It has been 75 years since the Constitution of Bharat came into force. The first article of the Constitution (Article 1: India that is Bharat) declares our identity as our nation or as people. The Constitution itself declares without any doubt that this nation, which was known in the world as ‘India’ at that time, is actually the ancient nation that has shone light on the world since ancient times under the name “Bharat”. Technically, at that time, we were known as India in different committees at the international level. The meaning of the phrase India that is Bharat is also a pledge to restore our ancient name with a single consciousness. The name Hindu that came from Sindhu from geographical background, then Indica from Hindu, and from there India. All this history is known to everyone. Similarly, our country has been known by many names in history. But Bharat is the name that has no other word to replace it.
Bharat is an eternal Nation
The Nation is believed to have emerged from the penance of the sages who desired goodness for all. The idea that Bharat is a iq.;Hkwfe is an ancient concept. Loyalty to one’s own country is seen in all developed nations in the past as well as present. In Bharat, it has created the noble concept of “Mata Bhoomi Putroham Prithivya”. Today, the world accepts it as a philosophy of nature conservation and sustainable living. Since time immemorial, we have described our country by the word “Bharat”. It can be seen in the Vedic literature, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavatam, srimat bhagavat geeta, the Manusmriti, other Puranas, and the works of Kalidasa. In the past, it was sung about Bharat like,
“Gayanti Deva: Kila Gita Kani:
Dhanyastu te Bharata Bhoomibhage:
Swargapavargaaspada marga bhute:
Bhavanti Bhuya: Purusha: Suyat Naat.”
Bharat is an invincible spirit
Bharat is more than just a name, it is an invincible spirit.
“Bhaatisarveshu vedeshu
Ratissarveshu jantushu
Tharanam sarvatirthanam
Thena Bharatamuchyate”
Linguistics says that the word Bharat is a combination of three varnas: Bha, Ra, Ta. Each varna has a different meaning. Bha = One who shines in all the Vedas (knowledge). One which shines in knowledge. Ra = One who is interested in all beings. One who loves and cares for this entire nature. This is the basis of the concept of Dharma. Ta = One who shines in all the Tirthas. Tirtha means water as well as Shastra. If we take it geographically, it means all places. Every inch of land. If we take Shastra – it can be interpreted as being described or manifested in all subjects or Shastras. If all the other names are geographical terms, the name, “Bharat” was achieved through our Karma Yoga. The history and tradition of Bharat is the acquisition, creation, distribution and expansion of knowledge.
When this country was fighting to get rid of its long slavery, it had a goal in front of it. It was not just political power. It was not Swarajya.It was just freedom, swatantra also. To be able to express its own identity. Swami Vivekananda declared this, “Nothing less than Bhara’s victory over the world. victory should be the goal of this renaissance.” “Born with Sanatana Dharma and living with its ups and downs, the mission of Bharat is to prepare the royal path for universal welfare,” is the view of Arabinda Yogi. Bharat should express its identity not for the mere happiness and prosperity of Bharat. Those who do not say this, have lost their place in the hearts of our people today.
From self-forgetfulness to identity consciousness
When the Rajpath and the Durbar have turned into the ‘kartavya pat’ , and Sri Ram Janmabhoomi, Kashi, Ujjain, Amritsar and Nalanda have spread awe and become shining centres again, many are expressing their confidence and self-respect by using the name of our country as Bharat instead of India in the Kshatrapati for the banquet given by the President in connection with the last G20 Summit and in all the formal programs thereafter. The fact that many universities have officially decided that they will use the name Bharat instead of India, irrespective of the language, they use in those universities’ for day -to-day affairs. This is becoming a new movement. It can be assumed that the conference titled One Nation – One Name: Bharat will accelerate this in the Gyan Mahakumbh, which is being held in association with the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayag. The fact that India is starting to call itself Bharat is a manifestation of the invincible spirit of Bharat. It is a symbol of Bharat regaining its status and value on the global stage. It is the evolution of Bharat’s unwavering dedication to reclaiming its true identity.
A. Vinod is National Convenor, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, Delhi.
