Little knowledge is always dangerous.
Journo Sagarika Ghosh has promptly proved this proverb by
writing an article on politics and Indian scholars in Ancient India. She was
trying to target Sangh Parivar, Saffron wing, Savarkar, Hedgewar etc. but
unknowingly she exposed her futile knowledge. She proved that English speaking
convent educated so called modern breed of our country are dummy progeny of
west.
We will serially analyze her article and post counter views
point by point.
[SG- Sagarika Ghosh MV- My view point]
SG: Indian right or the Hindutva movement lacks
intellectuals of global stature.
MV: Everything Global is always from west. Please come out
of this stigma. We provide the intellectual knowledge of Vedas which can guide
the whole humanity. Sorry to say that the so called educated class of country
does not possess even the slightest knowledge of the Vedas and whatever they
know is wrong and shoddy interpretations provided by western thinkers. It’s
well known that Macaulay and Maxmuller conspired against social and cultural
foundations of our country. They uprooted Gurukul system of education and
introduced western system of education. It was devoid of proper learning thus leading
to atheistic and non-sympathetic view point of present generations. How can we
expect from the westerners that they will admire the Vedic Philosophy? Instead they always try to oppose and averse it.
That’s the main reason that you will never find any Indian of global stature
with indigenous nonwestern viewpoint. Whatever exception you find is due to
blind observance of west thoughts.
SG: The Indian tradition may have had a preponderance of
thinkers on spirituality, divinity and otherworldly concerns, but where for
example is the Bhartiya John Locke or Thomas Paine? Where’s the Bhartiya Magna
Carta? The exception is the Arthashastra, but that’s over 2,000 years old.
MV: This is the main problem of ignorance. If I do not know
any topic it never means that it does not exist. SG seems to be completely
unaware of pride history of our country, our old sages who solved the mysteries
of this world by meditating and analyzing, our old Acharya’s who taught the
mankind the true knowledge of God. Way back before Arthashastra why she forgets
the four Sages Agni, Vayu, Aditya and Angira who are regarded as Vedic seers
who first propounded the Vedas. Why she
forgets hundreds of names of each Rishi mentioned with each mantra who first understood
the meaning of Vedic Mantra. Why she is
unaware of Acharyas of six Indian School of philosophy Gautama of Nyaya
Darshan, Patanjali of Yoga Darshan, Samkhya of Kapila, Vedanta of Badarayana,
Vaisesika of Kanada and Mimansa of Jamini. Why she is blank on name of Rishi
Vashista and Rishi Vishvamitra? She completely ignored the message of
Upanishads mentioning Yajvalakya-Matrayi, Yam-Nachiketa, Jabala Rishi dialogues.
I am surprised that she completely ignored the epics of Ramayana and
Mahabharata. The rule of King Rama was so prosperous that any ideal rule is
considered as “Ram Rajya”. Not to forget even Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged it. Different
dialogues between Ram-Parshuram, Ram-Vishamitra, Janak-Ram, Ravan-Lakshman etc.
are expounding political science and duties of a king. The problem with this class
is that they have developed a habit of considering all great epics as myth. It’s
again a biased western idea. Shukra Niti is another book about politics missed
by SG. Why did she forget rule of Raja Bhoj who firmly admitted that in my
kingdom there is no beggar, no thief, no rapist, no poor, no sinner and no one
sleeps hungry. All country man performs Yagya and read Vedas. Please tell me
who was the guide for king like Raja Bhoj? Definitely our indigenous texts
existed in those days .You already rejected them as a myth. The only text you
mentioned is Arthashastra by Chanakya. I think you are not aware that few
westerns unsuccessfully tried to say that even Chanakya was a myth. My opinion
is that they have to mention his name halfheartedly as he was associated with
King Asoka. If SG would have got opportunity to consult the Arthashastra with preciosity,
she would have definitely reached the conclusion that it’s influenced by Manu
Smriti.
SG: The Bhagwad Gita does not contain tenets of liberal
governance but is predominantly concerned with good and bad conduct.
MV: Bhagwad Gita is a part of great epic Mahabharata. Apart
from Gita Mahabharata bears different dialogues between Bhishma-Yudhishthira,
Bhishma-Arjuna, Bhishma-Krishna, Krishna-Arjuna, Vidura-Krishna, Yaksha-Yudhishthira
etc. These are capable of guiding a king or ruler. Problem is that people
should come out of mindset of considering everything foreign as good. SG even
ignored Vidur niti one of splendid and magnificent work by wise Vidur. I think
she has a habit of ignoring.
SG: The Manusmriti cannot really be a blueprint for a
liberal progressive society.
MV: This is the best part of this article I want to reply.
Our country is full of outspoken self-acclaimed experts who feel pride in
speaking against Manusmriti. Almost all of them are unaware of this fact that eponymic
Manusmriti is foremost constitution of this universe. It was composed by Aadi
Manu for the benefit of Mankind. In the middle age Manusmriti was adulterated
by some selfish persons. They interpolated various verses in support of
casteism, denigrating women rights, animal killing etc. Thus, leaving an
impression that Manusmriti is not useful for liberal progressive society. The
solution to this problem was solved by Swami Dayanand. He rejected the
adulterated portion and accepted the authentic part. This task is just
equivalent to a surgeon who does not chop the whole arm of the patient but believes
in limb saving surgery. After insight of authentic part of Manusmriti we easily
reach this conclusion that why Swami Dayanand was big admirer of Manusmriti. In
his famous work Satyarth Prakash sixth chapter he talks about Raj Dharma. He
concludes the chapter by saying that “Those, who want to study duties of Ruler
in detail, they can refer the Vedas, the seventh, eighth and ninth chapters of
Manu, the Shukraniti, Vidur prajaagar, Rajadharma and Apatadharma chapters of
Shantiparva of Mahabharata.” Swami Dayanand provides multiple references from
Manusmriti on politics. I am elaborating how Vedas and Manusmriti guide a King
about politics.
Vedas on politics
(God teaches), "Let there be for the benefit of the
rulers and the ruled three Assemblies -
1.
Religious 2.Legislative 3. Educational
Let each discuss and decide subjects that concern it, and
adorn all men with knowledge, culture, righteousness, independence, and wealth,
and thereby make them happy. RIG VEDA 3/38/6
Let the three Assemblies, Military Councils, and the Army harmoniously
work together to carry on the government of a country. ATHARVA VEDA 15/2/6/2
A king should address the Assembly. Let the leader of the
Assembly abide by the just laws passed by the Assembly, and let other members
do the same. ATHARVA VEDA 19/7/55/6
O learned men! Proclaim that man with one voice your king –
the President and Head of the State - who is just, impartial, well-educated,
cultured and friend of all. In this way alone shall ye attain universal
sovereignty, be greater than all, manage the affairs of the State, obtain
political eminence, acquire wealth, and rid the world of its enemies. YAJUR
VEDA 9/40
God teaches in the Veda, "Rulers! Your implements of
warfare, (such as, guns, rifles, bows, arrows, etc.) and war-materials (such as
gun-powder) be worthy of praise, strong and durable to repel and conquer your
enemies. Let your army be a glorious one, so that you may always be victorious.
But the aforesaid things shall not be attainable to the contemptible, the
despicable, and unjust. RIG VEDA 1/39/2
These are few examples from Vedas on politics.
Manusmriti on Politics-
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE HEAD OF THE STATE
He should be as powerful as electricity: as dear to his
people's hearts as their very breath, able to read the inmost thoughts of
others, and just in his dealings as a Judge. He should enlighten people's mind
by the spread of knowledge, justice, and righteousness, and dispel ignorance
and injustice as the sun illuminates the world. He should be like one who
consumes wickedness like fire, keeps the wicked and the criminal under control
like a jailer, gladdens the hearts of the good like the moon; makes the country
rich and prosperous, as a treasurer keeps his treasury full; is powerful and
majestic like the sun, keeps the people in order and awe; and on whom no one in
the whole world dares to look with a stern eye. He alone is then fit to be the
Head of the State who is like fire, air, the sun, the moon, a judge, a
treasurer, a keeper of wicked under
control and absolute majesty. MANU 7/4, 6, 7
Manu smriti gives vivid description on different aspects of
politics like Law (MANU 7: 17, 19, 24, 28, 30, 31), division of offices (MANU
12: 100, 110-111), qualification of members of the political assembly (MANU 7:
43-53), qualification of ministers (MANU 7: 54-57, 60-62, 64), duty of ministers
and officials (MANU 7: 65, 66, 68, 70, 74-78), revenue (MANU 7: 80-82, 87, 89,
91-97), wealth (MANU 7: 99-101, 104-108, 110-117, 120-124), implementation of
taxes (MANU 7: 128, 129,139, 140,142-144), administration of justice (MANU 8:
3-8, 12-16).
Detailed analysis and inquisition will make us understand
politics in Vedas and related texts.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Instead of just focusing on west, our intellectual class
should start showing interest in learning our own Ideology which is not even
practical but advance, rich, splendid, progressive and perfect. Otherwise wise
people will always reward them with this proverb-
“Little knowledge is always dangerous”
Dr Vivek Arya
Link of Article by Sagarika Ghosh in Times of India
newspaper published on 22 July, 2015
Please send email to SG at her email ID for supporting our
viewpoint
Sagarika.Ghose@timesgroup.com
