'Bharatiyata' only solution to all problems world facing today: Mohan Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday exhorted people to imbibe ‘Indianness’ and show the world the answers to all problems it is facing.

The 'sarsanghchalak' of RSS said the world is facing a plethora of problems due to materialism and now looking up to Bharat for answers as all the efforts taken over the past 2000 years to bring happiness and contentment in people’s lives based on Western ideas have failed. "Ours is an ancient civilisation. Bharat stands for values and a cultural heritage that can show the way (margdarshan) to the entire world," Bhagwat added.

All the advancements in the field of science and economic progress in the world brought things of luxury and eased people’s lives but could not end sorrow, he said.

The RSS Sarsanghchalak reflected on the failure of purely materialistic development models that have led to dissatisfaction and environmental degradation worldwide. He highlighted Bharat’s civilizational path as the “third path” – a harmonious balance between material and spiritual well-being.

However, before inspiring the world, Hindus must first embody the principles outlined in the dharma , which are rooted in the eternal wisdom of the shastras. Historically, Bharat’s influence was widespread without conquest, but complacency and narrow-mindedness led to the neglect of true Dharmic values, added Bhagwat.

Bhagwat also stressed that dharma is deeper than religious rituals; it embodies universal truths and spiritual wisdom (adhyatmikta). He positioned ‘The Hindu Manifesto’ as an essential reference for Hindus, urging scholars, researchers, and common people alike to engage with it, fostering a contemporary and vibrant understanding of traditional knowledge.

“What does it mean to be of Bharat? Bharatiyata is not citizenship. Of course, citizenship is required. But, one has to have Bharat’s 'swabhav' (nature) to belong to Bharat. Bharat’s ‘swabhav’ thinks about the whole life. There are four 'Purusharth' (four goals in Hindu philosophy)...'moksha' (liberation) is ultimate goal of life,” he said. Bharat’s nature is based on ‘dharma drishti' (vision), Mr. Bhagwat said. It is due to this discipline of dharma, Bharat was once the most prosperous nation and the world knows it, he said.