"The Whole World Is Family"
Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 17: India, a Home to Many · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 17.6
Learn
Why did India become a refuge? Its schools of thought taught values like vasudhaiva kutumbakam ("the whole world is family", from the Hitopadeśha), atithi devo bhava ("a guest is like God") and sarve bhavantu sukhinah ("may all be happy"). The Buddha's words on loving-kindness ask us to cherish all beings as a mother protects her only child. Some who came to conquer, like the Indo-Greeks and Kuṣhāṇas, were themselves won over by Indian culture.
Indians who live abroad today carry these values too, and are widely seen as peaceful, law-abiding and hard-working communities that contribute to their new countries. In a world of wars, climate change and inequality, the idea that humankind is one family can help people live together. Neel's grandparents' neighbours in Mumbai include a Parsi family and a Bene Israel family who have shared Diwali, Navroz and Hanukkah sweets for three generations.
Explore: match the value.
- Sort each idea.
Remember
- Values like vasudhaiva kutumbakam and atithi devo bhava made India a welcoming home.
- These ideas of human unity can help the world face today's crises.
Quick check
Atithi devo bhava means …
- a guest is like God
- the whole world is family
- truth alone triumphs
- work is worship
Answer
a guest is like God. Such values helped small communities feel safe in India.
Think about it
Are there communities in your area whose ancestors came from far away? What might their experience have been?
One answer
Likely a mix of hardship and hope: learning a new language and customs, keeping their own traditions, and slowly becoming part of local life while adding to it.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.