Rules

How many number of times would you have felt frustrated with some rules? And while in the same frustration mode, you would have exasperatedly questioned "who hell made that rule?"

This happens to all of us. Different time, and different place but to all of us.

Rules represent a manner in which each behavior must happen. Rules define boundaries to every code of conduct and define the parameters. The parameters (or metrics in the management terminology) are the basics to judgment. This classifies whether the conduct on the scales of morality, justness and righteousness.

We all follow the rules as they are everywhere. There is a rule for even our basis existence. Rules slowly become the laws, through enforcements. Our rituals are also rules followed by us in view of pleasing the gods.

Let's try to understand the origin of the rules. The rules are constructed as guidelines for behavior to uphold the principles. Having said this, I would also stress on the fact that the rules are bound with time and place and hence are circumstantial. Anything which is circumstantial is temporary. Consider this example – A north indian meal focusses on a wheat bread and puts rice in a bowl to add the taste. A south indian meal on the other hand focuses on the varieties of rice and provides wheat bread on the side. This ritual or a custom is based on the fact that paddy is grown in Southern India and wheat is grown in Northern India.

In our own quest for being known as a good person, we just follow the rules without understanding the underlying principle. Thus keeping the letter of the law we miss the intent. Are we becoming like Duryodhana, Dhritrashtra and Bhishma? They followed the law that could do whatever to their slave and yet disrobed their own daughter-in-law in front of everyone?

It was the rule of the "Raghukul" which Rama followed and went to exile. It was also the law of the land for the king to have a wife of remarkable reputation. Since a lowly citizen of Rama Rajya raised a finger on Sita's reputation, a pregnant lady was sent to the forest. Was following the rule right?

Rama followed his father's request and went to exile. This way he not only creates an empire but also cleanse the earth of the unruly asuras. Bhishma also follos his father's wish and creates a dynasty that led the whole India to the most bloody war. Following your father's wish or command is a rule. Is this rule right?

Rules are helpful in taming the desires and ambitions of the mighty over the meek. They help the meek to survive. But aren't they also hampering the free will of the mighty? Could be the mighty may provide a net new way of leading the life? An interesting comment from Devdutt Pattaik is "Rules don't make Ram Rajya. Rules make tamed animals".

I believe the principle is more important than the law or the rule itself.

The hindu dharma – based on the Vedic literature talks about principles and not rules or rituals or laws. The biblical, judeo-islamic cultures however, do talk of the set of rules dictated by the god himself or his messenger. I, in no way am qualified to question the righteousness of any of the rules. But understanding the principle and the circumstances that led to the rule will make it easy to follow whatever you want.