The Puranas and the Itihasas reflect the dharma that kings had upheld to protect the kingdom and people for dharma is the basis on which rests the entire creation. The king is held to be the deputy of God on earth and is supposed to be just and fair to all the citizens. In the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama enquires of Bharata about the kingdom with a series of questions pertaining to every aspect of ideal administration, economics, culture, choice of ministers, the ability to deal with enemies in the court and maintenance of armies, etc. In the Mahabharata, Narada raises a similar set of questions to Yudhishtira whose rule over the kingdom of Indraprasta that Dhritarashtra has given the Pandavas is described as a golden reign. It is interesting to note that Yudhishtira who later answers all the questions posed by the Yaksha unhesitatingly now asks the sage to clear his doubts over certain issues, pointed out Sri Sankararama Dikshitar in a discourse. Yudhishtira wishes to know how and in what manner the Vedas, wealth, wife and knowledge of sastras bear fruit. Narada replies as follows: As far as the Vedas are concerned, it is not merely enough for one to be able to chant the Vedas unerringly. One has to put into practice what has been instructed by the Vedas. This implies that one should also perform the daily duties, agnihotra and other sacrifices regularly for the welfare of the world. Wealth becomes fruitful and meaningful only when it is enjoyed and also given away in charity to others. A wife’s role is fulfilled when she works in harmony with her husband and his duties for the sake of the family and also bears children. Knowledge of sastras becomes meaningful only when he who has learnt the sastras is not proud of the knowledge but imbibes the spirit and remains humble and modest in behaviour.
