Shahadat ( Martydom) in Indian religions?

[calypsodc]

Re: Shahadat ( Martydom) in Indian religions?

@muqawwee123

I read a Sikh scholar saying that there is no concept of ‘Shahadat’ in Hinduism. The reason behind that was Hinduism got superb flexibility and can accept ideas from other religions without any conflict. When there is no conflict, there are remote chances of martyrdom (sacrificing life for religion).

Sikhs and Muslims, on other hand, got concept of Shahadat in their faiths. Muslims right from Badr to Karbala and Sikhs due to execution of their gurus by Mughals.

Do you agree with this observation?

If thats true how come Lata ji sings :

aye mere vatan ke logon
zara aankh mein bhar lo paani
jo shaheed hue hain unki
zara yaad karo qurbaani

Is it borrowed from Muslims or it was already there in Hindu scriptures?

In Hinduism, technically,violence is used as a last resort to resolution after all other means have failed. Examples in the Mahabharata, before the war which commenced, even Arjuna was brought down with doubts, attachment, sorrow, fear. That is when Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna how to carry out his duty as a righteous warrior and fight.
The concept of mother and motherland being more respectable than swarga was a part of Ramayana. Warriors who died in righteous battle were supposed to go to heaven directly since their sins were washed away with their blood. So brave soldiers sacrifices esp for their dharma and motherland are glorified. Don’t know if it is anyway similar to the concept of martyrs.