SASTRA University’s “K Parasaran Miscellany” book review
I was honored to receive this book from SASTRA University titled “K Parasaran Miscellany“. I am overwhelmed reading this book which is an excellent treatise on lessons from Valmiki Ramayana and relating it to present-day jurisprudence. Honestly, the legal luminary status of the author who is one of the best legal brains of his generation, and his scholarship on Ramayana is unparalleled it is really an honor to be reading this book and I feel blessed for this opportunity.
I remembered the lesson as a boy of my esteemed father. My father always inculcated in me that the Ramayana is evidence of perfect legal and moral righteousness. Bhagwan Sree Rama in his Rama Avatar was actually the personification of Purusha Suktam. My father interpreted for us that Pursha means human and Suktam relates to the code of Conduct. Hence to be exposed to the adherence to the ideal codes in his Avatara Bhagwan Maha Vishnu personified himself to set an example to humankind as to what should be the best commissions and omissions that are ideal.
This is validated by the erudite author’s relations to different verses in Ramayana. I would like to recall some of these from this noble work:
Chapter VIII: The concepts of Principles of Natural Justice are well explained for even a non-legal mind to understand. Some of the salient elements are relevant irrespective of time and space like the rule against bias. Notwithstanding, the outcome or its concomitants like his own interest in the outcome of the dispute between Sugriva and Vaali the doctrine of necessity has been explained by virtue of explaining the killing of Vaali by Bhagwan Rama. This is a leaf for the present-day administrators to ape and adopt and also to the Human Rights groups which do strive to create a narrative of standing against injustice perpetrators.
The Rule of Fair Hearing is related to Rama’s recourse to hearing out his own army of Vanaras as well as Vibishana to arrive at a righteous decision. The importance of balance of consideration of pros and cons before decision making especially relevant for both upcoming judicial officers as well as administrators is underlined.
The Right to Notice and reasonable opportunity. In modern times naysayers often say reasonable opportunity is a myth. This is on account of decisions coming forth with the right to notice being accorded to both parties in a mechanical manner. As an ex-administrator, I do vouch for this. Having said that if such examples brought out by the esteemed author had been disseminated at the training sessions I am sure the decision-making especially in punitive jurisprudence as well as conflict resolutions would be much better in quality and more objective. The author recalls the cases of Bala Kandam Tadaka Vadam, where Tadaka was manifesting to disrupt the yagna and was killed by Bhagwan Rama. As an act of revenge her son Mareecha and his accomplice Subhau attack Shri Rama in which, one Bhanam (arrow) from Shree Rama kills Subahu while Mareecha escapes as Rama’s Banam chases him and later falls off.
During Bhagwan Rama’s Vanvasa with Sita and Lakshaman at Dandakarnya Mareecha later renews his revenge when his two accomplices are killed while Mareecha escapes death. Now comes the self-reformation part Mareecha and his becoming an ascetic is brought out. Having escaped from Bhagwan’s Banam twice he counsels Rama who is his nephew not to challenge Bhagwan’s powers. This is also an all-encompassing lesson for everyone.
I may not go sequentially, but this is a very important point regarding the Rule of Law and Equality before the law. Again I recall my father’s teachings and explanation of Rama Rajya. For him, so far as justice and rights are concerned, the last and least, most dispossessed and deprived shall have the same treatment before law as the royalty or richest or the most endowed. This is dwelt upon in Chapter II of the book. Nyaya Philosophy of Rishi Gowtham which is a jurisprudential treatise and philosophy of Vedas underlines this by stating that Neethi State Policy, Vidhi (Substantive Legal framework) Vidhaan ( Procedural Laws) shall always treat everyone equally. The quote from Dasratha’s court.
“Praptakalam thu te Dhayeyuhu Suteshvapi”
Meaning if the need arises the members of the council would punish their own sons.
Rama Rajya’s essence is further elaborated on pages 29-30 highlighting the emphasis on Government of Law, not men. Ganesha Iccha, I am not blessed with the erudition of the author both as a legal brain nor in Ramayana or any Itihasa Purana. But still, it would have been appropriate to the same statement would have been more appropriate as “Governance by law, not governance by men” Vidhi Rajya and Vidhi Sarkar.
This theme of Rama Rajya is further elaborately dealt with in Chapter XIV where the essential elements of the state have been explained in the context of Rama Rajya. This is beyond the modern-day definition of the state as territory population and sovereignty The elements required for states for Rama Rajya a more like an exchequer, governance machinery (council of minister or executive) Neeti (policy) allies army, etc.
The book also brings out the virtues and qualities the Governor (Ruler) should possess, what qualities the Mantris or council of Ministers have, etc.
The emphasis on intelligence surveillance, and vigilance including preventive vigilance during those times which are brought out are equally relevant in today’s time.
All aspects of the law are covered including contract which is what a beginner in law is exposed to as the law of mutual obligation, and laws of taxation, The book concludes with an epilogue on Law Justice and Dharma.
Every word is worth its weight in gold. Having said that some of the most erudite Bhartiayas have remarked on this book. I cannot match the observations of Shri Arvind Datar, V. Lakshmikumaran a very prominent tax practitioner, Justice Venkatachaliah, Fali Nariman Dr. Venkataramani who have law officer Dr. S Gurumurthy and the transciber Dr, Chamu Krishna Shastri. An outstanding book by an outstanding scholar. I must confess that from the time I received this book, I am not able to put it down for a moment.
My humble suggestion is that this should be a must-read for judicial officers up to the highest court of the country, administrators, and upcoming legal human resources. This book should be prescribed as a curriculum in the National Judicial Academy, LBSNAA, and universities. We need not necessarily deify the Western legal concepts and place reliance upon that when we have the legacy of such excellent legal themes and practices from Ramayana brought out by such a respected, eminent erudite scholar whose command over both the Valmiki Ramayana and legal domain is unmatched.
I am sure policymakers will take note of this humble two-cent suggestion and take appropriate recourse by training our future generations as well as adapting our legal systems to themes and principles brought in this work.
My Humble pranams to the author Brahmasri K. Parasaran Avargal and Dr, S. Vaidhyasubramaniam of SASTRA University to have undertaken publication of this jewel.
This is Navaratna Keerita the Crown with nine precious stones a manifestation of Shiva.
“Navaratna keeritamcha Eka Vilvam Shivarpanam”
Humbly offer a vilva patra to this manifestation of Shiva the Navaratna Kireeta.
Om Tat Sat.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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How to get This book? I tried from Amazon and from net but failed to get the link.
Will appreciate your help for getting a copy of the book