A Question of Empathy

(This series unravels the dharmic dialogue between Narad Muni and Raja Yudhishthir in the Sabha Parva of Mahabharat. Part XXI saw how a good leader must recognise and validate persons of exceptional merit; Part XXI follows.).We have observed how Narada Muni gently probed Yudhishthira towards taking the path of dharma. The sage has given snippets on what are the preferred qualities of a commander, how to strategise against the enemy, what virtues to uphold as a king and so on. Though those questions seem like a code for a martial lord, we will now see the humane aspects of leadership.Narada asks the king two questions begging for supreme empathy. First, ‘O best of the Pandavas, do you support the wives and children of those who have given their lives for you, and those who have fallen into distress for you?’ He follows it up with, ‘O son of Pritha, do you cherish as your sons, the enemy who, having been vanquished in battle, comes to you from fear, who has become weak and who has sought your protection?’ The first is something we get to witness even to this day. Whether they be our soldiers at the war front, or foot soldiers for a noble cause like kar sevaks for Sri Ram Janmabhoomi, it is the bounden duty of the leader to provide for the family of the fallen. Of course, it is procedural for governments and leaders these days to quickly announce ex gratia amounts for the families of victims of a calamity. But beyond that, do we see if leaders ensure that the surviving families of soldiers are provided with the requisite support for their day-to-day needs such as education of children and healthcare for the elderly?.The Government of India provides several welfare measures for families of martyrs including tuition fees, hostel charges, uniform costs and clothing needs for school-going children. There are one-time financial grants provided for the widows of the soldiers to pursue higher education or take up skilling for employment. The Navy and Air Force also give grants to cover medical expenses of severe ailments for the families of the martyrs. This is the least we can do as a country to recognise the supreme sacrifice of those who pledged their lives for our safety and security.But what about foot soldiers who take up a cause and lose their lives in its pursuit? In an era of rising religious tensions and violence, we have seen several sevaks become martyrs because of uncalled violence. Sadly, many of their families continue to live in penury, whether they are of sevaks who toiled for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, or of volunteers who fought against forceful conversion of Abrahamic religions. We are yet to mobilise as a society and provide for their families.Narad’s second question is applicable at an individual level as well as in situations of active war. Do we, having any reason for enmity with an individual, accord due respect and courtesy to the family of the person? If we have a rival in our school, college or office, is it possible for us to treat their near and dear ones without any trace of hostility?.In circumstances of war, there are guidelines and international laws that determine how to give refuge to enemy soldiers, and refugees from enemy lands. Though a fine example comes from Ramayan, we can still accept the story of Angad as a standard for treating the son of an enemy. While Vali, the vanar king, was killed by Sri Ram, Angad (Vali’s son) was never treated with spite or vengeance. In fact, Sri Ram considered him a most trusted messenger to go and negotiate for peace one last time with Ravan. Angad was accorded all kinds of respect and importance in the army. Further, we have to establish that Angad too never betrayed Ram’s trust, fully accepted the ways of dharma and served Ram’s cause with utmost integrity.In the modern instance, we find refugees piling onto foreign lands, refusing to accept or assimilate the culture of the host and eventually usurping property and engaging in violence because of cultural conflicts. Both the refugee seeker and asylum provider have to be anchored in common goals of righteousness and harmony for peace to prevail. It calls for utmost empathy and trust between the two parties. For this, we as humanity, need a complete spiritual, intellectual and emotional reset.

A Question of Empathy

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