India’s contribution to world wisdom

“The land of wisdom lies north of the ocean”.

‘Rig Veda’

India is land of enlightenment, place of renaissance, cradle of civilization, birth place of reasoning & dialectics, mother of various religions and treasure of wisdom. Indian civilization is the oldest continuous civilization of the world. It has not only prospered itself but also has contributed to world wisdom.

Max Mueller has highlighted that without Indian wisdom, the world will be pushed towards chaos. Similarly, Aurobindo Ghosh highlights that India has the divine mission to bring the world together, to enrich the world wisdom and to create a world without any narrow borders. India has enriched world wisdom and will continue to do so in future too.

INDIA’S CONTRIBUTION : TOWARDS RENAISSANCE

From the time of Harappa civilization, the world is learning from our wisdom. The Indus valley civilization taught   the world about urbanization, planned cities, prosperous trade.

Moreover, the ideas of economic unification, commerce, trade, globalization can be traced back to Indus valley civilization. we had trade relations with Dilmun, oman, Alten dipi, Afghanistan which taught the world about significance of trade.

Moreover, the idea of agriculture originated in India – The First agricultural field of the world lied in India – Mehargarh. It ended the life of pastoralism and led to start of settled life.

Further more, when entire world was engaged in offence and defense, Indian minds were engaged in discovering the truth, true purpose of life. This led to birth human reasoning. Indian philosophies like Nyaya, Samkhya, Mimansa teach the world about rationality and human reasoning.

Apart from this, during Vedic period, India propagated the idea of Gender equality. woman participated in sabhas & sanities, they recited vedas. Gorgy was one of the most influential intellect of that time. The upnishada yajnavalkya give the women right to property, right over her body. Indian wisdom contributes to tackle to contemporary problems.

Moving forward, the foundation of modern empires was laid down in India. we had 16 Mahajanapadas with efficient administrative machinery. Magadh kingdom under rule of Ashoka united India under one king. Some kingdoms had Republican feature. we can say that the idea of democracy can be traced back to Indian ancient history.

Similarly, the spritualism emerged in India. Indian philosophy provides for balanced growth of human personality. Sprituality ensures social harmony and curtails consumerism. This has potential to curb challenges like climate change & Global warming.

Moreover, Buddha’s teachings are unforgettable. He highlighted that Trishna is the cause of suffering and human suffering can be reduced by reduced desires. for instance, contemporary challenges like terrorism. proxy war in west Asia, climate change are happening mainly due to desire to get more.

Further, we had propounded the idea of social conduct through Manusmirity. It aims to establish a society where people have obligation towards parents, family, society and country. It defines Pati dharma, Putra dharma, Raj dharma etc to organize society. further, it also signifies the idea of welfare state by insisting that in the happiness of subjects lies the happiness of king.

Likewise, the realism origniates form India. The contemporary geo-politics can trace its roots backs to kautilya’s Arthashastra, and kamandalaka’s nitishastra. India has propounded the strategic culture to protect national sovereignty, unity & integrity.

On the other hand, it also propounds moral conducts. Against Nar -led conquest Buddha advices winning hearts. He propounds that Mahasammat to ensure that moral values are upheld. To ensure this, Ashoka started promoting Dhamma which added to the world wisdom about ideal moral conducts.

Further, the modern administration based on wheels of bureaucracy has its origin in Mauryan empire. Maruryan empire had very extended bureaucratic machinery. The modern District collector, Governor, SP etc have their origin in ancient culture.

In cultural field too, the development of literature took place in India. kalidasa’s meghdoot, Abhijanshakuntalam, Sudraka’s Mrichkatakkam etc led to development of poetic. and drama literature. Philosophical literatures also become famous.

Likewise, Architecture evolved from Indian soils. The modern palaces, temples, building have their origin in our traditions.

Similarly, the art of Dancing, Painting, Music etc become known in India. The Ajanta paintigns, Dancing figures of Bhimbetka, Natya shastra etc signify that we evolved these arts as way of living and acthetic purposes

Additionally, the science developed to a great extent in Indian society. Before Dark age, our society was very scientific This can be affirmed by Aryabhatta’s work, and varamihira’s work. The Zero originated in India.

The idea of positive secularism and religious harmony have their origin in Ashoka’s Dhamma, Akbar’s sulh – i -kul and vedic concept of sarvadharma sambhava. It the world follows these dictates, the issues like xenophobia, hate speech, terrorism, riots could be tackled effectivel

The biggest contribution in modern times is Gandhiji and his ideas like Ahinsa, Asteya, Satyaglaha, Sarvodaya etc. His ideas have full potential to attain swaraj at global level.

Further, India has propounded the idea that these is no definite way to find the truth. It says that truth is one but to attain it, there are various ways. It provides an opportunity to allow development of human personality multidimensionaly.

Further, our constitution is also a gift to the world wisdom. It enshrines values to respect everyone’s culture, to provide positive treatment to downtrodden, to respect global institution and to attain cosmopolitan world based on idea of Vashudhaiva kutumbakam.

Thus, India is the mother of civilization. we faced some challenges like colonialism, caste system, gender injustice etc. But India is coming out from these bondages to reclaim the place it deserves. Swami vivekananda has rightly said that India will assume the role of VISHWAGURU to show the right path to the world to achieve a cosmopolitan, peaceful (Art 51) and prosperous world.