Ram-Rajya

    What was the state of Ayodhya under Bharata and Ramachandra as Kings? As we are told, King Dasharatha succumbed to his weakness and had to pay for it! He promised Kaikeyi to install Bharata as the King of Ayodhya ignoring the fact that Ramachandra, son of Koushalya, was the first-born. Also, he agreed to keep Ram away for almost 14 years from Ayodhya with the result the trio- Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana, spent their life in the forests. Bharata was at his grandmothers place when the Dasharatha died. He did not know how Ram, Sita and Lakshmana were out in the forests. He returned to see the entire state in grief and hated him.

   Howver, the story of Ramayana is highly symbolic. It gives the picture of attachment, jealous, selfish and other qualities, and the need for isolation, contemplation, and develop intrinsic values and divine qualities (such as compassion, love, selfless service and the like) inherent quality of humans! This rule of Bharata and Ram is indicative of qualities of rulers. The rulers should learn from Ram Rajya where dharma was important in contrast to kings who indulge in corrupt practices, self-aggrandizements, enjoying the wealth of the State ignoring the needs of the people. The characters are all symbolic. Ram stands for dharma, Sita for sacrifice, Lakshmana stands for obedience and Hanuman for service! In fact, the entire Ramayan can be seen in the light of the principle of tattvaamasi, thou art that | 

   After the death of King Dasharatha, Bharata was installed and the grief-stricken Bharata neglected the affairs of the State. In fact he vowed to bring back Ram and till then kept the paduka on the throne signifying his love for Ram. All these brothers were divine souls and born as the  mantrasya putrah. The kingdom of Bharat's rule went into anarchic condition and people exploited the situation to make more wealth disregarding the poor and their needs! There were thefts and vices unchecked! The treasury became empty by the time Ram returned!

  Now, Sri Ramachandra returned to Ayodhya and took over as the king. The treasury was empty! His able minister Sumanta devised a plan to get back money to treasury. He fired the seeds of pumpkin (ashgourd?)and distributed to people with a promise to reward the best person who can grow the largest size failing which they have to pay that weight of money or gold! This worked wonders. Greedy people took the seeds and patiently waited for the seeds to sprout! When nothing came out of it, they had to pay in cash and gold and thus treasury was replenished.

    Now, the next phase of Ram Rajya started. People realized that greed will not pay. The pious king became a model for the citizens and people started adhering to dharma. There were no thefts. People were healthy. Ayodhya became a model state. This Model was so impressive that Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, China,  Thailand, Cambodia and many others adopted it!