VEER BHOGYA VASUNDHARA

Recently I came across the phrase “Veerabhogya Vasundhara” meaning “This Earth is for the valiant” while reading a book “Bunch of Thoughts” under the section “Make Devotion Dynamic“.

I really liked it. I agree completely that this earth is only for the valiant i.e brave. If you are not bold and courageous, you will face a lot of challenges in getting things done. All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. So it is always better to find your courage to make changes when you can choose to rather than being forced on. If you do not make the change, change will make you. (Roy Bennett)

Coming back to “Veer Bhogya Vasundhara”. In the beginning, it looked like the phrase is taken from Bhagwad Geeta. But what I have found is that it is not. However, there’s an implied reference to it in Chapter 2 (Two) Verse 37 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. It says:

हतो वा प्राप्सयसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्षयसे महीम।

तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धायकृतनिश्चयः।।37।।

Meaning in Hindi:

अगर युद्धमें तू मारा जायगा तो तुझे स्वर्गकी प्राप्ति होगी और अगर युद्धमें तू जीत जायगा तो पृथ्वीका राज्य भोगेगा। अतः हे कुन्तीनन्दन! तू युद्धके लिये निश्चय करके खड़ा हो जा।

Meaning in English:

Slain thou shalt win Heaven, victorious thou shalt enjoy the earth; therefore arise, O son of Kunti, resolved upon battle.

Source: https://bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-37.html

But from where the phrase “Veer Bhogya Vasundhara” has come? There are multiple references I found.

Reference 1: Parashara Smriti

न श्रीः कुलक्रमायाता, स्वरूपाल्लिखितापि वा । खड्गेनाक्रम्य भुञ्जीत वीरभोग्या वसुन्धरा ॥ ~पराशरस्मृति

Parashara Smriti is basically codes of conduct created by the sage Parashar Muni, tells the ways of just character for Kali Yuga

KJS Dhillon did tweet abou this sometime back.

Reference 2: Shiv Puraan

राज्यं दास्ये न देवेभ्यो वीरभोग्या वसुंधरा ।।
रणं दास्यामि ते रुद्र देवानां पक्षपातिने ।।

Source: here

The shloka you can find it in Shiv Puraan, Sanhita 2, Khand 5, Adhyaay 32, Shlok 18.

I have also found that this phrase is slogan for Rajput community. There are multiple songs and writings around this on the internet when it comes to bravery of Rajput community.

PM Modi did mention “Veer Bhogya Vasundhara” in his speech to inspire not just the soldiers present there but every single Indian, during his visit to Leh in July 2020. Link.

I will keep updating this article with a more accurate explanation around this phrase and its mentions in different literature.

Thank you!

KTG