Respecting The ‘Sengol’

‘Sengol’

Nandi engraved on Sengol

Editorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building ‘Central Vista’ to the recitation of Veda-mantras and performing of Homa-Havan on 28^th May 2023 at New Delhi. The important aspect of the ceremony was the handing over of the ‘Rajdand’ (Sengol) to PM Modi at its very commencement by the priests from Tamil Nadu. Before accepting the ‘Sengol’, PM Modi prostrated in front of the ‘Sengol’; then along with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Om Birla, he installed it in the new Parliament building. It is reported that the new Parliament building was built in a short period and cost Rs 1,200 crore with various artworks against the earlier proposed cost of Rs 3,000 crore. This Parliament building is three times larger than the earlier Parliament building and is designed in harmony with Indian architecture.

Journey of the ‘Sengol’

The original ‘Sengol’ is said to have been created by a Tamil Saint in the 7^th Century. It was through this ‘Sengol’ that Royal power was transferred to the mighty and powerful Chola Empire in the South.

As the days of power transfer from the British to the Indians were approaching, Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, asked Jawaharlal Nehru – ‘How should we transfer power, meaning, what should be the medium of transfer of power ?’ Jawaharlal Nehru put this question to Mr C Rajagopalachari, scholar and Governor of West Bengal at that time. Rajagopalachari studied many Texts and found details on how the transfer of power was conducted in the Chola Empire of Tamil Nadu, which was one of the ancient kingdoms of India. He commissioned the religious authorities from Tamil Nadu to make a ‘Sengol’, which was created by the jewellers – Vumidi Ethirajulu; Vumidi Sudhakar made it from gold. In the ancient Chola Empire, this ‘Sengol’ was given by Dharmacharyas (Teachers of Dharma) to the King who ascended the throne. The upper part of this ‘Sengol’ has a replica of Nandi. Dharmacharyas would invoke Deity Shiva and give it to the King. In doing so, the noble intention was that the King should administer justice with fairness. It was also expected from the King that he would be a follower of Deity Shiva and govern in a manner acceptable to Deity Shiva. This was a golden period for the country. This shows how wide was the scope and attitude towards the King and his responsibilities in those times and how advanced was the Indian culture.

Congress devalued the ‘Sengol’

The ‘Sengol’ that was manufactured in Tamil Nadu was handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru on 13th August 1947. The ‘Sengol’ disappeared from the scene and no one took notice later. PM Narendra Modi learned about the ‘Sengol’ from some magazines and realised its importance. After this, the search for the ‘Sengol’ began. It was found in the museum at Anand Bhavan, Prayagraj and the information provided there was – ‘This is a walking stick made of gold that Pandit Nehru had received’. It implies that the importance of this ‘Sengol’ was only that of a gold walking stick in the eyes of the then Government and Administration.

This gold stick again began its march towards being a historic ‘Sengol’ due to PM Modi’s efforts. The ‘Sengol’ was installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair in the new Parliament and the country experienced the golden Era again. Seeing the inauguration of the new Parliament, the citizens must have thought – ‘Are we watching the inauguration of a religious programme ?’ However, PM Modi brought into reality what we could not even imagine, and the followers of Sanatan Dharma are proud of it. The inauguration at the hands of PM Modi was criticised by many opposition parties. They said that this was an attempt to make India regressive when it has actually made vast progress in the field of technology.

Importance of the King

Only those who have hatred towards the Indian traditions, culture, Hindu Dharma and an inferiority complex can think like this. This was not only an event to inaugurate the new Parliament building but also a moment to glorify the Indian traditions that have veiled with the passage of time. The King’s role is not to exercise great authority, display power and control; in fact, it is an obligation with Dharma and Deities as witnesses, to govern as expected by them, and in a way, that ensures the welfare of the subjects. Obviously, the individual holding the position of the King during the earlier times would not be an ordinary individual, but one who possessed many Divine qualities. He would have the determination to make any kind of sacrifice for the welfare of the subjects, at times even sacrifice his own life. He would also be one who, with advancing age, had the determination to go to Vanprasthashram (The stage of a retired householder) after finding a suitable successor and handing over the reins of the Government to him on the instructions of the Dharmacharyas. Traditionally, the King was considered a fractional Incarnation of Shri Vishnu. As a result, he would have the right to punish and protect the subjects if they misbehaved. The ‘Sengol’ symbolises precisely this.

The individual holding the ‘Sengol’ should be ethical. The relationship between the King and his subjects is made for religious evolution. Many glorious Royal cultures emerged in India, and because of them, Dharma survived, welfare and protection of the Earth along with all living beings ensued. It is hoped that Prime Minister Modi will beget the same respect for this ‘Sengol’ and ensure the welfare of Indians !