The theme of India’s G20 Presidency 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth-One Family-One Future’ is drawn from the
Maha Upanishad
The question asks about the origin of the theme chosen for India's G20 Presidency, which is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth-One Family-One Future'. This theme reflects a core philosophy from ancient Indian texts.
Understanding Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and G20 Theme
The phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is a Sanskrit expression that translates to "the world is one family". India adopted this profound philosophy as the guiding theme for its G20 Presidency. The accompanying phrase, 'One Earth-One Family-One Future', simplifies this concept and highlights the interconnectedness of global challenges and the need for collective solutions.
Tracing the Source of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
To determine the source of this specific phrase, we need to look into classical Indian literature and scriptures. Let's consider the options provided:
- Maha Purana: Puranas are a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly myths, legends, and genealogies. While they contain many philosophical ideas, this specific phrase is not primarily associated with the Puranas.
- Maha Upanishad: The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that form the theoretical basis for the Hindu religion. The Maha Upanishad is indeed the text that contains the well-known verse which includes the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. The verse speaks about elevating one's perspective beyond narrow considerations to see the entire world as family.
- Rig Veda: The Rig Veda is one of the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known as the Vedas. It is the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text. While the Rig Veda contains foundational hymns and philosophical insights, the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is not found in the Rig Veda itself.
- Smriti: Smriti refers to a body of Hindu texts, usually attributed to an author, that are considered secondary in authority to the Vedas (Sruti). This includes texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, and Dharmashastras. While Smriti texts elaborate on many concepts, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is specifically traced to an Upanishad, which falls under Sruti, not typically Smriti.
Based on scholarly consensus and traditional understanding, the verse containing 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is found in Chapter 6 of the Maha Upanishad (महाउपनिषत्). The complete verse often cited is:
अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् । उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥
Which roughly translates to: "This is my kinsman and this is not is the calculation of narrow-minded persons; for the noble-minded, however, the entire world is one family."
Confirming the Source Text
The G20 theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is directly quoted from the Maha Upanishad. This choice of theme emphasizes India's view of global interconnectedness and shared responsibility, aligning with ancient Indian philosophical thought found in the Upanishads.
Conclusion on G20 Theme Origin
Therefore, the theme of India's G20 Presidency, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth-One Family-One Future', is drawn from the Maha Upanishad.
| Concept | Description | Source Text |
|---|---|---|
| Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam | "The world is one family" | Maha Upanishad |
| India's G20 Theme | 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth-One Family-One Future' | Derived from Maha Upanishad |
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Significance | Relation to G20 Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam | Ancient Indian philosophical concept meaning "the world is one family". | Direct source phrase for the theme. |
| Maha Upanishad | Specific Upanishad text where the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' originates. | The authoritative source of the G20 theme phrase. |
| G20 Presidency Theme | 'One Earth-One Family-One Future', reflecting global unity and shared future. | Modern interpretation and application of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam philosophy. |
Additional Information on Indian Philosophy and G20
The selection of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' as the G20 theme reflects India's deep-rooted cultural and philosophical values being brought onto a global platform. The Upanishads are part of the Sruti literature in Hinduism, considered revealed texts. They delve into fundamental questions about reality, consciousness, ethics, and the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman). The concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is an example of how these ancient texts promoted a universalistic outlook, advocating for compassion and interconnectedness among all beings, which is highly relevant in addressing complex global issues like climate change, economic inequality, and pandemics during a G20 summit.
Similar Questions
Which butterfly species was recently named the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir?
In how many phases was the general election 2019 conducted in India?
Which one of the following intellectual property rights is protected without making any registration?
Which one of the following units is not a part of All India Radio's Transcription and Programme Exchange Service ?
Which one among the following correctly represents the theme on which the interiors of the new Parliament Building is based?
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
(a)
Lotus
Banyan
(b)
Peacock
Lotus
(c)
Peacock
Banyan
(d)
Lotus
Peacock
Which one of the following is the first State in India to have 100 percent households with tap water connection?
Consider the following statements :
The Government is promoting the 'Kisan Drone' for
1. Spraying weedicides.
2. Digitisation of land records.
3. Crop assessment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which one of the following Indian institutes was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India for conducting human trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine candidate?
Under which one of the following rivers has India's first underwater metro rail tunnel been constructed?
A new species of pit-viper was discovered in 2019 and named after the State in which it was found. Identify the State from among the following:
Important Questions from National Affairs
Since the launch of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, how much per cent of loans have been given to women entrepreneurs?
As announced in the Budget 2021, to promote seaweed cultivation, Govt. will establish Multipurpose Seaweed Park in ___________ by Indian Government.
Which organization has launched a new technology 'Swastik' to disinfect water using natural oils?
Which one of the following is an important social indicator to measure the extent of equality between men and women in a society, at a given point of time?
As on March 2020, India comprises twenty-eight states and ______ union territories.
