ministers, commanders, etc.) after assuming the reigns of the Kingdom, and made new appointments, and if so, were they correct; was the right person appointed to
the right post or not. Shriram wanted to make sure that Bharat had not appointed just cheerleaders to assist him !

C. Shriram was an ideal king, and hence, Ram Rajya is remembered by the people : Shriram  was an Ashtavadhani (One who has exceptional multi-tasking skills and extraordinary memory). His knowledge of all subjects such as Dharma, Vedas, Scriptures, economics, army, weapons was exemplary. Shriram was the only example of how a king should be; hence, Ram Rajya is still remembered by the people.

Sage Narad has asked Yudhishthir many such questions in the Mahabharat. They are famous as Kachchit Prashna. In a way, by asking such clever questions, Shriram has taught politics to Bharat.

– Dr Sachchidananda Suresh Shevde, Devout Hindu Lecturer and Writer, Dombivli, Maharashtra.

(Courtesy of Dr Sachchidananda Suresh Shevde’s Facebook account)

Shriram was an Ashtavadhani. His knowledge of Dharma, Vedas, Scriptures, economics, army, weapons was exemplary !