'The Hindu Manifesto': A Comprehensive Global Manual Of Governance

News18

31-05-2025

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The book has 8 chapters that provide a Hindu view of different aspects of governance that could lead to an ideal society
The Hindu Manifesto is not a complex book. It is not a book on Hindutva. It is a simple book based on very deep and wide-ranging research by a sadhu scholar, Swami Vigyananand. You can actually feel the labour of seven years of research in creating this book. His research is complex, but his presentation is not. The Hindu Manifesto is not a manifesto for Hindu Rashtra nor a manifesto for Hindus alone. It presents to the world a comprehensive manual of governance based on Dharma, understood as duty in our respective roles and ethical behaviour based on belief in our innate nobility as human beings.
The book has 8 chapters that provide a Hindu view of different aspects of governance that could lead to an ideal society. The narrative is simple. The author quotes chosen gems of invocations, suktas, mantras and shlokas from different Hindu scriptures right from Vedic times to the time till invaders managed to damage our governance, knowledge base, and social systems to a great extent. Even those periods could not destroy those principles completely till the British came, dismantled it brick by brick and handed over governance to the leaders who were trained in Western models of governance with no training or understanding of their own rich knowledge system or systems of governance.
Women cannot commit sins; it is men who become the culprits and sinners. Due to being forced into submission and exploited due to their vulnerability, women cannot be deemed offenders (page 244).
The wife has a right to dissolve her marriage if her husband is considered unworthy due to factors such as his low character, residence in a foreign country, disloyalty to the nation, involvement in criminal activities like murder, departure from moral principles, lack of integrity, impotence, and unmanliness (page 247).
However, the same group of self-professed feminists and liberals would be disappointed that their pet theory of misogyny and women's supposed inferior position does not stand the scrutiny of Hindu texts. On page 218, the author tells us about 28 Brahmavadini (female sages) who appear in the Rigveda. Scriptures tell us that the son is like oneself, and the daughter is like the son[…] A daughter is like a son; she will be the one to carry forward the family lineage (page 220). It quotes evidence of boys and girls studying in the same Gurukul (page 233).
The writer dwells at length on the social equity and casteism, providing evidence that the theories of caste discrimination are more myths than historical reality. He explores and helps the reader understand the concepts of varna, jati, jatiya, and jnati, according to Panini's grammar and other rishis (page 271).
The Mahabharata notes that in all the varnas, there are no special signs or distinct markers. Everyone originates from Bhagwan Brahma; thus, everyone is considered as Brahmin (page 279). The author quotes KS Lal in an annexure, concluding that the growth and evolution of scheduled tribes and castes in medieval Bharat were significantly influenced by their active participation in sociopolitical and economic spheres (page 303).
While the world has made us believe that we were only spiritually inclined and had no interest in accumulating wealth and enjoying life, the scriptures confirm that we believed in producing, consuming, and enjoying within the framework of Dharma. Artha (prosperity) for us was the basis of our life. Dharma, kama, heaven results from artha. Without artha, life in the world would be unsustainable (page 12).
Many texts talk about taxation. Taxation is akin to extracting juice from a palmyra tree (page 29). A state should take only one-sixth of people's income as taxes (page 35). To achieve this level of prosperity, education was considered of critical importance. A rishi says, there is no greater vision in the world than education (Vidya), and there is no greater reward than education (page 102).
Scriptures also note that Learning, Penance, and a great deal of wealth–all these can be obtained through diligent work. Therefore, one should recognise the importance of hard work. […]The state should prioritise a single learned and knowledgeable individual over thousands of illiterate fools, as such individuals can greatly contribute during an economic crisis (page 199).
A shloka of Shukra Samhita lists out various types of Vidya, of which there is Yavan philosophy too (page 109). Which means we were not cocooned, but had a great understanding of the world around us.
In Hindu society, our ancestors have placed significant emphasis on the importance of politics, The Hindu sutra is Responsible Democracy–Politics is a refuge, a place of safety, for all living beings (page 126).
We did not believe that politics is the last resort of a scoundrel. A shloka says, Rajadharma (politics) is like a boat that floats on the ocean of dharma. The attributes of satva (truth and purity) serve as the oars to steer the boat. Dharmashastra acts as the ropes that tie it. With the help of renunciation in the form of wind, the boat moves swiftly, allowing it to cross the worldly sea (page 132). Another set of shlokas describes thirty attributes of an effective head of state (page 166).
How should a state treat its citizens? The author quotes, 'The state should provide support and care for weak and vulnerable individuals, including the blind, deaf, lame, disabled, those with limb loss and wandering monks" (page 145). It also enjoins that the state should take care of widows, orphans, the disabled, and the destitute (page 190). Oppression of people by the state is forbidden (page 194).
The author notes that the state should not oppress its people by extracting excessive taxes, as this undermines the prescribed rules and ultimately leads to the destruction of the state (page 195). And, for minor mistakes made by its people, a state should not resort to mutilation, execution, or various forms of torture (page 196).
Our sages caution that some entrepreneurs, both poor and wealthy, have become wealthy in a short period. Ministers and tax collectors should not be misled by others to believe that their success was achieved through improper means (page 31). It means trust your citizens.
On the environment, our scriptures and shastras exhort us and the state to take care of nature. The state's responsibility to the citizens also includes the preservation of the environment. The author goes to great lengths to prove that our scriptures do not ask for animal sacrifice in yagna. Then it goes on to quote shlokas that tell us to use grains, that too, which are older than three years (not fit for seeding). We are told:
The paddy, barley, gold, and animals on this earth are not sufficient for one person. Therefore, one should give up craving (page 308). This means responsible, restrained consumption. A series of shlokas to prove that the tree, its leaves, bark and fruit and flowers possess life. When trees are cut, new sprouts germinate, and they experience pleasure and pain. From this, one can infer that trees have a living persona; they are not inanimate (page 333). Big water reservoirs should be built in all regions of the state and filled with water to ensure that crops are not destroyed due to a lack of rainfall (page 21). The state should protect timber forests, elephant habitats, miners, and bridges. Additionally, it should grow new forests, construct bridges, and undertake other developments as needed (page 338). Chanakya instructs that, if any person kills, catches or injures deer, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, peacocks or fish in reserve forests and sanctuaries or in large educational institutions where killing or catching is prohibited, the officials there should inflict the severest punishment on them. If any member of the royal family violates this directive, they should also be punished (pages 210-311).
Showing its respect for the environment, a profound shloka says, 'Everything on this earth is created and eventually returns to it, making it the home to every living being and renowned as the ultimate refuge for all creatures" (page 319).
Bharatiya civilisation may be the only civilisation that treats its land of birth like a mother and worships it. There are many suktas shlokas from Vedic times and later that describe Bharatvarsh as the motherland, with clear mention of its boundaries. The geography of Bharat is described at great length in the Mahabharata. The states that joined the Mahabharata war paid tributes to King Yudhishthir, covering half the earth. Even China was once ruled by King Mandhata (page 351).
Such is the strong connection with the nation that a shloka says, those who seek to increase their fortune through unscrupulous means, harming and betraying their country, are like vermin feeding on a corpse (page 361).
Rishis of Atharvaveda, call out: O beloved Motherland, our people should not harbour enmity among themselves. Instead, they should unite, especially our leaders, who must work together for the country's betterment. Our land nurtures a variety of vegetation and herbs that cure diseases and provide nourishment. O beloved motherland, elevate our reputation across the world (page 368).
The above quotations are just a glimpse of the wisdom that flows through The Hindu Manifesto. One needs to read the book, a virtual manual for any political leader who wishes to rule a country or a state, anywhere in the world. Because the principles of statecraft are universal and have been described so well by our ancient leaders in philosophy and statecraft.
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This global manifesto of governance stands true for any nation, irrespective of the religion it follows or the type of governance it has. Swami Vigyananand could bring out such a universal manual of governance because Hindu dharma or Santan Dharma is universal, inclusive, non-discriminatory, for the human beings who form our societies and nations. It is truly a liberal worldview.
The reviewer is a well-known author and political commentator. He has written several books on RSS, like RSS 360, Sangh & Swaraj, RSS: Evolution from an Organisation to a Movement, Conflict Resolution: The RSS Way, and done a PhD on RSS. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
tags :
book caste governance hindu history religion
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 31, 2025, 16:25 IST
News opinion Book Review | 'The Hindu Manifesto': A Comprehensive Global Manual Of Governance