On 16 July 2020, Mr. Z.E. Chan Santokhi took oath as the 9th President of Suriname. Although the ceremony was kept low profile due to Covid-19 restrictions and precautions, this ceremony caught the imagination and attention of Hindus across the globe17 18 including Indian people19 and notably the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. There are noteworthy reasons for people’s interest in this ceremony and it gives hope to Suriname’s citizens for a better future.
The new president’s respect for his traditional values was exhibited through his choice for Vedic mantra-based rituals for his oath taking ceremony. The Indian Prime Minister mentioned the Surinamese President swearing in ceremony in his national address20. In his address, he expressed his reverence towards the unique Vedic swearing in ceremony, by the newly elected Surinamese President.
Many Hindu scriptures including the Vedas mention the dharmic principles (righteousness) of various roles for our society, including the role of rulers. Among many dimensions, these Dhārmika principles provide a guiding ethical framework to rulers. This important aspect of Vedic scriptures guides heads of state and contributes to the well-being of its citizens. The Vedic mantras recited during the Surinamese President’s oath-taking ceremony was a prayer from Agni (demi-god of the fire element) to remain vrataśīla (to be able to do follow the dharma and obligations of one’s role). It was taken from the Yajurveda 1.5 21.
agne vratapate vrataṃ cariṣyāmi tacchakeyaṃ tanme rādhyatām।
idamahamanṛtāt satyamupaimi।।
“O Supreme Force governing the world! You function as per unchangeable laws which remain the same throughout without slightest of deviations. May I also seek inspiration from You to be unflinchingly principled in my life. Thus I resolve to seek truth constantly by eliminating the false from my life every moment to the best of my abilities, intentions and efforts. May I be successful in this noble decision of mine.” Yajurveda 1.5
Due to such occasions we conclude that the Vedas contain wisdom that is relevant for contemporary times too. The choice of Suriname’s President and the first Lady encourages the Indian diaspora to draw inspiration from their roots and be proud of their Indian cultural heritage. It also gives an example of how Vedic wisdom and Indian tradition can be smoothly given a place and adjusted authentically in a multicultural and multi-faith Surinamese society that is home to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and religions and a place for continuous cultural and spiritual enrichment.
Footnotes:
17. Sanātana Dharma outside Bhārata ( https://www.facebook.com/1637190801/posts/10220405081990596/ )
18. Suriname president chandrikapersad santokhi takes oath in sanskrit holding vedas in hand ( https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/suriname-president-chandrikapersad-santokhi-takes-oath-in-sanskrit.html)
19. Surinames indian origin president takes oath in sanskrit holding vedas in hand twitter is amazed ( https://swarajyamag.com/insta/watch-surinames-indian-origin-president-chandrikapersad-santokhi-takes-oath-in-sanskrit-holding-vedas-in-hand )
20. Part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address where he mentions this event, can be watched on youtube
here: https://youtu.be/WP2nyHoM9TQ
21. Yajurveda Verse 1.5, Yajurveda Bhashyam, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, https://www.gkv.ac.in/fwd/yajur-ved.pdf, pp 9.
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