Manu to Mandal

It is my endeavour to present before the reader a lucid account of the Om () Civilisation from a completely new angle. This is the story of the Om (also Aum) World, which once held sway beyond the Indian subcontinent, in Afghanistan, most of Central Asia from the Caspian Sea to Chinese frontier, China, Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, the whole of south-east Asia, Burma and Sri Lanka. The term ‘India’ denotes geographical boundaries, but Bharatvarsha represents a concept, culture and civilisation which essentially encompasses the philosophy and religion of the various Om cults which the Hindus prefer to denote by the omnibus nomenclature of ‘Hinduism’. While this may create some confusion, it may be unacceptable or unintelligible to the vast peoples outside the Indian subcontinent. For the purpose of this book ‘Om World’ or ‘Hindutva’ a term which has become current of late, will denote primarily Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism as well as other associated cults which have a common Vedic, Brahmanic or Sramanic source and mythology. The quintessence of this primordial culture lies in free religious debate and association, including an unfettered change of belief and in love, compassion, non-violence and peaceful co-existence; and in abhorrence of the use of sword for imposing religious belief or forcing conversion.