Deivathin Kural Series - 69

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 69 of 19 Sept 2006.

1. These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Kurrattai Kuraikkum Vazhi', ie., 'Methods of Reducing Crimes', in pages 351 to 353, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. What is a Government for? In a country, people with more power may dominate others with less power. Majority could harass the minority. A crowd could force a single individual to part with his property and occupy it. To prevent such things from happening and ensure law and order, is the job of a government. To ensure this, it has powers of punishment. Many people are deterred from doing wrong things, because of this power of the Government.
4. Government can give a greater punishment to the person, than the hurt or harassment, he caused. If he steals Rs 100/-, the thief could be jailed. Greater punishment could be given, for more serious crimes. The deterrance is caused by the severity and promptness of the punishment. Looking at the human nature, we have to accept this. But simultaneously, Governments should try and develop another related aspect too. It is one thing to react after the event of crime and imparting deterrant punishment, to prevent such happenings. Pro-actively, Governments could give attention to ways and means of preventing the birth of criminal thoughts.
5. First someone commits a crime, followed by Government's reaction to impart deterrant punishment is, 'OK', at the practical level of Governance, and as per the dictates of, 'Artha Sastras', too. But the fact has to be accepted at least at the theoretical level, that 'Rules of Artha Sastras', have to be secondary to the 'Rules of Dharma Sastras'! For this, the Governments should take steps to encourage the creation of National atmosphere of high morality. This will enable coming into being of an environment where, criminal mentality will dissipate. If there are more facilities to spread the message of Dharma, and more such persons knowledgeable in Dharma come into being; the population will have role-models to emulate. Such people will encourage peace and morality, by being personal examples. Conflicts, skirmishes and crimes, will automatically come down.
6. For this the Political, Executive, Bureaucratic and Judiciary arms of the Government, should be manned by people of impeccable moral standards. The common man should get the feeling, that he is governed by people who are not selfishly motivated, but citizen friendly. To borrow a famous clitche, that will be a government, 'of the people, for the people, by the people'. People will accept and abide with the words of such rulers. Creation of such 'crime-free' environment cannot be done by the Government alone. People of high moral fibre, should extend a helping hand too. The Government should enable this.
7. The Government should pay more attention to making the piblic committed to high moral standards, than only increasing, financing and refurbishing the Police force, jails and judiciary. Instead of those who make a business out of giving moral lectures, people who are involved in genuine social service, uncaring for personal benefits, with helping others as the only motive, should be encouraged by recognition and awards. This will motivate others. To live a life of high morality is more powerful than preaching.
8. Increase in the number of courts of justice, means that justice is declining. Instead, the number of Temples and Shrines should be increased. This will ensure greater peace and amity. The Rajahs of yore constructed more temples than courts of justice. They repaired and refurbished the old ones. In those temples, all arts and culture, were divinitised and were presented as an offering to God. People frequented the Temple functions for devotion, entertainment as well as knowledge of Dharma. In the bargain people were more calm, peaceful and contented. Social unrest and conflicts were unheard of.
9. Instead of more Acts of Law, people should be directed towards the right path and there by, reduce the opportunities of contemplating crime. This process is preferable to, reducing crime by deterrant punishment. The peace so created will be more long lasting. By Government recognition and rewarding of persons of high moral values, the value systems in the population will thrive. This indirect but effective method of management of governance is what is meant by the proverb which says, 'Government governs best, is the one that governs least'.
Sambhomahadeva.