A Srinivas Rao
Ram Rajya Baithe Trailoka
Harshit Bhaye Gaye Sab Shoka
Daihik Daivik bhautik Tapa
Ram Rajya Nahin Kahuhin Vyapa
Bayar Na Kar Kahu San Koi
Ram Pratap Vishamata Khoi
Nahin Daridra, Koi Dukhi Na Deena
Nahin Koi Abudha Na Lakshan Heena
Alpa Mratyu Nahi Kavaneu Peera
Sab Sunder Sab Viruj Sareera.
“When Ram Rajya was established in the three worlds, all were enveloped by happiness and sorrow disappeared. None were afflicted by pain, material, physical, and psychological, and enmity vanished. Under the influence of Ram, there were no differences. There was no poverty, misery, nor indigence, humiliation or ignorance, all were virtuous. They were blessed with longevity and were handsome and healthy.”
Such is the description of utopia (purportedly by Tulsidas-source unknown) which in India is referred to as Ram Rajya. Such a utopia is based on the residual consciousness of an unvarying, settled agrarian society which over the millennia has internalized the rhythms and imagery and their metaphors and idioms. Such a vision is based on a stable environment unperturbed by political, economic, demographic and technological turbulence. In the language of images, old Indian films would end with one huge smiling family cast in the iconic image of Rama and his large extended family marking that ‘they lived happily ever after’ (e.g. Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun). In the absence of a history of political institutions apart from those of kingship and tribal republicanism, the idea of such a utopia still animates the consciousness of most Indians. In India the joint family is the fundamental unit and basis of institutional analysis. Often we are found to carry these same ideas within the organizations and institutions we populate despite their anachronism. This is especially true in family run businesses, political parties and other such formations. It might be of use to outline the history of this idea and tease out its implications about the values it underscores, its assumed norms of conduct and guidelines for leadership, organizational health or pathologies thereof.
