By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA :
Indian civilisation is the oldest
surviving civilisation of the
world. The vital reason behind
its survival is the dynamism,
adaptive capabilities, inclusiveness and humanistic approach.
These attributes are grounded
upon the concept of public and
universal welfare and well being.
The famous Rig Vedic Mantra Ano
Bhadrah Kratayo Yantu
Vishwatah- Let the noble thoughts
come from all the directions is the
first declaration of dynamism.
In the Vedic and post Vedic literature, no commandments are
given. Things are always evolving.
After the prayer for noble
thoughts, the sage wishes to hear
and see the auspicious things -
Bhadram Karnebhih Shrunuyama
and Bhadram
Pashyemakshiryajatrah. As a
result towards the end of the
Rigveda, the sage desires the collective consciousness to evolve in
all the aspects of life -
Sangachhadhwam
Sanvadadhwan Samvo Manansi
Janatam.
The dynamic journey of
the Vedic thoughts gets culminated into the Upanishads where the
sages realised that the same
Supreme Energy vibrates into all
and all and everything is divine -
Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma and
Aham Brahmasmi. This realisation
of all in one and one in all gave
rise to the declaration in the post
Vedic period that Sarve Bhavantu
Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramayah.
Let all be happy and healthy.
Let all see the auspicious and
nobody should suffer. The beauty
of the vision of the sage in the
above declaration is that wherever happiness, health and welfare
are referred, the seer has used the
plural number whereas the context of suffering is confined to the
singular number. The concept of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the
entire globe is that one family has
the greatest humanistic and universal resonance. Nowhere either
in Vedic or post Vedic literature
we find any sectarian or community based prayers or hymns.
Whatever good the seer demands
from the divinity is meant for all .
What to speak of human beings,
prayers are meant for other
species and stakeholders of the
environment like earth, water,
vegetation, air, etc. The Shanti
Mantra invokes peace for the
entire cosmos. There is a tradition
in Sanskrit literature that the text
starts with Mangalacharana or the
auspicious invocation. All invocations of Sanskrit literature call for
the welfare of all.
These invocations are not confined to particular groups, classes,
communities or areas.
This is the
universal and all encompassing
vision and approach of Indian traditions. Even the non Vedic
philosophies and streams of
beliefs are not sectarian. They are
meant for one and all. Contrary to
the spirit of Indian traditions, the
prayers and invocations of some
other streams of faith and philosophies are centred around their
own community and persons of
faith. But Indian soul has lived for
all. In words of F M Mueller, the
great German philologist - whatever sphere of human mind you
may select for whether it may be
language or religion, mythology or
philosophy,whether you like it or
not,because of some of the most
valuable and instructive materials
of the history of man are treasured
up in India and India alone.
■(The writer is Former DG
Police & CG, Homeguards,
Maharashtra)