For weeks now, the dominant—even all-pervasive—subject among the people, the media and politics has been the Pran Pratishtha of the grand new temple for Shri Ram in Ayodhya. The ceremony, on January 22, took the country by devotional storm, as millions upon millions watched on TV, Ram Lalla finally getting a home where he was born. I was on a leading TV channel as a commentator when the Pratishtha was unfolding, and I cannot describe my emotions as the beautiful statue of Lord Ram was unveiled, and could be seen in its full mesmerising splendour. In fact, I said that I am bereft of words, or capable of rational thought. When asked for my reaction by the anchor, I could do no more than spontaneously sing Tulsidas’ immortal bhajan: ‘Shri Ramchandra kripalu bhaja mana, haran bhava bhaya darunam; nav kanj lochan kanj mukh kar kanj pad kanjarunam.’
The speeches on the momentous occasion by PM Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat carried—apart from a reiteration of aastha—important messages. Bhagwat, in his brief but pointed address, stressed the importance of following the ideals of Maryada Purushottam Ram. These, he said, included samanvaya (the inclusion of all), karuna (compassion), anushan (the importance of maintaining discipline in societal conduct and not taking the law in one’s hands), the removal of matbhed or discords and divides in society, and maryada poorna acharan (the important of righteous conduct imbued with a sense of duty). He also quoted the lines from Tulsidas in the Ramcharitmanas defining Ram Rajya: “daihik, daivika bhautika tapa, Ram Raj nahin kaahuhi byaapa, saba nara karahin paraspar priti, chalahin svadharma nirata shruti niti (Under Ram Rajya, none will suffer from the physical, religious, or material affliction, all persons will have love and respect for each other, and follow their prescribed duty as outlined in the Vedas). These lines are extremely significant, and it was not a coincidence—especially given the context of the tenor and tone of Bhagwat’s address.
Tulsidas describes Ram Rajya in a very positive way, outlining a harmonious and happy society, free from internal divisions, where each individual lives peacefully with each other, and follows the prescriptions of duty, which means acting under the purview of law. In this sense, Ram Rajya is not a religious or sectarian idea, but the idea of the ideal state. Bhagwat thus saw the glorious new temple as the gateway to an India at peace with itself, sans strife, violence and suspicion, and Shri Ram himself as the Great Unifier, not just a revered Hindu deity.
In a similar vein, PM Modi in his eloquent and powerful speech, sent out very essential messages. “Ram is not fire,” he emphasised. “Ram is urja (energy). Ram is not a dispute; Ram is the solution. Ram is not only ours; Ram is for everyone. Ram is not just the present; Ram is eternal.” Like Mohan Bhagwat, he spoke too of the importance of samanvaya. He also once again reiterated one of the Mahavakyas or great sentences of Sanatana Dharma, mentioned in the Rig Veda, the Maha Upanishad, and the Bhagwata Purana—which calls it the loftiest Vedantic thought. This great sentence is also emblazoned at the very entrance of Parliament: Udar Charitanam Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam (For the big-hearted, the entire world is a family).
The PM was, therefore, seeking to impress on his vast and global audience that the building of the temple should be a unifying factor, and take the nation forward in harmony and unity to an even brighter future, the beginning of a new kaal chakra, where Shri Ram, who is, as both Tulsidas and Valmiki specifically say, the saguna avatar of the nirguna Brahman, the omniscient cosmic pure consciousness which is in you and me, and every animate and inanimate entity.
Why were the two apex authorities of both the BJP and the RSS deliberately sending out these very important signals? To my mind, they were doing so to ensure that the sense of understandable Hindu vindication of faith that the building of the temple after centuries of struggle has created, should not translate into increasing religious rancour, acrimony, hate, division and violence in society. This is a very relevant message.
In all religions, there is an extremist fringe that has a vested interest in creating implacable divides between people of different faiths. Such elements need to be dealt with firmly. In the Sangh Parivar too, there are a rapidly growing number of lumpen elements who could use the new sense of Hindu evangelism to indulge in hate speeches, needless provocation of minorities, lawlessness, and projection of an exclusive Hindu Rashtra that violates the fundamentals of the Constitution and is against the sublime eclectic spirit of Hinduism, and the values of maryada enshrined in the very character of Ram.
Shri Ram cannot and must not be used to divide society. If this is attempted, the entire country would be akin to a dry tinder box that could be ignited by one spark of bigotry. India is an overwhelmingly Hindu country, but the minorities too are in such large numbers that coexistence is the only way forward, especially since people of all faiths are not geographically segregated but spread across the country living cheek-by-jowl with each other.
Shri Ram, who stands for cosmic order, decorum and right conduct, would never like his revered name to be used to create violent fissures in society. This should be remembered by hotheads among Hindus, Muslims and other faiths. It is my belief—and hope—that both Bhagwat and the PM were conveying—directly or indirectly—this advice and warning. It has to be ensured that all citizens take note.
The author is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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