Hitit Theology Journal

Abstract

The fact that various meanings are attributed to the places where the sacred is believed to be manifested indicates that religious assumptions affect the way geography is perceived. The physical and climatic characteristics of the geography inhabited, on the other hand, may be decisive in shaping religious practices. It is possible to trace this close relationship between religion and geography almost everywhere in the world. This phenomenon is also valid for the Indians, who have identified their basic beliefs and rituals with certain geographical areas.
Since ancient times, scientists of Indian origin have made efforts to recognize the cosmos in general and the place they live in in particular. One of the oldest texts that includes the term bhugola, which is used in the sense of "geography" in Indian sources, is the work called Surya Siddhanta (Book of the Sun), which is thought to have been compiled at the end of the fourth century and the beginning of the fifth century AD. In the early sources, it is understood that this term refers mostly to the spherical shape of the world. The first texts in the Indian world that attempted to treat the science of geography as an independent discipline were the Puranas. These texts, of which emergence dates back to the first centuries of the Common Era, but its compilation process continued until the tenth century, contain valuable data in terms of understanding the perception of geography for Hindus in the early periods. Its attempt to categorize the earth according to certain qualities, in particular climatic and physical features, inference on the location and structure of the world, and the conceptual map it presents within this framework are noteworthy. Purana texts include narratives about the issues subject to the science of geography, sometimes overlapping with reality and sometimes covered with mythological depictions that are far from the logical stance.
Bharat is the place where more information is given about its geographical features than other parts of the earth in the texts. This area has been deemed more respected depending on historical, political, religious and cultural factors. The experiences and religious beliefs of the compilers of the text were influential in the emergence of such a view. As a matter of fact, while the authors described the geography they are in as a livable world, they excluded other areas. They argued that the way to achieve material and spiritual prosperity and eternal happiness is through living in the fertile and clean Indian land. They put forward the thesis that qualified actions that will save the individual from the cycle of birth and death can only be performed in this geography. To emphasize this idea, the Bharat region has been described as karma bhumi, meaning “land of actions”. The remaining geographical areas of the world are described as bhoga bhumi, meaning "land of pleasure and contentment". According to this narrative, those who live outside the habitable geography are only busy with pleasure and temporarily receive the answers to their worldly desires as a result of some of their good qualities. Because they are not fully aware of what the right action and behavior is, they cannot reach ultimate salvation. Although it is thought that such people lead a comfortable life, this situation is temporary and they are ultimately doomed to rebirth.
The places where people outside of Bharat live are described as mlechcha desha, meaning "the land of foreigners", and are considered as dirty, infertile and inauspicious lands. It has been claimed that those who live outside the Bharat speak a strange language, do not perform religious ceremonies endemic in Hindu culture and do not apply caste rules. Because of this nature of foreign people, visiting the areas where they live was not appreciated. This point of view has led the Hindus to adopt an introverted social structure and to not care much about nations other than themselves. Therefore, the socio-cultural environment they lived in, as well as their fund of knowledge and religious and philosophical presuppositions, were effective in shaping Hindus' perception of geography in the early periods. Revealing the perception of geography in the context of Purana literature, therefore, will contribute to determine what the basic factors are that affect Indians' perspectives on earth and its inhabitants.