14^th July 2021 – It is in the Parliament of India where the most important decisions about the present and future of the nation are taken. The architects of the constitution and the majestic institution wanted to keep the highest standards of conduct for the office bearers and hence, they chose the best of the Shlokas from gigantic Sanskrit literature available. Let’s look at some of these engravings in the Indian Parliament.

a. On the way to the Central Hall of the Parliament, one would find this beautiful verse:

अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् |

उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ||

Which means “Considerations like “this is mine or that is another’s” occur only to the narrow-mind. For the broad-minded, the whole world is a family.”

b. Another one near Lift Number 1:

न सा सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धाः
वृद्धा न ते ये न वदन्ति धर्मं ।
नासौ धर्मो यत्र न सत्यमस्ति
न तत्सत्यं यच्छलेनानुविद्धम् ॥

Meaning: That is not an assembly where wise old men are not there. They are not wise old men who do not preach Dharma. That is not dharma where there is no Truth. That is not Truth which is covered over with deceit.

c. This one near Lift Number 6 from Kautilya’s Arthshastra:

प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु हिते हितम् ।

नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥

Meaning: In the happiness of his subjects lies the happiness of the leader, their welfare is his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him but treat as beneficial to him whatever causes happiness to his subjects.