Foreign Tour

ಆಚಾರ: ಪರಮೋ ಧರ್ಮ: ಶ್ರುತ್ಯುಕ್ತ: ಸ್ಮಾರ್ತ ಏವ ಚ |
ತಸ್ಮಾದಸ್ಮಿನ್ ಸದಾಯುಕ್ತೋ  ನಿತ್ಯ: ಸ್ಯಾದಾತ್ಮವಾನ್ ದ್ವಿಜ: |

आचार: परमो धर्म: श्रुत्युक्त: स्मार्त एव च ।
तस्मादस्मिन् सदायुक्तो  नित्य: स्यादात्मवान् द्विज: ।

What is shreshta dharma? – Achaara is the shreshta परमो dharma.  Whatever said in shruti and smruti regarding Kuladharma is the parama dharma.  As such a Brahmana is expected to be in sadaachara and kulachaara. 

 

Acharya Madhwa says in Krishnaamruta maharNava as :

वेदप्रणहितो धर्मो ह्यधर्मस्तद्विपर्यय: |ವೇದಪ್ರಣಹಿತೋ ಧರ್ಮೋ ಹ್ಯಧರ್ಮಸ್ತದ್ವಿಪರ್ಯಯ:  |

What is said in Veda & smruti as kartavya are dharma.  Anything which is against this is “Adharma”.

 

Karmaanushtaana is compulsary :
ಅತೀತಾನಾಗತಜ್ಞಾನೀ ತ್ರೈಲೋಕ್ಯೋದ್ಧರಣಕ್ಷಮ: | ಏತಾದೃಶೋಽಪಿ ನಾಚಾರಂ ಶ್ರೌತಂ ಸ್ಮಾರ್ತಂ ಪರಿತ್ಯಜೇತ್ |

अतीतानागतज्ञानी त्रैलोक्योद्धरणक्षम: । एतादृशोऽपि नाचारं श्रौतं स्मार्तं परित्यजेत् ।

Everybody has to do the karmanushtaana irrespective of the fact that he is trikaala jnaani, has the capacity of uplifting the three lokaas.

 

There is regular discussion amongst all the Brahmin communities as to whether Foreign Tour is permissible or not.  Those who have gone abroad justifies their stand saying that there is no ban from any shastra/purana.  They say that even though many puranas say that Karma Bhumi is Bharatha only, they will get punya in any part of the world if one does satkarma.

 

On the otherhand, the other group (i.e., those who oppose foreign tour) says – samudrollanghana is nishidda.  Bharatha is the only karma bhumi wherein one gets punya for all the satkarmas done.  If one goes abroad he will loose brahmanatva. Any karma done in the other part of the world, i.e., other than India, the karma done is nothing but not done.

 

Dharma Shastras’ ban on foreign travel is intended to maintain the religious strength and purity of the individual, and to prevent negative external influence from non-Hindu cultures.  It is not only Hindus who support ban of Videsha prayana, but also Jains.  Main reasons for ban on foreign travel may be listed as  :

1. Unable to perform Trikaala sandhya
2. Mlencha samparka, influence of other dharmas on us. 
3. Agamya gamana, abhakshya bhakshana, apeya paana
4. Karma bhumi issue 
5. No prayaschitta for foreign visitors 

Regarding the first issue – perform trikaala sandhya -Earlier, when there was travel through sea, one would have to travel for days together for reaching a country.  During that period one may not be able to perform all his sandhyavandana, pooja, etc.,  As sandhyavandana is to be done in land (bhumi only), there is fear of loosing sandhyavandana in the sea travel or flight travel.  If one sandhyavandana is missing we will get sin, as such, if more sandhyavandana is missing many  sins would be added, which amounts to loose of brahmanatva itself.  Now the present generation has the flight which can take them in few hours to a foreign country – which enables them to hardly miss any sandhyavandana, etc.,  Even though it is delayed, they can perform on the same day with some prayaschitta.  Even in India many are not able to perform their daily sandhyavandana in time.  As they are reaching home late, many are not performing sandhyavandana in the evening at all.    One must note that we must never miss any sandhyavandana, wherever we are. Even if you are late in reaching home – do sandhyavandana with some prayaschitta argya.   As such, this issue can be ignored for ban on Foreign visit. 

 

Regarding the mlencha samparka – As we have to stay with the foreigners, there is fear that Christians may convert Hindus to their community, which they have done in India.  Almost all the Christians in India are not original christians.  After they came to India, they are successful in converting many Hindus to their community.  This they have done by invading India.  When we are staying in their country, there is more chances for them to convert us to their community.   Many Indians who have gone abroad have married the people from other community.  –  This also may not be considered hindrance, if one’s will is strong.  We can see that there are lacs of Indians staying abroad.  There is Bhajana Mandali,  wherein the Madhwas in America have formed their own association, wherein they are performing daily/weekly bhajans, upanyaasas on various Madhwa Shastras.  Regular conduct of Paata, devaranama classes.  They are conducting aradhana of yathis, dasaru, etc.   Many Indians who have gone abroad are following strict rituals like sandhyavandana, pooja, vaishwadeva, stotra parayana, Ekadashi acharane, Chaturmasya vratha, etc.  – As such, this issue can also be ignored for ban on foreign visit. 

 

Bheema and other Pandavas had crossed sea –  In Mahabharatha it is said that Arjuna killed Kirataas, Yavanaas, Chinees, and saptadweepa kings.  Bheemasena devaru had won over mlencha kings.  Nakula too had won over  Paplavaas, Yavanaas, shakaas, etc.  Without crossing sea, how they could win over them.  One Rajarshi by name Tugra had gone for invading over his rival country by crossing sea.  But on the way his boat was broken  Ashwini devategalu blessed the Rajarshi.  It is said in various puranaas that Vasista, Kashyapa, Kanvaadi sages also had crossed sea.    When the great people have crossed sea, how can this be justified??

 

These examples can’t be taken to determine that we too can travel abroad.  All those are aparoksha jnaanees and they have not gone for enjoyment or for employment.  They have gone for lokanyaaya.  But we can’t compare them in this aspect as we are incapable of doing what Bheemasena, Arjuna, and others have done.    Bheemasena killed Duryodana and Jarasandha in extra ordinary style for samrakshana of dharma.  Can we do that.  As such, it is not advisable to compare them to us.

 

Agamya gamana, abhakshya bhakshana, apeya paana  –  It is observed that there is no proper marriage system in foreign countries.  There is widow marriage, there is frequent divorse, there is dating,  there is maamsaahara bhakshana, drinking alcohal.  These hinders our karma shuddate.  When one is addicted to maamsa bhakshana, apeya paana, he can’t follow the rituals.  –     Ofcourse, there is more such paapa in foreign.  But it may not be true for all.  All those who have gone abroad may not have been addicted to such band habits.  On the contrary,  many Indians who are in Karma bhumi itself  are marrying other caste people, viz., christians.   Many families in India are not following daily karma.   Many children of Pandits are also not following the strict rituals.  They are not applying kumkum, Angara akshate, etc.    They are eating in tables, without dress code. First we must ensure that they are following the strict rituals in our family.   The Karmabhumi people themselves are performing as if they are foreigners, even though they have not gone abroad.  As such, the arguments from those who have gone abroad –   They have gone for official work and they they are pure like others in Karma bhumi itself .  They are following all the dharmika vidhi unfailingly.  Hence, this objection also may not be a great obstacle.    As such, this issue can be ignored for ban on Foreign visit.

 

Regarding the main issue – Karma bhumi – bhoga bhumi issue only the major issue of ban on foreign visit is talked most.   

 

India’s dimensions (Coverage of Karmabhumi India) –

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ಪುರಾಣ  (ಅಧ್ಯಯ ೧೯) – ಲೋಮಹರ್ಷಣ (ಸೂತಪುರಾಣಿಕ) ಉವಾಚ
ಉತ್ತರೇಣ ಸಮುದ್ರಸ್ಯ ಹಿಮದ್ರೇಶ್ಚೈವ ದಕ್ಷಿಣೇ| ವರ್ಷಂ ತದ್ಭಾರತಂ ನಾಮ ಭಾರತೀ ಯತ್ರ ಸಂತತಿ:||೧||
ನವಯೋಜನ ಸಾಹಸ್ರೋ ವಿಸ್ತಾರಶ್ಚ ದ್ವಿಜೋತ್ತಮಾ:| ಕರ್ಮಭೂಮಿರಿಯಂ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಂ ಅಪವರ್ಗಂ ಚ ಪೃಚ್ಚತಾಂ||೨||
ಮಹೇಂದ್ರೋ ಮಲಯ: ಸಹ್ಯ: ಶುಕ್ತಿಮಾನೃಕ್ಷ ಪರ್ವತ: | ವಿಂದ್ಯಶ್ಚ ಪಾರಿಯಾತ್ರಶ್ಚ ಸಪ್ತಾತ್ರ ಕುಲಪರ್ವತಾ: |೩ |
ಅತ: ಸಂಪ್ರಾಪ್ಯತೇ ಸ್ವರ್ಗೋ ಮುಕ್ತಿಮಸ್ಮಾತ್ಪ್ರಯಾತಿ ವೈ | ತಿರ್ಯಕ್ತ್ಯಂ ನಾಕಂ ಚಾಪಿ ಯಾಂತ್ಯತ: ಪುರುಷಾ ದ್ವಿಜಾ |೪ |
ಇತ: ಸ್ವರ್ಗಶ್ಚ ಮೋಕ್ಷಶ್ಚ ಮಧ್ಯಂ ಚಾಂತೇ ಚ ಗಚ್ಚತಿ | ನ ಖಲು ಅನ್ಯತ್ರ ಮರ್ತ್ಯಾನಾಂ ಕರ್ಮಭೂಮೌ ವಿಧೀಯತೇ | ೫ |
उत्तरेण समुद्रस्य हिमद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणे। वर्षं तद्भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संतति:॥१॥
नवयोजन साहस्रो विस्तारश्च द्विजोत्तमा:। कर्मभूमिरियं स्वर्गं अपवर्गं च पृच्चतां॥२॥
महेंद्रो मलय: सह्य: शुक्तिमानृक्ष पर्वत: । विंद्यश्च पारियात्रश्च सप्तात्र कुलपर्वता: ।३ ।
अत: संप्राप्यते स्वर्गो मुक्तिमस्मात्प्रयाति वै । तिर्यक्त्यं नाकं चापि यांत्यत: पुरुषा द्विजा ।४ ।
इत: स्वर्गश्च मोक्षश्च मध्यं चांते च गच्चति । न खलु अन्यत्र मर्त्यानां कर्मभूमौ विधीयते । ५ ।

The country which lies in the north of the sea and in the south of the Himalayas is known as Bharata; it is inhabited by the descendants of Chakravarthi  Bharat.    India has :

(i) The Himalayan Mountain range.  (ii) The Indo-Gangetic plains,  (iii) The coastal Ghats, and   (iv) The Deccan Plateau.

 

India’s total area covered comes to 9000 yojana visteerna, wherein 1 yojana = 12 miles.  1 mile = 1.6 km (approx).

Therefore 9000 yojana = 3317760 sq kms.  (as per Shaastra).  Whereas as per the geographical area India has 3287300 sq kms.  Between Shastra and geographical area, there is a small difference of 30460 sq kms.

 

Those who wish to have svarga or mukthi – for them Bharatha is THE Karmabhumi.  By doing the Karmanushtana here, one can get svarga or moksha.  India has Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Shuktimaan, Rukshagiri, Vindhya and Paariyaatra named mountains.  Here only by doing the Karma, one can get svarga or moksha.  One who does the sin here will get naraka or janma of lower animal. In Bharata only, one gets svarga or mukthi through his karmas.    There is no Karmabhumu other than Bharatha.  –  or no where one can get moksha or svarga other than India by doing karma.  i.e., any karma done in other than Bharatha will not fetch him any punya.

 

Here one can get a doubt – in the fourth shloka Vedavyasaru has mentioned one gets naraka by doing sin in Bharatha THE Karmabhumi.  So, what is the special about India when compared to other bhoga bhumees.    The answer is very simple – In India if one does sin, he will get naraka.  But in non karma bhumi, even if one does punya karya, he will not get punya.   As such, any punya karya done in karma bhumi is of high importance.

 

Markandeya purana ಮಾರ್ಕಂಡೇಯ ಪುರಾಣ  मार्कंडेय पुराण – 54th adhyaya- says :

tadEtadbhaarataM varShaM sarvabeejaM dvijOttama |
brahmatvamamarEshatvaM dEvatvaM martyataaM tathaa |
prayaaMti karmabhUbrahman naanyaa lOkEShu vidyatE |
dEvaanaamapi viprarShE sadaa ESha: manOratha: |

ತದೇತದ್ಭಾರತಂ ವರ್ಷಂ ಸರ್ವಬೀಜಂ ದ್ವಿಜೋತ್ತಮ | ಬ್ರಹ್ಮತ್ವಮಮರೇಶತ್ವಂ ದೇವತ್ವಂ ಮರ್ತ್ಯತಾಂ ತಥಾ |
ಪ್ರಯಾಂತಿ ಕರ್ಮಭೂಬ್ರಹ್ಮನ್ ನಾನ್ಯಾ ಲೋಕೇಷು ವಿದ್ಯತೇ | ದೇವಾನಾಮಪಿ ವಿಪ್ರರ್ಷೇ ಸದಾ ಏಷ: ಮನೋರಥ: |

तदेतद्भारतं वर्षं सर्वबीजं द्विजोत्तम । ब्रह्मत्वममरेशत्वं देवत्वं मर्त्यतां तथा ।
प्रयांति कर्मभूब्रह्मन् नान्या लोकेषु विद्यते । देवानामपि विप्रर्षे सदा एष: मनोरथ: ।

Tatparya –  Markandeya purana says Bharatha varsha is the seed for sarva phala.   Brahmatva, Devatva, Amaratva, Martyatva all can happen only with the karmacharane in Bharata Varsha, which is THE only Karma bhumi.  Other places do not have the capacity of  offering phalaaphala.  It means that karma in Bharatha bhumi can get both punya and paapa.

Here argument is that – instead of taking birth in Bharatha and doing paapa here, it would be better to say that the other places called as Bhoga bhumi are superior.   Because they are not getting any thing there – neither punya nor paapa.   This is not acceptable.   Another may argu that if sandhyavandana done in smashana, can he get punya.  No.  The concept is like this wherever varnashrama dharma is not followed – there – if you do any punya you will not get any punya.  That means you will get paapa even though you are doing karma.  

It is said in Bhagavatha –

कल्पायुषां स्थानजयात् पुनर्भवात् क्षणायुषां भारतभूजयो वर: ।
क्षणेन मर्त्येन कृतं मनस्विन: सन्यस्य संयांत्यभयं पदं हरे: ।

One can born in bharatha with the anugraha of Srihari only.  Even the kShaNika ayushya (few minutes of life) in bharatha is more superior to those of kalpaayushya in other countries. 

 

 It is said in Matsyapurana  मत्स्यपुराण – 104th adhyaaya
यदिदं भारतं वर्षं यस्मिन् स्वयंभुवादय: । चतुर्दशैव मनव: प्रजासर्गं ससर्जिरे ।
अथाहं वर्णयिष्यामि वर्षेऽस्मिन् भारते प्रजा: । भरणाश्च प्रजानां वै मनुर्भरत उच्यते ।
निरुक्तवचनाश्चैव वर्षं तद्भारतं स्मृतं । यत: स्वर्गश्च मोक्षश्च मध्यमश्चापि हि स्मृत: ।
न खल्वन्यत्र मर्त्यानां भूमौ कर्ममिति स्मृत: । भारतस्यास्य वर्षस्य नव भेदानिशामय ।

Otherthan Bharatha no where else, there is karmanushtaana .  Here in Bharatha only, one can get svarga, moksha, naraka.  By saying only in Bharatha one gets Moksha, Naraka etc., does not mean that if one goes to Non Karmabhumi, he will not get Naraka.  

 

What is karma bhumi – 

“Bhoga-bhumi” means the place where you can reap the fruits of your karma but cannot do fresh karma independently.“Karma-bhumi”,  is the place where you can do fresh karma (good or bad deeds) independently.

According to various puranaas like Bhagavata, Vishnu purana, Brahma purana, Naradeeya purana, India is the best land in the entire Bhuloka.   Srihari has shown his all incarnations and other deities have taken place only in Bharata varsha.    This is the place where all the sages, rushees, have opted to do penance.  Even gods prefer only India for bhuloka avatara.     That is why this land is described as punya bhumi.  This has many sacred rivers,

 

    to be continued……..