“However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad.” — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
As India celebrates another Constitution Day, the nation does not merely celebrate a legal document; it celebrates the codification of a civilizational ethos that has thrived for millennia. The Bharatiya civilization has arguably been the original laboratory of democratic thought—from the ancient Sabhas and Samitis of the Vedic era to the Anubhava Mantapa of the 12th century. These were not just administrative bodies but manifestations of a culture that valued dialogue (Samvad) and consensus.
When the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution in 1949, it did not replace these values; it institutionalized them. To “Be Good to the Constitution” in 2025 is to recognize that our modern democratic duties are deeply rooted in this heritage. It is a call to move from being passive beneficiaries of rights to active guardians of the Republic.
Civilizational roots of constitution
The civilization of a nation is profoundly and directly linked to the conscious responsibilities and duties of its citizenry. A nation’s progress and the quality of its societal fabric are not solely determined by its government, but rather constitute a reflection of the collective actions, ethics, and engagement of its populace.
The Constitution of India did not invent values for civilian society in the independent India; rather, it articulated a profound vision that was already inherent. It codified the civilizational basis of Dharma into the Rule of Law. It distilled the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam into Fraternity. The genius of the Indian Constitution resides in its four core pillars, which serve as the moral compass of the Nationhood.
It is imperative to reflect upon the fundamental civilizational values and their intrinsic link with constitutional values, as this forms a prerequisite for comprehending and consciously endeavoring to embody them as a citizen. A comparative analysis of the Preamble’s ideals with corresponding civilizational values, supported by germane verses from Sanskrit texts, is presented below.
“We, the People”
The preamble’s invocation of “We the People” is often viewed through the lens of Western liberalism. However, research into civilization reveals that the Constitution’s core pillars—Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity—are modern manifestations of the continuum of its civilizational traditions. For instance, the democratic spirit was vibrant in the Sabhas and Samitis of the Vedic era and the Anubhava Mantapa of the 12th century, which prioritized consensus over command. The Constituent Assembly did not start ab initio but drew upon its enduring civilization’s value-based civic life. The core substance of these concepts is rooted in India’s intellectual tradition, prioritizing a sovereign, value-based, and well-being-oriented nationhood, profoundly articulated in foundational scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Epics. When Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly crafted the Constitution, their work went beyond a mere legal framework; it was the formal embodiment of the civilizational values and aspirations, “Samgacchadhvam” (Let us walk together), transforming this profound prayer into the supreme law of the nation.
| Preamble Ideal | Sanskrit Verse | Source |
| Unity & Democracy | सं गच्छध्वं सं वदध्वं सं वो मनांसि जानताम् Sam gacchadhvam sam vadadhvam sam vo manamsi janatam | Rig Veda 10.191.2 |
| Sovereignty (Republic) | त्वां विशो वृणतां राज्याय Tvam visho vrinatam rajyaya | Atharva Veda 3.4.2 |
The Preamble attributes sovereign power to the collective entity designated as “The People.” This explicitly articulates the fundamental principle of collectivity and the concept of a collective consciousness. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar astutely warned that in the absence of Fraternity, Liberty and Equality would remain merely superficial concepts. Fraternity embodies the “We” inherent in “We the People.” Further, the phrase “We the People” is a moral contract. It implies that the sovereignty of India is not just the responsibility of the soldier at the border but the citizen within the economy. To be good to democracy today requires a commitment to Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance). A nation dependent on others for its critical needs compromises its sovereignty.
Justice (Nyaya) – Social, Economic, Political
The Preamble’s “Justice” is a modern application of Dharma and Ritam (Cosmic Order/Truth).
| Preamble Ideal | Sanskrit Verse | Source |
| Justice: Social Welfare | सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah | Brihadaranyaka Upanishad |
| Truth as Justice | सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं Satyameva Jayate nanritam | Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.6 |
Liberty (Swatantrata)
The provision for “Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship” facilitates the existence of a pluralistic society. This further underscores the necessity of equally respecting and accommodating every belief, faith, and form of worship.
| Preamble Ideal | Sanskrit Verse | Source |
| Liberty of Faith | एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti | Rig Veda 1.164.46 |
| Freedom of Thought | आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः Aa no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishvatah | Rig Veda 1.89.1 |
Equality (Samata)
The Preamble assures “Equality of status and of opportunity.” This strikes at the heart of any discrimination, resonating with that declared spiritual and social equality.
| Preamble Ideal | Sanskrit Verse | Source |
| Equality | अज्येष्ठासो अकनिष्ठास एते सं भ्रातरो वावृधुः सौभगाय Ajyesthaso akanishthasa ete sam bhrataro vavridhuh saubhagaya | Rig Veda 5.60.5 |
| Universal Oneness | ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं… Isha vasyam idam sarvam… | Isha Upanishad, Verse 1 |
Fraternity (Bandhuta) : The glue of the nation
The Constitution aims to promote Fraternity to ensure the “dignity of the individual.” This reflects the concept of universal family and shared heart.
| Preamble Ideal | Sanskrit Verse | Source |
| Fraternity | सहृदयं सांमनस्यमविद्वेषं कृणोमि वः Sahridayam sammanasyam avidvesham krinomi vah | Atharva Veda 3.30.1 |
| Global Family | वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam | Maha Upanishad 6.72 |
Constitution Day of India 2025
On the eve of the 76th Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas), it is imperative for Indian citizens to move beyond passive adherence to the Constitution toward active “Constitutional Morality.” It argues that the Indian Constitution is not merely a colonial handover but a modern codification of civilizational values—specifically Dharma (Duty), Samvad (Dialogue), and Antyodaya (Welfare of the last person). By analyzing substantial examples from 2024-2025, including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and indigenous defense sovereignty, this research illustrates how “Being Good to the Constitution” equates to reinforcing national sovereignty and self-reliance (Atmanirbharta).
The Indian Constitution institutionalizes the nation’s ancient civilizational ethos, not merely adopting a foreign legal framework. Its pillars—Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity—are modern expressions of deep-seated values like Dharma and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar cautioned that a Constitution is only as good as the people who execute it. “Being good” to the Constitution isn’t just about celebrating it once a year; it is about Constitutional Morality. This means adhering to the core norms of the Constitution—not just legally, but in spirit—in our daily lives. To truly support the Constitution and strengthen Democracy, we must move from being passive subjects to active citizens.
Written by Dr Amaranadha Reddy Manchuri PhD. CEO, Director (R&D) of VIRAT Integral R&D Foundation
