RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the nation and dharma were closely connected in India, arguing that the country’s traditional knowledge could help address challenges facing the world.
Speaking at the 14th conference of the All India Vihar Seva group, Bhagwat said India’s diversity of languages, faiths, castes and cultures was central to its identity. He also called for traditional knowledge to be combined with modern progress.
“Our rashtra (nation) and dharma are not separate. The purpose of the nation is dharma, and dharma helps sustain the nation. The two are interdependent,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat Says World Faces Multiple Contradictions
Bhagwat said the world was facing several competing demands, including development and environmental protection, individual freedom and family life, and religious faith and conflict.
“The world is troubled. Every happiness remains incomplete, every aspiration comes with some loss, and every loyalty is tied to another loyalty. There is no balance; there is extremism,” he said.
He said India could contribute to addressing these challenges through its traditional knowledge. Bhagwat recalled that India had historically shared its knowledge without seeking to conquer other countries or convert their people.
“The world knows that the path will come from India,” he said.
According to a report by The Times of India, Bhagwat also said India’s identity was rooted in its diversity and that its traditional knowledge should be passed on to younger generations while they continued to learn from the rest of the world.
Vedas, Gita and Other Traditions
Bhagwat referred to a wide range of Indian knowledge traditions, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Jain Agamas, Tripitaka, Guru Granth Sahib and the teachings of saints.
“Our country has a very great treasure of knowledge, which the world needs today. One can come closer to the Almighty through the strength of devotion,” he said.
He also said different traditions may use different words and forms to communicate similar fundamental principles. According to Bhagwat, people should focus on the underlying message rather than differences in expression.
He further spoke about what he described as a common consciousness and referred to traditional ideas about the relationship between the intellect, soul and body.
‘Identity of Bharat’ Should Reach Young People
Bhagwat said younger generations should learn about Indian society, traditions and knowledge while also drawing from knowledge developed elsewhere.
He said young Indians living abroad are often asked about their origins and the traditions and knowledge associated with Bharat.
Bhagwat recalled an interaction at an interfaith meeting in which a participant told him that religious conflicts were causing loss of life but that there was no clear solution. He said the participant had invited him to their country to share the teachings and knowledge of Bharat.
The RSS chief also said preserving the lives and traditions of people who carry this knowledge was not only a religious responsibility but also a service to humanity.
“You are not protecting just one life. You are protecting the safety of the future of humanity,” he said.
Bhagwat further said younger generations should be prepared to face challenges, continue moving forward despite success or failure and make their lives meaningful.
