Lalit Garg
Maharaja Agrasen is remembered among those luminous rulers of Indian culture and history whose glory was not bound by a single era. His people-centric vision became timeless. He enriched not only his subjects but also civilization and culture, making them stronger and more prosperous. His governance was not centered on power, but on humanity and society. He was a karmayogi, a people’s leader, a builder of a balanced socialist order, and a guide who gave humanity a new direction. He was not merely a king of the Agrawal community, but a pioneer of ideal social order, founder of republican principles, worshipper of non-violence, and messenger of peace. At a time when our society is struggling with inequality, violence, selfishness, and political disintegration, his thoughts and principles become all the more relevant.
According to tradition, Maharaja Agrasen, regarded as the forefather of the Agrawal community, was born about 5,150 years ago in the Suryavanshi Kshatriya dynasty, the 34th generation of Lord Ram, in the royal family of King Vallabh of Pratapnagar. At his birth, sage Garg had predicted to King Vallabh that this child would be radiant, would establish a new form of governance, and would be remembered for thousands of years. Indeed, his reign resembled a manifestation of Ramrajya, where his life and vision guided humanity towards greatness. A radiant beacon of his times, his birth anniversary—Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of Navratri—will be observed this year on 22 September 2025.
Agrasen’s rule was based on justice, equality, compassion, and coexistence. He was not only a monarch but also a philosopher and visionary. He lived the principle, “The king is the servant of the people.” His personality evokes memories of Mahavira, Buddha, and Ashoka—the great messengers of peace. Rejecting violence, he made non-violence, cooperation, and collective responsibility the soul of his society. To establish true socialism, he framed a remarkable rule: every citizen of his city would contribute one rupee and one brick to help any newcomer settle and start a livelihood. This not only provided economic support but also fostered fraternity and shared responsibility. In many ways, this system foreshadowed today’s concepts of cooperative societies and corporate social responsibility.
Agrasen’s core message was simple yet profound: lasting happiness lies not in violence but in peace and cooperation. He distanced himself from wars, nurturing instead an atmosphere of harmony and integration. In his order, there was no place for discrimination or social hierarchies. Transparency and honesty were paramount in the economy, and women were accorded dignity and rights. At a time when our society is plagued by corruption, violence, and inequality, Agrasen’s ideals can guide us toward a new path. His republican outlook in politics can restore sanctity to democracy.
Maharaja Agrasen ruled for 108 years. Later, on the advice of his family deity Mahalakshmi, he handed over the reins of the Agreya Republic to his eldest son and withdrew into penance. He believed that progress of individuals, society, and nations rests on four pillars—economic, political, cultural, and social—and his philosophy fortified all four, laying the foundation of a better world. Yet history has largely sidelined his grandeur, reducing him to the patriarch of a single community, though his message was universal.
Born in the Suryavansh, Agrasen was only 15 during the Mahabharata war. When Pandavas invited allies to join their side, King Vallabhsen fought alongside them with his son Agrasen, attaining martyrdom on the 10th day under Bhishma’s arrows. After this, Agrasen took over the kingdom. Skilled in scriptures, politics, economics, and warfare, he later married Princess Madhavi, daughter of King Kumud of the Nagas. He founded the kingdom of Agroha and received blessings from Goddess Lakshmi that his lineage would always remain prosperous as long as they worshipped her. He had 18 sons, giving rise to 18 gotras of the Agrawal community. For Agrasen, society was duty, and religion was integrity. That is why the Agrawal community still practices vegetarianism, non-violence, and faithfulness. He considered dharma the protective armor of politics, believing that without moral strength, weapons and power could not ensure justice. His reign was marked by refinement of the old and creation of the new.
A devastating fire once destroyed much of Agroha, forcing many citizens to disperse across India. Yet they preserved their identity as Agrawals and their 18 gotras, continuing to follow his path of social service. Even today, their contribution to India’s economy and philanthropy is remarkable. Surveys suggest that though barely one percent of the population, Agrawals account for more than 24% of the country’s income tax, 62% of charitable donations, and nearly 25% of overall development. A true tribute to this great ruler would be to name major welfare schemes after him. His Jayanti reminds us that if we wish to create a happy, prosperous, and peaceful society, we must embrace his ideals: wealth is meaningful only when shared, power is noble only when used for collective welfare, and governance succeeds only when it is rooted in justice and compassion. |
