All-round prosperity in Dasaratha's kingdom

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. Every citizen of a country should feel proud of his or her motherland and should always be ready to swear, ``It is mine and I am interested in its prosperity towards which I stand deeply committed. I shall strive my utmost to this objective''. This imperative is of greater importance with regard to those who wield power. They should discharge their obligation to their nation honestly and not try to indulge in acts to misappropriate public money and thrive on corruption. The ruler should demonstrate his deep attachment to society and identify himself with his country that supports him. ``I am responsible to promote their welfare and progress'' should be his motto. This can be compared to a poor agriculturist who owning just an acre shows his anxiety to gain maximum yield unlike a rich man possessing a large area raising crops in benami names. Also is the example of a common man who has constructed a small house with his limited resources on the outskirts of a city, expressing his deep grief on seeing even a small crack in one of the walls. Emperor Dasaratha, according to Tamil poet Kamban, administered his land in accordance with norms of justice as to see everyone was prosperous. There was no theft, no other crime, no poverty and no premature or unforeseen deaths. The people in his regime were virtuous and happy and spoke only truth.

Kamban's description of Dasaratha's rule refers to the prosperity of the people as witnessed from different types of smoke emerging from the ground and the unity of the families. One type of smoke emerged when women after a bath in the early hours, combed hair using incense articles thereby showing the pleasure they enjoyed. That which rose from hearths revealed how food was being prepared all through the day to feed all. The smoke from sugarcane crushing units indicated the economic prosperity. The fourth type was from the rites performed by learned men to lead them to God's kingdom.

In a lecture, Sri Sukhi Sivam also dwelt on the food habits of people of Dasaratha's days. To avoid too much of consumption of rice which results in obesity, a meal commenced with taking three types of fruits. Families dined in their respective homes, of course honouring guests and relatives. Even the attitude of a student who wished to join an educational institution used to be watched by the would-be teacher by the manner in which he partakes his food and reacts to the varieties of dishes. These details had been woven in the poet's work to remind the posterity of their rich heritage.

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