In the coming winter session of the Parliament, customary condolence would be expressed to those members who have died since the Parliament last met. This time a precedent may be created by members expressing a wish for the early release of the jailed members on bail and also for their acquittal by the Law Courts, before the Parliament adjourns for the day.

Now let me turn my attention to a copy of a coffee - table type booklet titled Message from Parliament House, Bharat, by Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, who is also a BJP member of the Rajya Sabha. The booklet was sent to me by my friend N. Ramanuja, Chairman, Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Karnataka. I wish the publisher had some imagination. The format, design and even the manner in which the texts are printed look pedestrian. Wonder how Justice Rama Jois allowed such a production with the inprint of his signature.

The booklet is about inscriptions of social, moral and political messages found in Parliament Houses at various places. They incorporate the essence of the basic philosophy evolved in our country from time immemorial.

In the preface, Justice Rama Jois says that he was inspired by these messages and they reminded him of the first para of Mahatma Gandhi's book My Picture of Free India, where he says that India is essentially a Karmabhumi (land of duty) in contradiction to the belief that it is a Bhogabhumi (land of enjoyment).

Justice Jois mentions of what Kautilya's Arthashastra (300 BC) spoke about the principles of ruling a country by a King then, but now the same principle could be applied for ruling a democratic country.

Examples:
"In the happiness of the subjects lies the King's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the King shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the King shall consider good."

Now wherever the word King appears, replace it with the word Minister and we will know how a Minister should conduct himself. Do our Ministers follow these precepts today?

The words inscribed in Hindi inside the Lok Sabha chamber, overlooking the Speaker's chair, are from Lalitavistara Ch: 26 and it reads:
"For the rotation of the wheel of righteousness"

Dharma Chakra, the wheel of righteousness is an important symbol in Buddhism also.

On top of the entry gate to the Rajya Sabha is inscribed the words in Hindi: Ahimsa Paramo Dharma.

It means that "non - violence is the highest Dharma" taken from Mahabharata Vanaparva 207 - 74.

What a sublime, noble aphorism! Jainism considers this as the highest ideal in life. Manu, our ancient Rishi, has defined Dharma as constituting five elements. They are: 1. Non - violence. 2. Truthfulness. 3. Non - stealing. 4. Pious quality. 5. Control of senses.

Above the gate of the Central Hall of Parliament is a verse from Panchatantra (a book of moral stories in Sanskrit). It says: To divide people into two categories as of "mine" and of "not - mine" is the characteristic of petty - minded people. For broad-minded people, the entire world is but one family (Vasudaiva Kutumbakam).

This is the basis of a Secular State which we do not find in many theocratic States like our neighbour Pakistan and other West - Asian countries. But the question is: How many of our people really believe in and follow this sublime philosophy. At least this description is a reminder.

The statement inscribed on top of the entry gate to Rajya Sabha is: Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara — Speak the truth. Follow the Dharma (rules of righteous conduct). This is from Taittiriyopanishad Shiksha Valli.

There is another most appropriate and thoughtful statement inscribed on the top of entry gate to Rajya Sabha taken from Bhagvadgitha 18 - 45:

"That is not an Assembly where there are no elders; they are not elders, who do not speak with righteousness; that speech is not righteous which is devoid of truthfulness; that is not the truth which contains deceit." — From Mahabharata — 5. 35 - 58.

Many of our Parliamentarians are dumb - dolls, nay scare - crows who never open their mouth in the Parliament, but only stretch their hands to collect or grab money. For them there is a reprimand and a reminder from Manusmruti 8-13.

It reads:
"Either one may NOT enter the Assembly Hall or, having entered, must speak truth in a righteous way. The one who does not speak and the one who speaks falsely will be a sinner."

Well, if this is taken seriously then we will find our Parliament full of sinners with a few distinguished exceptions.

And now, being a secular country, we surely need some Arabic or Islamic quotes. Here is one from Arabic inscribed in the arc - shaped outer - lobby of the Lok Sabha. It says most aptly:
"Almighty God will not change the condition of any people unless they bring about a change in themselves."

The present Arab Spring in some of the Muslim countries is a good example of this precept being followed and yielding result. [It is another matter that this Arab Spring is the handiwork of US to dislodge rulers whom it does not like, without direct military intervention as in the past. It may be true if we go by the US foreign policy in the past.]

This booklet was published by Vijnaneshwara Research and Training Centre in Polity, Martur, Gulbarga district, Karnataka. The importance of this village Martur is because that a stone inscription of 1123 AD found in the village records that Emperor Vikramaditya the VI of Chalukya Dynasty had visited the village to pay obeisance to Vijnaneshwara, the author of Mitakshara, which is a commentary on Yajnavalkya Smriti, which became Common Civil Code for Hindus throughout the country. This booklet is a very good tribute to the memory of all these Saint - thinkers and also the most benevolent Kings and Emperors of that era.

India with such glorious past and equally glorious books of moral values and guidelines to rulers should not have troubled an old man like Anna Hazare to go on fast to end the endemic corruption in our polity and society. How sad and depressing.

But look at America where corruption has a different dimension. We are fighting corruption because it is making the life of poor and middle-class people miserable — the rich, however, may wish for corruption as it makes their efforts to become more rich easier. Hence this grassroots movement of Anna Hazare.

In contrast, in America there is a different kind of grass - roots movement — the Tea Party. Believe it that this Tea Party was started by billionaire Koch brothers whose only agenda is to reduce taxes for corporations and wealthy people! I hope our Ambanis, Tatas and Birlas would not start a Tea Party or Coffee Party of this kind in our country.

Now to come back to corruption in America let me quote Sarita Sarvate, who writes for Pacific News Service. Writing in India Currents of September 2011, she says:

"Corruption in American Government occurs on a different scale and in a different arena all together. When an oil company buys the loyalty of a political hack like Rick Perry, is it not corruption? When the US Supreme Court steals an election away from a guy who got more votes than the guy who eventually occupied the office, is that not corruption at the highest levels of Government? When a company like Standard and Poor's looks the other way while investment bankers plunder the country with their fancy derivatives, but gives the Obama administration a poor rating in order to oust it from office, is that not corruption on a monumental scale?"

Let us hope, with many political sharks in jail, at least in future India will not slip into this kind of American corruption that Sarita Sarvate has mentioned in addition to all pervasive grassroots corruption.

Despite this dark cloud hanging over America, there is still hope for America, according to some, for the reason that there is a holy trinity of American life — Family, God and Country.

The American rulers don't seem to compromise on this. No wonder the President and other American leaders keep saying “God Save America” at the close of every ceremonial or formal speech. May this be so to our country also. Let us pray.

Tail Piece:
It was the second Chief Minister of Karnataka Kengal Hanumanthaiah, the builder of Vidhana Soudha, who got the words "Government's work is God's work" inscribed at the high entrance panel of Vidhana Soudha. This was, however, removed following controversy by his successors. But when R. Gundu Rao became the Chief Minister, he restored it and it remains there today.

By K. B. Ganapathy
Editor in Chief
e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com
Courtesy: Star of Mysore