JAN-23 BOUDHIK YOJANA
8th Jan: Is Akhand Bharat possible?
A lot of noise
was created when Pa Pu Sarsanghchalak gave a comment that “Akhand Bharat will
be a reality in 10-15 years” in August. Liberals, Intellectuals, politicians
jumped into fray questioning or mocking it. It was much better than previous reactions.
Due to BJP being in power and public discourse favoring Hindutva, there was
less mocking of the idea.
15 -20 years ago
when Sarsanghchalak Sudarshanji had conveyed a similar idea, Communist leader
Namboodripad had called him a person possessed by Mussolini’s ghost (Mussolini,
Italian dictator talked about turning Italy into ancient Roman empire)
Akhand Bharat
in public mind
Currently when the
idea of Akhand Bharat is talked about, it is understood in the current context.
Bharat currently has 29 states and a Central Government at Delhi. So when
Bharat will get Akhand, it will be like new states being added and Delhi based
Government will control them. Indian Constitution will prevail and laws will be
similar across the country. However it is not necessary that the word means the
same in all discussions.
Nation vs
State
It is due to Western
influence where nations were created by State. Nation and State are 2 different
concepts but have been lost in translation similar to Dharma and Religion.
Nation is a
cultural concept while State is a political concept. Hence Bharat has been a
Hindu nation for many millennia but State or Kingdoms were secular. Our
Rishi-Munis understood the difference very well. Hence our Kings encouraged
debate and allowed multiple faiths to be flourished. Debates of King Janaka are
referred in Upanishad as well. Even the sacred Vedas were criticized but nobody
was burned or hanged for the heresy.
But the
Christian and Islamic civilizations consolidated the cultural/religious and
political power in Pope and Caliph respectively. European Kings were under
Papal lordship and had to take permissions from him for even marriage. In fact
the concept of secularism arose because King Henry of England had to divorce
his wife and did not get Papal approval. Hence he started the Church of England
and his kingdom became secular i.e will not concern on religious matters.
These Kingdoms
or State were later transformed into European countries as we know today. Hence
State led to creation of identity or nations.
Who knows when
the resurrection comes ?
The main
difference between Sanatan Dharma and Abrahmic faiths is about acceptance of
diversity. We think that every faith is a path to attain divinity and there is
no need for fights or conversions. But Islam and Christianity insist that they
only are the path to salvation.
Christianity is
fast losing it’s grip over Europe and America due to it’s incompatibility with
science and people are losing their faith. A lot of Europeans and Americans are
attracted towards Bharat for it’s spirituality and culture. They believe in
theory of Karma, reincarnation which are completely Hindu concepts.
Similarly if a
reform movement starts within Islam ( already there are groups like Ex-Muslims
or Awesome without Allah) which makes it more tolerant towards other ideas, it
can give a ground for cultural unity with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Indonesia
can serve as a model as Indonesian Muslims still follow Ramayan.
However the
essential pre-condition for this to happen is Bharat should be a super-power
i.e economically, militarily and culturally. So Hindus have to be an organized
and dominant force culturally.
Balasaheb Deoras,
third Sarsanghchalak was asked about his views on Akhand Bharat. He commented
that we are talking about cultural unity and not political unity. He stressed
it further that we might also look at a loose federation like European Union as
well.
15th January Boudhik: Makar
Sankranti
Makara Sankranti is an auspicious day and observed in almost all parts of Bharath.
Though the name by which it is known, the ways of observing the day and
celebrating it slightly varies from place to place and state to state, the
underlying significance is almost the same. It
is beginning of a good season of another six months. This year Makara
Sankranti falls on 14th of January.
What
is Sankranti
It is a widely known fact that our Earth takes
one year to complete one revolution around the Sun in its designated orbit. However, as we are
living on Earth, for us the earth appears stationary and the Sun revolves. Hence from olden times for
practical convenience of weather forecast and astrological studies and
predictions, it is taken as Sun travels and completes a revolution in one year.
The Sun's theoretical journey or orbit in a whole year is divided into twelve
parts called Zodiacs or Rashis. Each Rashi is 30 degrees, thus the total orbit of 360 degrees divided by twelve. These
Rashis are named in Sanskrit as Mesha, Rishabha, Mithuna, Kataka, Simha,
Kanya, Thula, Vrischika, Dhanur, Makara,Kumbha, and Meena. (The English
zodiacal names equivalent start from Aries and end in Pisces) The Sun's
movement from one Zodiac to the next is called the transit. The day on
which the actual time (by calculation) of the Sun leaving one Zodiac and entry into the next Zodiac falls, is the
"Sankranti". Sankramana is 'journey' and Sankranti is the
transmigration or simply leaving one and entering another.
What and When is Makara Sankranti
As understood earlier, the Sankranti are the entry point time to the
Zodiacs (in their Sanskrit names). Makara Sankranti is the day on which
the Sun enters the Makara Rashi ( Zodiac of Capricorn) from Dhanur Rasi .
It is considered very important throughout Bharath. The Makara Sankranti as in any other case is
calculated by the Panchang preparers and learned astrologers. It is also
scientifically calculated and arrived at by modern mathematical and
astronomical calculations. They are given among much other information in
Panchangs and traditional and modern Hindu Calendars. People following a
good Panchang and the Hindu Calendars know and keep in mind in advance the
day and time for observance of the various rituals and celebrations. The
Makara Sankranti generally falling on or near
the date of January 14 or 15. This is the beginning of the traditional
month of Makara in some states( in Sanskrit). In linguistic states the
corresponding names may vary, like Thai, Maghi etc.
It is also said that Sun moves to Northern
hemisphere (Uttarayan) from Southern hemisphere (Dakshinayan) on this day.
However geographically Sun moves to Northern hemisphere on 22nd
December, but there would have been some time when Sankranti would have exactly
aligned with geographical movement as well. It shows the antiquity of our culture.
Makara
Sankranti in different states
Makara Sankranti is observed and celebrated in different
names in the various states of Bharath as below: In Tamil Nadu, - Makara
Sankranti is celebrated as Thai Pongal- Beginning of Tamil month Thai
corresponds to the month of Makara. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa , Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh , Manipur Bihar , W Bengal, Orissa -
celebrated as Makara Sankranti
or Sankranti. In Andhra Pradesh, the previous day is the Bhogi.
Gujarat , Rajasthan – Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayana
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh as Magha Saaja or Sankranti, and Punjab -
celebrated as Lohri. Assam - it is celebrated as Bihu- Magh Bihu or
Bhogali Bihu. In Kerala the most important event is the 'Makara
Vilakku' in the famous forest temple of Sabarimala. In many states
Makara Sankranti coincides or immediately follows harvest and is thus a harvest
festival also.
Social
significance
Sankranti is about positive change. Hindu society has
always adapted to change, which is how and why our Hindu
society/civilization has stayed alive and vibrant. Change in the society has to
happen in the light of Dharma – not at the whims or fancies of the leaders
of the day. There are 2 aspects to the Dharma – One based on the eternal
core principles that are unchanged; and the other based on customs/rituals
etc., that adapts to the times rather than being fossilized in time.
Suryadev is the ultimate example of an
ideal Swayamsevak/Karyakarta – selflessly, untiringly performing His duties
of spreading light and warmth all around, treating each and every one with
the same respect and dignity. The ‘Charaiveti Charaiveti’ aspect of
Suryadev’s work applies to the Swayamsevaks who are involved in the
Ishwariya karya of Sangh. Meaning of Sankranti – samyak-kranti – change for the
good; a positive revolution; a revolution that is planned/calibrated – like the
proverbial wheels of time that moves surely but ever so subtly that brings
change to the world around us. Similarly Swayamsevaks take inspiration on
this occasion to bring in the changes into their lives that can eventually be
spread to the whole of Hindu society and mankind.
Yogic
significance
In Bhartiya culture, festivals are not just merry making as
they are becoming now but have a deep yogic significance as well. Humans are fond
of merry making so our Rishis defined festivals which are designed around the
idea of moving towards divinity.
Sankranti has tradition of sharing Til-Gul
(sesame-jaggery) with others. Married women share Haldi-kunku with
others. It is based on the fact that we are indebted to society which gives us
everything hence we should first share with others and then consume ourselves.
The first verse of Isha Upanishad states that whole world belongs to
Ishwar and anyone who just consumes for himself is a thief.
The ultimate goal of Bhartiya life is unity with divine.
Sankranti also signifies the transformation of Nara to Narayan. But
that transformation or Sankranti can happen through Seva and Sadhana.
It is also a reminder to us that we should keep working towards our final goal.
22nd January Katha: Solstice
at Panipat
Bharat has many millennia
long history and has seen many battles, but few battles have changed the course
of history. Third battle of Panipat is one of the most important battles fought
in last 500 years. It was fought between Marathas and Afghans on 14th
January 1761. Marathas were led by Sadashivrao Bhau and Afghans were led by
Ahmed Shah Abdali.
Context
Marathas were a
rising power in the early part of 18th century. In 1719, 12 years after
Aurangzeb’s death Maratha (Hindu) army was knocking at the gates of Delhi. They
secured taxation rights for Central India. As Bajirao assumed the title of
Peshwa in 1720, the relentless pursuit continued and Marathas became the rulers
of Central, West and majority of South India. In 1757, Marathas captured Attock.
After a gap of almost 1000 years, saffron flag was unfurled at the garrison.
Maratha expansion
in North, led to alarm bells among Mughals and Muslim Ulemas. They realized that
if the rising Kaffir power was not subdued any dreams of Islamic
supremacy will be pipe dreams. Fall of Attock made it a pressing need to find a
savior of Islam. Shah Walliullah wrote a letter to Ahmed Shah Abdali seeking
his help to defeat the Kaffir power and establish Islamic supremacy. He was invited
and full support was promised by Muslim ulemas. Najib Khan Rohilla was also a
co-conspirator who wanted to crush Maratha power.
Sensing
opportunity Abdali started his invasion and pushed back Marathas from Punjab. Najib
Khan kept Dattaji around Delhi till Afghan reinforcements arrived. He was
surrounded near Burari in Delhi. As he was wounded on battlefield, Qutub Shah,
came to him and asked “ Patel, do you want to fight again”. He valiantly replied
“I will fight, till I am alive”. He was immediately beheaded.
Resolve for
Fight
Dattaji’s assassination
sent shock waves across Maratha empire. An immediate meeting was held and it
was decided to avenge his death. A large army was assembled under the
leadership of Sadashivrao Bhau (nephew of Bajirao Peshwa). Maratha sardars like
Shinde, Holkar, Gaekwad, were told to gather their armies and join Bhau
enroute. He started from Pune on 14th Jan 1760. Along with soldiers
there were large number of non-combatants who were mostly family members and pilgrims
for visiting holy places in North India. It slowed down the advance and Maratha
army reached North during monsoons. This impacted the movement further as
rivers were flooded and armies could not cross them easily.
Kingdoms in
North did not support the Maratha campaign while Nawabs like Shuja-ud-Daulah of
Awadh supported Abdali as a call to Jihad. This proved costly as Afghan
forces got continuous replenishments while Maratha army started facing
shortages. The situation became so dire during December/January that soldiers
had to march on empty stomach. Getting wheat or rice became a luxury. Both armies
were locked in such a way that Maratha army had blocked Abdali’s route to
Afghanistan while his army had blocked their path to South.
Final battle
To break the impasse,
Bhau decided to attack Abdali’s army and break away towards South. It was the
fateful day of Makarsankranti i.e 14th January 1761. The attack of
Maratha artillery and infantry was so severe during initial hours that Afghan
army formation broke into 2 parts. There was a rout in Afghan forces and Abdali
had to order his trusted soldiers to shoot anyone who was fleeing the battlefield.
Rohillas under Najib Khan also faced severe losses and could not face the wrath
of Maratha attack. By afternoon, the battle seemed to be tilting towards
Marathas.
Vishwasrao (grandson
of Bajirao Peshwa) was leading on an elephant and was shot in his head. He
collapsed on the battlefield. At the same time Abdali pushed a fresh contingent
of soldiers which were not tired and hence losses started mounting for
Marathas. Sadashiv Rao Bhau had to jump from his elephant to a horse. He became
invisible to his army which demoralized them and led to a rout. By evening
Afghans had won the battle and many Maratha generals including Bhau, Vishwasrao,
Jayappa Shinde were either killed or captured.
Aftermath
Afghans massacred
almost forty thousand (including non-combatants) and twenty thousand women and
children were taken as slaves. However the Hindu (Maratha) resistance that Abdali
faced at Panipat convinced him to not meddle in affairs of Delhi again. He sent
a peace proposal to Nanasaheb Peshwa (son of Bajirao) and regretted the death of
his son (Vishwasrao) and Bhau and expected that Marathas and Afghans will be at
good terms in the future.
Marathas lost
almost one hundred thousand soldiers on the battlefield. It is said that there
was no family in Maharashtra who did not lose his kith or kin in this battle.
Even today if someone is in trouble people say that he is struck by
Makarsankranti (in remembrance of the day of battle).
Although the
setback was severe, Marathas regained their power in 10 years and by 1772, they
were again controlling the affairs of Delhi. Mahadji Shinde was appointed the
Vazir-ul-Mulk of Mughal Empire. However British who got some respite and took
advantage of the power vacuum in East were the ultimate beneficiaries of this
battle.
Hindu disunity
had again taken a toll in form of losing another crucial battle.
29th January: Abhyas of Sanghatan
Mantra and Ekta Mantra
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