Bharateeyata

The definition that we are from the land of King Bharata is what we all heard in our childhood through some recent history. The name bhAratam for our land existed in vedic literature even before Ramayana and Mahabharata era – before Bharata – the son of Sankuntala.

In defining our land, Vedas have described them as “havir bharana saamarthyath” – i.e the one who takes and supports “Havissu” – Havissu’s are the ingredients one uses to please devatas through the fire in the Yagnas – since it is said that “Agni mukhavai devaha”.  Since our land depended on the Yagnas and Fire, it is called Bharatam. Bharateeyulu worshipped fire. Be it external fire or the Vaisvara Fire in the digestive system – that is why we do “achamanam” before eating food to appease the fire in the belly.

Also, vedas said Agnir meva chistitiha – “let this agni be in my Vak” - speech. That sacred speech is called Vaani – The presiding deity of speech is fire. Vaani is Saraswati or Bharathi. We are (were) the people who worshipped Jnanam (Saraswati) knowledge. bhAratam is a land where Jnanam is superior hence it is said “Bharathi Bharataasritha”.

Also in “niruktam” this light of knowledge is also called ‘bha’. We are the people who have “rtam” in light of knowledge – “bha”.  “rtam” is interest or love.  bhArateeyulu have had interest and love  in pursuing the light of knowledge.

So per Vedam – bhAratam is a land where we worshipped the cosmic deities through Yagnam, we were the people who have pursued the knowledge and gave importance to “vid” – knowledge. Where there is respect for knowledge and vidya  there is “Samskaram” which is Samskruthi. bhArateeyata is itself a Samskruthi.