In India, spirituality and devotion (or Deva Bhakti) have never been separate from nationalism (or Rashtra Bhakti), says the global spiritual master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Sanatan Dharma is the only culture that inspires us to love the nation, make sacrifices, and become a revolutionary when needed. This inspiration and need to take pride in and protect our cultural identity led so many freedom fighters to sacrifice their lives fighting against the British that got us our independence.
The Vedas are filled with verses that fill us with a profound sense of Nationalism. Rig Ved 10.191.2 mentions:-
“सं गछवं सं वदवं सं वो मनांिस जानताम्। देवा भागं यथा पूर्वे संजानाना उपासते ।। “
Meaning – “O Supreme Divine! Please give us wisdom that we all walk together in harmony, speak in one sweet language, have one heart, and enjoy the wealth and property produced in our own country by sharing it equally with each other. May every tendency in us be to seek freedom from attachment, and hatred and increase our love for each other.”
In yet another verse found in the Rig Ved’s ‘Indra-Sukta’ (10.47.2), “वायुधं ववसं सुनीथं चतुः समुद्रं धरुणं रयीणाम्। चकृयं शंयं भूिरवारममयं िचं वृषणं रियं दाः ॥”
Here one prays for a wealthy, prosperous, well-armed and infallible child capable of protecting his nation and one who leads his people with justice, mercy, generosity, and good conduct and considers the welfare of all.
Many such verses can be found in our Vedic literature to inspire the protection of one’s country and emphasize its importance. For example, this verse from Rig Veda-
उप सर्प मातरं भूिमम् । (Rig Ved 10.18.19) means- “I bow down praying- May I serve the motherland.”
In yet another verse,
“नमो मात्रे पृिथव्यै नमो मात्रे पृिथव्या।” (Yajur Ved 9.23), we pay obeisance to mother earth or the homeland, while another verse form Yajur Veda inspires us to lead the nation with awareness. (वयः राट्र जागृयाम पुरोहिताः ॥ (Yajur Ved 9.23))
The real meaning of freedom
“For generations, our people aspired for freedom,” shares Gurudev, “But can you call a person free and independent when they are not mentally and emotionally free? Freedom should indicate fearlessness and awareness. Freedom means to be happy and confident in any situation. Independence cannot be achieved unless you start moving from within.”
To serve the country happily and dedicatedly, our youth must be free of stress, negative emotions and limiting beliefs. This is where Indian spirituality plays a truly empowering role. There are special yogic techniques like pranayamas or powerful breathing techniques like Sudarshan Kriya (taught by Gurudev), spiritual texts like Upanishads and Dhyana or meditation- all these tools rooted in ancient knowledge systems can help our youth be truly free from their stresses, worries and emotional upheavals.
It is with this inner strength alone that one can be established in oneself and serve his/her country, just as it is mentioned in this verse from Atharva Ved,
मे मातर्िन धेिह मा भद्रया सुप्रतिष्ठितम्। (Atharva Ved 12.1.63)
Meaning- O Motherland, Keep me well-established.
हृदयं सांमनस्यमिवद्वेषं कृणोिम वः। अन्यो अन्यमिभ हर्यंत वत्सं जातिमवाध्या ।। (Atharva Ved 3.30.1)
Meaning – Open your hearts to each other and remain single-mindedly engaged in action. Just as a cow turns into a lioness and rushes to its newly-born calf when disturbed, you all should be prepared to protect kind-hearted people in times of trouble.
Vedas are an ocean of knowledge, an invaluable treasure of world literature and the basic foundation of Indian nationalism. They contain within it the noble feeling of nationalism in full measure and have formed the basis of our collective pride of belonging to this nation.