Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that it is India’s prime responsibility to present its glorious way of life to the world so that others can follow and attain happiness and prosperity.
He said that religion, which is considered as the basis of everyone’s life, should be protected and awakened according to the changing times.
Also Read: India helps even countries that once fought a war against it: Mohan Bhagwat
The essence of Indian morality lies in ensuring the welfare of all, Shri Bhagwat said at the inauguration of the Morya Gosavi Sanjivan Samadhi ceremony at Pimpri Chinchwad Industrial Town near Pune city in Maharashtra on Tuesday* December 17, 2024.
‘Tradition to return to nature’
It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain balance and patience to ensure the smooth functioning of the world order. In Indian culture, there has always been a tradition of going back to nature. In today’s terms, it can be described as ‘giving back’,” he said.
“Our religion is structured on the principle of ‘giving back’. Our forefathers recognized and practiced this because nature works in this direction,” said Mr. Bhagwat.
He said that our forefathers not only understood the concept of balance in religion but also led an example of peaceful living ensuring harmony and progress for all.
“This religion ensures the welfare and progress of all, so India must live, develop and lead the way. It is India’s prime responsibility to show the world its glorious way of life so that others can follow and attain happiness. Prosperity,” he said.
The RSS chief said that religion works to keep society safe and prosperous.
“It unites and uplifts, and does not give place to extremism. Religion is the foundation of everyone’s life, it should be preserved, and it should be nurtured according to changing times and circumstances,” he said.
The entire structure of the world is based on conflict, said Mr. Bhagwat.
“For the last 2,000 years our lives have been influenced by prevailing ideologies, it has increased convenience, it has also given rise to constant strife. That is why our forefathers adopted Sanatan Dharma based on spirituality. The underlying sense of harmony is the basis of the universe,” he said.
Religion directs the life of the individual, society and nature towards the divine, said Sri Bhagwat.
“This religion, which is the basis of the unity of society, should be manifested in our actions,” he said.
Noting that only change is constant and situations are dynamic, the RSS chief narrated the story of a king and his minister whose habit was – ‘this too shall pass’.
One day, the king returned to his kingdom after conquering the world and his people celebrated. Amidst the applause and cheers, the minister said quietly – ‘This time too will pass. The king, though angered by the comment, chose not to react.
After some time, the king and his minister went to the forest for hunting. During the hunt, the king is attacked by a wild animal. Although the king managed to kill it, the animal severely injured his finger. After the people praised his bravery, the minister again said ‘this time too will pass’.
A few days later, a rebellion broke out in the kingdom, and both the king and the minister were imprisoned. While in prison, the king recalled the minister’s words. Eventually, some loyalists managed to free the king and the minister, and they fled into the forest. But they were captured by a tribe that practiced human sacrifice.
Upon examining them, the tribe released the king because of a missing finger and the minister because of physical deformities, flawed people not fit for sacrifice.
“At that moment, the king understood the wisdom of the minister’s words – that good and bad situations are transitory and nothing in life is permanent,” said Mr. Bhagwat.
The RSS chief described Lord Ganesha as a symbol of inclusiveness and balance.
“Lord Ganesha’s big belly symbolizes tolerance towards everyone’s actions, while his big ears represent his ability to hear everything. His long trunk represents his ability to understand and react to every situation,” he said.
published – December 18, 2024 at 09:30 pm IST