Are there any scriptures (Dharma Shastra-s) or Hindu saints who have talked about patriotism?
Related: This post discusses specific to Kshatriya class, Martyr concept in Hinduism
15
-
4The only instance i know is this sloka जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी but only few editions of Ramayana has it. I think there are no explicit references supporting Patriotism for a land or country. In Living with Himayalayan masters by Swami Rama, his guru opposed his idea to fight against British saying Spirituality is more important than Patriotism. – The Destroyer♦ Sep 19 '16 at 14:10
-
3My goodness! Haven't you read any of Vivekananda?? There's a reason his pictures and statues are everywhere in the country... – Swami Vishwananda Sep 19 '16 at 14:54
-
1I imagine Guru Gobind Singh would also have something in this regards, as he fought for the country, although I have not read his works either. – Amit Saxena Sep 19 '16 at 15:33
-
2@AmitSaxena actually considering the place of birth(nation) as worshipable is highly condemned in Bhagavatam.You can read here.-vedabase.com/en/sb/10/84/13 . Actually nationalism,patriotism etc are due to false identification of person with the body and is only due to ignorance. such false notion is condemned in Bhagavatam and other scriptures as well. – Vishal prabhu lawande Sep 20 '16 at 7:06
-
2@Yogi That depends on the person you are talking to. I see Sikhism as part of Hinduism. – Amit Saxena Sep 20 '16 at 8:05
10
The Vedas, in particular, do not have a limited (narrow) vision of patriotism. The Vedas clearly say that we all are the children of Mother Earth. Hence, we should love the whole earth as our motherland and not just our own country.
MAta Bhumih Putro Aham PrithivyAha .
Meaning
The earth is my mother, I her son.
Atharva Veda Samhita, Kanda 12, Sukta 1, Mantra 12.
8
In Hinduism, Earth and Bharatvarsh is considered as mother. And, in general, everyone love their mother.
Vishnu Purana says:
उत्तरम् यत् समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रे: चैव दक्षिणम्।
वर्षम् तद् भारतम् नाम भारती यत्र संतति:||
THE country that lies north of the ocean, and south of the snowy mountains, is called Bhárata, for there dwelt the descendants of Bharata.
Earth is also known as consort of Lord Vishnu, so very respectable. There is a shloka regarding this.
समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले ।
विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्वमे ॥
Samudra-Vasane Devi Parvata-Stana-Mannddale |
Vissnnu-Patni Namas-Tubhyam Paada-Sparsham Kssamasva-Me ||
1: (Oh Mother Earth) The Devi Who is having Ocean as Her Garments and Mountains as Her Bosom,
2: Who is the Consort of Sri Vishnu, I Bow to You; Please Forgive me for Touching You with my Feet.
Vishnu Purana also praise Bharatavarsh as:
गायन्ति देवा: किल गीतिकानि, धन्यास्तु ते भारतभूमिभागे।
स्वर्गापवर्गास्पद - मार्गभूते, भवन्ति भूय: पुरुषा: सुरत्वात्।।
The gods themselves exclaim, "Happy are those who are born, even from the condition of gods, as men in Bhárata-varsha, as that is the way to the pleasures of Paradise, or the greater blessing of final liberation.
answered Sep 19 '16 at 17:32
-
4All of the quotes from puranas glorify bharatvarsha / Mother Earth. How is this supportive/related to Patriotism? – Yogi Sep 19 '16 at 19:29
-
@Yoogi If we consider this land as our mother then naturally we will love it more than anyone. And so if anyone will try to do some harm to it, we will defend it at any cost. Message here is if you love your mother then you will love your motherland. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Sep 20 '16 at 3:02
-
Thats your interpretation, other people can have different views so we need clear statements from shastras not indications. – Yogi Sep 20 '16 at 5:58
-
@Yogi Patriotism is an emotional attachment towards the motherland. And in ancient time, people have more attachment towards spirituality and sacredness. That's why the sages and seers have declared this earth as sacred (this is my opinion) so that people can understand the importance of motherland. And there are number of verses in our scripture that are indicative. You can see it as there are various sects in Hinduism and they interpret the same verse according to their sect beliefs. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Sep 20 '16 at 6:34
-
1Yeah thats what I am talking about interpretation can be dubious but actual meaning of verse is not. – Yogi Sep 20 '16 at 7:19
6
There are shlokas in Hindu scriptures which may be interpreted as patriotic.
It seems that the gods sing songs to this purport. Those who live in this part of the world called Bharata are in fact blessed. In order to enjoy the fruits of heaven and salvation they are born as human beings, casting off their deity-hood.
[Garuda Purana, Dharma Khanda, chapter I]
answered Sep 19 '16 at 13:36
1
The best mention I think is the one mentioned by The Destroyer in comment :
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ||
meaning :One's Mother and Motherland are more glorious than the heaven.
Reference : According to Wikipedia, this line is from the Valmiki-Ramayana :https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janani_Janmabhoomischa_Swargadapi_Gariyasi
