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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. |
− | == 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. | | 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. |
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− | 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. | + | 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. |
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− | 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.
| + | 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 : |
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− | Therefore everyone should conform to dharma (right conduct). Otherwise he is no better than an animals."
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− | 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 | | # 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 |
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| # Every one should eschew selfishness and greed. | | # Every one should eschew 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 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. |
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| Ingraining these values, in every individual through education is the only solution to the evil which the world including our country is now facing. | | Ingraining these values, in every individual through education is the only solution to the evil which the world including our country is now facing. |