Bharat: A Civilizational Journey Through Parampara - Opening Reflection

 

In his celebrated lecture series on Yogeshwar Shri Krishna, the eminent scholar and orator Vakta Dashasahasreshu Prof. Ram Shewalkar introduces the concept of “Parampara” (Tradition) in a profound sense. 

By parampara, he does not merely refer to rituals, worship practices, vows, or social customs. Rather, he speaks of it in a much wider and deeper sense, as the civilizational, social, political, and cultural core of the Indian nation.

While interpreting the life and philosophy of Shri Krishna, Prof. Shewalkar briefly elaborates upon this idea of tradition. Taking that thread forward, this is an attempt to understand the Bharat through the lens of parampara.

When the word “Bharat” is uttered, what immediately comes to my mind is the description of the land of Bharat and its people found in the Vishnu Purana:

उत्तरं यत् समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम्।

वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संततिः।।

(Uttaraṁ yat samudrasya himādreścaiva dakṣiṇam |

Varṣaṁ tad Bhārataṁ nāma Bhāratī yatra santatiḥ ||)

The land that lies to the north of the ocean and to the south of the Himalayas is called Bharat, and those who dwell there are known as Bharatiyas.

This, of course, is a geographical definition. But Bharat transcends geography. It is a civilizational continuum, a cultural current that has been flowing since the times of the Sindhu–Saraswati civilization and the Vedic age.

Kings came and went. Political systems rose and fell. Yet the civilizational core remained unchanged. The spirit expressed in the Vedic dictum, “Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” (Truth is one, the wise call it by many names) continues to endure.

The roots are deep. The trunk is strong. Numerous branches have emerged and expanded over time, yet they all remain connected to the same living tree of civilization.

The sentiment of Bharatiya cultural nationalism has always been strong, and it is our collective responsibility to keep that spirit alive and vibrant. In reflecting upon this, we must also take into account the observations from the book “The Cultural History of Ancient India” by R. N. Gayadhani and V. G. Rahurkar, which state:

“History, in the Indian view, is a cultural inheritance that guides the present generation and shapes the future.”

They further observe:

“Indian civilization regards time as beginningless and endless. The precise dating of events has often seemed secondary; what truly matters is the record of human endeavour inscribed upon the canvas of time.”

And finally:

“An individual does not create culture; rather, culture inevitably shapes the life of the individual.”

Keeping this entire cultural canvas in mind, we must now return to our central theme, examining the Bharatiya nation through the perspective of tradition (parampara).

According to Prof. Ram Shewalkar, four major traditions emerge within the civilizational journey of Bharat:

The Vasistha Parampara, beginning with Rishi Vasistha, the royal priest of the Kosala kingdom and the author of the Yoga Vasistha.

The Vishwamitra Parampara, beginning with Rajarshi Vishwamitra, the seer of Rigvedic hymns and the creator of a “counter-creation”.

The Bhargava Parampara, originating from Rishi Bhrigu, one of the Saptarishis and among the Prajapatis created by Brahma.

And the Narayaneya Parampara, which traces its origin to Lord Vishnu himself.

What exactly do these traditions represent?

Where and how do their reflections appear across ancient and modern Indian history?

We shall explore these questions in the next part.

Stay tuned...