Nation
Whilst seemingly simple in meaning, this is a word which is often misunderstood. However, understanding of this one word is the key to the comprehension of the whole idea of the "Nation of Hindutva". The fundamental point to note here is the difference between a "Nation" (or "Rashtra") and a "State" (or "Rajya"). If this distinction is understood, then all the rest falls into place.
In essence, a "Rajya" is a geo-political designation, based on lines drawn on a map and little bits of paper signed by some (allegedly) important people. In contrast to this, a "Rashtra" is an entity which has as its basis a cultural, philosophical and ideological consciousness, a shared heritage and background and a common ancestral or inspirational root. Thus, whilst one's "Rajya" is defined by government and printed on a small piece of paper, "Rashtriyata", or "Nationality", goes deeper. A simple analogy would be that a "Rajya" is like a house, whereas a "Rashtra" is more like a home. Whilst a house is made of bricks, mortar and cement, "home is where the heart is". Similarly, a "Rajya" is built up of land and a piece of official documentation, whilst a "Rashtra" is made up of the people.
Hindutva
Hindutva is what is now commonly known as Hinduism. The basic reason for insisting on its being called as Hindutva rather than Hinduism is that any -ism suggests a (relatively) narrow, limited ideology or set of beliefs, which follows set rules, guidelines and definitions. Anything outside of those definitions cannot be held to lie within the -ism. Therefore, any -ism will have its own corresponding anti-ism, as well as itself containing certain aspects which are themselves anti-isms against other sets of beliefs, ideologies or philosophies.
So that explains the name - basically when people say Hindutva what they are talking about is what people call Hinduism...the only difference is the name (and its accompanying connotations).
As for what exactly Hindutva is, it is the Dharma. The reason for saying "the" Dharma, as opposed to "a" Dharma, which many people would say, is because there can only be one Dharma, since Dharma has implicit within it, all the aspects which make up life. The main reason for this misconception is that Dharma is often translated (wrongly) as "religion". Whilst religion makes up a part of Dharma it is only a part and not the whole of it. Dharma takes a holistic view, and covers the whole spectrum of human experience.
So why is it that there can only be one Dharma (since obviously different people will have different experiences etc.)? Dharma is not all about those experiences directly or indirectly, but is primarily based on Veda or Vedic (knowledge), which is absolute. The Vedas were written on the basis not of culture or tradition but on the basis of nature (including human nature) itself, which is unchanging. That explains which is why it is said that the Dharma and Veda's are "Sanatan" (eternal) - "Anaadi" (without beginning) and "Anant" (without end).
The question arises, if this Dharma is Universal as is implied by the name "Vishwa Dharma" (Universal Dharma), then why is it that it is given the name "Hindutva", since this implies that it is relevant only for Hindus and for noone else. To explain that, it is necessary to look at why it is actually called Hindutva, and where the name Hindutva came from.
In Vedic times, there were many names for the country, one of which was "Sapta Sindhu". Nowadays, "Sindhu" is referred to just one river i.e. River Sindhu (Indus), which is now in Pakistan. But in those times "Sindhu" was a general name for all rivers, so the name "Sapta Sindhu" (literally Seven Rivers) was used as the country consisted of seven great rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati (which has been proven, on the basis of NASA sattelite evidence, to have ACTUALLY existed - many people earlier claimed that it was purely mythological), Kaveri, Sindhu, Narmada and Godaveri. As per the Sanskrit grammar, S and H are often interchangeable, and so "Sapta Sindhu" was actually pronounced as "Hapta Hindhu". The Persians adopted the this name for the country, but as the time passed they dropped the "Hapta", and they were left with Hindhu, from which is derived Hindu. Hence, the people of the country were called Hindus, and the country itself Hind, or Hindustan (Hindu Stan meaning Place of the Hindus). Thus, the way of life followed by the people of that country came to be known as Hinduism...or Hindutva.
This explains why the way of life of Hindus is known as Hindutva, but how is it that this can be taken as Universally relevant? As mentioned earlier, "religion" is an incorrect translation of "Dharma", so what is the correct translation? It's very hard to say, mainly because English doesn't actually have any equivalent word. So, there are so many translations given, and those all reflect (a) one or other aspect(s) of Dharma, but none of which manage to describe it in its entirety. Some common translations are :-
Duty
Ethics
Code of conduct
Morals
Religion
Way of life
Natural law
There are many others also - the list is virtually endless, as one would expect, since Dharma covers absolutely everything.
This Dharma, therefore, covers the whole spectrum of human experience, and is thus relevant regardless of context, being based on that fundamental constant, nature - specifically, in this case, human nature.
Nation of Hindutva
Having now defined the two individual words, it now becomes immediately completely obvious as to exactly what is meant by the phrase "Nation of Hindutva". This is not, as it may at first seem, a vague, general concept, but an absolute, defined entity, which refers to the Nation - i.e. all those people throughout the world, regardless of official "Nationality" (i.e. what appears on the passport, etc.) - of people belonging to the cultural, philosophical, and ancestral background and heritage that is Hindutva.
via: Nation of Hindutva
Whilst seemingly simple in meaning, this is a word which is often misunderstood. However, understanding of this one word is the key to the comprehension of the whole idea of the "Nation of Hindutva". The fundamental point to note here is the difference between a "Nation" (or "Rashtra") and a "State" (or "Rajya"). If this distinction is understood, then all the rest falls into place.
In essence, a "Rajya" is a geo-political designation, based on lines drawn on a map and little bits of paper signed by some (allegedly) important people. In contrast to this, a "Rashtra" is an entity which has as its basis a cultural, philosophical and ideological consciousness, a shared heritage and background and a common ancestral or inspirational root. Thus, whilst one's "Rajya" is defined by government and printed on a small piece of paper, "Rashtriyata", or "Nationality", goes deeper. A simple analogy would be that a "Rajya" is like a house, whereas a "Rashtra" is more like a home. Whilst a house is made of bricks, mortar and cement, "home is where the heart is". Similarly, a "Rajya" is built up of land and a piece of official documentation, whilst a "Rashtra" is made up of the people.
Hindutva
Hindutva is what is now commonly known as Hinduism. The basic reason for insisting on its being called as Hindutva rather than Hinduism is that any -ism suggests a (relatively) narrow, limited ideology or set of beliefs, which follows set rules, guidelines and definitions. Anything outside of those definitions cannot be held to lie within the -ism. Therefore, any -ism will have its own corresponding anti-ism, as well as itself containing certain aspects which are themselves anti-isms against other sets of beliefs, ideologies or philosophies.
So that explains the name - basically when people say Hindutva what they are talking about is what people call Hinduism...the only difference is the name (and its accompanying connotations).
As for what exactly Hindutva is, it is the Dharma. The reason for saying "the" Dharma, as opposed to "a" Dharma, which many people would say, is because there can only be one Dharma, since Dharma has implicit within it, all the aspects which make up life. The main reason for this misconception is that Dharma is often translated (wrongly) as "religion". Whilst religion makes up a part of Dharma it is only a part and not the whole of it. Dharma takes a holistic view, and covers the whole spectrum of human experience.
So why is it that there can only be one Dharma (since obviously different people will have different experiences etc.)? Dharma is not all about those experiences directly or indirectly, but is primarily based on Veda or Vedic (knowledge), which is absolute. The Vedas were written on the basis not of culture or tradition but on the basis of nature (including human nature) itself, which is unchanging. That explains which is why it is said that the Dharma and Veda's are "Sanatan" (eternal) - "Anaadi" (without beginning) and "Anant" (without end).
The question arises, if this Dharma is Universal as is implied by the name "Vishwa Dharma" (Universal Dharma), then why is it that it is given the name "Hindutva", since this implies that it is relevant only for Hindus and for noone else. To explain that, it is necessary to look at why it is actually called Hindutva, and where the name Hindutva came from.
In Vedic times, there were many names for the country, one of which was "Sapta Sindhu". Nowadays, "Sindhu" is referred to just one river i.e. River Sindhu (Indus), which is now in Pakistan. But in those times "Sindhu" was a general name for all rivers, so the name "Sapta Sindhu" (literally Seven Rivers) was used as the country consisted of seven great rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati (which has been proven, on the basis of NASA sattelite evidence, to have ACTUALLY existed - many people earlier claimed that it was purely mythological), Kaveri, Sindhu, Narmada and Godaveri. As per the Sanskrit grammar, S and H are often interchangeable, and so "Sapta Sindhu" was actually pronounced as "Hapta Hindhu". The Persians adopted the this name for the country, but as the time passed they dropped the "Hapta", and they were left with Hindhu, from which is derived Hindu. Hence, the people of the country were called Hindus, and the country itself Hind, or Hindustan (Hindu Stan meaning Place of the Hindus). Thus, the way of life followed by the people of that country came to be known as Hinduism...or Hindutva.
This explains why the way of life of Hindus is known as Hindutva, but how is it that this can be taken as Universally relevant? As mentioned earlier, "religion" is an incorrect translation of "Dharma", so what is the correct translation? It's very hard to say, mainly because English doesn't actually have any equivalent word. So, there are so many translations given, and those all reflect (a) one or other aspect(s) of Dharma, but none of which manage to describe it in its entirety. Some common translations are :-
Duty
Ethics
Code of conduct
Morals
Religion
Way of life
Natural law
There are many others also - the list is virtually endless, as one would expect, since Dharma covers absolutely everything.
This Dharma, therefore, covers the whole spectrum of human experience, and is thus relevant regardless of context, being based on that fundamental constant, nature - specifically, in this case, human nature.
Nation of Hindutva
Having now defined the two individual words, it now becomes immediately completely obvious as to exactly what is meant by the phrase "Nation of Hindutva". This is not, as it may at first seem, a vague, general concept, but an absolute, defined entity, which refers to the Nation - i.e. all those people throughout the world, regardless of official "Nationality" (i.e. what appears on the passport, etc.) - of people belonging to the cultural, philosophical, and ancestral background and heritage that is Hindutva.
via: Nation of Hindutva
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