Raja Dharma Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

Dharma in Scriptures gives many concepts:
Morality, ethics, spirituality,
Duty, responsibility, philanthropy
And also justice in thought, word and deed.

Duties and responsibilities are coded
For a King, which is called Raja Dharma.
A Dharmic Raja is a Rajarishi
When he blends his rule with spirituality.

A Raja must, like anyone, gain knowledge
On Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
These are Spiritual good, material wellbeing,
Worldly and sexual desire and enlightenment.

Be Kama not at the cost of Artha;
Be Artha not at the cost of Dharma;
Be Dharma not at the cost of Moksha.
He must balance Dharma with Artha and Kama.

Spiritual thinking to a king need not
Be to the exclusion of worldly thinking
Provided it does not hurt state justice
In governance and observance.
20.02.2017