At the age of 56 in 1998, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (Gurudev) declared the thought of establishing a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ in Bharat is the only solution to the social, national, and religious problems faced by Hindus. He has repeatedly clarified that establishing a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ (Sattvik Rule) not only in Bharat but across the Earth is not merely a political, cultural, racial, or geographical process, but primarily a spiritual process. Even at the age of 83 today, He continues to work tirelessly for this mission.
Gurudev is the only personage providing spiritual guidance for establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
Many intellectuals have defined the term ‘Hindu Rashtra’ based on topography, history, culture, and philosophy; however, Gurudev has presented the concept of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ from the spiritual perspective.
A. Gurudev has given the spiritual definition of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ as ‘A Nation of sattvik (Spiritually pure) individuals (rulers and citizens) who work for the welfare of the world’. He strives to nurture such sattvik citizens necessary for establishing a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.
B. In His guidance, Gurudev insists that the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ will not be established merely through physical or psychological efforts, efforts at the spiritual level are also necessary. He is working at the spiritual level to establish the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.
Gurudev’s guidance on‘Kshatradharma sadhana’ for establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
‘Kshatradharma sadhana’ is the spiritual practice that all varnas must perform as per the need of the times when Dharma faces lattitude – that of protecting sattvik individuals and lawfully eliminating evil tendencies. Gurudev has been guiding seekers on this form of spiritual practice since 1996. He is the first Saint of the modern era to guide society on this spiritual practice.
Gurudev’s work at the intellectual level for establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
A. Publishing a Text series to facilitate establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ : To clarify the stance on the establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Gurudev compiled a Text series, which includes Texts such as ‘Establishment of the Divine Kingdom’, ‘What is the need for a Hindu Nation ?’, ‘The direction for establishing the Hindu Rashtra’, and ‘Hindu Nation : Criticism and Refutation’, among others.
B. Launching ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ to shape the mindset of society for the mission of establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
B1. Gurudev is the Founder-Editor of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ : Saints can accurately recognise the footsteps of time – it is said. With foresight, Gurudev laid the foundation of Sanatan Prabhat, a Periodical dedicated and striving for the mission of establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Gurudev started the Weekly Sanatan Prabhat on 30th April 1998. The Goa-Sindhudurg Edition of the Daily began on 4th April 1999. Today, Sanatan Prabhat has 4 Marathi Daily Editions (Goa-Sindhudurg; Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, North Maharashtra and Vidarbha; Western Maharashtra and Marathwada; and Ratnagiri), Marathi and Kannada Weeklies, Hindi and English Fortnightlies. Gurudev served as the Founder-Editor till 19th April 2000. A Saint of such a high spiritual level being the Founder-Editor of a Periodical is possibly a unique occurrence in the history of journalism.
B2. Key objectives in the publishing of Sanatan Prabhat Periodicals
1. To awaken Hindus for the protection of society, Nation & Dharma
2. To impart education on Dharma and refute anti-Dharma ideologies
3. To provide intellectual direction necessary for establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
4. To expose the nature of false narratives that are anti-Bharat and anti-Hindu
B3. Distinctive features of Sanatan Prabhat’s journalism
1. Continuing despite financial losses : Sanatan Prabhat is perhaps the only Periodical that continues to operate despite financial losses for the sake of societal assistance, protection of the Nation, and awakening on Dharma.
2. Providing intellectual support to agitations of devout Hindus
3. Consistently highlighting attacks on Hindus : Sanatan Prabhat exposes attacks on Hindus, such as the denigration of centres of religious faith, Love Jihad, forced religious conversions, and the murders of proponents of Hindutva.
4. Unique practice of providing editorial comments with news : As the Editor, Gurudev initiated the innovative practice of providing editorial comments from the very first Issue, offering perspectives beneficial to society, Nation & Dharma. Thus, Sanatan Prabhat remains the only Periodical in the world to give editorial perspectives along with news.
5. Writing that inspires readers to take action : “Articles and columns in Sanatan Prabhat are not intended to increase readership but to guide readers on vyashti and samashti sadhana, and participating in protection of the Nation and awakening on Dharma.” – Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (4.4.2017)
Many have started working for the protection of the Nation and awakening on Dharma and commenced spiritual practice after being inspired by this Periodical.
6. Not cartoons but educational illustrations : Through Sanatan Prabhat, Gurudev established the concept of ‘educational illustrations’ that impart messages beneficial to society and Dharma, rather than merely entertaining cartoons.
7. A newspaper that creates news : “Sanatan Prabhat is not just a newspaper that prints news; it is a newspaper that creates news”. – Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (20.3.1999)
8. Inclusion of writing that motivates readers to perform spiritual practice : “Since 30% of the writing in Sanatan Prabhat is related to spiritual practice, readers are introduced to Spirituality, and some begin their spiritual practice, giving true meaning to their lives. In contrast, in most other Periodicals, not even 1% of the content is related to spiritual practice, and thus readers derive no real benefit.” – Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale
9. Seekers serving selflessly : From correspondents to Editors, no one in Sanatan Prabhat draws a salary. One can imagine how difficult it is to run a Periodical based on Hindutva ideology. Thanks to the seekers nurtured by Gurudev, these Periodicals have been carrying on for 27 years.
B4. Gurudev shaping seekers, readers, and Dharma-loving individuals through Sanatan Prabhat : During His tenure as Editor, Gurudev taught seekers involved in editorial service the principles of Nation-centric and Dharma-centric journalism. He imbued in them the thinking that every incident must be viewed from the perspective of society, Nation and Dharma. He nurtured Sanatan Prabhat’s characteristics of ‘Fearless opposition to anti-National and anti-Dharma forces, confrontation of social evils, and steadfastness in principles’. Thanks to His guidance, a few thousand readers of Sanatan Prabhat are engaged in the mission of protecting the Nation and awakening on Dharma, a feat that millions of readers of other Dailies cannot accomplish.
Today, because of Gurudev’s guidance, Sanatan Prabhat has become a beacon for those working for Hindutva.
B5. Gurudev’s continued guidance through writings in Sanatan Prabhat : Since 2015, Gurudev’s ‘Tejasvi Vichar’ (Radiant Thoughts) column is being published in Sanatan Prabhat Periodicals. His guidance for society on the Nation, Dharma, and various contemporary issues continues to be published from time to time.
B6. Evolution of Sanatan Prabhat into a print, digital, and social media conglomerate : Through the website sanatanprabhat.org, available in Marathi, Hindi, Kannada and English, daily news related to the Nation and Dharma is disseminated. Along with the ePaper, social media, YouTube channels, etc., Sanatan Prabhat has expanded its reach in the digital space.
As of March 2025, over 8.5 lakh individuals read Sanatan Prabhat through offline or online platforms.
Gurudev as the conceptualiser of the Online news channel ‘Hindu Varta’
Noticing that mainstream news channels were not broadcasting the injustices and atrocities committed against Hindus, Gurudev conceptualised the broadcasting of Sanatan Prabhat’s news in audio-visual form via the internet. Between 29th December 2014 and 29th January 2016 – over 13 months – the foundation for a Hindu news channel was laid. Gurudev himself reviewed the broadcasts before they were aired and suggested improvements wherever necessary. In the future, a Hindu TV channel will emerge with the cooperation of Hindus.
Efforts for removal of vices in Democracy
Many experience corruption and inefficiency in Government work. More than 5.25 crore lawsuits are pending in the Courts. Vices have become rampant even in social fields such as education, healthcare, and commerce, and they exploit the people every day. These vices in Democracy create obstacles in turning self-rule into good governance. Gurudev has imparted the teaching – ‘Do not tolerate injustice; instead, fight against Government and social vices through democratic means’. Under His guidance, organisations working for this cause caught 6 corrupt officials in the Government and exposed corruption in Government-controlled temples and offices.
Organisation and guidance of Saints, Sects and Devout Hindus
1. Meetings Saints and the organisation of all-Sect satsangs and all-Religion conferences : From 2000 to 2002, Gurudev met over 110 Saints in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka to encourage them to come together and work to protect the Nation and Dharma. He organised Saints’ meetings, all-Sect satsangs, and all-Religion conferences at various places. Many Saints were present at these events, including Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidyashankar Bharati of Karvir Peeth (Kolhapur), Jagadguru Narendracharyaji Maharaj (Nanij, District Ratnagiri), H.H. Gagangiri Maharaj (Gaganbawda, District Kolhapur), and Pir Sayyad Husseinmiya Qadri Naqshbandi (Mumbai).
2. Organisation of Conventions to unite patriots and devout Hindus : In 2011, Gurudev first proposed the thought – The establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ can happen only through the unity of patriots and devout Hindus. For this, there should be a platform to unite Nation-loving and devout Hindu organisations across India. Inspired by this, since 2012, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has been organising the ‘All-India Hindu Rashtra Convention’ annually in Goa, alongside State-level and District-level Hindu Conventions elsewhere. Since 2023, the ‘All-India Hindu Rashtra Convention’ has been renamed the ‘Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav’.
3. Guidance : Gurudev guides Saints, Sects, devout Hindus, patriots and social workers on spiritual practice, establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, the correct perspective on activities related to Hindutva, and success of the mission according to the significance of times.
Gurudev’s efforts to establish the ‘Hindu Rashtra’
Establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ means the establishment of the ‘Sattvik Rule’. Evil forces from the Patal (Hell Region) are fiercely opposing this. Without defeating these evil forces, the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ cannot be established. Gurudev is engaged in this major battle at the subtle level against these evil forces.
Gurudev is the only Guru who has stated and actively demonstrated that 70% of the battle for the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is at the subtle level, which requires spiritual strength. To defeat the evil forces in this subtle battle, more Sadgurus (Saints at the 80% or higher spiritual level) are required. These Saints help reduce Raja-Tama (Spiritual impurities) in the environment and the create a protective shield of Sattva (Spiritually pure) component around the seekers working for the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, thus, imparting them spiritual strength.
Due to Gurudev’s grace and the spiritual practice taught by Him, by April 2025, 133 individuals have attained Sainthood and 1,267 individuals are progressing towards Sainthood.
What is subtle ?
Subtle : The gross (physical) aspects of an individual are the five sense organs – the nose, ears, eyes, tongue and skin. These five senses, beyond the mind and intellect, are ‘subtle’. These ‘subtle’ sensations are felt by some people who have advanced in their spiritual practice. Various Scriptures contain references to subtle knowledge. Seeing, hearing in the subtle, etc. (Receiving knowledge through the five subtle sense organs) : The subtle vision of some seekers is awakened; meaning, they can perceive what the physical eyes cannot see; some seekers can hear sounds or words in the subtle. |
Establishing a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not merely a political, cultural, racial or geographical process, but primarily a spiritual process ! |