One will be dismissed the spot on if it is argued that Missionaries, Maoists and Muslims (at least the radical ones) have thrived in the propaganda and power-politics of negativity against Hindus and their sentiment. Just like Ram temple resembled the much required Hindu assertion, today many see such a thing even in the name 'Bharat'.
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| AP snap : 2017 London (India vs South Africa match) |
Today there is more to this rechristening or reviving the name itself. The religious minorities in India will never admit that they are the fortunate groups compared to religious minorities in Islamic, European worlds or closer home China. The same champions of 'secularism' in India go into a hole when situation demands questioning the so-called secular credentials of communists China or the Islamic countries. But drop of a hat, the Indian minorities are encouraged by power that be (influencers also from abroad) to raise the bogey of Tolerance.
In other words, Indian minorities have been encouraged by SICKULARISM combine of communists, Congress and casteists to believe that their rights are not complete until and unless Hindus are not insulted.
In two-three stages, Hindus have faced subjugation and utmost challenge to preserve their religion. But much to the chagrin of its self-styled rivals; the Hindu race is the only living human race that has survived from time immemorial and is now perhaps thriving yet again. Winston Churchill had called Muslims 'far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith'.
If sword was used against Hindus by Islamic rulers to convert people 'en masse'; during British colonial period, attempts were multi-fold -- use of power to Christanise the native Hindus and when this was no happening much in many quarters, they opted to 'de-Hindiuse' Indians. Through so-called tools of modernisation and education, the Hindus were encouraged to disrespect their own religion and culture.
Thus, India was modern and progressive and Bharat resembled rural ignorance and ancient superstition. Ridiculous arguments and study reports have been forced to the media and other such fora to link Diwali to fire crackers' fest and how it has damaged the pollution graph. No argument was given why similar pollution problems happen every year in some parts of Pakistan -- in a country that will not celebrate Diwali with the enthusiasts of north Indian cities and towns.
The history of Bharat on the other hand has never seen 'invasion' of other countries. Still, the cultural expansion took place. This happened due to some inherent strengths of Indian teachings. Up to 16th century, that is for 1500 years, the south east Asian countries were dominated by Bharateeya culture.
Garuda Indonesia is the flag carrier of Indonesia and the name is an inspiration from Ramayana.
The Ramayana in Thailand is known as Ramakien, prepared in 1797 under the supervision of (and partly written by) King Rama I. King Rama II adapted parts of his father's version for Khon dance drama.
Refer Bangkok Post
In Cambodia, the epic is known as Reamker or Ramakerti, while on Java, Bali and Sumatra islands it is called Kakawin Ramayana, Ramakavaca and Ramayana Swarnadwipa respectively.
The Philippines celebrates it as Maharadia Lawana. Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay version, while Phra Lak Phra Rama is the national epic in Laos.
In Vietnam, the kings of Annam and Champa symbolise Rama and Ravana respectively. Myanmar calls the Rama story Yama Zatdaw.
Bharat as a Hindu Rashtra:
Some of the terminologies in Hindu scriptures cannot be translated into English with their deeper meaning. According to David Frawley, a longtime India watcher, Hinduism's first formulation is Veda --- not as a belief or faith --- but as a source of Knowledge. Thus, Hinduism can be seen as a religion taken in a broader sense as a means of inner spiritual realisation. And thus it could be free and diverse formulation.
Religion is actually only a western term patterned after Abrahamic monotheistic traditions. Therefore, even the term Rashtra in tradtional India would have a Vedic origin. This principle guides Bharat-varsha --- a land between snow and sea, as stated in Vishnu Purana. This leads to the next stage -- Bharat as a Rashtra as per Hindu thought would also mean 'people'.
The power of people has been so much that even God Ram had to abide by the will of the common people.
In effect take the argument to the next stage, and one can say the 'bonding' makes it a Rashtra --- not the usual divisions of 'us and they'. For hundreds of years this 'bonding' between people has been practiced as a Culture that binds the society together. When it comes to calling Bharat as a nation or even Hindu Rashtra; there's no theocratic state. The idea of discrimination is alien to both Hinduism -- even as a relgion; and also to Bharat as a nation.
No ruler in this country prior to the arrival of Mughals ever thought of discrimination.
Bharat has always encouraged the philosophy that 'everyone has the right to follow his/her path'. There are Muslim and Christian 'swayamsevaks' who attend RSS Shakhas. During Vajpayee era, a report came that even in an RSS camp during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, there was a provision for Muslim swayamseavaks to break the fast called Iftar.
Even recently, an unnerved DMK leaders have tried to circulate a line that Sanatan or Hindutva are linked to casteism. The caste-based discrimination has been a reality and its the worst form of social menace that has survived for a plethora of reasons.
RSS stalwart Guruji Golwalkar had said in 1969 at one of the sessions in Udupi that: "Untouchability has no sanction of Dharma". Among others even Balasaheb Deoras had said, "If untouchability is not a sin then there is no sin in this world". The 'Bharat' of 2023 and beyond should strive to achieve that; and one is saying say knowing it pretty well there will be forces trying to create hurdles for that.
But Bharat-varsha's philosophy always advocated that one stream that can help blow away these menaces is the stream of Knowledge. There are three terms in Knowledge concepts - Darshana, Jnana and Vidya. There have been enough emphasis on Ukti Parampara (oral). Such dissemination of knowledge has survived for ages even among rural folks and women who could not read or write much.
My grand mother belonged to that era of Ukti Parampara. Certain things she told us cousin-gangs as her way of story telling could be developed as a big philosophy about Hindu way of life and teachings. Once Narendra Modi speaking at a river festival function at Ujjain had said that in Hinduism - all kinds of people have been worshipped. Rama was a 'good son', we worship him. Prahalad was a 'bad son' to his demon father Hiranyakashyap - who believed he is god; is also applauded and his stories are also passed on to next generation with respect.
Similarly, once my grand mom had spoken about the value of 'promise' and written/unwritten law in the context of Ramayana. She said everyone including Rama knew - going to exile was 'wrong' and Kaikeya was making only an unjustified demand. But the bigger power lay in the spirit of the saying that 'Pran jae, par bachan na jae' -- meaning is some promises have been made that's to be followed.
If 'Bharat varsha' is 'New India' of the new era and that symbolises the spirit of Ram Rajya. It's not simply glory to Ram. It's also not an utopian nation or society. Ram Rajya actually would mean 'glory to the common people and their wishes'. The King has to bow down before people's wishes. Lord Ram was himself an unhappy prince and even an unhappy husband. But what is important is people were happy, or ought to be happy.
Even the written/unwritten laws or a system would apply to the King himself.
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| From DD serial: Ramayana |
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