isn’t that the law of the jungle?’ asked Vashishta. ‘The weak would die out.’
‘If you call it the law of the jungle, then I say that this is the law of nature, Guru ji ,’ said Shatrughan. ‘Who are we to judge nature? If the weakest deer are not killed by tigers, the population of deer will explode. They will eat prodigious amounts of greens and the jungle itself may die out, in the long run. It is better for the jungle if only the strong survive — it is nature’s way of maintaining balance. The government should not interfere with this natural process. It should merely establish systems that ensure the protection of the weak, giving them a fair chance at survival. Beyond that, it must get out of the way and let society find its own path. It’s not the government’s job to ensure that all achieve their dreams.’
‘Then why even bother with a government?’
‘It’s needed for a few essentials that individuals cannot provide: an army to protect the borders from external attack, a system of basic education for all. One of the things that differentiates us from animals is that we do not kill our weak. But if the government interferes to such an extent that the weak thrive and the strong are oppressed, society itself will collapse over time. A society should not forget that it thrives on the ideas and performance of the talented among its citizens. If you compromise the prospects of the strong, and lean too much towards the interests of the weak, then your society itself goes into decline.’
Vashishta smiled. ‘You have carefully studied the reasons for the decline of India under the successors of Emperor Bharat, haven’t you?’
Shatrughan nodded. Bharat was a legendary Chandravanshi emperor who lived thousands of years ago. He was one of the greatest rulers since the great Indra of the Devas. He brought all of India under his rule and his government had been the most compassionate and nurturing of all times.
‘Why, then, did Bharat’s successors not change their ways when they could see that it wasn’t working anymore?’ asked Vashishta.
‘I don’t know,’ said Shatrughan.
‘It was because the philosophy that guided Emperor Bharat’s empire was itself a reaction to an equally successful, but radically different one which determined how society was organised earlier. Emperor Bharat’s empire could be described as the apogee of the feminine way of life — of freedom, passion and beauty. At its best, it is compassionate, creative and especially nurturing towards the weak. But as feminine civilisations decline, they tend to become corrupt, irresponsible and decadent.’
‘Guru ji ,’ said Ram, ‘are you saying there is another way of life? The masculine way?’
‘Yes. The masculine way of life is defined by truth, duty and honour. At its peak, masculine civilisations are efficient, just and egalitarian. But as they decline, they become fanatical, rigid and especially harsh towards the weak.’
‘So when feminine civilisations decline, the masculine way is the answer,’ said Ram. ‘And, as masculine civilisations decline, the feminine way should take over.’
‘Yes,’ said the teacher. ‘Life is cyclical.’
‘Can it be safely said that today’s India is a feminine nation in decline?’ asked Bharat.
Vashishta looked at Bharat. ‘Actually, India is a confused nation today. It does not understand its nature, which seems to be a hotchpotch of the masculine and feminine way. But if you force me to choose, then I would state that, at this point in time, we’re a feminine culture in decline.’
‘Then the question is: is it time to move towards a masculine way of life or a revived feminine culture?’ argued Bharat. ‘I’m not sure India can live without freedom. We’re a nation of rebels. We argue and fight about everything. We can only succeed by walking down the path of femininity, of freedom. The masculine way may work for a short span of time, but it cannot last. We
Marie York
Catherine Storr
Tatiana Vila
A.D. Ryan
Jodie B. Cooper
Jeanne G'Fellers
Nina Coombs Pykare
Mac McClelland
Morgana Best
J L Taft