🛕No Country for the Oldest Religion🛕

I am a citizen of India, living in India. I belong to neither the right wing nor the left wing. If anything, I am 'truth wing' - a concerned citizen of India who has woken up to the reality, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks when tourists were killed just for being Hindus. 

Consider this: out of the nearly 200 countries of the world, guess how many have Hindus as the majority of the population? Three - finger-countable on one hand! (In case you are wondering, they are India, Nepal and Mauritius.) Soon, this figure is likely to be ZERO, the way things are going.

India is the sacred geography of Hinduism. It is our last refuge. There is no other place we can go to; nobody else will accept us if we lose India. Yet, we are indifferent and apathetic to our own plight, smugly confident that we are safe. We have ignored this issue due to various reasons such as 'turning a blind eye', pseudosecularism, and misplaced notions of tolerance and nonviolence.  

One thing has become abundantly clear more than before: Hindus were, are, and will be under attack from anti-Hindu forces. Here's a breakdown of this issue based on three questions: WHAT?, WHY? & HOW?

Read on, if you do not want Hindus to become third-class citizens of the world, persecuted and converted by militant religions...

Beheaded idol in the Belur temple complex (picture by author)

🛕WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

🚩Subversive immigration and demographic change 

The recent fallout of India's war on terror revealed who stands with us not just among the nations of the world, but also within the country. Surreptitious illegal immigration from Islamic countries around us aided by pseudoseculars and leftists has burst out into the open resulting in the anti-India, anti-Modi, anti-Hindu views. There are those that help these illegal immigrants get local ID cards and even voting rights. 

🚩Criminal activities by foreigners

If you monitor the crime news in India, you will find that non-Hindus are over represented in criminal activities relative to their population level. On the other hand, if you look at the academic and economic achievements, Hindus are over represented. In other words, nothing has changed since the days of Abrahamic subjugation of our culture and plundering of our wealth. Hindus who focus on socioeconomic progress are being cheated and looted by non-Hindus, be it through criminal activities, conversions, reservations, Waqf, etc.

🚩Conversions are still going on

Of the three Abrahamic religions (Jewism, Christianity and Islam - in order of appearance), the latter two are the most problematic for Hindus. It is in the nature of these two religions to convert. Whether it is a misplaced notion of 'saving souls' or just increasing their numbers, it is ingrained in them as a sacred duty to convert as many 'heathens' as possible. In spite of the check on foreign contributions, surreptitious conversion programs continue unabated, especially in areas such as the Punjab, Odisha and East Godavari.

🚩CON-gress has not done anything to protect Hindu interests

Ram Mandir would not have been feasible under the dynastic party govt - the 'jan-nalayak' himself has said so. None of the other temples would have got a facelift. CON-gress and its allies are only concerned with one thing: passing on the prime minister's position from one family member to another like a family heirloom. This is done by appeasing minorities at the cost of Hindu interests. Take the recently concluded Mahakumbh Mela and think how many CON-gress leaders took part in it, or wished Hindus on the occasion. You will find that the number is close to nil. 

🛕WHY IS IT HAPPENING?

🚩Partition was the greatest fraud on India and Hinduism

India was expected to be a secular democratic state while our neighbours could select the theocracy of their choice. More Muslims stayed back in India than the populations of the 2 Islamic republics at that time. They continue to enter India in hordes illegally. After Pahalgam, when deportation orders finally came through, it led to the discovery of many women who have married Pakistani men, had their children and are living here in India! While the pseudoseculars will cry hoarse and say this is a shining example of the failure of Jinnah's 2 nation theory, what was the point of it anyway? If their countries were created mainly for followers of their religion, why are they coming to the land of the 'kafirs'? They are either here to drain the nation's resources or subversively alter the nation's demographics by reproducing rapidly.

🚩Worst geopolitical location for India 

Unfortunately, India is surrounded by hostile neighbours inimical to our socioeconomic and demographic security. Each of these has some grouse to pick with India. Ironically their illegal immigrants live here whereas people in their countries abuse us. Their sympathisers live amongst us, like snakes in the grass, living off our largesse while supporting them. A case in point, when the Indus water was stopped, these very snakes came out into the open to protest. We cannot expect any other country to stand for us - they mostly think of themselves. Otherwise, Pakistan would not have received billions of dollars in aid in spite of being the epicentre of terrorism. India has borne the brunt of this terrorism since long before 9/11, but still, when provoked, the other countries expect us to 'exercise restraint'. And when we retaliate, urban naxals within the country exhort us to 'de-escalate'. 

🚩Hinduism v other religions 

Don't let anyone tell you 'all religions are the same'. They are not! There is a chalk and cheese difference between Hinduism and Abrahamic religions. Hinduism developed as a fellowship of many different truth-seekers who did intense sadhana to give us the wisdom contained in the Vedas. It is philosophically diverse and calls for self inquiry and self experience of the Eternal Truth. Abrahamic religions began when their prophets apparently had visions and revelations of a 'zealous god'. These and other dictums were recorded in prescriptive books that a follower has to strictly adhere to without questioning. The ultimate goal in Hinduism is moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death, the highest state a human soul can achieve. The ultimate goal in Abrahamic religions is salvation on judgment day; if you are a believer you will be saved, otherwise you will burn in hellfire forever! Hinduism is a way of life that facilitates self-realisation and accepts different paths to the same goal. Abrahamic religions are cults and subcults that claim exclusive rights to salvation and employ coercive, incentive and manipulative methods to convert others.

🚩'Abrahamification' of India is the ultimate goal

They can call it being secular, 'upholding the Constitution', allege wrongdoing by the BJP government so they can oppose every good scheme, but the ultimate driving force behind any of these is only one thing: the underlying ANTI-HINDU BIAS. And this bias compels them to attack Hinduism and get away with it since they know there won't be any retaliation. This bias compels them to use any means to convert: love jihad, advertising religions on leaflets, fake healing sessions, etc. 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' and 'church planting' are  ultimately geared towards the total conversion of India to their respective religions. 

🚩Colonial hangover

The Islamic invasions resulted in temple destructions, unfair taxation and conversions. The British tried their best to convert us by giving a free hand to missionaries. The whole of the northeast is Christian today because of their efforts. The Portuguese initiated the Goan Inquisition to convert the population in the western coast, and the Dutch did the same on the eastern side. Macaulayian education system aimed to create 'brown sahibs' - Indian in appearance, but entirely European in language and cultural practices. Even today, our children continue to study in convent-run schools and colleges where Sanskrit is not even offered as an optional subject. Even today, there are missionary hospitals ostensibly working to treat the poor, but simultaneously employing their 'pastoral care' practitioners who go around wards doing bedside prayer sessions and 'ministering' to patients and their families. 

As if these were not enough, the entire entertainment industry, notably Bollywood, was flooded with Pakistanis in its early period when scripts were written in Urdu! Even today, Bollywood song lyrics are mostly Urdu-based, and you will struggle to find a decent song in Hindi, let alone Sanskrit. 

The result of all this: children who are western and pseudosecular in their outlook. Gullible patients and their families who think they got better due to the missionaries' prayers and accept conversion. Bollywood celebrities who do not utter a word against Pakistan even when they send terrorists to kill our tourists and soldiers. 

🛕HOW CAN YOU & I HELP?

🚩Target the ideology

Hinduism does not advocate the notion of 'othering' or unwarranted violence against anyone, but if our very identity is under threat, rising up to defend it is our dharma. It is important to remember that our battle is against ideologies, not individuals. The radical thought process entrenched in their minds is the driving force behind conversions and terrorist attacks. Attempt to address this rather than express hatred towards any one person or community. 

🚩Assist the government and armed forces 

The very least you can do is support those who are striving to keep you safe. This includes the government when it takes affirmative action against terrorists, the soldiers who defend us in tough conditions, gutsy intellectuals who confront radical ideologies, all at the cost of personal comfort and safety. If you cannot be proactive, at least do not create barriers in the way of those who are.

🚩Call for deporting illegal immigrants

If you can identify illegal immigrants and foreigners who indulge in criminal activities in your locality report them to the police or your MP. Try to identify the nexus of dodgy agents who get them Indian ID cards and report them.

🚩Be united!

Beware that the Abrahamics target the faultlines of societies they seek to convert. Avoid fighting with fellow Hindus over petty language, caste or cultural issues. 

🚩Educate your children on Sanatana Dharma

When was the last time you sat with your children and explained to them about the greatness and beauty of Sanatana Dharma? If you are unable to do this, find out about classes that can supplement their school education with dharmic knowledge. Shloka classes are a good way to begin. Enroll them in schools affiliated to Sanatana Dharma, or at the very least, those that offer Sanskrit as a language to learn. Try to find out more about your own religion so you can teach them. 

🚩Learn basic self defence 

It may well come to this, whether you like it or not. It is better to be prepared for a breakout of violence given the radical, volatile and militant nature of people who live with us in our communities. 

🚩Help in whatever capacity you can

If you know about the dangers to Hinduism, spread the word. Educate others who are ignorant about these issues. If you are the enterprising kind, initiate action against pseudoseculars who denigrate Hinduism thinking they can get away with it. If you are a lawyer, set aside some time to represent the cause of Sanatana Dharma.

🚩Exercise your franchise wisely

NEVER EVER vote for CON-gress or its allies. They are pseudoseculars and, frankly, anti-Hindu, because they are pro- every other religion than Hinduism. I am not suggesting that BJP is the most perfect party, but as of now there is no other party that is as sympathetic to the cause of Hinduism as the BJP. It would be utterly foolish of us and even dangerous to vote out a PM who has been working tirelessly, day and night, for the welfare of India and Hinduism, all the while facing opposition from anti-India forces.

🚩Join forces with pioneers

If you aren't familiar with the works of Rajiv Malhotra, J Sai Deepak, Anand Ranganathan and Dr David Frawley, to name a few, do so immediately. There are many books written by them on these issues that you can read. Contribute to their cause and add to the discussions already taking place. 

Finally, don't just forward this article; act on it!  As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, taking appropriate action at the right time is the only thing that is in your hands; so do something before it's too late!

🕉️Uttishtha Bharata!🐚 🐚Dharmo rakshati rakshitah!☸️ 

🔱Har Har Mahadev!🔱Jai Mata Bhavani!🔱Jai Bajrangabali!🔱

General Elections 2019: Why Modi? [with 2024 update]

Permit me to begin with the disclaimer that I am not affiliated to any political party.  I lean neither to the Left nor the Right.  I am not a bhakt, sanghi or media-influencer.  I am just a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen of India who is interested in the welfare of the country and its future.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are upon us.  We are faced with the task of electing the next central government. 

Since assuming office in 2014, the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a slew of developmental measures, many of which have been awe-inspiring and motivational, many of which have revealed his statesmanship and integrity.  Sometimes, he and his ministers have had to take tough decisions for the sake of the good of the country, often with scant regard to political affiliations and personal ambitions.

In spite of these, rather, because of these measures, Modi’s political detractors have formed unholy alliances to oust the incumbent government.  His opposition would have us believe that the Modi government is worthless, fascist, intolerant.  Since the inception of the Modi government in 2014, the opposition parties have gone on a rabble-rousing spree, as they have attempted to discredit the government with some frivolous charges: the intolerance movement that fizzled out, that the government cannot be run by a chaiwala who is a neech aadmi, ‘shoot-and-scoot’ corruption charges, etc. 

What are you and I, the citizens of the land, the voters, to do?  Who do we listen to?  Whom do we vote for?  Why Modi, again?  Before we seek answers for these questions, consider this:

Bharata, the legendary son of Shakuntala and Dushyanta was renowned for his strength, valour and righteousness.  Legend has it that, during his reign, he conducted 800 Ashwamedha yagnas for the betterment of his subjects: 100 of them on the banks of the Yamuna, 300 on the banks of the Saraswathi, and 400 on the banks of the Ganga.  He spared no efforts for the welfare and upliftment of his subjects.  Such was his sense of integrity that when it came to choosing his successor, he did away with the usual practice of handing over the throne to his next of kin.  Instead, he selected Bhumanyu, who was unrelated to him, due to his virtuous qualities of strength, intelligence and compassion.  Lest we forget, it is not for nothing that India is named after him: Bharatavarsha. 

I am convinced if Bharata were to be come back to visit us today, he would be utterly disappointed with the political state of affairs in our country. 

He would, for instance, strongly condemn the fact that a grand old party that ran the government at the centre for over 60 years, has managed to keep the party presidency within one single family – like a piece of family furniture to be handed over from generation to generation. 

He would certainly disapprove of the clown prince of the said party, with absolutely zero political credentials, who has the audacity to consider himself a prime ministerial candidate. 

He would admonish the so-called erudite intellectuals of the said party of licking the dynasty’s boots.  Especially so because like in the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes, the bootlickers refuse to acknowledge that the clown prince is intellectually and politically naked.

He would be disgusted at some regional minsters/politicians whose sons, having tried their hand at acting and playing cricket, and having failed at both, have entered the political arena to cash in on their baap ka raaj.

He would watch in disbelief at the level of hero-worship and sycophancy of blind followers of corrupt-to-the-core politicians.

He would be disgusted at the level of one-upmanship, muck-raking, backstabbing, name-calling and Machiavellian machinations by opposition members to undermine even well-intentioned government schemes and development measures.  

Most of all, Bharata would be utterly disappointed in you and I, his subjects, the citizens of Bharatavarsha, for tolerating these corrupt, vile, self-serving, dynastic opportunists.

Indeed, the nepotism inherent in the old-but-not-so-grand-anymore party is reminiscent of the accounts of rajas' and badshahs' attitude of entitlement and expectation of being waited upon by doting servants.  This is just blind belief in the elusive concept of purity of lineage, and definitely not a measure of success.

It is worth noting that success is defined as overcoming adverse circumstances and working hard to better oneself in all spheres of life.  One does not become successful by being born in a royal family or a particular dynasty, which is the clown prince's dubious claim to fame.  The true definition of success can be applied to Modi, who has worked hard to overcome adversity and reach the top. 

Still, are we saying that the Modi government has provided a perfect panacea for all the woes of India?  No, certainly not.  (I have never supported the beef-ban, for instance.)  But there is no doubting the hard work and sincerity behind all the developmental measures undertaken by Modi’s government.  And, most significantly, as opposed to the disastrous decade of the accidental prime minister, there has not been a single scam. 

One can discern the intent of the political detractors who have formed the alliance to oust Modi: to defeat BJP at any cost and regain control on the riches of the land so that they and their stooges can once again run riot.

Leaving aside the politicians, if one were to peruse the names of the detractors who pour vitriol against the Modi government on social media message boards, it would be clear that they belong to one of the two Abrahamic religions.  In all probability, they dislike the fact that a man with Sanatanic Dharmic roots should be the leader of a population that they are fervently hoping would be converted to their own faith.

Therefore, in the absence of any logical reason for the hatred that the detractors have towards Modi, his government, and his developmental measures, I struggle to come up with any other reason than political ambition and religious bias. 

The titular question, hence, is a rhetorical one: Why Modi? 

Still, if one were to persist, my response to the question would be: Why not Modi? 

Is there a better alternative?  Somebody who is not a product of a dynasty, sycophancy, or corruption?

The changes that Modi has initiated need to continue if they were to bear fruit.  If any of his detractors usurps power, he/she will not think twice before reversing these changes and put India back by several decades as the previous government had done.

 

If you have got an equivalent if not better prime ministerial candidate than Modi, please propose his/her name.  If you can find somebody as hardworking and with as much rectitude as Modi, please name him/her.

While you scrounge for such a candidate in the current political cauldron bereft of scruples and integrity, I know which button I will be pressing during this Lok Sabha elections: one that will vote Modi back in.

For the sake of the future of Bharatavarsha, I urge you to do the same.

Update April 2024:

What if I were to tell you that there is a man with no immediate family who is selflessly working 24/7 for the welfare of the country?  That he is somehow magically able to transport himself across the length and breadth of the country to commence dozens of development initiatives - sometimes several different locations in a single day?

We are now in the polling period for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the above issues expressed regarding the 2019 elections remain the same.  PM Modi has gone about setting up schemes, institutions and infrastructures at such a frenetic pace that it is hard to believe that anybody of his age can keep up the energy required to achieve all this in a span of 10 years - much more than his predecessors ever achieved in the 65 years of Independence.  

And long may this continue.  Once again, in the absence of any credible alternative, we are lucky to have a person who has dedicated his entire existence towards nation building and development - in spite of the devious designs of his detractors who are leaving no stone untuned to deny him a third term.  

Just to quote an example: first-time voters are being sought out near college gates and handed pamphlets ostensibly encouraging them to vote; but a closer scrutiny will reveal that the organization behind this is a left-wing, pseudosecular one whose only agenda is to get them to vote for another party.  Meanwhile the clown prince continues his fruitless sojourns - may he continue his long walk into political oblivion.  

Given all this, the least we can do is to vote PM Modi back to power.  

May Bharata remain Akhanda under his leadership.  

May Rama Rajya be heralded with inclusive opportunities for all communities.  

May Bharata achieve Vishwa Guru/Bandhu status.  

May Sanatana Dharma continue to flourish in the only land in the world that it can call its Home.

Uttishtha Bharata!

Image source: https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019-lok-sabha-elections-narendra-modi-favourite-pm-candidate-of-muslims-for-2019-says-senior-bjp-leader-shahnawaz-hussain-476871

69th Republic Day: Wishlist for the Nation

26th January 2018. 

It is that day of the year when we gather to witness the Nation's military and cultural razzmatazz.  The only time of the year when we get to see some discipline on display!

When I am asked what I would be doing on the 26th, I nonchalantly say 'watch the parade.'  Others generally laugh at the answer, as though I am being facetious. 

They probably expect me to say that I would be doing something worthier instead, like visiting overcrowded malls.  No people, I mean it.  I do watch the parade.  If that's odd, so be it. 

This year's observations:

1. Touching moment when the President shed tears after presenting the Ashoka Chakra posthumously to the deceased soldier's wife and mother.  Never seen this happen before.

2. The same President in high spirits; laughing and cheering towards the end of the parade when the BSF women's contingent did the acrobatics on motorbikes.  Extremes of emotions!

3. The best tableaux (IMHO): Maharashtra with Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, followed by Assam with its depiction of masks - Ravana and other characters of Ramayana. 

4. Unique tableau by Karnataka: only animated animal models; no people on it (P.S.: the baboons rocked!).

5. Not one, not two, but TEN chief guests!  The Singapore PM was right next to PM Modi, and was probably taken aback by the discipline on display!  

6. Mesmerizing effect when the overhead camera showed the cadets marching away with robotic precision.

7. But the highlight this year had to be the BSF women's daredevilry on motorbikes; another first this year!

All these are fine.  But I do not want the discipline, decorum and bonhomie to be confined to the annual jamboree.  I want good things to happen in our Nation 365 days of the year. 

So here's a wishlist of things that I would like to see happen for the collective good of the country and humanity in general:

1. Population level to come down.  There are one too many of us!  This, IMHO is the most urgent need of the country, because every other civic problem, arguably, is related to this one factor.

2. Poverty eradicated!  Poverty, quite simply, is unacceptable.  Economic prosperity to reach all individuals, even the poorest of the poor; no more rich/poor divide.  There should not be a single homeless person on the streets, or for that matter, any stray animal on the roads.  And I don't just mean cows; all animals to have shelters in all towns and cities of India.

3. Everybody obeys traffic rules.  No wheelies, no jumping red signals, no driving on the wrong side of the road, no jaywalking!  Discipline on the roads, people!

4. No reservations!  Only merit based admission or employment; not based on caste/religion.

5. No dynastic politics or nepotism of any kind.  No place for such phenomena in any public service institutions of a democracy.

6. Terrorism rooted out!  No safe havens; no closing the door after the horse has bolted.  Constant vigilance and prevention of attacks rather than chasing terrorists after the attacks.

7. Speedier justice for all - because justice delayed is justice denied.  No influence by the rich and famous; more errant politicians/celebrities brought to justice.   

8. Common education curriculum for the whole country across all levels: primary & secondary schools; and professional colleges, including engineering and medicine.  No divisions such as state, ICSE, CBSE, etc.  Career guidance counselling and aptitude test for all students before they embark on professional courses.  Dharma/ethics/culture to be the basis for formative education; not blind western fact based bookish education.  And yes, no capitation fees!  Parents not to be reduced to beggars to admit their children to schools.  RTE to be fully implemented.  Government schools upgraded to match city schools.

9. Health for all.  And health coverage and/or insurance for all.  Custodians of healthcare delivery to have better life.

10. More care, concern and efforts to upkeep all natural habitats and national monuments; such as our rivers, pilgrimage centres, historic buildings, architecture, arts & crafts, scriptures, forests, flora & fauna, tribes, and indigenous cultures.

11. No conversions!  No place for bigoted, narrow-minded interpretations of religious scriptures that lead to enticement/coercion to lead the gullible away from their culture/heritage/faith.  Likewise foreign residents/illegal immigrants overstaying their welcome and/or creating law & order problems to be deported back to their countries.

12. India, primarily, is a spiritual place.  Sanatana Dharma to show the way for spiritual oneness; full realization of the potential that is inherent in sanatanic statements such as: vasudhaiva kutumbakam; ekam sat vipra bahu vadanti, and sarve janaha sukhinobhavantu.  Divisionists and secessionists to be rooted out!

Wishful thinking, do I hear you say?  Maybe. 

I am well aware that these are complex, complicated and multifarious issues subject to the vagaries of multiple variables. 

But wishing, thinking and doing are the only things that are under my willful control.  And the wise say that there is a lot of power in thoughts and words.  So I will wish away!  

The above list is by no means complete, but I feel these are the most pressing needs of the Nation if it has to progress and really achieve its immense potential.  

Here's hoping that the governments and we the people work towards realising this potential.

Kale varshatu parjanyaha

Pruthavi sashya shalinim

Deshoyam kshobha rahitam

Sajjana santu nirbhayaha!

(Listen to this shloka in this video: Prarthana shloka)

Image source: 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0czMJIfLWvInl4uldd26KHX1kjXTYz-jQ4ffMfx1JparGxlP_9vDitxmN_JaVM3O9iCX14d9Vza0ZwWOA-TewJg6G9bJClial0YLRS14S_thIveROrzNx01cGocugB5tbOaQOCJnaNMC/s640/26+January+Republic+Day+2018+Hindi+Speech+Anchoring+Script+Wishes+SMS+Quotes+Message+%2526+HD+Images.jpg

Why I love Bharatvarsh

Over the course of its earthly peregrinations from a unified state as Pangaea, to Jambudvipa, to its present state with its own identity, our Bharatvarsh has made many glorious contributions to humanity.  

The invention of zero, for example.  Also Sushruta’s pioneering efforts in surgery, Brahmagupta's mastery in mathematics, Aryabhata’s contribution to astronomy, or Baudhayana’s discovery of the theorem, which we know today as Pythagoras’ theorem.

Or how about J C Bose’s discovery of life in plants, C V Raman’s experiment on light scattering, which is called Raman Effect, Vikram Sarabhai’s space project which ultimately led to the present day Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, or A P J Abdul Kalam’s work on developing the ballistic missile?

In the field of arts and literature too, there have been innumerable luminaries who have enriched our culture with their contributions.  Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam and Meghdoot, Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Bharata Muni’s treatise on dance, Natya Shastra that led to the dance form, Bharatanatyam, and Tagore’s Gitanjali and Rabindra Sangeet, to name a few.

Yes, we are filled with pride when we listen to the heroic tales of Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Bhagat Singh.  We are immediately satiated when we listen to a Lata-Rafi duet, A R Rahman’s music, or Amitabh Bachchan’s filmi dialogues in his rich baritone.  We cannot contain our joy when we witness a Sachin Tendulkar century, or for that matter, when Sania Mirza wins yet another world title.  We jump with joy when Sushmita Sen wins the Miss Universe, and Aishwarya Rai the Miss World title.

India today is home to one of the largest community of intellectuals; doctors, engineers, economists and scientists.  After years of subjugation, we are witnessing the growth of economy, and our clout among the nations of the world is growing by the day. 

All that is fine.  I am filled with happiness to note all these achievements. 

But for me, quite apart from any of these, there is another reason why I love this land. 

Its spiritual history. 

There simply cannot be another place on this planet or any other for that matter, where so many spiritually advanced adepts, yogis, sadhus, saints, seers and gurus took birth, breathed, lived, meditated, attained moksha, and showed others the light. 

I don’t think I can take all the names of the saints of our land; there isn’t enough time or space for that.  I can only quote a few shining examples that I have had the good fortune of reading about. 

In the south of Bharatvarsh, Adi Sankara took birth in Kalady, a quiet little town on the banks of the Poorna River.  He traversed the length and breadth of the land, took disciples, debated with scholars on philosophical systems, consecrated four matthas in four corners of India, and finally ascended the Throne of Omniscience in Kashmir.  By the time he had achieved all this – 32 years of age – he had firmly established the advaita school of thought, which clearly elucidates the oneness of the atma and the paramatma.  I call him the Hero of Hinduism.

In much more recent times, another southern luminary, the Saint of Arunachala, Ramana Maharshi quietly went about practising and preaching his method of self-enquiry, and miraculously healing those who approached him with such conditions as tetanus, leprosy, terminal cancer, and in one instance, even death.  However, when he was afflicted with sarcoma towards the end of his earthly tenure, he refused to heal himself as his physical condition was a result of taking on his devotees’ karma. 

In the west of the country, around the 13^th Century, scores of saints took birth in the holy land of Maharashtra.  Pandharpur became the epicentre of the bhakti movement started by these illustrious sons and daughters of the soil, many of whom were ordinary peasants.  The child-saint of Alandi, Jnaneshwar and his siblings, were orphans and outcastes, but their life was full of miraculous achievements, and culminated in Jnaneshwari – the gift of the Bhagavad Gita written in the colloquial language, Marathi, for the benefit of the masses. 

Namadeva, the son of a tailor, made the Lord drink milk from his hands even when he was a little boy, while Gora Kumbhar, the potter, so lost himself in divine ecstasy that he once trampled his own child in a mound of clay (the child was eventually restored to him by the Lord Himself).  Sawata Mali sang his abhangs (devotional compositions) while tending his garden, and Chokhamela who was an untouchable, was so close to Lord Vitthala that a priest, who slapped him for transgressing a social norm, was aghast to find that the Lord’s cheek was swollen, instead!  It is said of Tukaram that he went away to the Lord's Abode, Vaikuntha, in a vimana (aircraft) of the Lord. 

Likewise, Eknath, Bhanudas, Kanhopatra, Santaji Pawar, Raka Kumbhar, Narhari Sonar, Janabai, and many, many more have sanctified our land with their holy presence.  Indeed, this is probably the real reason for the epithet, ‘maha’ in Maharashtra (= Great State). 

In the northern part of Bharatvarsh, Tulsidas retold the timeless story of Ram and Sita in his Ramcharitmanas, whereas Surdas preferred to become blind again after he beheld the vision of his ishtadevta, Lord Krishna, just once.  Another great devotee of Krishna, Meera, gave us many bhajans (devotional compositions) that are soaked with devotional fervour and longing for union with her Lord. 

Many more adepts and yogis of the north have made the places of pilgrimage touched by the Ganga and the mystical loftiness of the Himalayas their home, and have inspired others through their tapas and sadhana.  Even today, the ageless Maha Avatar Guru Babaji is said to be present in the Himalayas, showering his grace on those worthy of it. 

As Diana L. Eck has said about the tirthasthals of Bharatvarsh,

…what is clear from the study of Hindu India is that its geographical features – its rivers, mountains, hills, and coastlands – no matter how precisely rendered, mapped, or measured, are also charged with stories of gods and heroes.  It is a resonant, sacred geography.    

Moving to the eastern part of this sacred geography, one is touched by the story of the Saint of Dakshineshwar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who answered his would-be student, Naren’s query about whether he has seen God, thus: ‘Yes, I have seen God.  I see Him as I see you here, only more clearly..!’  

In the same sacred geography, about a hundred years before the time of the Paramahansa, Baba Lokenath Brahmachari attained such a level of oneness with the universal spirit, that he once chastised an untamed lion for wandering into his ashram’s premises, patted it affectionately, and sent it along its way back into the forest! 

It is not just the seers of one faith that lit up the path of their followers in Bharatvarsh.  Guru Nanak spoke against blind beliefs and superstitions, while Kabir, Sai Baba of Shirdi and Shishunala Sharif, unified people of all castes and religions.  Buddha advised followers to find their own way in attaining liberation from pain and suffering, while Mahavira gave the five ethical principles for his followers to achieve emancipation.  Dargahs of Sufi peers (Chishti, Auliya, Makhdum Shah and many more) dot the landscape, and Velankanni in the south is just one of the blessed places of pilgrimage for many Christians.

Madhvacharya (who propounded dvaita), Ramanujacharya (vishishtadvaita), Guru Raghavendra, Nammalvar, Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa, Basaveshwara, Allama Prabhu, Akkamahadevi, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Akkalkot Maharaj, Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar Giri, Paramahansa Yogananda, Maheshwarnath Babaji, Bengali Baba, Swami Rama, Mahayogi Gambhirnath, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Anandamayi Ma, Paramahansa Ram Mangal Das…  One could go on and on; the list is endless.

This phenomenon is not confined to the glorious past of Bharatvarsh.  Even today, genuine saints are quietly carrying on with their sadhana, unseen, unheard, and away from the bustle of daily life.   

 

Truly we are blessed to have been born on this holy land.  For me, these stories provide the real meaning to that song by Iqbal, Saare jahan se achcha…

Unfortunately, the current educational system of Bharatvarsh is western in its outlook, and worldly and phenomenal in what it imparts, leaving our children vulnerable to de-culturation and narrow minded religious influences.  I feel that we would be failing in our duty if we do not inculcate a sense of respect and a spirit of inquiry towards our spiritual heritage in our children, by teaching them life lessons from the experiences of the spiritual masters.  

Many works have been consulted in writing this panegyric on the spiritual preeminence of Bharatvarsh.  Indeed, these can be recommended – from an inexhaustible list of resources – for further reading if one is interested in learning from the lives of these saints and about spirituality in Bharatvarsh:

• Sankara Digvijaya: Madhav Vidyaranya
• Saints of Maharashtra: Savitribai Khanolkar
• Autobiography of a Yogi: Paramahansa Yogananda
• Yogis of India: Sivarupa
• Vivekananda A Biography: Swami Nikhilananda
• Bhakti Schools of Vedanta: Swami Tapasyananda
• India A Sacred Geography: Diana L. Eck
• Apprenticed to a HimalayanMaster: Sri M
• Living with the Himalayan Masters: Swami Rama
• Scientist's Search for Truth: Swami Virajeshwara
• Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji: A P J Abdul Kalam

In keeping with this glorious spirit of guru-shishya parampara and universal oneness propounded in Sanatana Dharma, we offer this humble presentation of Sanskrit shlokas: 

https://youtu.be/DdtYz01xjOc

Image sources:

https://www.sringeri.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/adi-shankaracharya2.jpg

http://www.awaken.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ramana-and-money-300x300.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/2950/15453284916_f7e9c0d91d_z.jpg

http://www.mukteshwartemple.com/media/gallery/saint-chokhamela.jpg

https://media.zenfs.com/en_IN/News/Astroyogi/Tulsidas-JAyanti.jpg

http://www.chittorgarh.com/picturegallery/images/Mira-Bai-3.jpg?autoplay=1

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ramakrishna_image_cropped.jpg

http://www.loknathbaba.com/english/images/ph-9.jpg