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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Based on 'Dharma' and the doctrine of Trivarga, certain basic values of life were evolved and sustained with great care ad perseverance through out the history of Bharat. These values were intended to ensure the good and happiness of all, not only in this land but in the entire world. This culture constitutes our rich heritage and wealth which is more valuable than all the material wealth of the world. Further it is this culture which has established unity in diversity and it is this cultural bond which has welded the people of this Land into a Nation.

Based on 'Dharma' and the doctrine of Trivarga, certain basic values of life were evolved and sustained with great care and perseverance through out the history of Bharat. These values were intended to ensure the good and happiness of all, not only in this land but in the entire world. This culture constitutes our rich heritage and wealth which is more valuable than all the material wealth of the world. Further it is this culture which has established unity in diversity and it is this cultural bond which has welded the people of this Land into a Nation.

The most essential factors that constitute a basis for the formation of or bringing into existence a Nation are,

The most essential factors that constitute a basis for the formation of or bringing into existence a Nation are,

This aspect is highlighted by Swami Vivekananda, the harbinger of our National renaissance. He says, <blockquote>''"If any nation attempts to throw off its National vitality, the direction which has become its own through the transmission of centuries, that Nation dies, if it succeeds in the attempt."'' </blockquote>The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharat has been that all our values that are the basis of our nationalism, have withstood the test of time over several centuries. Such sustenance of the National Vitality and identity has been possible because it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.<ref name=":2" />  

This aspect is highlighted by Swami Vivekananda, the harbinger of our National renaissance. He says, <blockquote>''"If any nation attempts to throw off its National vitality, the direction which has become its own through the transmission of centuries, that Nation dies, if it succeeds in the attempt."'' </blockquote>The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharat has been that all our values that are the basis of our nationalism, have withstood the test of time over several centuries. Such sustenance of the National Vitality and identity has been possible because it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.<ref name=":2" />  

== The Country ==

== राष्ट्रभक्तिः ॥ Love for Motherland<ref name=":2" /> ==

As far as the first aspect is concerned, all our ancient literature gave respectful description of the country and its special features. The second chapter of Manu Smriti gives the description of different parts of our mother land.

In his book "Fundamental Unity of India", Dr. Radha Kumud Mukherjee says that the name Bharatavarsha is not a mere geographical expression having only a physical reference. It has a deep historical significance symbolising a fundamental unity. He says, <blockquote>''"The Rigveda, one of the oldest literary records of humanity, reveals conscious and fervent attempts made by the rishis, those profoundly wise organisers of Hindu polity and culture, to visualise the unity of their mother-country, nay, to transfigure mother earth into a living deity and enshrine her in the loving heart of the worshipper.''"</blockquote>Thus, there has been a familial attachment between the territory of Bharata and the people. In fact it is equated to the attachment of an individual to his mother which is the highest, as the mother is the dearest. This emotional attachment is depicted in the following verse :<blockquote>न मे वांछास्ति यशसि विद्वत्वे न च वा सुखे | प्रभुत्वे नैव वा स्वर्गे मोक्षेऽप्यानंददायके ||</blockquote><blockquote>परं तु भारते जन्म मानवस्य च वा पशोः | विहंगस्य च वा जन्तोः वृक्षपाषाणयोरपि ||</blockquote><blockquote>''na me vāṁchāsti yaśasi vidvatve na ca vā sukhe | prabhutve naiva vā svarge mokṣe'pyānaṁdadāyake ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''paraṁ tu bhārate janma mānavasya ca vā paśoḥ | vihaṁgasya ca vā jantoḥ vr̥kṣapāṣāṇayorapi ||''</blockquote>Meaning: I am not enamoured of fame, knowledge, luxuries of life, power, or heaven or Moksha, but my desire is to have rebirth in Bharata, as a human being or as an animal or as a bird, or as an insect or at least as a stone.

This concept of love for the motherland among the citizens is the very foundation of every nation. This feeling makes every citizen patriotic and makes him remain loyal to the nation not only in its prosperity but also in its adversity and to dedicate himself to the service of the Nation and offer great sacrifices for the welfare and happiness of the people.

The country which is created by God, which lies between the two sacred rivers, Saraswathi and Drishadvati, is called Brahmavarta.

Kurukshetra, Matsya, Panchala and Shurasena are the regions which go by the name of Brahmarshi Desha.

The country to the north of which lie the Himalaya mountains, and to the South of which are the Vindhya Mountains and to the east of which there is an area called Vinashana in which area the river Saraswati is hidden and to the West of which is Prayag, is called Madhya Desha.

The area which is surrounded by the sea in the east and in which the mountain ranges are located, is called Aryavartna.

This is exemplified by none other than Rama himself. It is said that after the defeat of Ravana in the war, Rama's younger brother Lakshmana appears to have told Rama that, instead of returning to Ayodhya, the place where they were insulted and from which they were driven out, they could as well become the rulers of Lanka which was a rich country. Then Rama replied thus,<blockquote>अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते | जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ||</blockquote><blockquote>''api svarṇamayī laṅkā na me lakṣmaṇa rocate | jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī ||''</blockquote>Meaning: May be, Lakshmana, Lanka is full of gold. But one's mother and the motherland are greater than Heaven.

 

 

In this country, there is great accumulation of knowledge and people from allover the world come here to secure, knowledge from the learned scholars.

 

 

 

The other seven main chains of Mountains (in Bharata Varsha) are, Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktimat, Riksha, Vindhya and Paripatra.

 

 

This is the same feeling one has in this country towards his mother expressed in the words "Even if I have seven rebirths let me have you as my mother". Probably emotional attachment cannot be placed higher than this.

This concept of love for the motherland among the citizens is the very foundation of every nation. This feeling makes every citizen patriotic and makes him remain loyal to the nation not only in its prosperity but also in its adversity and to dedicate himself to the service of the Nation and offer great sacrifices for the welfare and happiness of the people.

There is an ever shining example of love and affection motherland exhibited by Raffia, the great hero of the Ramayana which is expressed in a popular Sanskrit verse. The occasion was this. After the defeat of Ravana in the war his younger brother Laxmana appears to have told Raffia that, instead of returning to Ayodhya, the place where they were insulted and from which they were driven out, they could as well become the rulers of Lanka which was a rich country then. Raffia replied thus :-

'''vfi Lo.kZe;h yadk u es y{e.k jksprsA tuuh tUeHkwfr'p LoxkZnfi xjh;lhAA'''

Though he had won the war against Ravana and could have easily become the Raja of rich Lanka, Rama decided to go back to Ayodhya being eager to return to the mother and the motherland like a child eager to join its mother after having been separated for a long time. This shows his intense love for his mother and motherland though his coronation was cancelled at the last moment, and he was asked to undergo forest life for fourteen years, and as a result he had suffered great hardship.  

This is the feeling towards motherland developed in this country as one of the values of life which inspires many to make great sacrifices in the service of the people and the motherland. In fact, it is this feeling towards the motherland alone, that preserves and protects our national unity.

This verse gives expression to Raffia's intense love for his mother and motherland though his coronation was cancelled at the last moment, and he was asked to undergo forest life for fourteen years, and as a result he had suffered great hardship. Though he had won the war against Ravana and could have easily become the King of rich Lanka, he decided to go back to Ayodhya being eager to return to the mother and the motherland like a child eager to join its mother after having been separated for a long time. It is well known that however ugly, illiterate or otherwise deficient, one's mother alone is the dearest person. This is the feeling towards motherland developed in this country as one of the values of life which inspires many to make great sacrifices in the service of the people and the motherland.

History has shown that despite the fact that our country was under foreign rule for several centuries, the love for the Country and its people and the deep sense of patriotism remained strong. It is on account of this feeling that the banner of revolt against foreign rule was raised, repeatedly, and, ultimately the nation was successful in overthrowing it. As we all know just two slogans "VANDE MATARAM" and "BHARAT MATA KI JAI" (SALUTATION TO MOTHER INDIA) inspired lakhs of youths to sacrifice their all during the freedom struggle.

This feeling towards the motherland alone preserves and protects our national unity. From this point of view, Bharat Mata should be the murti or vigraha to be adored and worshipped by all the citizens and singing in praise of her should be the common song to

Apart from a study of the history of the Freedom struggle, a visit to the cellular prison in the Andaman Island, will at once make anyone understand the tremendous sacrifice made by the children of Bharat Mata, to break the shackles of slavery by which she was bound. It was our nationalism and love for the country which inspired all of them to make such sacrifices despite the unbearable pains, hardship and suffering which those patriots and members of their family had to undergo.

== Values of Life ==

== Values of Life ==