NEW DELHI: Amidst growing clamour for action against Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror killings, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that non-violence is ingrained in Indian culture, but taking action against a hostile neighbour is also “Dharma”.
“Non-violence is our (Indians') basic nature. We never trouble our neighbours. But some people are spoiled, who do not follow their religion. In such a situation, the king must protect the people. For this, killing the oppressors is also his religion. People remember the steps taken by the king to protect the people,” Bhagwat said, in what was seen as a full-throttle support to a strong action against Pakistan, which is being anticipated in the wake of Pak-sponsored terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam.
The RSS chief further said, “I mentioned Ravana in Mumbai because despite everything, his mind was against non-violence. That is why God killed him. It is our religion to teach such hooligans a lesson by not getting killed by them.”
His reference was seen as a direct endorsement of a proactive action against Pakistan, which, a few sources have hinted, could be targeted against the conspirators sitting in Pakistan, who have been consistently encouraging terror activities in India.
Addressing a book release function, he said the principles of non-violence are based on making people embrace this thought.
“Many people embrace these principles wholeheartedly, while others do not do so and continue to foment trouble. In such a situation, the religion states that it not to be vanquished by aggressors is also a part of dharma (duty). Teaching hooligans a lesson is also part of the duty," the RSS chief said.
Bhagwat stressed the need to understand Sanatan dharma in true sense, saying "religion is not dharma" till it follows the four principles of satya (truth), suchita (purity), karuna (compassion) and tapasya (spiritual discipline)".
“Whatever goes beyond this is adharma (irreligious)," he said.
Bhagwat said in the present times, religion has been reduced to rituals and eating habits. “We have reduced religion to rituals and eating habits like who should be worshiped in what manner and what one should eat and should not eat. This is a code... not a principle. Religion is a principle,” he said.
The RSS chief said there was a need for Hindu society to understand Hindu religion which would be the best way to present its traditions and culture to the world.
“Nowhere does Hindu scriptures preach untouchability. Nobody is 'oonch' or 'neech' (high or low). It never says that one work is big and the other is small... If you see oonch-neech, it is adharma. It's compassionless behaviour ,” he added.
Bhagwat said there can be many religions and each of them can be great for those following them. But, one should follow the path one has chosen and respect that of others.
"Don't try to change anybody," he added.
"There is a religion on top of religion. Until we don't understand this, we do not understand religion. That religion on top of religion is spirituality," he added.
Speaking at the event, Swami Vigyananand said his book "The Hindu Manifesto" captures the essence of ancient wisdom, reinterpreted for contemporary times.
He said Hindu thought has always addressed the needs of the present while being firmly rooted in timeless principles distilled into powerful sutras by rishis.
“Non-violence is our (Indians') basic nature. We never trouble our neighbours. But some people are spoiled, who do not follow their religion. In such a situation, the king must protect the people. For this, killing the oppressors is also his religion. People remember the steps taken by the king to protect the people,” Bhagwat said, in what was seen as a full-throttle support to a strong action against Pakistan, which is being anticipated in the wake of Pak-sponsored terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam.
The RSS chief further said, “I mentioned Ravana in Mumbai because despite everything, his mind was against non-violence. That is why God killed him. It is our religion to teach such hooligans a lesson by not getting killed by them.”
His reference was seen as a direct endorsement of a proactive action against Pakistan, which, a few sources have hinted, could be targeted against the conspirators sitting in Pakistan, who have been consistently encouraging terror activities in India.
Addressing a book release function, he said the principles of non-violence are based on making people embrace this thought.
“Many people embrace these principles wholeheartedly, while others do not do so and continue to foment trouble. In such a situation, the religion states that it not to be vanquished by aggressors is also a part of dharma (duty). Teaching hooligans a lesson is also part of the duty," the RSS chief said.
Bhagwat stressed the need to understand Sanatan dharma in true sense, saying "religion is not dharma" till it follows the four principles of satya (truth), suchita (purity), karuna (compassion) and tapasya (spiritual discipline)".
“Whatever goes beyond this is adharma (irreligious)," he said.
Bhagwat said in the present times, religion has been reduced to rituals and eating habits. “We have reduced religion to rituals and eating habits like who should be worshiped in what manner and what one should eat and should not eat. This is a code... not a principle. Religion is a principle,” he said.
The RSS chief said there was a need for Hindu society to understand Hindu religion which would be the best way to present its traditions and culture to the world.
“Nowhere does Hindu scriptures preach untouchability. Nobody is 'oonch' or 'neech' (high or low). It never says that one work is big and the other is small... If you see oonch-neech, it is adharma. It's compassionless behaviour ,” he added.
Bhagwat said there can be many religions and each of them can be great for those following them. But, one should follow the path one has chosen and respect that of others.
"Don't try to change anybody," he added.
"There is a religion on top of religion. Until we don't understand this, we do not understand religion. That religion on top of religion is spirituality," he added.
Speaking at the event, Swami Vigyananand said his book "The Hindu Manifesto" captures the essence of ancient wisdom, reinterpreted for contemporary times.
He said Hindu thought has always addressed the needs of the present while being firmly rooted in timeless principles distilled into powerful sutras by rishis.
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