Narada's Questions

The Divine Sage's Questions To The Righteous King Give Us A Glance Of Kingship, Governance And Policy As Percieved In Hindu Thought

Sri Narada is described as being one of the most knowledgeable sages in the three lokas. He is a master of fields ranging from bhakti, arthashastra, politics, strategy and much more as we will see further. The MBh describes how he possesses the knowledge of ऐक्य- the equivalence of seemingly contradictory statements from the vedas, he is नीतिज्ञ- knower of policy, त्रिकालदर्शी- one who knows the past present and the future, and knows the true nature of brahma. All these virtues are complimented by his steadfast devotion to Lord Sri Hari owing to which he is forever striving for the welfare of His devotees throughout the realms.

Maharaja Yudhisthira is धर्मराज- the righteous king, the wisest of monarchs and knows and venerates Dharma. He possesses the virtues of an ideal king as espoused by the shastras.

Before we venture into the main parts of this article I first want to draw the reader’s attention to the wodderful fact that MBh has many layers to it. Below I have presented the conversation, or more aptly the lecture given by Sri Narada to the king in a interrogative format. We may see it as a window into the functioning of the king and the state at large, in the Hindu thought, but in my humble opinion, it also embodies a deeper ‘vision’. To understand that, we ought to have a look at the Hindus sense of visionary morality. As an august scholar puts it:

We accept as our inner compasses the lives of our devatas, pauranic heroes, and our avataras as archetypes — Ram Rajya, Krishna’s Vrindavan, Shree and Vishnu in Vaikunta, Parvati and Shiva in Kailasa, Samudra Manthan of the Ksheera Sagara, the battle between Ma Durga and Mahishasura, Muruga standing on Palanimalai, Ganesha as his mother’s gatekeeper, Hanuman leaping across the ocean, Draupadi in Duryodhana’s court, Bheeshma on a bed of arrows, Arjuna at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira at the gates of Swarga, Gautama under the Bodhi Tree… this imagery, these visions are the repositories of our morality.

This episode we are discussing from the MBh(Mahabharata) also reflects such a ‘vision’- the sage, albeit a cosmic one, is inquiring the greatest of kings with fearless, direct questions about the state of farmers, business, safety, corruption, welfare, diplomacy and much more, even the king’s personal routine. This reflects how we have always put the wisdom of the vedas above mere political power and this is, in many ways, the key to the efficient governance ancient India had. All this happens in a maginficent assembly that the world has never seen before, infront of all the subordinates who have come to pledge their loyalty to the king. Narrates the Mahabharata-

सोऽर्चितः पाण्डवैः सर्वैर्महर्षिर्वेदपारगः

धर्मकामार्थसंयुक्तं पप्रच्छेदं युधिष्ठिरम्

Having been thus worshipped by all the Pandavas, the great rishi who was learned in the Vedas asked Yudhishthira questions mixed with dharma, artha and kama.

Now we proceed with the basic duties instructed by Sri Narada (in the form of detailed questions).

The maharishi suggests that the king’s pleasure should be in the veneration of dharma itself and other pleasures being in accordance with it. The wealth of the state and the king must be spent properly in accordance with the injuctions laid down in the shastras with regard to raja-dharma. The policies of his ancestors ought to be followed with devotion to ensure the protection and sustenance of the dharma and artha of the subjects(praja).

The King must take great caution to not harm Dharma by artha, artha by Dharma or, both for the sake of pleasures(kama).

कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्मं धर्मेणार्थमथापि वा

उभौ वा प्रीतिसारेण न कामेन प्रबाधसे

(Narada asks) Do you hurt dharma by artha or artha by dharma or both for the sake of pleasures that kama brings?

The above sloka also reflects on the clarity of the text about the established subservience of kama, to both Dharma and artha.

The king’s time is to be managed by the त्रिवर्ग सेवन scheme as instructed by the vedic shruti under which the day must be divided into three parts, the first being dedicated to matters of dharma, the second being reserved for matters of wealth’s management, protection and creation, the third being available for pleasures and comfort. (Dharma-artha-kama). The King must not be a slave to his sleep and wake up early to ponder upon his own dharma during the brahma-muhurta.

Next, Sri Narada lists six necessary virtues which should be possessed by the ideal king-

व्याख्यानशक्ति, प्रगल्भता, तर्ककुशलता, भूतकाल की स्मृति, भविष्य पर दृष्टि, नीति निपुणता - cleverness of speech, readiness in providing means, intelligence in dealing with the foe, memory, and acquaintance with morals and politics (as translated by Kisar Mohan Ganguly)

Then there are the seven उपाय (maneuvers) which should be used in tandem with the above mentioned qualities- मन्त्र, औषध, इन्द्रजाल, साम, दान, दण्ड और भेद (sowing dissensions, chastisement, conciliation, gifts, incantations, medicine and magic/deception)

Sri Narada lists 14 व्यक्ति or तीर्थ (persons/seats) as described in the नीतिशास्त्र (code of ethics) which are to be regularly tested and taken care of by the monarch-

"देशो दुर्गं रथो हस्तिवाजियोधाधिकारिणः । अन्तःपुरान्नगणनाशास्त्रलेख्यधनासवः"

देश, दुर्ग, रथ, हाथी, घोड़े, शूर सैनिक, अधिकारी, अन्तःपुर, अन्न, गणना, शास्त्र, लेख्य, धन और असु (बल)- country, forts, cars, elephants, cavalry, foot-soldiers, the principal officials of state, the royal residences, food supply, computations of the army and income, the religious treatises in force, the accounts of state, the revenue, wine-shops and other secret enemies

He the lists eight संधानकर्म (acts/works) which are to be performed for the growth of the imperial treasure-

"कृषिर्वणिक्पथो दुर्गं सेतुः कुञ्जरबन्धनम्। खन्याकरकरादानं शून्यानां च निवेशनम् ॥ अष्ट संधानकर्माणि प्रयुक्तानि मनीषिभिः ॥"

खेतीका विस्तार, व्यापारकी रक्षा, दुर्गकी रचना एवं रक्षा, पुलोंका निर्माण और उनकी रक्षा, हाथी बाँधना, सोने-हीरे आदिकी बानोंपर अधिकार करना, करकी वसूली और उजाड़ प्रान्तोंमें लोगोंको बसाना - expansion of agriculture, protection of trade, constructing and securing forts, constructing bridges and protecting them, use of elephants, having gold-diamond mines etc, effecient revenue collection and settling populations in earlier barren lands.

The seven instruments/parts of the state are स्वामी, मन्त्री, मित्र, कोष, राष्ट्र, दुर्ग तथा सेना एवं पुरवासी (lords, ministers, allies, treasure, country, fort, army and residents) or दुर्गाध्यक्ष, बलाध्यक्ष, धर्माध्यक्ष, सेनापति, पुरोहित, वैद्य और ज्योतिषी( the governor of the citadel, the commander of forces, the chief judge, the general in interior command, the chief priest, the chief physician, and the chief astrologer) .

The above mentioned parts have to be in service of the king and protected from enemy influence. He should also keep himself consistently informed about the plans of his friends, enemies, and even neutral powers.

A wise king makes peace with a strong enemy while consistently evaluating the strengths and the weaknesses of both oneself and the enemy. He should ensure that the wealthy and elite do not become degenerates (that is get involved in immoral activities and addictions) and win their favours by gifts and protection.

As the text proceeds, we see how the great sage gives important lessons through his questions-

कच्चिद्धर्मे त्रयीमूले पूर्वैराचरिते जनैः

वर्तमानस्तथा कर्तुं तस्मिन्कर्मणि वर्तसे

Do you follow dharma with its three sources, as practised by those who have come before you? Do you practise the rituals followed by them?

कच्चिज्ज्ञातीन्गुरून्वृद्धान्दैवतांस्तापसानपि

चैत्यांश्च वृक्षान्कल्याणान्ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यसि

Do you bow in homage before relatives, superiors, gods, ascetics, places of worship, trees that bring welfare to men and brahmanas?

कच्चिदेषा च ते बुद्धिर्वृत्तिरेषा च तेऽनघ

आयुष्या च यशस्या च धर्मकामार्थदर्शिनी

O unblemished one! Is your intelligence and conduct like this, so that it bestows long life and fame and helps the cause of dharma, kama and artha?

एतया वर्तमानस्य बुद्ध्या राष्ट्रं न सीदति

विजित्य च महीं राजा सोऽत्यन्तं सुखमेधते

The kingdom of one who conducts himself in this way is never destroyed. Such a king subjugates the earth and attains great happiness.

Thus, a king rooted in his dyansty’s noble traditions and of humble attitude gets glory in physical and divine planes.

The King's Greatest Assets: मंत्री and मंत्रणा

The सचिव/ अमात्य /मंत्री (ministers, advisors etc) play the central role in ruling the kingdom with the monarch.

Narada says that the ministers appointed by the king must be like him in virtues. They should be trustable, experienced, of pure heart, of noble lineage, and fiercely loyal to the king.

As put succintly by the text itself-

विजयो ही मन्त्रमूलो राज्ञो भवति भारत

The root of Royal victories lies in counsel.

Expanding upon the importance of the advisors, Narada says:

एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दान्तो विचक्षणः

राजानं राजपुत्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम्

Even a single adviser who is intelligent, brave, self-controlled and clever can bring great prosperity to a king or a king's son.

If the counsel is sound, then the raja and the rajya remains safe from its enemies. The king sholud not deliberate on important matters alone, but also not in a council of more than required people. King must ensure that his counsel with his ministers is always secured and never reaches the enemy. The advisors a king appoints for special tasks should be free of deciet, loyal and belonging to noble lineage.

Guidance can be sought by the elders in case of confusions:

कच्चिच्छृणोषि वृद्धानां धर्मार्थसहिता गिरः

नित्यमर्थविदां तात तथा धर्मानुदर्शिनाम्

O son! You always know about the ways of dharma and artha. Do you listen to words of dharma and artha from the aged, who always know what brings artha?

Further, Sri Narada suggests that the king-

• donates generously to Brahmanas

• provide artisans and skilled workers with implements, materials and wages for a period up to four months

• have great interest in examining the works of art, skill and science and praise their creators and honour them.

• follow the sutras (manuals, guides) about the elephants, horses, chariots etc and have them studied

• regular study of "sutras on the science of arms, instruments and architecture of cities regularly studied" in his house

• be aware of and skilled in using "all the weapons, brahma danda and all poisons that destroy enemies"

• protect the "kingdom against fear from fire, snakes, predators, disease and rakshasas"

In the above points, we can see the groundowork being laid down for making research, innovation and training in various disciplines a fundamental part of a king’s reign. Note above and in the following verse also the protection of all varnas has been deemed a duty without discrimination. In the adi parva of the same text we find King Shantanu being praised for his conduct of - samatva (samness-indifference) towards his subjects.

एवं यो वर्तते राजा चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षणे

स विहृत्येह सुसुखी शक्रस्यैति सलोकताम्

A king who is always engaged in the protection of the four varnas passes his time happily here and attains Shakra's world.

In the below quoted sloka we see a welfarist attitude which is also reflected elsewhere repeatdely in injuctions that require the king to treat his subjects like his children. Here, it is implied said that the state had a duty towards the specially able to not just support them but also provide them the means to live a life as normal as possible.

कच्चिदन्धांश्च मूकांश्च पङ्गून्व्यङ्गानबान्धवान्

पितेव पासि धर्मज्ञ तथा प्रव्रजितानपि

Knowing the ways of dharma, do you nurture like a father the blind, the dumb, the crippled, the deformed, the orphaned and mendicant ascetics?

Governing For The People

Devrishi implies that the subjects must have faith in the king like a parent or guardian. It must be taken care of that thieves, nobles, royal family or even the king himself do not opress the subjects by becoming a burden on them in any way.

The state should invest in those activities (like infra building etc) that require minimum input but have excellent returns. Those who pursue these activities must be protected by the ruler. It's the state's duty to ensure that no obstructions come in their way.

The king must, with his administrative machinery ensure that farmers are content in his rule. The shramajivi class, i.e. the working class, should be kept in constant notice by the king to ensure that they are able to carry out their jobs freely and effeciently. They must not be worthy of any suspicion of the state.

Here in the image we can see how the great sage regards them to be crucial in nationbuliding and adresses the same as a combined effort of the society.

Sri Narada suggests that reservoirs should be built in large numbers to reduce the dependence of agriculture on rainfall. There is also a mention of giving out loans at 1 percent interest in times of economic distress.

Women's safety has been recommended to be a prime concern for the ruler.

The news of the king's policy-making and endeavours should reach the subjects only either when they are complete or on the verge of completion. The expendititure should ideally be wholly covered in half or three quarters of the aggregate revenue.

It is the king's duty to ensure that his subjects do not suffer under the tyranny of officials. If this happens, then the subjects would loathe the king more than anyone else. This also indicates an inclination towards not having too harsh punishments.

कच्चिन्नोग्रेण दण्डेन भृशमुद्वेजितप्रजाः

राष्ट्रं तवानुशासन्ति मन्त्रिणो भरतर्षभ

O bull among the Bharata lineage! Surely your subjects are not oppressed by harsh punishments when the ministers govern your kingdom.

कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा

उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः

Do they slight you the way sacrificial priests slight those who have fallen or wives slight oppressive husbands addicted to desire?

Sri Narada stresses on similar points like ensuring the innocent are not punished, and corruption must be checked later in the chapter as:

कच्चिदार्यो विशुद्धात्मा क्षारितश्चौरकर्मणि

अदृष्टशास्त्रकुशलैर्न लोभाद्वध्यते शुचिः

O bull among men! Surely no pure-souled and respected man is falsely charged with theft and put to death by avaricious ones who have no knowledge of the sacred texts and are not skilled.

पृष्टो गृहीतस्तत्कारी तज्ज्ञैर्दृष्टः सकारणः

कच्चिन्न मुच्यते स्तेनो द्रव्यलोभान्नरर्षभ

Surely he who is a thief and has been apprehended with stolen goods and tools in front of witnesses is not set free out of covetousness.

In an era where the judiciary is a nightmare for the poor, we can see how the Dharmic ideal has always been to ensure that justice is accessible irrespective of the economic state of the person.

व्युत्पन्ने कच्चिदाढ्यस्य दरिद्रस्य च भारत

अर्थान्न मिथ्या पश्यन्ति तवामात्या हृता धनैः

O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Corrupted by bribes, do your advisers see falsely when disputes arise between the poor and the rich?

Those who come to the king with complaints, messages, gratitude etc must be given an audience with the ministers, with the necessary royal decorum. The plaintiffs and defendants who come to the king should never be dismissed by him due to greed, delusion or pride.

The King's Servants

Teachers who are well versed in shastra-s have to be appointed by the king for the purpose of instructing the princes and the chief warriors in Dharma and niti.

The ruler should always prefer a wise man over a thousand fools because only the wise are helpful during distress. The purohita (chief priest) appointed must be a humble person devoid of jealosy. The king should always venerate him. A wise jyotishi should also be consulted regularly by the king.

The state's servants are of three types- pradhan-superior, madhyam-middle, nimna-inferior. They should be employed in the works that are appropriate for them in accordance with their category. Any officer should not have the liberty to supercede the king's orders, or be beyond his control.

Those who perform deeds that are much more than what their duty requires (out of devotion to the king) must be generoulsy rewarded with honour and riches in accordance with their contributions and capabilities.

Servants and associates who propose to indulge in drinking, gambling, sporting with women etc during the hours dedicated for dharma-artha related matters should be shunned.

The king's own kin, merchants, artisans, depressed and the helpless may be sustained by donations and gifts in the form of food and riches.

Again, I quote:

कच्चिदायव्यये युक्ताः सर्वे गणकलेखकाः

अनुतिष्ठन्ति पूर्वाह्णे नित्यमायव्ययं तव

Do accountants and writers employed to look after revenue and expenditure always report to you in the forenoon about both?

कच्चिदर्थेषु संप्रौढान्हितकामाननुप्रियान्

नापकर्षसि कर्मभ्यः पूर्वमप्राप्य किल्बिषम्

Surely you do not dismiss without reason servants who have your welfare at heart, are loyal, are capable and who have not committed errors before.

कच्चिद्विदित्वा पुरुषानुत्तमाधममध्यमान्

त्वं कर्मस्वनुरूपेषु नियोजयसि भारत

O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Once you have determined the good, the indifferent and the bad, do you appoint them to the right posts?

कच्चिन्न लुब्धाश्चौरा वा वैरिणो वा विशां पते

अप्राप्तव्यवहारा वा तव कर्मस्वनुष्ठिताः

O lord of the earth! Do you appoint those who are avaricious, prone to thievery, quarrelsome and are under age?

Those who deserve to be honour and those who deserve punishment must be given what they deserve irrespective of wether the king personally likes them or not.

There has to be always present with a king a class of personal guards who are fiercely trained warriors, ready to even give their lives to protect the king. The treasury, granary, stable, gates, armoury and revenue department must be guarded well by loyal servants whose virtue has been proved.

Defending The Realm: A Ruler's Greatest Challenge

The king must always keep his forts stocked with richs, food, weapons, water, instruments, artisan-workers and archers (guards).

The 18 ministries of the enemy must be always looked upon by a vast network of spies. Secret gifts must be regularly sent to enemy warriors and associates in oder to turn them away from their master or inspire revolt in the enemy camps. These 18 ministries are:

शत्रुपक्ष मन्त्री, पुरोहित, युवराज, सेनापति, द्वारपाल, अन्तर्वेशिक (अन्तःपुरका अध्यक्ष), कारागाराध्यक्ष, कोषाध्यक्ष, यथायोग्य कार्योंमें धनको व्यय करनेवाला सचिव, प्रदेष्टा (पहरेदारोंको काम बतानेवाला), नगराध्यक्ष (कोतवाल), कार्यनिर्माणकर्ता (शिल्पियोंका परिचालक), धर्माध्यक्ष, सभाध्यक्ष, दण्डपाल, दुर्गपाल, राष्ट्रसीमापाल तथा वनरक्षक (enemy's advisor, chief priest, prince, general, guards, the oficers of king's residence, the prison officer, treasurer, the officer of expenditure, the commander of guards, the city guard-chief, the chief officer of masons and artisans, officer in charge of religious matters, chief of the assembly, the officer of punishmenst and law enforcement, the fort officer, national boundaries officer and the forest guard)

The generals must be intelligent, brave, patiend, pure in intentions and loyal to their commander. The royal army should be kept skilled in all forms of warfare. The royal armed forces should exhibit great valour and prowress and must be treated respectfully. The soliders must be given their rations and wages on time and never delayed. Delaying these results in build up of anger among the soliders and can prove to be disastrous. It is one of the most important duties of the monarch to ensure all the safety and support for the wives, children and dependents of those who have given up their life in his service.

Sri Narada suggests that those adversaries who either surrender or are defeated by the king should be protected like a father protects his son. Similar is this sloka:

कच्चिन्न लोभान्मोहाद्वा विश्रम्भात्प्रणयेन वा

आश्रितानां मनुष्याणां वृत्तिं त्वं संरुणत्सि च

From greed or delusion, do you withhold a livelihood from men who seek your protection out of love and trust?

To see if it is a suitable time to attack the enemy, the ruler must analyse the त्रिविधि बल (threefold strength)- मंत्र बल (counsel), कोष बल(money), उत्साह बल (morale) . All other possibilities must be given a thought before going to war. If war is inevitable then the strengething of own camp must be a priority. Attacks during the sowing and harvesting seasons should be avoided.

With regards to strong and weak enemies it is told that:

कच्चित्ते दुर्बलः शत्रुर्बलेनोपनिपीडितः

मन्त्रेण बलवान्कश्चिदुभाभ्यां वा युधिष्ठिर

O Yudhishthira! Is your weak enemy restrained with force and is your strong enemy restrained with good counsel or force or both?

And in the characterstic spirit of Hindu Dharma, says shri Narada:

कच्चिदात्मानमेवाग्रे विजित्य विजितेन्द्रियः

पराञ्जिगीषसे पार्थ प्रमत्तानजितेन्द्रियान्

O Partha! After having first controlled your own self and senses, do you seek to defeat enemies who are enslaved by their own passions and senses?

Then we hava a glance at the structure of the armed forces:

कच्चिदष्टाङ्गसंयुक्ता चतुर्विधबला चमूः

बलमुख्यैः सुनीता ते द्विषतां प्रतिबाधनी

Does your army have four types of forces and is it divided into eight wings, well trained by superior officers and capable of defeating the enemy?

Interestingly, foreign interference to destabilize the realm was a thing even in that era :)

कच्चित्पौरा न सहिता ये च ते राष्ट्रवासिनः

त्वया सह विरुध्यन्ते परैः क्रीताः कथंचन

Do citizens and residents of your kingdom, bought by your enemies, unite and rise up against you?

Sri Narada lists the 14 vices of monarchs-

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम्

अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं क्षिप्तचित्तताम्

एकचिन्तनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च चिन्तनम्

निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम्

मङ्गल्यस्याप्रयोगं च प्रसङ्गं विषयेषु च

कच्चित्त्वं वर्जयस्येतान्राजदोषांश्चतुर्दश

Atheism, falsehood, anger, negligence, procrastination, avoidance of the wise, laziness,restlessness of mind, consultation with only one person, consultation with those who are ignorant of artha, failure to act on something that has been decided, divulgement of counsel, abandonment of beneficial plans and addiction to material objects - do you abhor the fourteen royal vices? [By these, O king, even monarchs firmly seated on their thrones are ruined.]

CONCULSION:

Hearing the instructions, the noble king Yudhisthira assured the sage to uphold dharma-

एवं करिष्यामि यथा त्वयोक्तं; प्रज्ञा हि मे भूय एवाभिवृद्धा

उक्त्वा तथा चैव चकार राजा; लेभे महीं सागरमेखलां च

"I will do what you have instructed, because my wisdom has increased even more." Having said this, the king did as he had been instructed and obtained the earth, up to the boundaries of the ocean.

We see that the ideal of a king is that of a तपस्वी (ascetic), however it does not call for a life without pleasure. We see how the king must protect his subjects equally. It is striking how a text as old as Mahabharata is concerned with women saftey, trade-friendliness, long term thinking and much more- with dharma being the base of it all. I also hope that the many verses I have quoted here and this whole article itself motivate the readers to explore the vast ocean of wisdom that is Mahabharata.

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At last, we again should look at what the great rishi has to say-

अग्निहोत्रफला वेदा दत्तभुक्तफलं धनम्

रतिपुत्रफला दाराः शीलवृत्तफलं श्रुतम्

"The Vedas become successful in agnihotra. Riches become successful in cosnsumption and donations. Marriage becomes successful when sons are born through union. Learning becomes successful in good conduct.

I have referred to the Gitapress Edition of the Mahabharata here of which I have a physical copy. It can be digitally acesssed here: https://gitaseva.org/books/mahabharat

Sanskrit text plus english translation verse by verse is available here: https://vyas-mahabharat.com/book/02_Sabhaparvan.json/1

The complete text of the english translation of the text by Kisari Mohan Ganguly is available here: https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02005.htm

For ‘visionary morality’ see: https://www.indiafacts.org.in/the-hindu-traditionalist-ii-culture-morality-and-reform/