india-s-foundation-lies-in-sanatan-dharma-vp-dhankhar

Underscoring India’s deep spirituality and ancient civilisation, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday in West Bengal said that the country’s foundation lies in Sanatan Dharma.

 

India, which has long been a guiding force for the world through its preachings of non-violence, peace and brotherhood, will one day become the 'vishwa guru' (world leader), Dhankhar said.

 

He was addressing a gathering at the closing ceremony of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of spiritual leader Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad, organised by Gaudiya Mission here.

 

Emphasising the unifying power of Sanatan Dharma, Dhankhar said, "Sanatan stands for inclusivity, universal values, patriotism and rising above caste, creed and economic divisions." Reflecting on India’s heritage, he asserted, "No other country in the world has a 5,000-year-old 'sanskriti'. India has been the spiritual centre of the world, and we have to carry this momentum forward." Dhankhar, however, expressed regret over the setbacks India faced around 1,000–1,200 years ago when renowned universities like Nalanda and Takshashila—once attracting scholars from across the world—were attacked, set aflame, and vandalised.

 

But the vandals could not eradicate India's culture, he said."We have witnessed barbarity and extremities of unimaginable proportions, yet we turned around. Now, India is again on the path of growth and progress, which cannot be possible without spiritual growth," he added.

 

Dhankhar also noted that the world recognises India’s spiritualism and civilisation because of great personalities such as Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Chaitanya, and Srila Prabhupada.

 

Paying tribute to Bengal, he described it as the forerunner of every significant movement—be it spiritual, cultural, or related to the freedom struggle."Bengal is the birthplace of (freedom fighters) Khudiram Bose and Chittaranjan Das. It is also the birthplace of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, whose margdarshan (guidance) was a crucial force for both the state and the country at a very critical stage," he said.

 

Shyamaprasad Mukherjee inculcated and embodied values of 'rashtravad' (nationalism) wedded with Sanatan values India has nourished over ages, he said."We are lucky that the festering wound he saw, is no longer present in our Constitution," he said.

 

Referring to the 150th birth anniversary observations of Srila Prabhupada by the mission, Dhankhar said UNESCO's stand to accord recognition to the 150th Birth anniversary as a significant cultural and historical event showed the "world now gives recognition to Bharat's spiritualism and civilisation which is rooted in its Sanatan values." "Prabhupada's stand against any division of class in society and taking along all castes in his religious movement should be our guiding principle in this age and times. It has awakened our soul," he said.His preachings are important to defeat violence and set the country on the foundation of truth, he said.

 

Dhankhar said the spiritual richness of India has taken the country to unimaginable high in every sphere in past years.

 

"Our children should be respectful of their heritage," he said.

 

He referred to the two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata which embodied the fact that religion when it is for truth can never lose.

 

"Our epics show when you fight for truth you will win. Our dharma teaches us never to fight for personal gains," he said.

 

Dhankhar said 'rashtrabad is our dharma." The vice-president also said Sanatan values teach people to have strength and demonstrate that when needed."Remember Bhagavad Gita said we have the right of self defence," he said.

 

Regretting "some people cannot rise over finding fault and disagreement," Dhankhar said everyone should be respectful to others' views.

 

"Some people may not understand our spirituality reeling in darkness. We should embrace spirituality and help everyone to protect each other and revitalise our civilisation," he said.

 

He said the values of true dharma are not understood by some people and they attack religion with a narrow mindset.Governor C V Ananda Bose, while eulogising the work of the mission and the pioneering role of Srila Prabhupada, also said, "It is the soil of Bengal which gives birth to such noble souls, spiritual leaders who undertake social reforms." Bose recited 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' (the soil of Bengal, the water of Bengal) lyrics of Rabindranath Tagore in this context.