Throughout history, chairs, seats and thrones are not just furniture, but symbols of special roles, power and authority. Deities are often depicted upon thrones. In the Bible, God is “seated on high” upon a heavenly throne and the risen Christ is “seated on the throne of his glory” and “at the right hand of God”. According to the Ramayana, when Kaikeyi wanted her son, Bharat, to sit on the throne instead of the exiled Ram, Bharat was aghast and tried his best to coerce Ram into returning to Ayodhya as king. Upon Ram’s refusal, Bharat begged of Ram to give him his padukas (sandals), which he placed at the foot of the throne to announce that it was Ram, not he, who was actually ruling. In Jesus’ time, seats were assigned according to socio-religious hierarchies.
Today, Catholics celebrate the feast of “St. Peter’s Chair” signifying acceptance of papal primacy and authority. With Jesus’ declaration to Apostle Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church… whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth,” it’s believed that Jesus desired that the successors of Peter — the popes — would exercise servant-authority over the Church. Being a chairperson or elected to occupy a political seat is, indeed, an honour. Simultaneously, it also brings great responsibility. It’s okay to aspire for some chair or to aim to occupy some seat. However, as one moves higher up in hierarchies, it’s good to remind oneself that one must also bend down to serve others. With servant-leaders, Einstein’s words will ring true: Those seated at tables and upon chairs will live fruitful lives — sweet as the symphony of a hundred violins.
