'Hindu Rashtra' should be based on scriptures ! : Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati

Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati

Representative of Daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ Nityanand Bhise sought darshan of Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati of Shri Govardhan Pith, Puri, in Kumbh Mela. On that occasion, Shankaracharya expressed his views on the nation, Dharma, and society. The views expressed by Him over harm caused to Hindu Dharma due to the non-sattvik environment in Kumbh Mela after the independence, Naga Sadhus, who have forgotten their duties, movement to purify river Ganga, which has gone awry etc. compel Hindus to contemplate. He has also expressed His views over the establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ in the world. The questions asked by Shri. Bhise to Shankaracharya and answers given by Him are reproduced ahead.

1. It is necessary that Hindus should receive guidance from Kumbh Mela !

What do you feel about the present form of Kumbh Mela ?
Shankaracharya :

In ancient times, Ascetics and Sages would arrive at conclusions over the national and regional problems and impart suggestion to the rulers for solving them ! 

Kumbh Mela is as old as a sun eclipse and a moon eclipse. By taking a bath in Divine waters at an auspicious time, more merits are earned. The rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Kshipra, Godavari etc. are important, but this importance enhances due to specific properties of place and time. Therefore, Kumbh Mela assumes the special significance. In the ancient period, Sages and Ascetics used to visit here. They used to seriously delve over the national and regional problems. The conclusions arrived by them would be conveyed to the rulers. Afterwards, the ruling class would utilise the guidance from these great Saints to maintain the governing system, which would be controlled by Dharma and remain impartial.

Non-sattvik environment in Kumbh Mela is a blot on Kumbh Mela !

After Bharat has attained independence, Kumbh Mela was transformed into a form of a fair. This place is meant to perform sadhana (Spiritual practice), but there is a commotion all round here. Though it is necessary to maintain the environment complementary for performing sadhana, lot of uproar is created here. Non-sattvik environment in Kumbh Mela is a blot on Kumbh Mela. It is the responsibility of the Government to assign a form of the honest Dharma sansad (Religious parliament) to Kumbh Mela. Along with providing facilities to the devotees for the Holy bath, this auspicious period should be utilised, from the spiritual viewpoint to find out appropriate remedies over the national and international problems. However, this objective seems to be missing after the independence. We have made this known to the concerned individuals several times in the past.

It is possible to achieve welfare of the world through Kumbh Mela !

Representatives of all the foreign countries should be invited in Kumbh Mela and they should be asked to present the problems facing their countries. These should be deliberated from the spiritual perspective. This way Kumbh Mela will prove to be a boon for the entire world. The objective behind the political system should be the ‘cultured, secure, literate, prosperous, healthy individual and society.’ Welfare of the world can be achieved with such a politics.

2. Hindus should comprehend the purpose behind Kumbh Mela and comply accordingly !

What kind of efforts were expected to be made in Kumbh Mela over the problems faced by Hindu Dharma ?

Shankaracharya :

 It is necessary for Naga Sadhus to perform their duties genuinely without falling victim to the allurements

Perversity is evident in the Hindu organisations. Shankarachryas of Chatushpith had created an army of Naga Sadhu soldiers before 1500 years so that they would protect the existence and ideals of the nation. They would prove useful for the protection of Sanatan Vaidik and Hindu Dharma. Naga soldiers should be moulded through sacrifice and penance. They should empower themselves through scriptures and arms. They should enact the role like Bhagawan Parashuram to destroy the anarchistic elements within our borders, but from about a century, these Naga Sadhus have distanced themselves too far from the guidance of Shankaracharys. Now, there is no ideological and administrative coordination left between Shankaracharyas and Naga sadhus. Even though, they have regards about Shankaracharyas in their hearts, no understanding is evident between them. One or the other organisation of the political party, who wants publicity is trying to attract Kumbh Mela towards it.

3. Emphatic revolution for river Ganga is essential !

Have the required efforts been made, in Kumbh Mela to tackle the problem of pollution in river Ganga ?

Shankaracharya :

It is necessary to kick-start a revolution at cultural and social levels for the purification of water in rivers Ganga and Yamuna !

Many perverse issues were inserted in the name of starting a project for the purification of waters in rivers Ganga and Yamuna. As a result, the Divinity in the water currents of these rivers is getting vanished. The Government should also take care of this. If the Government is determined to denigrate the centres of National honour in the name of development, then it becomes necessary to kick-start an emphatic revolution at cultural and social levels. It will compel the Government to bend before Hindus, and these rivers will again turn pure.

Movement started for purification of river Ganga has gone awry !

The organisations and individuals active in the purification movement of River Ganga seem to be striving more for the personal development than the movement itself. There are even few organisations, which are eager to implement fraudulent policy of the Government in the name of river Ganga. The Government has caused so many pains to the individuals honestly working for the river Ganga that their capacity to fight has waned. In this way, the movement started for the purification of river Ganga has turned fruitless. For the success of this movement, fast cannot be the first choice. It is the last weapon. The steps taken for this movement are based at emotional levels. To make the movement successful, thought is not given to acting after chalking out some sort of strategy. 

By treating the issues about Math-temples, river Ganga, and cow from financial viewpoints, their downfall began ! 

Our ancestors considered river Ganga and cow-lineage as a medium of Dharma and Moksh (Final Liberation). They have also been utilised as financial means in the interim period. Hindus were aware of the values of river Ganga, and cow. Therefore, they were getting protected. However, later on, the rulers considered river Ganga, and cow as a medium of acquiring wealth and satisfying desires. By treating the issues about Math-temples, river Ganga, and cow from the financial viewpoint in stead from the religious viewpoint, their downfall began from that moment. In this way, the gap in viewpoints was created. It is surprising that the rulers are embarking on slaughter of cow-lineage just to satisfy one class of society. 

4. Since the political parties have concocted false Dharmacharyas (High priests), real scholars remain ignored !

Do you think that the political power has become stronger than the power of Dharma in Kumbh Mela ?

Shankaracharya : 

Yes ! This is because the real Saints have now become a rare commodity. Now, the political parties have started anointing their activists and office bearers as Dharmacharyas and Saints. This is a basic problem. These fake Saints are Hindus just for the namesake. They have been declared as Saints by the leaders of Huriyat Conference, Maoists, and agents of Pope. These fake Saints work for their mentors. These fake Saints are readily accepted by the society and Government. When such individuals assimilate in society, the scholars, who are really Knowledgeable about Dharma are ignored by social and administrative circles.

5. The politics in Bharat has become directionless due to greed for power and lack of foresight !

BJP has lost confidence of Hindus. What is alternative before Hindus ?

Shankaracharya :

Nowadays, all political parties are feeling blessed by getting themselves declared as ‘secular’. Just as, an elephant has two sets to teeth, one for showing off and the other for eating, for some political parties Hindutva is for showing off. When ex-Prime Minister Atalabihari Vajapayi played a role of generosity, that act itself exposed his fake Hindutva. Therefore, whenever a leader of any party, be it BJP or Congress becomes the Prime Minister, he governs the country by keeping ideal of Nehru or Atalabihari Vajapayi before him. Therefore, his decisions prove injurious to Hindutva. The politics in Bharat has become directionless due to greed for power and lack of foresight.

6. Establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ should be based on scriptures !

Which efforts are needed for the establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ ?

Shankaracharya :

It is still being experienced that ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is in existence, in Nepal !

There is a Shloka ‘Sarvetra sukhinah santu’ meaning ‘everyone in the world should become happy.’ The citizens will be happy and content in Hindu Rashtra. Everyone gets justice in Hindu Rashtra; no one is denied justice. To discuss how Nepal will again become Hindu Rashtra, a delegation from Nepal had met me. The sanskars of Hindutva still exist in the residents of Nepal. The cow-lineage is still not slaughtered there. Eighty one percent of Hindu population is spread in 75 districts of Nepal. Respect is still maintained towards cow. Cow-slaughter is considered as a sin. Even if, a rare incident of cow-slaughter takes place, the people feel offended. The rivers in Nepal are still pure. Therefore, it is still being experienced that ‘Hindu Rashtra’ exists in Nepal.

Country has been fettered by ‘secularism’ and ‘atheism’ !

If Bharat had been a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, interests of all the citizens would have been taken care of. In that case, this nation would have become a focal point of interest for all. Sanatan Vaidik Arya Hindus imparted world with knowledge about economics, kamashastra, spiritual science, moral science, medical science, Holy texts etc. Entire world accepts this even today. Due to ignorance about the importance of ‘Hindu Rashtra’, our country has been fettered by ‘secularism’ and ‘atheism’. Bharat should be declared as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. In order that Bharat should become an ideal and inspiration for the entire world, I will make one symbolic suggestion. For the establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Hindus should start propagation movement in an undeclared style. For example, if a concept that ‘when a social system consisting well cultured, secure, literate, prosperous, devoted to service, healthy individuals and society is created in Bharat, various countries will automatically be attracted towards such an ideal social system. If this concept spreads all over the world and is implemented every where, ‘Hindu Rashtra’ will be formed in the entire world.

7. Establish ‘Hindu Rashtra’ based on Sanatan Vaidik Dharma !

How ‘Hindu Rashtra’ should be ?

Shankaracharya :

Just because of the perception that ‘I am Hindu’, someone should not start fighting for the establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’. If the steps for the establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ are taken without acquiring knowledge about traditional Puran, Science of Smrutis, history etc., it will affect only Hindus adversely. Just the pronunciation of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not enough; for its establishment, Hindus need to study Vaidik Sanatan, meaning, Hindu culture. Else, we may have to repent for taking the hasty steps. Just as, before the Bharat attained the independence, slogans were heard that ‘Bharat will become Rama-Rajya after attaining independence’, did it happen ? Therefore, although the aim of establishment of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is pure, but if the foundation is not strong, meaning, knowledge about scriptures is lacking, the individual will experience downfall. Therefore, while establishing ‘Hindu Rashtra’, the foundation of Hindus should be strong, meaning, strength of Dharma is essential. 

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat