NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 How the Land Becomes Sacred

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NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 How the Land Becomes Sacred

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How the Land Becomes Sacred

Chapter: 8

THEME – C: Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions

The Big Questions? 

1. What is ‘sacredness’? 

Ans: Sacredness refers to the quality of being holy, divine, or deeply meaningful in a religious or spiritual way. It is something that commands respect and reverence. Sacredness can apply to a special place, like a shrine, a particular journey (called a pilgrimage), or even the land traveled during that journey. It represents anything that evokes deep feelings of spirituality or significance.

2. How does the land become sacred? 

Ans: Land becomes sacred through its connection to religious figures, events, or beliefs. For example, in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, sacred places like the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer and the Velankanni Church attract pilgrims for worship. In Buddhism, places like the Mahabodhi Stūpa in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, are revered. In Sikhism, sacred sites such as the Akal Takht at Amritsar are significant because of their ties to the Sikh Gurus. Sacredness is tied to important religious events and figures.

3. How do sacred sites and pilgrimage networks connect with the life and culture of the people? 

Ans: Connection with Sacred Sites and Culture:

(i) Religious Importance: Pilgrimage sites were closely tied to religious identity and culture. Pilgrims would travel to these sites to gain spiritual benefits, seek divine blessings, or fulfill vows. These sacred journeys were important in maintaining the cultural and religious practices of the time.

(ii) Economic Impact: The overlap of trade and pilgrimage routes created vibrant economic hubs at towns and cities along these paths. Pilgrims required supplies food, clothing, trinkets, and religious artifacts which traders could provide. These goods, including pearls, spices, and cotton, contributed to the economic growth of these towns.

(iii) Cultural Exchange: Pilgrims and traders from different regions came together at these sacred sites, promoting a cross-cultural exchange. The art, language, traditions, and even food practices blended at these junctions, leading to a rich cultural exchange that shaped regional identities.

4. What role did sacred geography play in the cultural integration of the Indian Subcontinent?

Ans: The concept of ‘Sacredness’ refers to the spiritual or religious significance attached to certain places, objects, or natural elements, making them worthy of deep reverence. In India, sacredness goes beyond religious structures and includes sacred geography, rivers, mountains, and trees. Pilgrimages to sites like Bodh Gaya, Char Dham, or Girnar are spiritual journeys followed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. These sacred places create emotional and cultural unity, reflecting India’s spiritual diversity. Sacredness connects the natural and spiritual world, emphasizing the divine presence in the environment and fostering a shared cultural and religious identity across the country.

Questions and Activities

1. Read the following statement by a well-known environmental thinker, David Suzuki:

“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore; if a river is one of the veins of the land, not potential irrigation water; if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother, not an opportunity-then we will treat each other with greater respect. Thus is the challenge, to look at the world from a different perspective.” 

Discuss in small groups. What do you think this statement means? What implication does it have for our actions with respect to the air, water, land, trees and mountains around us? 

Ans: David Suzuki’s statement highlights the importance of our perception of nature in shaping how we interact with the environment. Instead of viewing nature as something to conquer or utilize, Suzuki urges us to recognize its intrinsic value. This perspective challenges the materialistic and utilitarian approach that often leads to environmental degradation. By seeing the Earth as our mother and other species as biological kin, we cultivate a sense of responsibility and foster sustainable practices. 

Implications for Our Actions:

(i) Air: Viewing air as vital to life rather than just a medium for industrial emissions would encourage reducing pollution and protecting air quality.

(ii) Water: Seeing rivers as veins of the Earth would make us more cautious about waste disposal and water pollution.

(iii) Land: If land is seen as sacred, we would avoid indiscriminate mining, deforestation, and urban sprawl.

(iv) Trees and Forests: Treating forests as sacred groves rather than just sources of timber would encourage afforestation and biodiversity conservation.

(v) Mountains: If mountains are considered deities rather than just mineral reserves, we would limit mining activities and preserve their natural state.

2. List the sacred sites in your region. Enquire into why they are considered sacred. Are there stories connected with these sacred places? Write a short essay of 150 words. (Hint: You could speak to elders in your family and community, discuss with your teacher, read books and articles, etc., to gather relevant information.) 

Ans: In my region, some of the prominent sacred sites include Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, and Sivasagar’s SivaDol. These places are deeply revered by locals for their spiritual and historical significance. 

The Kamakhya temple, located at a distance of 7 km from Guwahati, is one of the biggest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, this temple is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. Maa Kamakhya is considered highly powerful due to her association with the Shakti Peethas, particularly her role as the location where Goddess Sati’s yoni fell. This sacred place is believed to be infused with divine energy and represents all aspects of feminine power and fertility. The temple is also significant for its connection to Tantric practices and is believed to grant devotees their desires.  The Ambubachi Mela, held annually, is a significant festival that attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Umananda Temple, located on an island in the Brahmaputra River, is associated with Lord Shiva and is said to be the smallest inhabited river island in the world. Local legends suggest that Lord Shiva meditated here, making it a peaceful and spiritual destination. These sacred places are intertwined with many myths and legends, reflecting the deep connection between faith, culture, and the natural landscape in my region.

3. Why do you think natural elements like rivers, mountains and forests are considered sacred for the people? How do they contribute to our lives? 

Ans: Natural elements like rivers, mountains, and forests are considered sacred by many people because they are seen as life-giving, powerful, and closely connected to spiritual beliefs. In Indian culture, rivers like the Ganga are worshipped as goddesses, mountains like the Himalayas are considered the abode of gods, and forests are often associated with sages and divine beings.

These natural elements contribute to our lives in essential ways. Rivers provide water for drinking, farming, and daily needs. Mountains influence the climate and are sources of rivers and minerals. Forests give us oxygen, food, medicine, and support biodiversity. By seeing them as sacred, people are reminded to respect and protect them, which helps in conserving nature for future generations.

4. Why do people visit a tīrtha or other sacred sites? 

Ans: Many Indians undertake tīrthayātrās or pilgrimages to various sacred sites (tīrthas) during their lifetime. This ancient and continuous tradition of pilgrimage is not just a physical journey but also an inner journey that requires a specified code of conduct.

In the Jain tradition, tīrthas are places where Tīrthankaras attained liberation (moksha) or performed significant acts. Natural elements like trees, ponds, hills, and mountains visited or sanctified by the Tīrthankaras are also considered sacred.  Examples of such places include Mount Abu, Girnar and the Śhatruñjaya hill in Saurashtra (Gujarat). Such visits are believed to purify the soul, accumulate good karma, and inspire moral and spiritual living.

5. How did the ancient pilgrimage routes help in fostering trade during those times? Do you think the sacred sites help in developing the economy of the region? 

Ans: In ancient times, Pilgrims encounter traders and merchants along their journey. This interaction benefits both groups. Pilgrims need various items, which traders can provide. As a result, the pilgrimage routes and the trade routes often overlap.

Yes, sacred sites do help in developing the economy of the region. They attract large numbers of pilgrims and tourists, which increases demand for transport, hotels, food, local crafts, and religious items. This creates jobs and business opportunities for local people. Over time, such sites become important economic hubs, supporting the livelihoods of many families. Thus, spirituality and economy often grow together around sacred places.

6. How do sacred places influence the culture and traditions of the people living near them? 

Ans: Sacred places greatly influence the culture and traditions of the people living near them. These sites often become centers of festivals, rituals, and community gatherings, shaping daily life and practices. Local art, music, dance, and crafts frequently reflect the themes and stories associated with the sacred place. The presence of pilgrims also fosters hospitality-based traditions, and many locals engage in religious services or trade linked to the site. Thus, the sacredness of the place becomes deeply woven into the cultural identity of the surrounding community.

7. From the various sacred sites of India, select two of your choice and create a project explaining their significance. 

Ans: (a) The Mahabodhi Stūpa in Bodh Gaya (Bihar):

(i) The Mahabodhi Stūpa is a major sacred site in Buddhism, as it is where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

(ii) It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and attracts a large number of visitors annually.

(iii) The Bodhi tree at the site, a descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha meditated, is also sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

(iv) The sacredness of the site is linked to the Buddha’s enlightenment and the natural element of the Bodhi tree, emphasizing the sanctity of the land through its historical and spiritual associations.

(b) The Chār Dhām Pilgrimage Network:

(i) The Chār Dhām refers to four sacred pilgrimage sites located at the four corners of India: north, south, east, and west.

(ii) The significance of Chār Dhām lies not only in the sacredness of its individual sites but also in its contribution to the creation of a sacred geography of India.

(iii) Pilgrimage to these sites fosters cultural integration across India, as it allows people to encounter diverse languages, customs, and traditions while also recognizing common spiritual threads.

(iv) Pilgrimage routes, including those of the Chār Dhām, often overlap with ancient trade routes, facilitating socio-economic exchanges between pilgrims and traders.

8. What is the two-fold significance of a tīrthayātrā or a pilgrimage?

Ans: A tīrthayātrā or pilgrimage holds a two-fold significance — spiritual and cultural. Spiritually, it is an inner journey that promotes self-discipline, devotion, and purification. Pilgrims are expected to follow a specific code of conduct and visit sacred sites associated with divine or enlightened figures. 

For example In the Jain tradition, the tīrthas are associated with places where the Tīrthankaras attained liberation or where significant events of their lives occurred. Trees, ponds, hills and mountains that the Tīrthankaras visited or meditated at are also considered sacred. Examples of such places include Mount Abu, Girnar and the Śhatruñjaya hill in Saurashtra (Gujarat).