Page 114 - Constitution

70 Years of Indian Years of Indian

Constitution
Constitution

It is necessary to see that India had
t is necessary to see that India had nearly
three to four thousand years of democratic nearly three to four thousand years of

Iexperience. It had discipline in public life. democratic experience. It had discipline
The most ancient system of self-rule is found the in public life. The most ancient system of
Vedic times which were called parishad, ganas self-rule is found the Vedic times which

or sabhā. The ancient Indians divided human life were called parishad, ganas or sabhā
into worldly life and religious life called Laukikam
greed and acceptable to one mind ‘Dharma’”.
and Sāmayikam. They realized if one wants
Manu concludes his dharma śāstra with the
harmonious life in a country and all living beings
statement that, “one should see oneself in all and
must have equal rights and live happily to seek
all in his own” all lives are equal and equality of all
prosperity, then they must follow a code of law
living being was the main theme of his dharma.
and discipline. That code was called Dharma.
This is the ideology of Manu dharma. Manu
Dharma means that which sustains civilization
around 3000 years earlier gave this positive call
dhāranāt dharmam ityuktam, Sri Krishna, in
Samadarsana, while this present constitution has
Bhagvad Gita, says, he gave the dharma to
negative ideology – secularism – meaning no
Vivasavan and Vivasvan gave it to Manu and
religious rites.
Manu taught Ikshavku and it was transmitted
Manu also defines ten qualities to be
to Rajarishis. Krishna, Manu, Ikshavaku and all
imbibed by men which are called “Dasakam
those who used it were Kshatriyas, rulers and
Dharma Lakshanam”. They are Steadfastness,
not –Brāhmanas. The first to codify dharma, also
forbearance, control of mind, non-stealing, purity,
called “Raja Dharma”, was Manu who was the first
truthfulness, control of senses, intelligence,
constitution giver. Both at the beginning and end
knowledge, and, devoid of anger” are the ten
of his work, “Manu dharma sāstra”, he says what
states of dharma. It may be seen there is no
he is proposing in Dharma sastra is “Samatvam”
religious or sectarian or religious directions in
also called “Samadarśana” impartiality and
the ideology of Manu Dharma. The unscrupulous
equality. The very beginning verse says, “Dharma
power mongers distorted Manu dharma. This law
is that which is adored by learned men well, and
code was followed by all the kings of India for the
all times, without hatred towards any and without
past more than 1800 years, from Punjab to Assam

114 70 Years of Indian Constitution