India that is Bhaarat

एतद्देश प्रसूतस्य सकाशादग्रजन्मना |
स्वं स्वं चरित्रं शिक्षेरन् पृथिव्यां सर्वमानवा:  ||

Etad-desha prasootasya sakaashaad-agra-janmaa
svam svam charitram shiksheran prutivyaam sarva-maanavaa-haa.

Meaning: All people living on earth (prutivyaam sarva-manvaa-haa) should take lessons about living and building character from the ancestors who took birth in this land and have always lead others by character.

This shloka is in praise of the pious land of Bhaarat which has produced leaders who have led by character. The very name of Bhaarat has been derived from the great Bharat. India or Hindustan has a rich history and heritage of countless countrymen who have led in all fields of life. Even the incarnations of God took place in this holy land. This is the land which is most fertile for experiments in human development. With the rich foundation of its glorious ancient heritage, India has the potential to lead the world in every aspect of life.

But the most important gift it has to offer is 'character'. This is one quality which encompasses all other qualities. Character or शील is the prime quality needed in life. Throughout India's history, it is men and women of great character who have led the people through the example of their own life. From warrior-kings like Shivaji Maharaj & Rana Pratap to great politicians like Chanakya, Vidur & Sardar Patel, heroic women like Rani Laxmibai & Ahalyabai Hokar, freedom fighters like Tilak, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, & Savarkar, scientists like Jagdish Chandra Bose, writers like Ravindranath Tagore, mathematicians like Aryabhatt, physicians like Sushrut & Charak, gramaticians like Panini, emperors like Ashoka & Chandragupta, saints like Dnyaaneshwar, Tukaram, Narsi Mehta & Gandhi, innumerable sages, philosophers like Shankara & Vivekanand, litterateurs like Kalidasa & Bhavabhuti, social reformers like Mahatma Phule, Raja Ram Mohan Roy... I could go on & on in every aspect of human life. But the important point is that the 1 quality which is common in all these above personalities, and the unmentioned, is a pure & virtuous character. The people of India revered them because of who they were on the inside, not what they were.

Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, the most iconic personality of modern India firmly emphasizes that, we can bring about a permanent internal change in other people, only and only by a strong & pure character of our own. India has the potential to lead the world as it did in its glorious past, and it can be realized only from within. Let's be the change we desire.

Jay Hind