By: Kundan Kashmiri
The question of whether India will survive because of Sanatanis, or whether Sanatanis will survive because of India, touches on deep philosophical, cultural, and historical elements. It invites reflection on the relationship between a nation’s survival and the identity of its people, especially in the context of India, where Sanatana Dharma, also referred to as Hinduism, is an ancient spiritual, cultural, and philosophical tradition.
Sanatana Dharma is not just a religion but a way of life, rooted in eternal truths and values that have been passed down for millennia. The term “Sanatana” means “eternal,” indicating that this Dharma is timeless, beyond the constraints of historical eras or geographical boundaries. It is a system of thought that encompasses various philosophies, rituals, ethics, and moral values. It teaches respect for nature, the pursuit of knowledge, self-realization, and the universal law of karma and dharma (duty). Sanatana Dharma has shaped the Indian civilization for thousands of years, influencing its social, cultural, and spiritual fabric.
India, as a political entity and a civilization, has survived for millennia through invasions, colonization, and internal challenges. The survival of India is closely linked to its culture and spiritual traditions, of which Sanatana Dharma is the core. The question of whether India survives because of Sanatanis can be interpreted in two ways: first, whether the values and practices of Sanatana Dharma have contributed to India’s endurance as a nation, and second, whether the physical and political entity of India depends on the Sanatani population.
The values of tolerance, inclusivity, and resilience that are intrinsic to Sanatana Dharma have contributed to India’s survival as a nation. These values have helped India withstand external aggressions and internal divisions. Despite waves of invasions and colonization, Sanatana Dharma has managed to integrate different ideas, evolving over time while maintaining its core principles. This adaptability has allowed Indian civilization to survive when others have collapsed. It is the philosophical openness, the ability to accept multiple truths, and the emphasis on spiritual progress that have acted as a bedrock for India’s survival.
Sanatana Dharma inherently embraces diversity, not just in religious beliefs but in practices, languages, and philosophies. This pluralism is reflective of the Indian nation itself. It is because of this openness and diversity within Sanatana Dharma that India has been able to hold together despite its myriad cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences. The very idea of “unity in diversity,” a defining characteristic of India, is derived from Sanatana Dharma’s worldview. Thus, India’s survival as a nation is deeply linked to the principles of inclusivity and tolerance that Sanatana Dharma promotes.
Throughout history, India’s survival has often depended on the quality of leadership and governance, which was rooted in Sanatani values of dharma (righteousness). Great leaders like Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, and others followed principles based on dharma, which stressed justice, morality, and the welfare of all. This ensured a strong societal foundation and allowed the Indian civilization to survive and flourish across.
While Sanatana Dharma has played a significant role in shaping India’s cultural and spiritual identity, the modern political survival of India as a nation is also influenced by secularism, democracy, and modern governance structures. These political systems ensure that India remains a pluralistic state where all communities, regardless of their faith, contribute to its survival. Hence, one could argue that India’s survival in the modern era is not solely dependent on Sanatanis, but rather on the collective efforts of all its citizens and the strength of its democratic institutions.
On the other hand, the survival of Sanatanis (followers of Sanatana Dharma) in the modern world also relies on India as a nation-state. While Sanatana Dharma is an eternal philosophy that transcends national boundaries, the physical survival and flourishing of Sanatanis in the modern context are closely tied to the existence of India.
India, as a sovereign nation, provides a safe space for the practice and preservation of Sanatana Dharma. While Sanatanis exist in other parts of the world, India remains the heartland of this spiritual tradition. The survival of Sanatanis as a distinct community, especially in a world where religious and cultural identities are often under threat, depends on the political and territorial security that India provides. The Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and this allows Sanatanis to freely practice their faith and pass on their traditions to future generations.
Post-independence, India has played a crucial role in reviving and promoting Sanatani culture. Educational institutions, cultural organizations, and religious bodies within India have worked to preserve Sanatana Dharma’s teachings, rituals, and philosophies. This revival would not have been possible without the existence of a sovereign Indian state that recognizes and promotes its civilizational heritage. Moreover, India’s global influence helps promote Sanatana Dharma beyond its borders, leading to a growing interest in Sanatani philosophy worldwide.
India is home to the majority of the world’s Sanatanis. If India as a nation were to falter or cease to exist, the demographic and cultural base of Sanatanis would be severely affected. The physical survival of Sanatanis in significant numbers is directly tied to the stability and survival of India as a nation-state. Without India, the global Sanatani community would lose its primary cultural and spiritual anchor.
While Sanatanis are predominantly based in India, the principles of Sanatana Dharma are universal and timeless. They are not dependent on any one nation for their survival. Sanatana Dharma has the capacity to thrive in any part of the world, and its teachings of self-realization, morality, and spiritual growth do not require a specific political or national framework. Thus, one could argue that Sanatana Dharma, being eternal, would survive even without India.
Ultimately, the survival of both India and Sanatanis is symbiotic. India provides the geographical, cultural, and political framework for the flourishing of Sanatanis, while the values and philosophy of Sanatana Dharma have played a crucial role in ensuring India’s endurance as a nation and civilization. India, with its diverse cultures, has been shaped by Sanatani principles, while Sanatanis have found their spiritual and cultural anchor in the nation of India.
In conclusion, India and Sanatanis are interdependent. The survival of India is deeply influenced by the enduring values of Sanatana Dharma, while the continued existence and flourishing of Sanatanis in the modern era are intricately tied to the existence of India as a sovereign state. Neither can be separated from the other without causing significant harm to both.
(The author is a freelance writer & President Kashmiri Pandit Conference)