The concept of identity is deeply rooted in our cultural heritage, and it's essential to understand the terms we use to describe ourselves. In Bharat, the term "Hindu" is often used, but its origins and implications are worth exploring. Let's delve into the history and significance of the terms "Hindu" and "Bharatiya" to better understand our identity.
We should remember that the term 'Hindu' ('ಹಿಂದು' हिंदू) is not an ideal self-identifier. Instead, we should use "Bharatiya" to reflect our cultural heritage accurately. The term "Hindu" originated from outsiders' mispronunciation of "Sindhu" ("ಸಿಂಧೂ" "सिंधु"), and it doesn't fully capture the essence of our identity. Our land is 'Bharat Bhumi' ("ಭರತ ಭೂಮಿ" "भारतभूमि") and all those who live here are Bharatiyas, united by a shared history and culture. Embracing the term "Bharatiya" ("ಭಾರತೀಯ" "भारतीय") us reconnect with our roots and celebrate our diverse yet unified identity.
I always use the term Bharat/Bharateeya (ಭಾರತ/ಭಾರತೀಯ भारत/भारतीय) in place of Hindu.
Reason:
Hindu word came after Sindhu civilization, say in 2000 BC to 1000 BC while Bharat/Bharateeya is being used for several thousand years in our Sanatana tradition.
What is the time period of King Bharata?
As per Puranas/Epics, King Bharata is the 23rd descendant of Vaivaswat Manu. Vaivaswat Manu is the ancestor of Buddha separated by 150 generations. Considering that each generation is about 20 years, then 150 generation x 20 = 3000 years. Buddha's time line is around 500 BC. Hence, Vaivaswat Manu must have lived in around 3500 BC. 23 generations after Vaivaswat Manu is approximately 460 years, say, around 3000 BC. King Bharata must have lived around 3000 BC. As there is mention of river Saraswati during Bharata's period, he must have lived during Saraswati Valley Civilisation which is definitely some centuries before Sindhu Valley Civilisation.
Time line- Brahma-> Marichi-> Kashyapa Rishi->Vaivasvan or Surya or Sun God-> Vaivasvata Manu. Even the above explanation is questionable as it is believed the period may go upto 14000 BC, but certainly before the word Sindh/Hind came.
On using the term "India"
The term "India" does indeed originate from the Indus River and the Indus Valley Civilization. The evolution of the term can be traced as follows:
"Sindhu" (the Sanskrit name for the Indus River)
"Hind" or "Hindu" (the Persian & Greek pronunciation of Sindhu)
"Indus" (the Latinised form)
"India" (the English term for the country)
Hence, the term India originated from westerners/Europeans based on the Indus river and Indus Valley civilisation.
Sindhu (Sanskrit) ---> Hind/Hindu (Persian/Greek) ---> Indus (Latin) ---> India (English)
By embracing the term Bharat/Bharateeya (ಭಾರತ/ಭಾರತೀಯ भारत/भारतीय) we can reconnect with our roots and celebrate our diverse yet unified identity. Let's strive to use the terms "Bharatiya" and "Sanatana" in our daily lives.
It's high time we consistently use 'Bharatiya' and 'Sanatana' in our communication and scriptures, phasing out 'Hindu', 'Hindustan', 'Indus', and 'India'. This collective shift will pave the way for a meaningful transformation.
In conclusion, using "Bharatiya" instead of "Hindu" is a step towards reclaiming our cultural identity and heritage. By making this shift, we can foster a deeper connection with our roots and promote a sense of unity and pride among Bharatiyas and pave the way for our 'Sanatana' traditions. We should remember, despite being divided by various customs, we are united by our adherence to Sanatana traditions, showcasing our shared heritage and cultural unity.
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