When Bharata heard that Sri Rama had been sent to the forest, he rushed there to bring his brother back to Ayodhya, so that he could be the actual ruler. When they met in the Chitrakoot forest, one important part of their discussion shows their keen interest in taking care of the citizens and their understanding of proper governance. It can be relevant even today.
It goes thus: Rama asked Bharata, "Do you decide things alone, or you take advice from others, while time taking care that it does not become public?
"Do you pay the right amount of salary to your people at the right time?"
"Do you appoint an ambassador who is a resident of the your own country and is educated, expert and knowledgeable?
"Do your farmers get water from the river for land cultivation or do they have to depend on the yearly rains alone?
"Do you make sure that Artha(gain) is not destroying Dharma, and Dharma is not overpowering Artha?"
These are some of the most important questions that Sri Rama asked Bharata. It shows the practical aspect of their discussion. Our scriptures, while dealing with other-worldly matters in a very prominent way, give similar importance to the this world too. They are in complete balance which is(italicize is) real governance. You cannot break the rules of this world at the cost of Dharma, and rule of this world cannot ignore one's journey to the next world.
Yudhisthira was always alert in dealing with this dilemma of 'iha' and 'para'. Iha is here and now, para is tomorrow and there.
Yudhisthira was always alert in dealing with this dilemma of 'iha' and 'para'. Iha is here and now, para is tomorrow and there.
That is real governance, but unfortunately our leaders lack the vision for this world and the next. Their eyes remain blinded by the illusion of the post which they have occupied or by dreams of occupying a post for a fleeting period of time
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