Bharat's identity lies in diversity of faiths, languages, castes, says RSS chief

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Friday that Bharat's identity lies in its diversity of languages, faiths, castes and cultures, and that it can help build a better world by combining traditional knowledge with modern progress.He said people need to understand the enduring truths that guide human conduct, and that the younger generation should learn about Indian society and its traditions while also using knowledge from across the world for the betterment of society.Addressing a gathering, Bhagwat said Bharat's civilisational knowledge remained relevant in the present day and should be passed on to the next generation.

He also spoke about the need to guide young people through future challenges, saying they should be taught to keep moving forward regardless of success or failure and make their lives meaningful.Bhagwat said a person had once told him at an interfaith meeting that conflict between religions was leading to loss of human lives, but that no ready solution was available. "He asked me to come to his country and spread the teachings and knowledge of Bharat to the world," Bhagwat said.He said the eternal knowledge found in the Bhagavad Gita was reflected in many traditions in India and outside it, even if the expressions and words differed with time and circumstance."

The conclusion of various philosophies, from ancient traditions to the latest one, is the same. From the ancient period of human beings who wondered about the world till Yuval Noah Harari, the range of thoughts and its conclusion are the same," he said.According to Bhagwat, people should focus on the direction of teachings rather than only their outward form. Different traditions may use different expressions to convey the same principles, he said, and added that ignoring the message and focusing only on words creates confusion.Referring to scientific studies on consciousness, he said, "Today, the world has one common consciousness.

It is the beginning of everything. Everything started by a pre-existing universal consciousness." He also compared the intellect to a driver, the soul to the owner, and body parts to the horses of a chariot.Bhagwat said ego could misdirect a person and lead to sorrow and disappointment, and that people need guidance while dealing with life's challenges." With a minor disappointment, people get frustrated and some even end their lives.

If you want to do daily things, you need guidance. Those who have lived life like that have told us," he said.He added that great personalities and their works provide guidance to society and help people preserve their values while adapting to changing circumstances.Speaking about the youth, Bhagwat said people from Gen Z who go abroad are reminded that their origin lies in Bharat, its traditions and its knowledge. He said people want them to speak about their specialities and identity.Recalling a participant's description of Bharat, Bhagwat said the person had visited a modern oil refinery in Jamnagar in Gujarat and, amid the bustle of people at work, noticed a huge idol of Lord Ganesha and said, "That is Bharat."

Bhagwat added, "This is the identity of Bharat and we have a sense of pride in it. It should be passed on to the next generation." He also noted that it is often said that many in the new generation do not have a strong command over their mother tongue and that their attention span is shorter.Bhagwat's address centred on Bharat's diverse identity, the value of its traditional knowledge, the need to understand the core message of different traditions, and the importance of guiding younger generations as they face future challenges.- Ends