An ideal king, ideal governance, ideal government officials, ideal military system, ideal religious teachers, ideal path of devotion (Bhaktimārga), ideal education system, ideal teachers, ideal trade and ideal citizens, taken together means ‘Ramrajya’. After Ayodhya, the history of Bhārat has witnessed a recurrence of Ramrajya only during the era of Samudragupta, along with Dattadevi and Dharmapāl, who were ardent devotees of Mahāvishṇu.
In 380 AD, after Samudragupta, Chandragupta II - son of Dattadevi, ascended the throne. He, too, ruled according to the ideals laid down by his parents. He took on the name ‘Vikramaditya’. In fact, Vikramasamvat (Hindu calendar) is named after him. His son, Kumaragupta, who succeeded him, maintained continuity in the social and political order throughout his reign. However, after his reign, the winds of misfortune again began to blow in India. The empire gradually began to fall apart, and once again, small independent kingdoms sprang up, which fell into the hands of debaucherous and immoral kings. In the absence of any restraint and control in the form of spiritual and ethical governance, yet again, the disagreements between religious sects came to the fore and only increased. Imposters masquerading as religious leaders began to hold sway. Thus, what remained of the golden age was only the metallic gold in physical form which was still in abundance with various states in Bhārat. As a result, the manner in which the foreign invaders viewed the spineless but wealthy kings underwent a complete change. The doors were left wide open for them to plunder the wealth of these incapable and incompetent kingdoms.
Due to the intolerance and hatred between several religious sects and sub-sects and with the small kingdoms constantly engaged in battle with one another, Bhārat began to be hollowed out from within. Consequently, any aggressor could, at will, attack what was already reduced to a weak and feeble Bharat and dismember it.
A society is competent in self-defence as long as it is scrupulous, faithful (Shraddhāvān), and practices Bal-upāsanā. There is no point in blaming the invaders because even disease-causing germs infect a person only when his immune system gets weakened.
It is very essential to know how great our ancestors were, because it is only after the study of all aspects of this glorious history that we derive the strength and direction for channelizing our capability and competence and regaining the lost glory.
It is only by adopting the path of devotion (Bhaktimārga), adhering to the principles of Maryādā (restraint) or, in other words, not engaging in sinful acts, practising Bal-upāsanā, and fostering and enhancing the spirit of togetherness on the path of devotion, by the use of these four means, can Bhārat, revive its ancient culture and history, and re-establish Ramrajya.
Friends, after reading these articles, do not engage in wishful thinking and daydreaming, waiting for Samudragupta to re-emerge from somewhere and re-establish his empire. In fact, if the above-mentioned four means are adopted by everybody in their lives more and more, I have no doubt that everyone would become, in part, competent and potent, like Samudragupta.
Every person of Bhārat has to move forward, keeping Samudragupta’s era as an ideal. Everyone has an attraction towards Vasantotsava. However, what is forgotten is that in order to enjoy it, we have to cast away laziness and infuse the rest of the year with hard work, Sevā and Bhakti.
Friends, it is absolutely certain that Bhārat will once again witness the same grand Vasantotsava, but before that era dawns, we will have to tide over the difficult times that the impending horrific war portends.
(Samudragupta chapter complete).
Courtesy: Dainik Pratyaksha
