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Line 18: − − === Vasudeva Kutumbakam (WORLD IS ONE FAMILY) === − Though it is natural that for historical, cultural civilizational, linguistic reasons there had always been many nations/states, the basic philosophy that all living beings are children of God is deep rooted. Therefore, anyone who considered some one as his own and others not as his own, was dubbed as petty minded. This value is expressed in the '''Hitopadesha'''. − − '''v;a fut% ijks osfr x.kuk y?kqpsrlkeà mnkjpfjrkuka rq olq/kSo dqVqEcdeÃA''' − − Those who think "He is mine", "He is not", are petty minded". Those who are large hearted regard the world as one family.''' "''' − − If the people constituting different nations understand this value, and act ill that spirit, there will be friendly and harmonious relationship among the nations of the world, and the enormous defence budget of all the nations can be drastically reduced and humanity will enjoy greater happiness. − 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. − This aspect has been forcefully brought forth by the Supreme Court in the case of Pradeep Jain Vs. Union of India (A.I.R. 1984 S.C. 1420), while expounding the basis which has made the people living in this vast sub-continent a nation, in the following words: − 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 Moghul 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. − Thus, it is the samskriti (culture) which was evolved in this country from times immemorial which not only welded the people of this country into a nation but also made it invincible and consequently the country has survived, despite all sorts of onslaughts to which it was subjected to from time to time during the last nearly one thousand years. − Sarvajna Narayana in his "Hitopadesha" (words of wisdom) in his inimitable style expounds the distinction between human beings and animals and says that man's legitimate claim to superiority over the animals would be valid only if he conforms to Dharma. The verse reads:<blockquote>"'''vkgkjfunzkHk;eSFkquapA lkekU;esrr i'kqfHkuZjk.kkeà /keksZ fg rs"kkef/kdks fo'ks"kks /kesZ.k ghuk% i'kqfHkLlekuk%AA''' − − "</blockquote><blockquote>"Consumption of food, sleep, fear, and enjoyment of sex are common to man and animal. But, 'Dharma' is a special attribute of man. Bereft of 'Dharma', man is equal to animal.Therefore everyone should conform to dharma (right conduct). Otherwise he is no better than an animals. − "</blockquote>With this backgroupd if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharat which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is Manava Dharma, also now coloquially called Hindu dharma, which is the name given by those belonging to Islam religion who came to this land around 1000 A.D. ; in view of its origin in this land; which they called Hindustan. 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 : − 1. Everyone should tell the truth; 2. No one should indulge in violence against other living beings; 3. No one should acquire illegitimate wealth; 4. Every one should establish control over his senses; 5. There should be purity in thought, speech and deed; 6. Everyone should render service to other individuals; 7. Every one should eschew selfishness and greed. 8. 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. − Ingraining these values, in every individual through education is the only solution to the evil which the world including our country 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: − "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". − 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. − 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. − A careful study of the provisions of the Constitution shows that the broadest philosophy essential for peaceful co-existence of all the citizens evolved from times immemorial in this ancient land of ours as also the requirement of fostering and ensuring feeling of fraternity among the people and unity and the integrity of the nation, has been given top priority in the constitution. These objectives among others, are summed up in the preamble. It reads: − We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a (sovereign socialist, secular democratic republic) and also to secure to all its citizens; Justice, social, economic, political, liberty of thought, expression, belief faith and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all; Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individuals and the unity and integrity of the Nation. − It is the same dharma, which is colloquially called Hindu Dharma or Hinduism just as Bharat is called Hindustan, which has inspired us not to opt for a theocratic state, Just as Rule of Law is said to be the sworn enemy of caprice, Dharma or Hinduism is the sworn enemy of theocracy. It is in view of the sway of Dharma that Secularism has been made one of the elements of the basic structure of our constitution. despite Islamic states established in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Therefore, it is clear that so long as Dharma has sway, Secularism survives and it gets destroyed the moment Dharma loses its primacy. − Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharma" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole. Line 285:
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Values Based On Dharma (धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:57, 1 July 2020
, 19:57, 1 July 2020→Vasudeva Kutumbakam (WORLD IS ONE FAMILY): arranging content - to be edited
The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharath has been that though attempts were made and are being made, by some deliberately, and by others out of ignorance and/or under Western influence, to destroy all our values evolved from ancient times which are the basis of our nationalism they have not been successful in destroying our National Vitality and identity. Our Nationalism, has withstood both political and social onslaughts on it, for several centuries as it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.
The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharath has been that though attempts were made and are being made, by some deliberately, and by others out of ignorance and/or under Western influence, to destroy all our values evolved from ancient times which are the basis of our nationalism they have not been successful in destroying our National Vitality and identity. Our Nationalism, has withstood both political and social onslaughts on it, for several centuries as it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.
== The Country ==
== The Country ==
Swami Vivekananda recounted that renunciation and service have been our main national ideals. In this regard he said:<blockquote>''The National ideals of India are renunciation and service. Intensify her in those channels, and the rest will take care of itself.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The Indian nation cannot be killed. Deathless it stands, and it will stand so long as that spirit shall remain as the background, so long as her people do not give up their adhyatmikata.''</blockquote><blockquote>''Aye, a glorious destiny, my brethern, as far back as the days of the Upanishads we have thrown the challenge to the world''</blockquote><blockquote>''न धनेन न प्रजया त्यागेनैक अमृतत्त्वमश्नुः | na dhanena na prajayā tyāgenaika amr̥tattvamaśnuḥ |'' </blockquote><blockquote>''Meaning: Not by wealth, not by progeny, but by renunciation alone immortality is reached'.'' </blockquote><blockquote>''Race after race has taken the challenge up, and tried their utmost to solve the world-riddle on the plane of desires. They have all failed in the past –the old ones have become extinct under the weight of wickedness and misery, which lust for power and gold brings in its train, and the new ones are tottering to their fall. The question has yet to be decided whether peace will survive or war; whether patience will survive or non-forbearance; whether goodness will survive or wickedness; whether muscle will survive or brain; whether worldliness will survive or adhyatmikata.''</blockquote><blockquote>''This is the theme of Indian life-work, the burden of her eternal song, the backbone of her existence, the foundation of her being, the raison d'etre of her very existence –the spirituaization of human race. In this her life course she has never deviated whether the Tartar ruled or the Turk, whether the Moghuls ruled or the English". (India and Her Problems - pp.lO, 12-13)''</blockquote>We have to resurrect this ideal.
Swami Vivekananda recounted that renunciation and service have been our main national ideals. In this regard he said:<blockquote>''The National ideals of India are renunciation and service. Intensify her in those channels, and the rest will take care of itself.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The Indian nation cannot be killed. Deathless it stands, and it will stand so long as that spirit shall remain as the background, so long as her people do not give up their adhyatmikata.''</blockquote><blockquote>''Aye, a glorious destiny, my brethern, as far back as the days of the Upanishads we have thrown the challenge to the world''</blockquote><blockquote>''न धनेन न प्रजया त्यागेनैक अमृतत्त्वमश्नुः | na dhanena na prajayā tyāgenaika amr̥tattvamaśnuḥ |'' </blockquote><blockquote>''Meaning: Not by wealth, not by progeny, but by renunciation alone immortality is reached'.'' </blockquote><blockquote>''Race after race has taken the challenge up, and tried their utmost to solve the world-riddle on the plane of desires. They have all failed in the past –the old ones have become extinct under the weight of wickedness and misery, which lust for power and gold brings in its train, and the new ones are tottering to their fall. The question has yet to be decided whether peace will survive or war; whether patience will survive or non-forbearance; whether goodness will survive or wickedness; whether muscle will survive or brain; whether worldliness will survive or adhyatmikata.''</blockquote><blockquote>''This is the theme of Indian life-work, the burden of her eternal song, the backbone of her existence, the foundation of her being, the raison d'etre of her very existence –the spirituaization of human race. In this her life course she has never deviated whether the Tartar ruled or the Turk, whether the Moghuls ruled or the English". (India and Her Problems - pp.lO, 12-13)''</blockquote>We have to resurrect this ideal.
=== Vasudeva Kutumbakam (WORLD IS ONE FAMILY) ===
Though it is natural that for historical, cultural civilizational, linguistic reasons there had always been many nations/states, the basic philosophy that all living beings are children of God is deep rooted. Therefore, anyone who considered some one as his own and others not as his own, was dubbed as petty minded. This value is expressed in the '''Hitopadesha'''.<blockquote>अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् | उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ||</blockquote><blockquote>''ayaṁ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām | udāracaritānāṁ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ||''</blockquote>Meaning: Those who think "He is mine", "He is not", are petty minded". Those who are large hearted regard the world as one family.''' "'''
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 the enormous defence budget of all the nations can be drastically reduced and humanity will enjoy greater happiness.
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.
This aspect has been forcefully brought forth by the Supreme Court in the case of Pradeep Jain Vs. Union of India (A.I.R. 1984 S.C. 1420), while expounding the basis which has made the people living in this vast sub-continent a nation, in the following words:<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 Moghul 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 samskriti (culture) which was evolved in this country from times immemorial which not only welded the people of this country into a nation but also made it invincible and consequently the country has survived, despite all sorts of onslaughts to which it was subjected to from time to time during the last nearly one thousand years.
Sarvajna Narayana in his "Hitopadesha" (words of wisdom) in his inimitable style expounds the distinction between human beings and animals and says that man's legitimate claim to superiority over the animals would be valid only if he conforms to Dharma. The verse reads:<blockquote>आहारनिद्राभयमैथुनञ्च सामान्यमेतत् पशुभिर्नराणाम् | धर्मो हि तेषामधिको विशेषो धर्मेण हीनाः पशुभिस्समानाः ||</blockquote><blockquote>''āhāranidrābhayamaithunañca sāmānyametat paśubhirnarāṇām | dharmo hi teṣāmadhiko viśeṣo dharmeṇa hīnāḥ paśubhissamānāḥ ||''</blockquote>Meaning: Consumption of food, sleep, fear, and enjoyment of physical pleasure are common to man and animal. But, 'Dharma' is a special attribute of man. Bereft of 'Dharma', man is equal to animal.
Therefore everyone should conform to dharma (right conduct). Otherwise he is no better than an animals."
== Synopsis ==
With this backgroud if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharat which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is Manava Dharma, also now coloquially called Hindu dharma, which is the name given by those belonging to Islam religion who came to this land around 1000 A.D. ; in view of its origin in this land; which they called Hindustan. 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
# No one should indulge in violence against other living beings
# No one should acquire illegitimate wealth
# Every one should establish control over his senses
# There should be purity in thought, speech and deed;
# Everyone should render service to other individuals;
# Every one should eschew selfishness and greed.
# 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.
Ingraining these values, in every individual through education is the only solution to the evil which the world including our country 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.
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.
A careful study of the provisions of the Constitution shows that the broadest philosophy essential for peaceful co-existence of all the citizens evolved from times immemorial in this ancient land of ours as also the requirement of fostering and ensuring feeling of fraternity among the people and unity and the integrity of the nation, has been given top priority in the constitution. These objectives among others, are summed up in the preamble. It reads:<blockquote>''We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a (sovereign socialist, secular democratic republic) and also to secure to all its citizens; Justice, social, economic, political, liberty of thought, expression, belief faith and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all; Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individuals and the unity and integrity of the Nation.''</blockquote>It is the same dharma, which is colloquially called Hindu Dharma or Hinduism just as Bharat is called Hindustan, which has inspired us not to opt for a theocratic state, Just as Rule of Law is said to be the sworn enemy of caprice, Dharma or Hinduism is the sworn enemy of theocracy. It is in view of the sway of Dharma that Secularism has been made one of the elements of the basic structure of our constitution. despite Islamic states established in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Therefore, it is clear that so long as Dharma has sway, Secularism survives and it gets destroyed the moment Dharma loses its primacy.
Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharma" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole.
== धर्ममूलानि ॥ Fundamentals of Dharma<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> ==
== धर्ममूलानि ॥ Fundamentals of Dharma<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> ==