Is our Sanatana Dharma different from Rashtra Dharma ?

[Anand]

Namaste,

I find many great, learned, intellectual and spiritual people in this
group, one of its kinds. Hence I am throwing some of my thoughts so
that I can get others views and opinion to enrich myself.

To me our Sanatan Dharma is superset of our Rashtra Dharma and our
Sanatan Dharma shapes and strengthens our Rashta Dharma.

To me like many God and Godess we have, Bharatvarsh, is our mother
Godess, worshiping her is like worshiping to mother Durga, or Kali or
Saraswati or Gayathri.

Her holy places, rivers, temples, people, mountains are sacred to me
and fighting with anyone who
encroaches to these are like trying to protect the motherland. There
could be thousands of land but there is only one mother land. Hence
speaking in favour of protecting Rama-Setu or any temple is Rashtra
Dharma to me.

Our Sanatan Dharma preaches very high philosophy and methodologies for
self-realization. I believe in this.

In past, several invaders who looted our nation for the greed of money
and power have ruled our country. We fought them. Today strong global
forces are invading the very core of our nation - Invasion in our
culture, faith and religion. Isn’t our Rashtra Dharma to defend our
nation and our brothers and sisters? Is there conflict here in Rashtra
Dharma and Sanatan Dharma?

We believe in evolution of man from Jivatma to Pramatama. Rather we
say, casting off ignorance and realizing our true SELF. Our culture
has evolved; people have got enlightened following our Sanatan Dharma.
We are open to all thoughts and practices. We appreciate what is good
in other lands and assimilate them. This has helped in gradual
evolution of our Culture. Our way of living is part of Karmakanda
(well, its far more than this). Karmakanada is bound to time and
place. But the eternal philosophy of Vedas is eternal. Truth does not
change.

Hence, I don’t believe in religious conversion. Conversion is not
evolution. It is sudden change, forced change. It’s like accepting
change due to some weakness. We cant change Rose to lotus. Yes science
has done some genetic mutations and changed plants form and shape. But
is that natural? Protecting our Sanatan Dharma from perishing, isnt it
our Rashtra Dharma?

We worship Godess Laxmi for Samridhi. In the current economical
crisis, discussing about how to strengthen our nation - Isn’t it like
trying to save Laxmi of our nation and trying to make our nation
strong?

To me, whatever way we make our country strong, prosperous and happy
is Rashtra Dharma.

I have seen many spiritual thinkers talking deeply about dharma-
Adharma,busy in thoughts of self-realisation over look our Rashtra
Dharama.


From whatever I could understand from the life of Swami Vevekanandji,
he didnt go to Himalaya for self-realization but (Well, he wanted to
do, but Thakurji had more tasks for him) was moved by the pathetic
condition of our mother land and worked day and night to uplift our
nation. He took the pride of being Hindu and proclaimed the greatness
of our Vedas.

If my thoughts make some sense, may I request that we can discuss on
this forum - the way to make hindu united, save our culture from
erosion and dont look down on our fellow brothers and sister who sound
nationalistic in their views? Probably their Rashtra Dharma overwhelms
them.

I am sorry, if my thoughts are not organized and presented well.
Please try to gather essence of my thoughts and not the words in
particular.

Jai Hind,
Anand

[Vaibhav Khire]

Anand,

You have raised a very valid point. Let me first put forth my
thoughts, and I will end with some words from Swamiji.

The question about rashtra dharma and Sanatana Dharma is not discussed
in context of India since we do not distinguish between them. The
meaning of the word dharma is "that which binds together". So, dharma
of a family man is to make sure his family stays together, to provide
for one's family. That is the reason why divorce was a word unheard of
in past in India. Staying together is dharma, breaking apart is
adharma and one needs to follow dharma inspite of difficulties making
sacrifices. That also boils down to the joint family system prevalent
in India in the past.

That is dharma for a family. When you expand it, the nation is one
large family. Just like one ensures for happiness of family members we
need to ensure happiness of everyone in the rashtra. Hence, conflicts
within rashtra are adharma, splitting between various parts of a
nation is adharma and ultimately not trying to work together towards
the prosperity of rashtra is also adharma. Just like a husband and
wife staying together inspite of differences preserves the family,
various components/states/idelogical persons in the nation staying
together inspite of differences is dharma. That is our rashtra dharma.

Take this same idea one step ahead. And you will see why the sages
said "vasudhaiva kutumbakam", the whole world is a family. In that
case, just like you wont hurt anyone in your family, you wont hurt
anyone else in the world-family. Thus, compassion and love towards all
human beings, ahimsa, becomes a natural thing in our dharma. That is
why India never invaded another land, since in a family one does not
try to kill other family members. The whole concept of oneness forms
the basis of our dharma.

Thus we see that for us Indians, an individual dharma is no different
than our rashtra dharma. The one who follows swadharma, has to follow
rashtra dharma and vice versa. A good Hindu cannot be a bad Indian and
a person hating India cannot be a good Hindu. Rashtra Dharma is same
as Sanatana Dharma and it is also same as our swa-dharma.

This brings us to the wonderful words by Swami Vivekananda. He says,
urging all Indians to work for the same sake of India.. "This national
ship (India), my countrymen, my friends, my children — this national
ship has been ferrying millions and millions of souls across the
waters of life. For scores of shining centuries it has been plying
across this water, and through its agency, millions of souls have been
taken to the other shore, to blessedness. But today, perhaps through
your own fault, this boat has become a little damaged, has sprung a
leak; and would you therefore curse it? Is it fit that you stand up
and pronounce malediction upon it, one that has done more work than
any other thing in the world? If there are holes in this national
ship, this society of ours, we are its children. Let us go and stop
the holes. Let us gladly do it with our hearts' blood; and if we
cannot, then let us die. We will make a plug of our brains and put
them into the ship, but condemn it never. Say not one harsh word
against this society. I love it for its past greatness. I love you all
because you are the children of gods, and because you are the children
of the glorious forefathers. How then can I curse you! Never. All
blessings be upon you! I have come to you, my children, to tell you
all my plans. If you hear them I am ready to work with you. But if you
will not listen to them, and even kick me out of India, I will come
back and tell you that we are all sinking! I am come now to sit in
your midst, and if we are to sink, let us all sink together, but never
let curses rise to our lips...."

Thanks for starting a wonderful discussion.
~Vaibhav.

[Anand]

Thanks a lot Vaibhavji, for taking my thoughts in very right context
and further elaborating it. Truly said - "vasudhaiva kutumbakam" , a
concept and practical approach set by our seers. When we see the
Infinite Bhramha dwelling even in a spake of dust, how can we ever
hate any human being, no matter from where he comes. Our dharma is all
encompassing and embracing everyone in the world.

I dont remember if Francois Gautier or David Frawley said, that Its
very important that Sanatan Hindu Dharma has to be saved for the sake
of world. Not sure if u would have read his articles.

Also, Thanks for quoting beautiful words of Swami Vivekanandaji is
very correct context. I think, Sri Arbindo has also expressed similar
feelings. I agree, our Rahstra Dharma and Sanatana Dharma are not two
different concept.

Lets hear from others, perhaps that will still broaden our thoughts
and give us strength to stand for right cause.

Jai Hind,
Anand

[Bharat Churiwala]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Swami Jnanendrananda <sw....@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Subject: Fwd: Is our Sanatana Dharma different from Rashtra Dharma ?
To: Bharat Churiwala <bchur...@gmail.com>

My dear Bharatbhai,

 

A VERY INTERESTING QUESTION HAS BEEN RAISED BY ANANDJI & A VERY NICE REACTIONARY MAIL HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY VAIBHAVJI.

 

TO ADD TO IT FURTHER:

 

1.  ONE'S RASHTRA DHARMA IS COVERED WITHIN THE PERIPHERY OF SANATANA DHARMA.  S.D. IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT.  IT HAS ETERNAL VALUES WHICH CAN BE APPLIED ANYWHERE IN OUR GLOBAL SOCIETY.  'DHRI--DHARYATE' IS THE ROOT WORD OF DHARMA, MEANING THE VALUES IMPLIED IN THIS WORD IS THAT WHICH SUPPORTS, UPHOLDS & PROTECTS.  ALSO, THE VALUES IMPLIED HELPS ONE TO PROSPER IN THE SECULAR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE (ABHYUDAYA) & LIBERATE IN HUMAN BIRTH (NISHREYASA) VIZ. PRAVRITTI & NIVRITTI.

 

2.  SWAMIJI HAS UTTERED 'N' NUMBER OF TIMES IN HIS LECTURES THAT 'HE IS PROUD TO BE A HINDU' & A CITIZEN OF INDIA.  HE ALWAYS WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS POOR , DEPRIVED, DOWNTRODDEN CONTRYMEN & THEIR UPLIFTMENT.  THAT WAS HIS 'RASHTRA DHARMA'.  HE NEVER SAID ALL THIS IN A NARROW SENSE, HARBOURING FULL RESPECTS TOWARDS OTHER RELIGIONS & THEIR FOLLOWERS.  HE WAS UNSELFISH TO THE CORE IN HIS LOVE FOR HIS COUNTRYMEN, BE IT HINDUS, MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS & OTHER FAITHS.  THAT WAS HIS UNIVERSALITY SPIRIT ALL THROUGH HIS SHORT LIFE SPAN & HE WANTED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE LIKEWISE.

 

3.  SWAMIJI ALSO CONDEMNED CONVERSION OF ONE FAITH TO ANOTHER, HE SAID THAT IT IS A GROSS SIN WHOEVER DOES IT OUT OF SELFISH MOTIVES.

 

These are a few broad aspects which can be borne in mind when this discussion is carried forward.

 

Love & namaskar.

 

Sw. Jnan

Anand,

[Lohani, Prabesh]

Dear Self,

 

Our Dharma is to realize who we are and love God alone. Since God resides in every being, it is our Dharma to love everyone. One great way to love everyone is by serving them. There are hundreds and thousands of people, who, unconscious of their true nature, are suffering from poverty, superstition, diseases and hatred. By serving these millions of gods, we are indeed serving ourselves and ultimately serving God. Patriotism is another way of serving God, but let patriotism be only love and no hatred. We see how people, in the name of love for the country, exercise violence on others (unto themselves eventually). Love to God supersedes all other forms of love. Therefore, let us practice the love for country (and its people) through the love for God alone. This is karma and bhakti yoga in itself.

 

Om Tat Sat Om,

The Self

 

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