2nd November 2018
The capitalist economy of Ram Rajya as detailed in Valmiki’s Ramayana
I’m starting to study the Ramayana economy. Here are preliminary notes from this version of Ramayana. There is not the slightest hint of socialism in Ram Rajya.
Ramayana versions
MARKETS AND TRADERS – KING DIDN’T RUN BUSINESS
The city had beautiful and massive gates and charming markets;
Innumerable ambassadors and merchants dwelt there and people from many lands traded peacefully within its walls.
Let beautiful and eloquent women and merchants follow in his train, together with rich traders who can set up stores stocked with those things necessary for the army of Shri Rama. [Sanjeev: The army did not produce its own stocks – these were purchased from traders]
Of a celestial aspect, it was filled with different kinds of merchandise, and traders from every country came there. [Sanjeev: Ram Rajya was a FREE MARKET]
In the market, in the houses, at home and abroad, all spoke only of the coming proclamation of Shri Rama as ruler.
Those cities with their innumerable parks, filled with vehicles and well-stocked markets,
KING DIDN’T PRODUCE
0 Foremost of Men, I give thee gold and silver coins; take with thee a quantity of gold and set out, having furnished thyself with supplies of weapons, food and conveyances. [Sanjeev: the idea here is to go and BUY these things from the market, INCLUDING WEAPONS]
STRONG DEFENCE
The city was enclosed by strong fortifications and a deep moat which no enemy, by any expedient whatsoever, could penetrate.
ROLE OF KING
On a kingdom destitute of a ruler, clouds charged with lightning and thunder pour down rain and hail! In a rulerless land, the peasants sow no grain ; fathers and sons oppose each other and wives no longer remain subject to their husbands. In a rulerless land, there is no peace, thieves and brigands exercise their power; women, unfaithful to their consorts, leave their homes! Where women lose their virtue, trust is also lost. In a rulerless land, there are no assemblies, nor do the people visit pleasant parks and gardens or build temples and homes of rest. [Sanjeev: People build their own temples – at least for the most part, not the king]
In such a land, the self-controlled brahmins offer no sacrifice nor do those of pious vows, assist them in the sacred rite. In a rulerless land, the brahmins do not receive their due share of the sacrificial fees ; neither do actors nor leaders of song or dance find joy in such a land. The holy festivals promoting the land’s prosperity are no longer held, nor do those reciting the holy tradition give satisfaction to their hearers.
In a rulerless land, virgins adorned with golden ornaments, do not frequent the flower gardens at close of day, nor do the devotees of pleasure, riding swift chariots in company with charming damsels, repair to the forest.
In such a land, the wealthy are not protected, nor does the husbandman, the cowherd and the shepherd sleep at ease with open doors.
In a rulerless land, great elephants of sixty years of age do not wander on the royal highways adorned with tinkling bells. The twanging of the archer’s bow is no longer heard, nor do the merchants travelling the roads in security bring their goods to sell from distant lands. [Sanjeev: Ram NEVER trades or produces anything: he provides security to traders]
In a rulerless land, the self-controlled sage, fixing his mind, in contemplation, on his identity with the all-pervading spirit, receives no hospitality when night falls.
Wealth is not unassailable, nor are man’s needs supplied, the armies have no leaders, nor can they match the enemy in war.
In a rulerless country, no man, gorgeously apparelled, riding in an excellent chariot, drawn by swift steeds, can go forth without fear; [Sanjeev: CLEARLY, THE KING’S MAIN FUNCTION IS OF SECURITY] nor can the learned disputant propound his doctrines in the city or forest.[Sanjeev: the king is not busy running schools or colleges]
In such a land, garlands and sweetmeats, alms or other gifts, are not offered by worshippers as a sacrifice, nor in the springtime, do the princes, like blossoming trees, adorned with sandalwood and ambergris, walk abroad.
A kingdom without a sovereign is like a river without water, a forest without vegetation, or a cow without a keeper. As a chariot is known by its standard, as a fire is indicated by smoke, so the king, a light representing the kingdom, has been extinguished.
No man loves his own kind in a rulerless land, but each slays and devours the other. [Sanjeev: this is the basic theory of Hobbesian social contract, repeatedly in various Indian scriptures]
Atheists and materialists, exceeding the limits of their caste, assume dominion over others, there being no king to exercise control over them. [Sanjeev: this sounds like a bit of a problem – but note the king ONLY intervenes when they assume “dominion” over others. There is no prohibition in being an atheist]
JUSTICE
“”A wise and learned king, having obtained and ruled the entire earth, properly by righteousness and by administering justice to the people, indeed ascends to heaven when detached from the mortal body.” [Source]
“The king will have great renown for he is the ruler of the righteousness of these people, a protector, a respectable and adorable one, and as he wields the sceptre of justice,” [source]
As the eyes continuously point out what is dangerous to the body, promoting its welfare, so the king ever regards the advantage of his people, promoting truth and ethical conduct. [Sanjeev: the king’s ONLY role is to promote good conduct]
The king leads his people in the path of righteousness and guides them in integrity, he is the parent of his subjects and the greatest of benefactors. [Sanjeev: This is where we can differ radically from Ram Rajya, since the king is a servant of the people, not master]
In the path of duty he excels even Yama, Kuvera, Indra and Varuna. The king, discerning good and evil, protects his kingdom [Sanjeev: the defence function, again]; bereft of him, the country is enveloped in darkness. 0 Holy Vasishtha, while the king lived, we obeyed thy! mandates as the sea keeps within its boundaries. 0 Great Brahmin, consider our words and the danger threatening this, our kingdom, and appoint someone as king if he be of the house of Ikshwaku.
ADDENDUM
ANCIENT INDIAN THOUGHT WAS PURELY CAPITALIST. IT INVOLVED SEPARATION OF STATE AND BUSINESS, LOW TAXES
“‘The king, O Bharata, should always act in such a way towards the vaishyas [merchants, commoners] so that their productive powers may be enhanced. Vaishyas increase the strength of a kingdom, improve its agriculture, and develop its trade. A wise king levies mild taxes upon them” (Mahabharata,XII.87).