PC:vecteezy
Chanakya is one person from history who fascinates me. It is debated whether the Kautilya who wrote the Arthashastra, the Vishnugupta who was at the court of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya to whom many stories of lore are attributed to are one and the same, or they were different people who are now merged into one legend thanks to pop culture.
For me, that is not relevant – the wealth of literature, advice, and philosophy attributed to him that we have, to read and learn from, is simply marvellous!
I have covered Kaultilya’s Panchang Sutra from the treatise Artha Shashtra in one of the earlier blogs. (https://pravin03458.wixsite.com/prajaktas-bloom/post/let-us-follow-the-panchanga-sutra-)
But what reminded me of Chanakya again in this week is the upcoming Republic Day! While Gandhiji, Lokmanya Tilak and others fought for our Independence in the 20th Century or Prithviraj Chauhan, Guru Gobind Singh, Shivaji Maharaj nurtured the idea of a “Nation” in the earlier centuries, it was Chanakya who not only dreamt of a “राष्ट्र / Rashtra” – but went ahead and established one in the 3rd Century BC on sound principles of policy and governance that are very relevant even today!
I think that in this clamour of “left” and “right”, jingoistic nationalism, and religions being claimed by people for own gains, the true essence of Hinduism, the Vedic way of living as practised by our ancestors is getting lost –
... of embracing everyone and everything with open arms,
... of accepting the differences that abound around us, yet celebrating our uniqueness,
... of being one with nature,
... of simple living (for our body); higher thinking (seeking higher consciousness for our soul)
Hence, in the run-up to the Republic Day, I pray for the prosperity of a Republic State (राष्ट्र /Rashtra) - built and nurtured by like-minded souls on the principles of empathy and acceptance.
With this in mind, I bring to you the Sanskrit version of a song from the serial Chanakya from the 1990s. I remember watching this serial as a teenager and it had a great impact on me then too.
It goes thus –
आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रं आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रम् ... तनुजं हृद्जं धनजं तनु-हृद्-धन जीवनजम् । आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रं आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रम् ॥
Let us worship our own nation.
With our body, mind and wealth, with our body-heart-wealth and life,
Let us worship our own nation!
अंतरजं मुखजं कृतिजं निश्चल निर्मलमति भाजः । श्रद्धया च विनतशिरस्काः अभिवादयेम निज राष्ट्रम् ॥ आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रं आराधयेम निज राष्ट्रम् ॥
From our very soul, our mouths, our actions, our unwavering, pure intellect,
with faith and bowed head, let us worship our own nation.
Let us worship our own nation!
The song goes on to say that from childhood to adulthood, understanding our past, present and looking forward to the future, learning from the sufferings of our motherland, let us worship (and build) our own nation!
It’s a beautiful song filled with positivity and is a call for action. To come together and help build a nation on common principles and restore its glory.
We can celebrate and embrace our “Bharatiya-ta / भारतीयता” from anywhere in the world, for there are no physical boundaries to conquer; the limitations only lie within us!
Do hear the whole Samskrita and original Hindi versions here –
Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day! May the tribe increase!
Praju another tour de force
Had often wondered the totally divergent contributions of Kautilya Vishnu gupta n the Writer of Panchtantra. Thanks for casting some light on my confusion.
Also had not remembered his concept of Rashtra n how much he did to make this a reality. Indeed right to remember him even after so many years. His contribution n capability were indeed iconic.
Even while agreeing to your delineation of essentials of Hinduism even a liberal n moderate like me is now pleased with the Hindu revival_ism only for the reason I feel we have remain understanding n accommodating far too long. In that respect I love the concept of Hindu Rashtra n look fw to spending …