Ashtottaram 44

 

 

44) OṀ SAMAIKYA BHĀVA BHŨMYAINAMAH:

           OṀ (AUM) - SA -MAI - KYA -BHAA - VA - BHOO- MYAI --NA-MA- HA

 

 

(Samaikya: means-unity, harmony; Bhāvam: means-attitude, feeling, a notion,

                      frame of mind)

 

 

 

 

 

The old adage 'Kalasivunte kaladu sukham' meaning 'there is happiness and joy in living with unity and harmony '-which was first started in our motherland when other countries were engaged in wars and killing each other. Whether in books like 'PanchaTantram'- teaching moral fables about unity; or in schools, in movies and movie songs-wherever you see in India, living with unity and harmony is emphasized. Unfortunately because of a few Indians; the Arabs and the British ruled India for millennium using the dirty trick of 'divide and rule'. Because of their selfishness and greed, some Indians fell for it and we lost our independence for thousand years. However, with unity and strong will, we have won back our independence in 1947. We may have encountered many barbaric invasions and proselytizations by the foreigners, but our unity kept us together and our culture. Our Sanātana Dharma is ever alive and active, ever than before in India and abroad. Our Swamis, and discoursers are revitalizing our values and our way of life. Our media is working very hard in re-establishing our Hinduism on TV and some TV stations are completely dedicated to religious programs and millions of Hindus participate in Hindu festivals, religious worships and programs. This shows our unity in keeping our values and culture.

 

Even in purāṇās, itihāsās, and epics; there are many stories that teach us unity, friendship, harmony along with morals and ethics. For example, in Mahābhāratam, when King Duryodhana was captured by a Gandharva (a class of deity), his cousin brother Bhīma fights with the Gandharva and releases his cousin Duryodhana. This also teaches us that no matter of what differences we have among ourselves, when time comes, we should stick together against an enemy.

 

Many Hindu Indians show tireless effort in order to pull away many poor Indians from the clutches of proselytizers who come to India on missionary trips and target our poor citizens. These missionaries show pseudo-love in the name of their religion and give them food, clothes, medicines and tell them to change their Hindu religion to theirs. Some others do it by violence and crime. It is clear that our way of life is strong morally and ethically and has been withstanding and fighting back conversion attacks by these foreigners. We cannot accomplish that without unity and harmony among us. It also shows the strength of our commitment. Even Hindu-Indians in abroad are building temples, performing religious rituals faithfully, celebrating our Hindu-festivals with greater enthusiasm than ever before. They are conducting classes in Indian languages and BālaVihār-Sunday schools for the children, in order to keep our Hindu heritage. This shows that whatever adversities we may have among us, we always try  to maintain our unity when it comes to keeping our religion, culture and way of life.

 

Our motherland, which taught us to be together and united, is 'Samaikya Bhāva Bhūmi.'