In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Paraashara’s important and a thundering accord as he declares that our Bhaarata Desha is the land of ‘Karma Bhoomi”, and it is only by taking birth and living in this very country, one can attain “Moksha”. He explains this important point as he describes the significance of this great land of India. Sage Paraashara explains how our Bhaarata Desha – The land that is bordered by the Himalayas in the north, Vindya and Satpura mountains in the center, the Western Ghats in the western and southern sides, and finally the three oceans on three sides of the land, is one of the holiest and sacred places ever in this world. Thus, having said this, we should all feel proud that we’re part of this Bhaarata Desha – The land of “Moksha”. Not only here in Shri Vishnu Puraana, there are innumerable places in the spiritual literatures that find mention about how India is the land of “Karma Bhoomi”. In fact, not only our Sanaatana Dharma, many other religions in the world also have their roots to India. All of us know that Buddhism started in India, with Gautama Buddha, also revered in many places as one of Bhagawan Vishnu’s incarnations taking birth at Gaya and attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Similarly, Jainism too started in India. Similarly, Christianity has great roots in India – it is believed that there were three “great men” who travelled all the way from India to Jerusalem (Betthlehem) and they were instrumental in Jesus Christ taking birth.
Thus, in all religions, this Bhaarata Desha (India) is revered and respected, because India is a land of Sanaatana Dharma. The fundamental root and fabric of this great country is our Sanaatana Dharma and this would be the case unless and until the Himalayas, River Ganges, etc. exist in this world. In fact, during our earlier Ramayana project, we’ve seen Bhagawan Brahma blessing Valmiki Maharishi, thus motivating him to commence scripting the Ramayana text. Our readers might remember Bhagawan Brahma blessing Valmiki Maharishi at that occasion thus, “Oh Valmiki! Unless and until the Himalayas exist in this world – Unless and until the Meru Mountain is going to be in existence – Unless and until the River Ganges is going to keep flowing – Your Ramayana text would be revered and respected all throughout!” This simply means that the Valmiki Ramayana is going to be a permanent entity and is going to exist forever. Obviously all of us know that the Himalayas is not going to be destroyed. River Ganges is going to flow all throughout. If such is the case, how can Bhagawan Brahma’s words go false?
Thus, if Valmiki Ramayana would exist forever, our Sanaatana Dharma would also exist forever. If Valmiki Ramayana would exist forever, our Bhaarata Desha would exist forever. If Valmiki Ramayana would exist forever, the reputation that our Bhaarata Desha is the land of Sanaatana Dharma would exist forever. This is exactly the message that Sage Paraashara is conveying here too. When he says that this Bhaarara Desha is the land of “Karma Bhoomi”, it means that if one needs to spiritually advance and progress, the real treasure and pedigree for it is nowhere in this world, but in this Bhaarata Desha only. If one needs to attain “Moksha”, he / she should obviously be coming to this great land. This is the reason why all great “Mahatmas” who incarnate even today in this Kali Yuga, are all in India, and nowhere. For instance, the revered Shirdi Sai Baba, Puttaparthi Sai Baba, Sadguru Shri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Kanchipuram Shri Chandrasekhara Swamigal (Kanchi Shankaraachaarya), the Alwars, Bhagawad Ramanuja, the Nayanmars, etc. (The list goes on and on…) have all chosen this Bhaarata Desha to incarnate. Why? The reason is very simple – Bhaarata Desha is the land of “Karma”, and whatever “Karma” we perform here, with the aim of attaining liberation (“Moksha”) gets realized here. Thus, all the Mahatmas know that if at all they should incarnate, they should do so ONLY in India, and nowhere! Thus, this is the significance of our Bhaarata Desha.
In fact, this is also one reason why loads of westerners are flocking towards India for their spiritual progress and “peace of mind”. Only where there is spirituality, will there be “peace of mind” existing. We might wonder why westerners flock towards India, despite the fact that they have impeccable infrastructure, robust state-of-the-art technological advancements, clean air, water, etc. as compared to us in India. The reason is simple – They have everything in this world that are required for a worldly materialistic life. But they do not have the “inner peace of mind” that is required to enjoy those worldly requirements in a detached way. It is only the Bhaarata Desha that gives solace to all of them.
Hence, for today again, let us understand the significance of our Bhaarata Desha and rejoice the fact that Bhagawan has given us this golden opportunity to be born here and to spend time in this noble land. We shall wait till the next episode to continue with Sage Paraashara’s further accord on our Bhaarata Desha. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 