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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

All-round prosperity in Dasaratha's kingdom

 

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. Every citizen of a country should feel proud

of his or her motherland and should always be ready to swear,

``It is mine and I am interested in its prosperity towards which

I stand deeply committed. I shall strive my utmost to this

objective''. This imperative is of greater importance with regard

to those who wield power. They should discharge their obligation

to their nation honestly and not try to indulge in acts to

misappropriate public money and thrive on corruption. The ruler

should demonstrate his deep attachment to society and identify

himself with his country that supports him. ``I am responsible to

promote their welfare and progress'' should be his motto. This

can be compared to a poor agriculturist who owning just an acre

shows his anxiety to gain maximum yield unlike a rich man

possessing a large area raising crops in benami names. Also is

the example of a common man who has constructed a small house

with his limited resources on the outskirts of a city, expressing

his deep grief on seeing even a small crack in one of the walls.

Emperor Dasaratha, according to Tamil poet Kamban, administered

his land in accordance with norms of justice as to see everyone

was prosperous. There was no theft, no other crime, no poverty

and no premature or unforeseen deaths. The people in his regime

were virtuous and happy and spoke only truth.

 

Kamban's description of Dasaratha's rule refers to the prosperity

of the people as witnessed from different types of smoke emerging

from the ground and the unity of the families. One type of smoke

emerged when women after a bath in the early hours, combed hair

using incense articles thereby showing the pleasure they enjoyed.

That which rose from hearths revealed how food was being prepared

all through the day to feed all. The smoke from sugarcane

crushing units indicated the economic prosperity. The fourth type

was from the rites performed by learned men to lead them to God's

kingdom.

 

In a lecture, Sri Sukhi Sivam also dwelt on the food habits of

people of Dasaratha's days. To avoid too much of consumption of

rice which results in obesity, a meal commenced with taking three

types of fruits. Families dined in their respective homes, of

course honouring guests and relatives. Even the attitude of a

student who wished to join an educational institution used to be

watched by the would-be teacher by the manner in which he

partakes his food and reacts to the varieties of dishes. These

details had been woven in the poet's work to remind the posterity

of their rich heritage.

 

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