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the fundamental law of human nature us the standard for deciding the
propriety of behavior in various situations. We have termed this
very law as' Dharma'. The nearest equivalent English term for Dharma
can be "Innate law", which, however, does not express the
full meaning of Dharma, Since 'Dharma' is supreme, our ideal of the
state has been "Dharma Rajya". The king is supposed to
protect Dharma. In olden times at the coronation ceremony the king
used to recite three times. "There is no authority which can
punish me". (Similar claim was made by kings in the western
countries. i.e., it was said, "King can do no wrong", and
hence there too, nobody could punish the king). Upon this, the
Purohit used to strike the king on his back with a staff saying.
"No, you are subject to the rule of Dharma. You are not
sovereign". The king used to run around the sacred fire and the
Purohit would follow him striking him with the Staff. Thus after
completing three rounds, the ceremony would came to an end thereby
the king was unambiguously told that he was not an unpunishable
sovereign. Dharma was above him, that even he was subject to Dharma.
Can the people do whatever they please? It may be contended that
democracy means just that. The people can do what they please. But
in our country, even in people wish, they are not free to act
contrary to Dharma. Once a priest was asked: "If the God is
omnipotent, can he act contrary to Dharma. If he does, then he is
not omnipotent". This was a dilemma. Can God practice Adharma
or is lie not omnipotent? Actually God cannot act contrary to
Dharma. If he does, then he is not omnipotent. Adharma is a
characteristic of weakness, not of strength. If fire instead of
emitting heat, dies out it is no longer strong. Strength lies not in
unrestrained behavior, but in well regulated action. Therefore God
who is omnipotent is also self- regulated and consequently fully in
tune with Dharma. God descends in human body to destroy Adharma and
re-establish Dharma, not to act on passing whims and fancies. Hence
even God can do everything but cannot act contrary to Dharma. But
for the risk of being misunderstood, one can say that Dharma is even
greater than God. The universe is sustained because he acts
according to Dharma. The king was supposed to be a symbol of Vishnu,
in as much as he was the chief protector of Dharma Rajya.
Dharma Rajya does not mean a
theocratic state. Let us be very clear on this point, Where a
particular sect and its prophet or Guru, rule supreme, that is a
theocratic state. All the rights are enjoyed by the followers of
this particular sect. Others either cannot live in that country or
at best enjoy a slave-like, secondary citizen's status. Holy Roman
empire had this basis. The same concept was existing behind "Khilafat".
The Muslim kings world over used to rule in the name of Khalifa.
After the first world war, this came to an end. Now efforts are
afoot to revive it. Pakistanis the most recent theocratic state.
They call themselves an Islamic State. There, apart from Muslims all
the rest are second class citizens. Apart from this difference there
is no other sign of Islam in Pakistan's administration. Quran,
Masjid, Roja. Id, Namaz etc. are same both in Bharat as well as in
Pakistan. There is no need to the state and religion. By such a
tie-up, there is no increase in an individual's capacity to worship
God. The only result is that the state slips in its duty. This does
not happen in a Dharma Rajya. Rather there is freedom to worship
according to one's religion. In a theocratic state one religion has
all the rights and advantages, and there are direct or indirect
restrictions on all other religions. Dharma Rajya accepts the
importance of religion in the peace, happiness and progress of an
individual. Therefore the state has the responsibility to maintain
an atmosphere in which every individual can follow the religion of
his choice and live in peace. The freedom has its inherent limits. I
have the freedom to swing my hand, but as soon as there is conflict
between my hand and someone else's nose, my freedom has to be
restricted. I have no freedom to swing my hand so as to hit another
person's nose. Where other person's freedom is likely to be
encroached upon, my freedom ends. The freedom of both parties has to
be ensured. Similarly every religion has the freedom to exist. But
this freedom extends only as far as it does riot encroach upon the
religion of others. If such encroachment is carries on, it will have
to be condemned as misuse of freedom and will have to be ended. Such
limitations will be required in all aspects of life. Dharma Rajya
ensures religious freedom and is not theocratic state.
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