Synopsis Namo Puran by : Dr. Hari Thapliyaal
We are aware of the Puranas in Hindu society. As an Indian even if you have not read them, they shape your behavior. These stories permeate the air of Bharat. Whether we believe in them or not, they determine our value system. All our festivals, ceremonies, and the way we celebrate them, are narrated to us in these Puranic stories. There are thousands of stories, and even for a brilliant mind, it is impossible to remember all of them. Collectively, as a society, we remember these stories, but as individuals, we struggle to know all. The purpose of these stories was to unite society. The stories that unite people depend on the society. The type of stories that will unite people depends on the political system, ethnic diversity in society, available resources, wealth distribution among citizens, geographical features such as deserts, snowy mountains, overflowing riverbanks, plateaus with good agriculture and water, or areas surrounded by dense forests with unknown diseases, etc. After twelve hundred years of barbaric invasions and colonization, when Bharat became free on 15th August 1947 and chose to be a democratic nation with immense diversity, the question arises: how do we unite the society? Stories revolving around military heroes or successful business ventures are one way to connect with people and unite society. However, these individual stories do not provide us with the broader narrative of a civilizational nation. We cannot unite Bharat in the same way as the USA, Greece, Iran, Saudi Arabia, or China. Bharat is a civilizational nation, and on top of that, we have vast diversity, population, and poverty. Engaging 1.4 billion people of a democratic nation who speak over 400+ languages, and embrace dozens of religious and ethnic diversities in nation-building is an immense challenge. That's why, despite one's education, experience, or intelligence, without divine blessings, whether you are a nation or an individual both will suffer. Bharat has a long tradition of writing and narrating Pauranic stories, and in a democratic system, we need to harness this art to unite society. However, this time, the stories should steer clear of concepts like heaven and hell. They should also avoid focusing on the gods and goddesses of the sky. Citizens should not prioritize to an afterlife but instead strive for a meaningful, peaceful existence on the land we call Rashtra or nation. Namo Purana is a grand narrative of Bharat. Glory, struggle, and progress from Vedic times to 2023 are compressed within this book. It encapsulates everything essential about Bharat, its Vedic time, peaks, struggle, rise, and resurgence. This is not a book focused on any specific topic like spirituality, history, geography, or economy. Instead, it is a Purana that delves into every aspect of Maa Bharati's life. Readers will encounter a wide range of topics in this work, including spirituality, dharma, religion, history, geography, trade and business, economy, culture, politics, geopolitics, war and conflicts, agriculture, literature, biographies, Bhakti Yoga, Jnyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, sociology, colonization, patriotism, nationalism, constitution, law and order, and the dos and don'ts of good governance. Each is discussed briefly to inspire the citizens of Bharat to understand their motherland, its struggles, and challenges. One should neither look up to any other nation with awe nor look down on any other nation. All nations on the planet are equal, and their residents are our family members residing in different houses. Therefore, it's important to respect and care for all, while ensuring that our Rashtra, our home, is safe and peaceful for ourselves and future generations.