Population is not a burden but a blessing of Santanalakshmi

Navratri Swadhyay 6

Economists have highly debated for a century on whether population is an asset or a responsibility. The developing countries were forced to adopt family planning on the grounds of the logic that an uncontrolled, increasing population in the face of limited resources will lead to severe problems. This is part of the racial superiority doctrine of the western nations. The western development paradigm is based on the principles of ‘struggle for existence’ and ‘survival of the fittest’. Numerous sociologists like Herbert Spencer opined that reducing the population of the inferior races is the only means for conserving sufficient resources for the superior European people.

After the Second World War, America started shaping the world according to its own interests, through the international agencies. The American strategist Henry Kissinger proposed a scheme for third world countries in which he wrote about specific methods for the control of their population. He felt that it was imperative to reduce the population of the inferior races by fair or foul measures to ensure the prosperity of the superior white skinned people. Bharat and China were enlisted as main targets. The methods like forced sterilisation (Vasectomy) adopted during Emergency, have been taken verbatim from this Kissinger report. China is now realising the ill effects of ‘small family-happy family’ and its coercive ‘one child’ policy. Debates have started recently in Bharat on the demographic imbalance.

Santanalakshmi is the fifth of the Ashtalakshmi (eight Lakshmis). The future generation is the means of prosperity not only for the family but for the entire society and the nation. Bharat has cherished the eternal tradition of viewing sons and daughters as Lakshmi. There is no gender discrimination in the word Santana, it applies to both son and daughter. Hence, both are included in the eternal blessing ‘Ashta Putra Saubhagyavati bhava’ (May you be blessed with eight children). Evil practices like giving preference to the son, emerged subsequently with the passage of time resulting in some horrendous crimes like female foeticide in some parts of the country. But dedicated efforts have nearly eradicated this evil practice in a decade’s span as it was not endorsed by the basic Samskaras (moral values) of Bharat. States like Rajasthan and Haryana are exemplary for the revolution achieved by schemes like ‘Save the girl child’.

Santanalakshmi is the spiritual embodiment of the principle postulating the population as a means for bringing about prosperity. Santana (progeny) means continuity. Those who bear the responsibility of the continuum of their Sanskriti are the Santana or Santati. Hence, each generation has to be more developed than its preceding generation. The continuous development of humanity is made possible by this. If proper education, skills and opportunities are ensured, then population becomes a valuable asset and not an encumbrance.

Now, after stumbling awkwardly, the entire world is realising the wisdom of this concept. The original population has reduced so dramatically that incentives are being provided to produce more children in many western countries. This is becoming more difficult due to the decadence of the institutions of marriage and family there. On the other hand, the population of fanatics allowing four marriages is burgeoning in a porcine manner. A number of countries in Europe are on the verge of being engulfed by this onslaught. Antagonism against this matter is aflame on the streets in France, England, Italy and various other places.

As long as each family in a monogamous, civilised society does not have three children, the population will remain disproportionate. The scientists statistically recommend a minimum total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 per woman for proper replacement. Most of the educated families in Bharat have got confined to 1 or 2 children in the present scenario. On the other hand, more number of children are being engendered in the economically deprived communities. This is leading to communal and economic imbalance. Hence, promoting ‘three child family’ at every level has become a pressing exigency.

The fundamental question is mindset of the society. The situation cannot improve as long as the thought of regarding the population as a burden prevails. A large population is not only a responsibility but a resource. The challenge of feeding a population of 140 crores will not be a problem if we can provide a strong determination, skills and opportunities to the productive capacity of 280 crore hands. We offer this prayer to Santanalakshmi that she should provide the Prasad (offering) in the form of capability and inspiration to the Hindu Rashtra and the eternal Hindu society in deftly handling this important responsibility.

Skandamata is the Goddess of the fifth Navratri. She bears the form of the mother of Shanmukha Skanda who is the chieftain of the army of Devas (deities). In her exotic form, six faced Skanda, Kartikeya rests in the lap of this Goddess riding on the Lion. The objective of the marriage of this Goddess with Bhagwan Shiva was to give birth to the general of the armies of the Devas who would annihilate the Asuras (demons). This illustration is in accordance with today’s topic. The objective of marriage is not enjoyment but to engender noble progeny. This awakening is highly needed in the present age. It is our humble submission that the Goddess Skandamata along with Mother Santanalakshmi again propel the Bharatiya society towards this glorious goal.