A King Needs the Manifestation of Samrajyalakshmi

For the common people and sadhakas (spiritual seekers), the injunction of the shastras (sacred scriptures) is that they keep their sadhana (spiritual discipline), bhajan (devotional adoration), and archana (ritual worship) gopya (concealed). However, when the wealthy, the prosperous, and the rajanyavarga (princely class) discharge their religious duties, this exceedingly strict rule of secrecy was abrogated by the shastrakaras (scriptural lawgivers) and custodians of civil society. Instead, they were commanded to conduct it amidst society and their subjects, accompanied by the full measure of samrajyalakshmi (imperial splendour).

Consider the evidence: across numerous ancient temples around us, one finds sculptures and murals depicting their builders bowed in humility—such as the depiction on the walls of the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur showing the Chola king Rajaraja Chola gazing with reverent eyes upon his Shaiva guru; or the panchaloha (sacred five-metal alloy) statues of Shri Krishnadevaraya and his two queens standing in pranamamudra (gesture of veneration) before Shri Venkateshwara within the prakaras (temple precincts) atop Tirumala hill.

Ask why?

It is because society always follows its heroes and exemplary men. Scriptural ordinance and civic consciousness place upon these leaders the weight of an additional duty, which is loka-sangraha (maintenance and cohesion of the world order). When the wealthy, the prosperous, the ruling class, those holding the title of Maharaja, the prime minister, and the like are seen by their subjects, civil society, and the youth performing religious and socially benevolent acts, the populace too is inspired to undertake similar deeds.

Even if one does it for show, one will at least do something. As niti (ethical statecraft) instructs:

"महाजन गतो येन पंथा" — "That alone is the path, which has been trodden by great men."

Be that as it may, since yesterday a great deal of mudslinging has been underway over the photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kedarnath pilgrimage and his meditation in the cave at Garud Chatti. Accusations and counter-accusations fly—that Modi is merely putting on a show, blah blah blah...
So listen carefully:

"No act of a ruler is private. Whatever he does, whatever he thinks, exerts an influence upon each and every citizen."

As for the red carpet: those who have visited Kedarnath and experienced its piercing cold can appreciate how agonizing it is to set bare foot on the stone pavement outside the temple. In extreme heat and harsh winters, red or green carpets are routinely laid out in the open courtyards of temples for the convenience of bhavikas (devotees). And if you are still unwilling to accept this and insist that all of this is mere ostentation, then by all means consider it ostentation. For it is the Prime Minister of Bharat who has gone on a tirtha-yatra (pilgrimage); he will travel accompanied by sovereign splendour, not filling his stomach from community kitchens or wrapping himself in a patched quilt to escape the cold and rain.

You decide what kind of ruling class you prefer: a middle-aged philanderer flirting like a sixteen-year-old adolescent with another's Englishwoman; rulers picnicking half-naked with an imported wife while squandering the hard-earned money of the impoverished masses and showing utter disregard for national security.

Or

A king who, if not like Maharajadhiraja Rajaraja Chola, Samrat Andhrabhoja Krishnadevaraya, or Sarvaraja-Dharmapracharabandhu Parama Bhagavata Samudragupta, at least walks somewhat in their footsteps—celebrating his festivals with the soldiers and standing bowed in humility before the sacred shrine upon the holy soil of Shri Kshetra Kedar.

The choice is yours. Choose your heroes with care, for along with movable and immovable property, you will also bequeath these heroes as an inheritance to your coming generations.

~~ Avinash Bharadwaj Sharma

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