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If the people constituting different nations understand this value, and act in that spirit, there will be friendly and harmonious relationship among the nations of the world and humanity will enjoy greater happiness.

If the people constituting different nations understand this value, and act in that spirit, there will be friendly and harmonious relationship among the nations of the world and humanity will enjoy greater happiness.

== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis ==

== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis ==

Thus our national stream continued to flow even during foreign rule, because for us national idealism was primary, and statehood, political power was secondary. It is through this cultural bond that we the people of this country became a nation and are surviving as a nation.

All the values of life evolved in this land of Bharata are collectively called Dharma or Sanatana Dharma. And their practice gave rise to culture ie. 'Bharatiya Samskrti' that also came to be known later, as Hinduism for historical reasons. And it is through the cultural bond that the people of Bharata became a Nation and are surviving as a Nation. Because, in Bharata, national idealism was primary. This aspect has been brought forth even by the apex court in India, the Supreme Court. While expounding the basis which has made the people living in this vast sub-continent a nation, it says,<blockquote>The history of India over the past centuries bears witness to the fact that India was at no time a single political unit. Even during the reign of the Maurya dynasty, though a large part of the country was under the sovereignty of the Maurya kings, there were considerable portions of the territory which were under the rule of independent kingdoms. So also during the Mughal rule which extended over large parts of the territory of India, there were independent rulers who enjoyed political sovereignty over the territories of their respective kingdoms. It is an interesting fact of history that India was forged into a nation neither on account of common language nor on account of the continued existence of a single political regime over its territories but on account of a common culture evolved over the centuries. It is cultural unity - something more fundamental and enduring than any other bond which may unite the people of a country together - which has welded this country into a nation.</blockquote>Thus, it is the samskrti (culture) which was evolved in this country from times immemorial that not only welded the people of this country into a nation but also made it invincible. And consequently, the country has survived despite all odds.

With this background if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharata which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is indeed Manava Dharma and not a religion. The instructions in these values such as

 

With this background if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharata which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is Manava Dharma, It is no religion. Instruction in those values would not constitute religious instruction. This position can be made clear by posing the following question: Whether the rules of Dharma that :

# Everyone should tell the truth

# Everyone should tell the truth

# No one should indulge in violence against other living beings

# No one should indulge in violence against other living beings

# No one should acquire illegitimate wealth  

# No one should acquire illegitimate wealth  

# Every one should establish control over his senses

# Everyone should establish control over their senses

# There should be purity in thought, speech and deed;

# There should be purity in thought, speech and deed

# Everyone should render service to other individuals;

# Everyone should render service to other individuals

# Every one should eschew selfishness and greed.  

# Every one should abstain from selfishness and greed.  

# The world should be regarded as one family,

# The world should be regarded as one family

can be regarded as applicable to persons belonging to any particular religion ? The answer must be in the negative. The above values which originated in this country are applicable to all human beings.

can be considered as applicable to all human beings. These great values of life evolved from times immemorial in Bharata are of eternal value and can ingrain in people character and love towards all living beings. It is our rich heritage and should be inculcated in all citizens. Because, ingraining these values in every individual through education is the solution to all the evils which the world including Bharata is now facing.

 

 

The correct approach therefore is that irrespective of the religion to which the citizens of this country belong, arid practice, which they have the right and liberty, the great values of life evolved from times immemorial in this country which are of eternal value and which alone call ingrain character and love towards other human beings and also all the living beings is our rich heritage, should be inculcated in all citizens.

 

All the values of life evolved in this land are collectively called Dharma or Sanatana Dharma and their practice gave rise to our culture, 'the Bharatiya Samskriti' This also came to be known as Hinduism (Hindutva) for historical reasons as stated by Kerry Brown in his celebrated work "The Essential Teachings of Hinduism". He says:<blockquote>''"The term "Hindu" was first used by the medieval Muslim invaders to describe the dwellers of the Indus valley. But the culture we now know as Hinduism and which the Indians call Sanatana Dharma -Eternal law predates that label by thousands of years. It is more than a religion in the doctrinal sense that the west understands religion. One can believe in any God or no God and still be a Hindu. It is away of life, a state of mind".''</blockquote>It is this culture, which comprises our values of life. The resurrection of these values alone provides the remedy for all the ills afflicting our National life as also humanity.

Even in the face of such noble ideals, and large heartedness, of our nation, estrangement was brought about between a section of the people, viz., the Muslims and the rest, on the basis of religious intolerance which ultimately resulted in the division of the country into two nations; Hindustan and Pakistan. This injury inflicted on the nation was the price paid for securing political independence. This proved to be very costly.

It is this culture, which comprises our values of life. The resurrection of these values alone provides the remedy for all the ills afflicting our National life as also humanity.

Despite such unfortunate partition of our Motherland, the deep rooted, unshakable, everlasting principles which are an inseparable part of our civilization and culture, from times immemorial which as indicated earlier is collectively called "Dharma", the people of this part of the country gave secularism a pride of place in our constitution.

Despite such unfortunate partition of our Motherland, the deep rooted, unshakable, everlasting principles which are an inseparable part of our civilization and culture, from times immemorial which as indicated earlier is collectively called "Dharma", the people of this part of the country gave secularism a pride of place in our constitution.