Why All Avataras Happened in India Only?

If Vedic religion is a universal religion, why is it that everything in our scriptures is centred around Bharata, Bharata Varsha? You rarely hear about incidents that have happened in other continents in our scriptures. All the avataras have happened here. Aren’t our gods not concerned about evil that crops up elsewhere? Why have they always focused on Bharata? If that is the case, then how can you say that Sanatana Dharma or Vedic religion is universal? Valid question.

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृतां — why only in India?

A couple of general points. Even though it may appear that the scriptures have centred around Bharata, it is not entirely correct. There are descriptions of the seven continents – Sapta Dweepa Vasundhara. There are descriptions of stars, planets, galaxies, and universes. There are descriptions of other continents – like how Bal Gangadhar Tilak pointed out references to the Arctic region in the Vedas, how Govardhana came to India from Indonesia or Australia, and how the Yavanas, the Greeks, helped Jarasandha in attacking Mathura. There are many such examples.

Sanatana Dharma establishes that it is a single Paramatma which is the universe when the universe is in existence in its vyakta form, and the same Paramatma is in avyakta form when the universe is not there. When this principle is established after all debates, beyond any doubt, whether you are talking about Africa or Antarctica wouldn’t matter anymore. As an example, you can talk about any region or happenings in any region, and it will apply everywhere. Scriptures also say that the avataras are not just ten or twenty-four; they are in crores. Every time there is a breach of divine order, they occur – anywhere, everywhere: in India, in America, on the Moon, in other galaxies, and in other universes.

Now coming to Bharata Varsha, what is special about Bharata Varsha? If you see the scriptures, you will find that the nature of Earth is not uniform. Out of the many segments of Earth, only Bharata Varsha is Karma Bhumi, not the entire Earth. The other parts are Bhoga Bhumi. Like Swarga or Naraka, they are all Bhoga Bhumi, where you reap the rewards of your good karma or suffer for your bad karma. Only Bharata has been demarcated as Karma Bhumi, where you can work and progress spiritually. This is why religions established in other regions primarily focus on how to live as a good human being. Human values are the core of these other religions – like honesty, charity, and fidelity. Their destinations are heaven, where you get to enjoy comforts. For Hindus, this is not the final destination. For us, going to heaven is like going to Switzerland for some time. You performed well, and your company sent you on a sponsored holiday to Switzerland. It has only that much value because, after the vacation is over, you have to come back.

We want to become God. If you are a devotee of Vishnu, you want to become Vishnu, one with Vishnu. Sayujya – after going through stages of Salokya – being in Vishnu Loka, Sameepya – being always with him, Sarupya – getting looks like him, and Sarshṭi – becoming as powerful as him, still, we are not satisfied. We want to be one with him, one hundred per cent, Sayujya. This is our target. The same applies in the case of Shiva and other gods as well. This is not possible in Bhoga Bhumi. This is possible only in Karma Bhumi. This growth is not possible in Bhoga Bhumi. This is possible in Karma Bhumi.

Other religions have smaller targets. I am not belittling them in any way. But a primary school is a primary school, and a research centre is a research centre. Different things happen in both these places. I am not saying that a primary school is inferior. I am only saying understand the difference. When some religion says that you can join the Lord in heaven when the right time comes, it is only Salokya, which is a preliminary stage for us. That is not our end. We want to be one with him. In Bharata Varsha, an ordinary human being performs a hundred yajnas and becomes Indra himself, elevated to the position of Indra. Is this available anywhere else, in any other religion?

The universal God, Paramatma, established all religions through prophets and visionaries. But he made sure that what he established suited the regions. He established simple, preliminary religions in Bhoga Bhumis, emphasizing human values and basic spiritual growth. And he established the most advanced religion, Sanatana Dharma, where there is a possibility, if you work hard, of Sayujya – becoming one with God, becoming God yourself. That’s why you see people coming to India when they are not satisfied with what they learn elsewhere. Advanced spirituality is available only here, in Bharata Varsha.

This is what Shastra says:

एतद्देशप्रसूतस्य सकाशादग्रजन्मनः स्वं स्वं चरित्रं शिक्षेरन्पृथिव्यां सर्वमानवाः

The whole world learns from us. Shastra says Bharata Varsha is the hub of the universe, Bhuvanasya Nabhih, like the centre of the wheel. Even by geography, Jambudweepa, in which we are, is at the centre of the other islands or continents. Meru Parvata is the centre of the whole universe. Whatever is prevalent in Bharata Varsha is very important. Politically and administratively, the Indian Parliament is the hub of India. Whatever happens in the Parliament will impact the whole of India. Laws enacted in the Parliament will apply to the whole of India. Compared to the laws enacted in state legislatures or local bodies such as panchayats, those enacted in Parliament have greater significance. That’s why Parliament is the most important. If anything goes wrong in what happens in the Parliament, it will have far-reaching consequences. Like this, Bharata Varsha is the centre of the whole world. Whatever happens here will impact the whole world.

Bhagawan is very sensitive about Dharma in Bharata Varsha because if Dharma suffers here, it would affect the whole world. He has concern for the whole world. All are his sons and daughters. He loves them all alike. But to Bhoga Bhumi, when he sends a messenger or a son to set everything right, to Karma Bhumi, Bharata Varsha, he comes himself.

Before I conclude, let me clarify that I am not talking about the superiority of Sanatana Dharma. As I said before, we are not here to study comparative religion. Every religion is important, noble, and serves its purpose in its own place. This attempt is only to clarify why Bharata Varsha is looked up to by the whole world when it comes to spirituality and also only because this question has been raised.

Knowledge Bank

What is the significance of Hanuman Chalisa?

Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn composed by Goswami Tulsidas Ji that praises Hanuman ji's qualities and deeds. It provides protection, courage, and blessings. You can incorporate its recitation into your spiritual practice to seek protection, courage, and blessings in times of need or as a regular devotional practice.

Vedic Nugget

May all beings look at me with a friendly eye, may I look at all beings with a friendly eye, may we look at each other with a friendly eye. - Yajurveda