Bharat Is Like a Multi-Petal Rose
No country in the world has so many races, creeds and languages as the sacred land of Bharat. Bharat shines forth as a multi-racial garden with its many races and creeds and languages and cultures. The different creeds and cultures are like so many flowers in a garden. The varied manners and cultures contribute to the many faceted brilliance of the nation. The magnificence of this diversity is beyond description. Bharat is like a multi-petalled lotus. Bharat is the home of people who cherished Love as the way of the Spirit and Truth as the breath of their life. Unfortunately, lost in the pursuit of worldly, physical and material objects, the people have forgotten their basic divinity as human beings. (SSS Vol.27, p. 162)
In this land of Bharat, there are many noble mothers like Sumitra and virtuous wives like Urmila. Since ancient times, Bharat has attained great reputation because of such noble women. In the northern side of Bharat, we have the Himalayan mountains as the boundary. The land is sanctified by the perennial rivers as Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. These three symbolise the triad of Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya (devotion, wisdom and renunciation). Not merely this, the great epics of this land, The Ramayana, the Bhagavatam and the Mahabharata shine as beacons illumining the path of man.
The land is the birthplace of sacred scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, which gave the message of unity to mankind. This land has given birth to noble souls like Buddha who propagated the message of non-violence. He taught Ahimso Paramo Dharma (non-violence is the highest Dharma). The syllable ‘Bha’ stands for light, radiance and effulgence. (SS May 2002, pp. 142-145)
Bharat is the birthplace of spirituality, charity and righteousness. It is the abode of peace and non-violence. This sacred land is the birthplace of the Adi-kavi (the first poet) Valmiki and sage Veda Vyasa who classified theVedas. This is the noble land that gave birth to Gautama Buddha, who declared, ‘Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah’ (Non-violence is the highest norm of conduct). This was the meritorious land ruled by Rama Himself. This is the Divine land where Lord Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, pp. 48-49)
The Glory that is Bharat
You cannot find in India a tongue that does not praise God or a hand that does not perform acts of charity. The hands of every Indian are those that give. The heart of every Indian is one that delights in God’s names. Indeed, those who are unable to appreciate the glorious legacy of Bharat can only be called fools. When Vivekananda was in America, he declared, ‘God’s hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears are everywhere. There is no place in the land of Bharat where God’s presence is not felt. His footsteps are heard wherever one goes. The melody of God is heard wherever one pays heed to. The joy of God is felt in every heart. I must return to Bharat. Earlier, I had shown a little indifference. Now I shall go back and proclaim emphatically that every atom in Bharat is suffused with divinity. I shall sprinkle her dust on my head. I shall feel the love that stirs in every drop of river Ganges’.
Bharat is the land which is filled with Divine nature, and glows and grows with it. Bharat is the birthplace of truth and righteousness. It is the home of peace and non-violence. In fact, there is nothing that is not available in Bharat. The Vedas proclaim, ‘Yanna Bharate Tanna, Bharata’. That which is not present in India is not present elsewhere. It is as if the whole world is bundled together and placed in Bharat. Unable to realise the mighty power and potential of their land, Indians visit foreign countries, and feel weighed down with inferiority at what they see there. Where there is self-restraint, there will be no place for violence. Bharat proved this time and again. Many covet such self-control which is natural to Indians.
People undertake spiritual practices for inner happiness. People consider the nine types of devotion to God as spiritual practices, namely, Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship), Atmanivedanam (Self-surrender). However, Indian culture did not consider these as real spiritual practices .It sought the eternal and ultimate Reality, which is but one. Truth is one wherever one searches for it. It is described that Brahman has the appearance of Truth and is replete with Truth. Truth shines resplendently at all times. Truth is all-pervasive at all times.
The hearts of Indians are suffused with Kshama (forbearance). India encountered many setbacks and sufferings since the beginning of history. But Indians were not perturbed. They extolled, ‘Forbearance is truth, forbearance is righteousness, forbearance is the teaching of the Vedas, forbearance is non-violence, forbearance is compassion, forbearance is sacrifice, forbearance confers happiness and heavenly bliss. In fact, it is everything in all the worlds.’ (Telugu Poem) Forbearance is their life-breath. They inhale and exhale forbearance. Forbearance is the greatest strength of Bharat. This is the reason for its stability despite so many sufferings and losses. No amount of difficulties can unsettle a person of forbearance. He who has no forbearance will face unprecedented difficulties. One who believes in forbearance remains unmoved and untouched in the face of difficulties. The Bharatiyas are filled with such forbearance. Another form of forbearance is love. Love is also synonymous with peace. Thus, forbearance, love, peace – all mean the same. Manava (human) is referred to as love byUpanishads. Bharatiya is one who possesses love as his nature. Indians today give up Indian culture and run after worldly, materialistic and transient things which cause misery. If you ask what is the power of forbearance, it is too great to put in words. It cannot be measured by mind and speech.
Such is the sacred culture of Bharat which people of other countries extolled. As India disseminated this culture to other countries, they too found happiness. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu (May all the people of the world be happy!). Whoever keeps this principle in mind will always be happy. The most influential aspect of Indian culture is to see divinity everywhere. Unable to understand such sacred principles of Indian culture students are hankering after various material acquisitions. This is folly. Indian culture has many subtle ideas and words. If you ask what is the fastest thing, the scientists of today would say it is the light or suchlike. But Indian culture would not settle for this. The fastest and quickest thing is human mind, it says. What is the mightiest thing in the world? It cheerfully responds, mother is the mightiest of all. Nothing is greater than mother in this world. Mothers’ might is nation’s might. That is why India is addressed as Bharat Mata (Mother India). We call it motherland and not fatherland. Only mother has such power. If you ask who speaks to you with affection and courtesy in a foreign land, it is the mother tongue. Wherever one goes, words in mother tongue sound nearest and dearest. So the speediest thing is not some aeroplane but the mind. The mind has its presence everywhere. It is a tool for bondage as well as liberation. Mind can take you right up to salvation. What else can be faster than mind then? Such similes are innumerable in Indian tradition. Many more are there that students should know. (SSB 2002, pp. 196-199)
Sacred values of Bharatiya culture
Bharat is the motherland of many noble souls. It is therefore essential for all the Bharatiyas to understand the sacred history of Bharat. But, today, no one seems to be interested in knowing the history and culture of Bharat. The culture of Bharat is based ondharma. The word dharma has been misinterpreted as religion. Dharma is like a vast ocean, whereas religion is like a pond. The culture of Bharat is pure, unsullied, eternal, and immortal. In olden days, the children were taught the sacred values of Indian culture right from the age of five.
Their education would begin with the sacred mantras like Aum Namah Sivaya and Aum Namo Narayana. But in the modern education system, the divine names such as Shiva and Narayana have no place. The children are taught meaningless rhymes like ‘Ba. Ba. black sheep’. People are not making efforts to understand the efficacy of these mantras. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, pp. 62-63)
Help ever, Hurt never. Sage Vyasa has given the essence of eighteen Puranas in two sentences, Paropakaraya punyaya, papaya para peedanam (one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them). This is the main principle of Bharatiya culture. When you help others, you will receive help tenfold. If you harm others, you will be put to harm ten times more. Keep this in mind. (SSS Vol.35, p. 91)
Bharat has always given first place to the quality of sacrifice. Every Bharatiya should develop the spirit of sacrifice, which has been the hall-mark of Bharatiya civilization. Go can only be realised through sacrifice. All the scriptures all epics have extolled the supremacy of sacrifice. All religious practices without sacrifice are artificial rituals alone. God examines your feelings and not your external observances. Divinity can be experienced only when worship of God is done with pure heart and all one’s activities are godly.
Whatever form of worship one may adopt, it has to be: done wholeheartedly. There must be complete harmony between thought, word and deed. True humanness consists in the combination of three H’s-Heart, Head and Hand. (SSS Vol.30, pp. 201-202)
Our ancient sages coronated Tyaga (sacrifice) welcomed Truth and upheld righteousness. Today there is no trace of Tyaga in man. He is always immersed in Bhoga (worldly pleasures). As a result he is subjected to Roga (disease). The culture of Bharat teaches that only sacrifice confers immortality. But today, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas themselves do not have faith in the Bharatiya culture.
After the annihilation of Ravana, when Rama was requested to take over the reins of Lanka, He declared: Janani Janma bhumischa Swargadapi Gariyasi (mother and motherland are greater than heaven itself). One who does not have love and regard for one’s own mother land, one’s own mother tongue and one’s own religion is a living corpse! But, one should not show disrespect towards other countries.
advesta sarva-bhutanam
maitrah karuna eva ca
nirmamo nirahankarah
Sama-dukha-sukhah ksami
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12 verse 13)
(one should not hate anybody). One should not criticise anybody. But, today if one goes through the newspapers one finds one party criticising and abusing the other. It is nothing but mean-mindedness. No one has any right to criticise others. Each party should see to it that it is free from all defects instead of pointing an accusing finger at others. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, p. 54)
The essence of Bharatiya culture consists in the recognition of unity in diversity. (SSS Vol.24, p. 92)
The culture of Bharat does not give scope for differences based on caste, creed, colour, religion, and nationality. It says,
Let us move together and let us grow together.
Let us share the knowledge and improve upon it.
Let us live in amity and peace without any differences whatsoever.
(Telugu Poem)
It speaks of the principle of equanimity. It says, Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu (May the whole world be happy!). It treats everyone alike irrespective of caste, creed, color, religion, and nationality. The same principle was stated by Jesus also. He said, ‘All are one, my dear son, be alike to everyone.’ In fact, the underlying principle of all the religions is one and the same. But, people have forgotten this unity and have become narrow-minded. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, p. 64)
Time is highly sacred and valuable. Each one has to introspect whether he is making proper use of time. Time once lost is lost for ever. Future is not in your hands. So, man should make proper use of the present. This is the teaching of Bharatiya culture. Time is God. Hence, the Vedas extol Him as Kalaya Namah, Kala Kalaya Namah, Kaladarpa Damanaya Namah, Kalateetaya Namah, Kalaswarupaya Namah, Kalaniyamitaya Namah (salutations to the embodiment of time, to the one who has conquered time, to the one who transcends time and to the one who ordains time). God dwells in all. He has thousands of heads, eyes and feet. Our ancients realised this unity in diversity and recognised the innate divinity of man. They sanctified their lives with such noble feelings and exemplary behaviour. Our ancient sages and seers stressed the need for unity and cooperation among human beings. They prayed,
‘Let us move together, let us grow together, let us grow in intelligence together,
let us live in harmony with each other without giving room for conflicts.’
(Telugu Poem)
This is the main principle of Bharatiya culture. One can attain the goal of human life only by putting this principle of unity into practice. (SSS Vol.35, p. 78)
There is nothing greater than pure bhakti, which is why it is given such an exalted status in Bharatiya culture. Our ancients held that devotion is more precious and valuable than all the material wealth one can dream of. It is this wealth that man should really seek instead of gold. In fact, it is the bounden duty of man to acquire this wealth; and he does not have to go far to seek it, for this treasure is already locked up within him. (SSB 2000, p. 102)
Bharatiya culture is rooted in divinity. Calls for a life of purity in thought word and deed. calls for a life of purity in thought word and deed.--Students! Whatever may be parents’ plan for you or your own plans for your future, never give up meditating on God. Serve your parents. Follow the example of Rama, who became adorable as a God by His exemplary life. He sacrificed everything to uphold plighted word of his father. Doing your duty is true Yoga. Your duty as a students to respect your teachers, revere your parents and earn a good name in society. After you get married, you must lead a virtuous and purposeful life in society. This is the culture of Bharat, It calls for a life of purity in thought word and deed. (SSS Vol.30, p. 55)
The real meaning of sadhana
How great is Bharatiya culture! The ideals it upholds are not meant merely for the citizens of this country but for the whole of humanity. Culture is that which refines man. Refinement implies the elimination of bad traits and the development of good and noble qualities. One becomes cultured when all bad and undesirable qualities are totally got rid of and daily life is based entirely on virtues.
Country does not mean just land or territory but people who live there. Who is Manava (man)? Manava is the one with manas (mind). What is meant by mind? Mind is just a bundle of thoughts and desires. Man becomes a genuine human being when all thoughts are bound to Truth. Humanness manifests in such a person as good and noble conduct. Today, truthful thoughts are conspicuous by their absence. If we fill our lives with thoughts based on falsehood, the whole world then becomes filled with untruth. Hence, eliminate all bad qualities within you; develop good qualities, and endeavour to experience Divinity – this is true sadhana (spiritual practice). What is the real meaning of sadhana? Transforming the bad into good is sadhana. What is the point in claiming that you are doing sadhana, if this important principle is not observed? In the name of doing sadhana, you close your eyes and roll the rosary beads; but the mind is wandering all over the place! This is not sadhana! We have to expel bad thoughts, bad feelings, and bad tendencies, and replace all these with good thoughts, noble feelings, and sacred habits. Purging out the bad and replacing it with good is what sadhana is all about. (SSB 2000, pp. 248-249)
Refinement comes about only through processing and shaping. Farmers grow paddy. Can you eat raw paddy? No; it has to be polished first and then cooked before it is eaten. In life too, refinement is necessary. And culture is nothing but accumulated refinement. Bharatiya culture is ideal in this respect, and worthy of being followed by everyone at all times. (SSB 2000, p. 238)
The Bhagavad Gita says, Karmanyevadhikarasthe ma phaleshu kadachana (you have a right over action but not on the result). You have to sanctify your karmas (actions). People talk of punya karma (meritorious deeds) and papa karma (sinful action). When the feelings are pure, karma becomes sanctified and the work will be transformed into worship. Life becomes meaningful only when you make proper use of time. Kaya (body) has been given to perform karma (action). Every karma is associated with a Karana (cause) and Kala (time). It is the primary duty of man to understand the principles of Kala, karma, Karana, karthavya (duty) and act accordingly. This is the main teaching of Bharatiya culture. It is its pristine culture which has been safeguarding Bharat since ancient times. What is culture? You think it is a way of life. But it is not so. Indian culture is something that transforms your life into an ideal one. (SSS Vol.35, pp. 290-291)
Bharatiya culture emphasises the inculcation of morality, ethics and spirituality. (SSS Vol.39, p. 266)
What the world badly needs today is not wealth, affluence, and prosperity but students with exemplary character. The progress of the nation depends on such students alone. This is the fundamental assumption of Bharatiya culture. Bharatiya culture is the epitome of truth that is eternal. It is impervious to the passage of time and not influenced by history. SanathanaDharma is the core of Bharatiya culture. The culture of Bharat is latent in everyone as human values. This land Bharat is sacred in all respects. There is sathya in its dust, dharma in the wind, and daya (compassion) in the sand. Prema or love flows in the sacred river Ganges. To top it all, there is kshama or forbearance in the people of this land. (SSB 2000, p. 259)