Union budget 2024 on 23 july know how was the tax and economy in vedas Mahabharata and Ramayana period

Union Budget 2024: Money is used in abundance in the operation and maintenance of every state. To earn this money, the income of taxes levied by the government, the amount given by the kings etc. is accumulated in the treasury of the state. This money is spent on the development of the state and other programs related to it. We can call this the budget of ancient times.

The main objective of the budget is to collect taxes from the public in a fair and equitable manner which is beneficial for the development of the state. The same description is also found in the Mahabharata. There is a detailed discussion about budget, tax, finance and salary in the Mahabharata.

According to Mahabharata Shanti Parva 92.11, according to Rajdharma, the king should take all economic matters into his own hands.

According to Mahabharata Shanti Parva 120.33–55, a wise king should take money from his subjects only when needed (Tax at the end of the financial year only). He should not reveal his policy of collecting wealth to anyone. The money that is saved from protecting the state should be spent on religious and consumption activities. A shastra-knowledgeable and intelligent king should not spend even the money from the treasury’s reserves. Even if he gets a little money, he should not despise it. Rather, he should understand his nature and condition with his intelligence and should never trust the foolish.

The king should collect tax (money) from his subjects while being gracious to them. Knowledge, penance and abundant wealth – all these can be obtained through industries (Big Industries and Corporates). Therefore, industries should be considered as the only sufficient means for the accomplishment of all tasks. The king should always suppress the greedy man by giving him something, because a greedy man is never satisfied with the wealth of others.

According to Mahabharata Shanti Parva 80.24-

Sa te vidyat param mantram prakriti charthdharmayoah.

Meaning- He is entitled to know your best secret mantras and the nature of Dharma and Artha (Natures have been described to be of three types- Artha Prakriti, Dharma Prakriti and Artha-Dharmaprakriti. Out of these, many things come under Artha-Prakriti- agriculture, commerce, fort, bridge, place to tie elephants in the forest, mines of metals like gold-silver, tax collection and settling of deserted places. Besides these, the seven natures which are Durgaadhyaksha, Klaadhyaksha, Dharma-Adhyaksha, Senapati, Priest, Vaidya and Astrologer, out of these ‘Dharmaadhyaksha’ is Dharma Prakriti and the remaining six come under Artha-Dharma Prakriti).

According to Mahabharata Van Parva 150.43, Hanuman Ji advises Bhima that financial matters should be handled by an Arthashastri (We call it Finance minister in today’s world). According to Adi Parva 100.38-39, Bhishma Pitamah was proficient in Arthashastra. According to Adi Parva 63.112, Shakuni and Gandhari were also proficient in Arthashastra.

There are many mantras in Vedas which indirectly discuss economics and budget: –

Ime Bhoja Angiraso Virupa Divasputraso Asurasya Veerah.

Vishwamitray Dadato Madhani Sahastrasave Pra Tirant Ayu:॥ (Rigveda 3.52.7)

Meaning-O King! Just as the life force maintains the body, similarly, those who are ready to nurture the people, who are well versed in the art of war, who are as powerful as the wind, who destroy the enemies, who are the creators of innumerable wealth and prosperity, who are friends of the whole world, who give away their greatest wealth for the welfare of society and who violate the normal human nature (the nature of being attached only to the family), they are the ones who deserve to be protected respectfully by you (It has been said in this mantra that one should treat the people equally so that the rich do not oppress the poor).

Adya Chinnu Chit Tadpo Nadeena Yadabhyo Ardo Gatumindra.
Neither mountain adyasado nor sedustvaya dulhani sukrato rajansi. (Rigveda 60.30.3)

Meaning- O King who is as radiant as the Sun and knows the best of noble deeds! Just as the Sun attracts the earth and rains the water obtained from the rivers by its attraction, similarly you should shower (use) the wealth obtained from the subjects for their benefit. Just as the Sun holds the worlds in its circumference, the protectors, subjects and kings are situated in your holding power.

Varethe agnimatpo anti vadate vanavatraye vamavah. (Rigveda 8.73.8)

Meaning- O King and Minister Ashvidya! Both of you speak sweet and good words and remove the fire of hunger, thirst etc. which is burning the orphan children. This great task is worth doing in your kingdom.

The city of Ayodhya of the Ramayana period or say the entire Kosal region was an ideal state. It is obvious that the arrangements there must have been made for the welfare of the people and the state. In the fifth and sixth cantos of the Balakand of Valmiki Ramayana, the splendor of Ayodhya city during the Dasharatha period is described. Let us have a glimpse of what was the source of the immense wealth found in Ayodhya:–

Samantraj Sagheshcha Balikarma Bhiravrutam.
Nandeshnivasaishcha vanigbhirupashobhitam..14.

(Valmiki Ramayana Balakand 5.14)

Meaning:-The feudal kings who paid taxes always lived there to keep it rich. Vaishyas from different countries added to the beauty of that city.

Take a look at the second glimpse:-

Ten Satyabhisandhen Trivarga Manutishtha.
Palita Ta Puri Shrestha Indrenavamravati..5..

(Valmiki Ramayana Bal Kand 6.5)

Meaning:- While performing the rituals of Dharma, Artha and Kama and fulfilling the karmas, that great king of truth ruled Ayodhya in the same way as Indra ruled Amravati. When Ram was performing Ashwamedha Yagna, take a look at the condition of his kingdom: –

Koshsangrahane yukta balasya cha parigrahe. Ahitam Chapi Purusham Na Hinsyurvidhushakam..11.

(Valmiki Ramayana Uttara Kand 7.11)

That is, the people of that department were always engaged in the accumulation of treasury and gathering of a four-fold army. Even if the enemy had not committed a crime, they did not commit violence against him. It means that those who kept the economy there in order were working without any fault.

अन्तरपानीवीथियाश्च सर्वेच नात नर्तकाः. सुदा नार्यश्च बहवो नित्यं यूवनशालीनः।।22.

(Valmiki Ramayana Uttara Kand)

Meaning:- Ramji had ordered that markets should be set up at various places on the route of the Ashvamedha ceremony for buying and selling essential commodities. Its promoters, merchants and businessmen should also travel. Along with this, actors, dancers and youth should also travel. In the Ramayana era, kings did not indulge in corruption by taking taxes, which many people do these days: –

According to Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kand 6.11: –

Sumhan Nath Bhavet Tasya Tu Bhupatah. Yo Hared Balishadbhagam Na Cha Rakshati Putravat. 11.

Meaning:- A king who takes one-sixth of his subjects’ income in the form of money and does not protect his subjects like a son, has to be a party to a great sin.

All these point towards a healthy and conscious economy. We hope that the Union Budget coming on 23 July 2024 will also be beneficial for the people of India.

Also read: Budget 2024: How will the budget be for farmers, technology, medical and religious sectors, know from the influence of planets