Central Idea

• Historic pilgrimage in Mecca: More than two million Muslims are expected to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, making it a significant religious event.
• Participation of over two million Muslims: The Hajj pilgrimage attracts a massive gathering of Muslims from various countries, all converging in Mecca to fulfill their religious obligations.

What is Hajj Yatra?

• Religious obligation: Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who possess the physical ability and financial means to undertake the pilgrimage.
• Purpose: Cleanse sins and foster a closer connection with God: The Hajj pilgrimage is seen as a means of purifying oneself from sins and seeking spiritual growth through a profound connection with Allah.
• Dates: 8th to 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Muslim calendar: The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during specific dates in the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, known as Dhu al-Hijjah.
• Variations in date: Since the Islamic lunar calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the dates of the Hajj pilgrimage vary from year to year.

Historical Background

• Tracing back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham): The origins of the Hajj pilgrimage can be traced back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim, who was instructed by Allah to build the Kaaba in Mecca, establishing its significance as a sacred site.
• Commanded by Allah to build the Kaaba in Mecca: Prophet Ibrahim received a divine command to construct the Kaaba, a cubic-shaped structure considered the most sacred site in Islam, laying the foundation for the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Gradual dilution of monotheistic nature: Over time, the original monotheistic essence of the Hajj pilgrimage was influenced by various cultural practices and customs, deviating from its original purpose.
• Re-consecration by Prophet Muhammad in 630 AD: Prophet Muhammad, during the conquest of Mecca, reinstated the monotheistic principles of the Hajj pilgrimage, cleansing it from polytheistic elements and restoring its true significance.

Rituals and Ceremonies

• State of ihram: Symbolizing spiritual purity and detachment: Pilgrims enter a state of ihram, a state of ritual consecration, by wearing simple white garments, signifying purity and detachment from worldly distractions.
• Tawaf ritual: Circling the Kaaba seven times while reciting prayers: Pilgrims perform the tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction, accompanied by recitation of specific prayers and supplications.
• Sa’i: Reenacting Hagar’s search for water for her son Ismail: Pilgrims engage in sa’i, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, replicating the journey of Hagar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, in her search for water for her son Ismail.
• Mount Arafat: Seeking forgiveness for sins: Pilgrims gather at the plains of Mount Arafat, spending the day in prayer and reflection, seeking forgiveness for their sins and supplicating to Allah for blessings and mercy.
• Jamarah ritual: Symbolically stoning the devil in the valley of Mina: Pilgrims engage in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing Satan, casting pebbles as a symbolic act of resistance against evil temptations and following the example of Prophet Ibrahim.
• Final circling of the Kaaba and symbolic hair removal: The pilgrimage concludes with a final circumambulation of the Kaaba and the symbolic removal of a lock of hair, symbolizing the completion of the Hajj journey.

Significance of the Event

• Logistical marvel: The Hajj pilgrimage is a massive logistical undertaking, with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah organizing facilities and services to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who arrive in Mecca.
• Quotas based on Muslim population and diplomatic relationships: Quotas are allocated to each country based on factors such as the size of their Muslim population and diplomatic relationships with Saudi Arabia.
• Once in life experience: Participating in the Hajj pilgrimage requires significant financial resources, and many pilgrims save for years to afford the associated costs. They often rely on authorized travel agents who arrange travel, lodging, and food arrangements.

Significance for Saudi Arabia

• Pride and legitimacy: Organizing the Hajj pilgrimage gives Saudi Arabia a sense of pride and legitimacy, as it serves as the custodian of the two holiest sites in Islam, Mecca and Medina.
• Control over sacred mosques: Saudi Arabia’s control over the sacred mosques in Mecca and Medina enhances its position as a leader in the Islamic world and grants the country religious influence.
• Major revenue source: The Hajj pilgrimage serves as a major source of revenue for Saudi Arabia. The influx of pilgrims contributes billions of dollars to the country’s economy through various channels, such as transportation, accommodation, food services, and religious tourism.
• Huge revenues: In recent years, Hajj-related revenues have reached significant levels, with estimates surpassing $150 billion in 2022 alone, making it a crucial economic driver for Saudi Arabia.

Organizing the Pilgrimage: Hajj Quotas

• Logistical challenge for Saudi Arabia: Organizing the Hajj pilgrimage poses a monumental logistical challenge for Saudi Arabia due to the immense scale of the event and the need to ensure the well-being and safety of millions of pilgrims.
• Quotas determined by country-wise allocations: Quotas, or the number of pilgrims allowed from each country, are determined through country-wise allocations, taking into account various factors such as the size of the Muslim population in each country.
• Allocations based on population: The allocation of quotas is influenced by factors such as the size of the Muslim population and an agreement reached in 1987 among member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
• Diplomatic considerations: Diplomatic considerations, such as bilateral relations and negotiations between Saudi Arabia and other countries, also play a role in determining the quotas allocated to each country.

India’s Hajj Quota

• Record number of 175,025 Indian pilgrims in Hajj 2023: India, with the world’s largest Muslim population, has historically received a significant quota for the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Involvement of the Ministry of Minority Affairs and HCoI: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, along with the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating the Hajj pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims.
• 70% quota allocation to HCoI, 30% to private operators: The HCoI is allocated 70% of India’s Hajj quota, allowing them to organize and oversee a significant portion of the pilgrimage. The remaining 30% is allocated to private operators who provide services and packages for Indian pilgrims.
• Abolition of the discretionary quota: Previously, there was a ‘Government discretionary quota’ that reserved 500 slots for government allocation. However, this quota was abolished in January, returning those seats to the general pool for distribution among the pilgrims.
• Draw of lots conducted by states for available slots: In cases where the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, states in India conduct a draw of lots to determine which individuals will be able to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage.

Conclusion

• The Hajj pilgrimage holds immense religious and historical significance for Muslims.
• It represents a journey of faith, unity, and spiritual renewal.
• Saudi Arabia’s role in organizing the Hajj provides the country with pride, legitimacy, and economic benefits.

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Central Idea

• PM Modi presented the US President Joe Biden with a number of gifts, including a first edition print of the book The Ten Principal Upanishads from 1937.

Ten Principal Upanishads

• The Ten Principal Upanishads is translated from Sanskrit by Shri Purohit Swami, a scholar of Hindu scripture, and Irish poet WB Yeats.
• It is considered to be one of the best translations of the Upanishads, some of the most important Hindu religious texts.
• Written in the mid-1930s, the book was a product of Yeats’ desire to create a translation which is true to the original text while still being accessible for the layperson.

Two categories of Hindu scriptures

There are broadly two categories of Hindu sacred texts: Shruti (loosely translated as “the revealed”) and Smriti (“the remembered”).

[I] Shruti

• The Shruti category is considered to be the most authoritative and consists of the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva) and accompanying texts.
• These include Brahmanas (ritual texts), Aranyakas (“forest” or “wilderness” texts), and Upanishads (philosophical texts).

[II] Smruti

• The Smruti category of Hindu scriptures is less authoritative – in many ways they are considered to be derived from the first – but more popularly known.
• These include the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Dharmashastras, Puranas and all other post-Vedic scriptures.

What are the Upanishads?

• The Upanishads, also known as the Vedanta – as they signal the end of the total Veda – speculate about the ontological connection between humanity and the cosmos.
• They serve as foundational texts in many traditions of Hindu theology and have hence attracted far more attention than the Vedas themselves.
• Dated to roughly 800-500 BC, the Upanishads discuss concepts such as transmigration, which have today become central to Hindu tradition.
• Upanishads signify texts that were traditionally transmitted in intimate, teacher-student settings, imparting profound knowledge and spiritual insights.

(A) Spiritual Essence

• The Upanishads form the philosophical portion of the Vedic scriptures known as the Vedanta.
• They explore the metaphysical and mystical aspects of existence, aiming to unravel the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate truth.

(B) Origins

• The Upanishads were composed between 800-500 BC, following the earlier Vedic texts.
• Various sages, seers, and scholars authored the Upanishads, resulting in a rich diversity of philosophical perspectives.

(C) Themes and Subjects

• The Upanishads delve into profound concepts, such as the nature of the self (atman), the ultimate reality (brahman) (NOT Brahmin), and the relationship between the two.
• They explore metaphysical inquiries, the nature of existence, the concept of karma, the path to liberation (moksha), and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Key Upanishads and Teachings 

• While there are over 200 Upanishads, a set of principal Upanishads is considered the most significant and influential.
• There are ten main (or principal) Upanishads:

1. Esha
2. Kena
3. Katha
4. Prashna
5. Mundaka
6. Mandukya
7. Taittiriya
8. Aitareya
9. Chandogya
10. Brihadaranyaka

WB Yeats and his translation of Upanishads

(A) Who was WB Yeats? 

• WB Yeats (1865-1939) was born in Ireland and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern English literature.
• He was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival, which sought to promote Irish culture, folklore, and independence.

(B) His Interest in the Upanishads

• Yeats’ interest in Indian culture and philosophy predates his encounter with the Upanishads.
• In 1885, he met Mohini Chatterjee, a prominent figure in Bengal’s Theosophical circles, who visited Dublin. This meeting sparked Yeats’ early engagement with Indian themes in his poetry.

(C) Friendship with Rabindranath Tagore:

• Yeats developed a close friendship with Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate.
• In 1912, they met in London, where Tagore introduced Yeats to his translated work, including Gitanjali.

(D) Introduction to the Upanishads:

• William Rothenstein, a photographer, sent Yeats the manuscripts of Tagore’s partial translation of the Upanishads.
• Impressed by their spiritual depth and cultural significance, Yeats became intrigued by the Upanishads’ teachings.
• Disappointed with the available English translations of the Upanishads, Yeats sought to create a translation that was both true to the original text and accessible to a wider audience.
• He collaborated with Sanskrit scholar Shri Purohit Swami, who helped him translate the Upanishads with an emphasis on clarity and understanding.

Back2Basics: Key Verses from Upanishads

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