Independence Day and the concept of Nations..

As I stood singing the National Anthem in Mantri and watching the guards do the routine of 'Attention, Standitees', thoughts wondered on how nations are sectarian in their fundamental nature.  Does the concept of a nation touch a raw animal instinct in all humans ? Or is something which has been nurtured and doctored in all of us through our growing years.

We end up celebrating that we invented zero (and not marveling the concept of zero), we are proud we produced the Vedanta 5000 years back, but sadly most of us have not read or understood it.  I guess is that if we had not had nations , that would not be the case.

My guess is that the need of identification is so important in humans. Bhagvad Gita talks about discovering ones' self, which over centuries few have managed (or claimed to have managed). Our beliefs, physical features, where we live etc have proved to an easy way to provide an identity.

Good time to remember and 'Imagine' ...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhq-yO1KN8

Till then Happy Independence Day ...