Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale - Promoter of the spiritual ‘Hindu Rashtra’

Today, the subject of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is being discussed everywhere. In India, there are earnest supporters of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, as well as those who oppose it out of ignorance or hatred towards Hindu Dharma. Some look at the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ from a caste-related or religious point of view, while some see it as a political concept. Some think the concept of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is undemocratic and unconstitutional, while some think it is unfair to other religions ! Some think majority of one Party in Parliament means a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, while some think the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ means backwardness. In short, there are different streams of thought in the minds of the people about the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

About 25 years ago, when even promoting Hindu Dharma was considered a crime, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (Founder of Sanatan Sanstha) was the one who promoted ‘Divine Rule’ (‘Hindu Rashtra’) and clearly presented its concept. He strongly asserted the need for a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, while explaining the direction for establishing it. He even published Texts – What is the need for a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ ?; ‘Hindu Rashtra’ : Criticism and Refutation; Direction on establishing the ‘Hindu Nation’.

These Texts are a guide not only for those who are active in the Hindutva movement, but are also a guide on what a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ would be like for those who oppose its establishment. On the occasion of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale’s 81^st Birth Anniversary, we present this article His radiant thoughts that shed light on His concept of a spiritual ‘Hindu Rashtra’. I pray unto God that after reading this, may everyone be inspired to participate in the movement to establish the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ !

1. Who is a Hindu ?

This is an important aspect. In the spiritual concept of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, there is no definition of Hindus as Hindu-by-birth. In the Scripture Merutantra, the meaning of the word Hindu is – हीनं दूषयति इति हिन्दु: । (One who renounces inferiority [inferior karma and qualities]), is a ‘Hindu’ !

In short, people who have spiritually pure tendencies, who renounce their inferior qualities and bad deeds should be called Hindus. Such a Sattva predominant individual leaves the narrow thinking of ‘I and mine’ and thinks about the welfare of the Universe. According to this definition of Hindu Dharma, one who is a Hindu-by-birth, but performs bad deeds or has bad qualities cannot be called a Hindu; one who is not Hindu-by-birth but performs virtuous deeds and has virtues can be called a Hindu. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not a Nation of the Hindus (by birth), but a Nation of spiritually pure people working for the welfare of the world ! Therefore, the question of what will happen to other sects in the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ does not arise.

2. Need for a ‘Hindu Rashtra’

There are 152 Christian Nations, 57 Islamic Nations, 12 Buddhist Nations in the world; Jews also have an independent Jewish state; but there is not a single ‘Hindu Rashtra’ for over 100 crore Hindus on this earth. Today, in the secular system of governance, terrorism is a great threat to our country, while many regions are affected by Naxalites, farmers are committing suicide; inflation has made life difficult for common people, problems such as corruption, unemployment, sluggish administration, delayed justice are getting worse day-by-day. In short, the existing system has failed to protect the interests of the people as expected of a Democracy. Today, in the Hindu-majority India, open threats such as ‘Sarr Tan Se Juda (Beheading)’ are made, while on the other hand, seats of faith of Hindu Dharma, pride and traditions are criticised in the name of freedom of expression. Hindus have become a minority in nearly 10 States of the country. Even today, Kashmiri Hindus displaced from Kashmir due to Jihadi terrorism have not been able to return to their Homeland. Although the way for the construction of Shriram Temple has been paved today after a long struggle, hundreds of temples buried under the Islamic roof, including Mathura’s Shri Krishna Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, await liberation. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is needed to change this situation. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is the answer to all the problems our country is facing. The concept of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not political, but a profound culture and system of nationalistic and religious living.

3. Demand for the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is constitutional

From times immemorial, the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ has been the identity of India. Even during the Islamic and British rules, Hindu kings preserved this identity. In 1976, while the opposition leaders were locked up in jails during the Emergency, Indira Gandhi unconstitutionally inserted the words ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ into the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment. The term ‘Secular’ is yet to be defined officially; but in the Hindu-majority India, Hindus have become vulnerable in the name of secularism. If India can be declared ‘Secular’ through a constitutional Amendment, why can India not be declared a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ through another constitutional Amendment ? In 1947, India was partitioned on the basis of religion. If at that time the Muslims of India got a Pakistan based on Islamic decrees, then for the Hindus India should have become a ‘Hindu Rashtra’; but this did not happen. This mistake should be rectified now.

4. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not a backward, but a prosperous Nation

It is said that if India becomes a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ it would be a step backwards; but there is no truth in this. In ancient India, Sanatan Vaidik Hindu Dharma had patronage of the Rulers and this Nation was on the path of progress in worldly as well as spiritual matters. This is why, a civilised and prosperous society, good caste system, purity of morals and ideal family systems were created in this ‘Hindu Rashtra’ founded on Dharma. Even in the 17^th Century, Angus Maddison, a foreign economist, said that India alone accounted for nearly 25% of the world trade. India was not secular then, yet it was at the peak of glory. Therefore, a Dharma-based system will be the foundation of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

5. Abiding by Dharma is the foundation of Dharmarajya (‘Hindu Rashtra’)

The whole society should adopt an ideal social system, which will include loyalty to Dharma, loyalty to the Nation, sense of duty, integrity, character, etc. Dharma is an important factor for this to happen; because, it is on the basis of Dharma that an individual makes materialistic as well as spiritual progress and attains Moksha (Final Liberation) as well. Therefore, only a Dharma-based system will ensure the welfare of the people.

Dharma plays an important role from the perspective of materialistic development. Today, having Metro rails, Malls, Smart Cities is considered materialistic development. These can provide state-of-the-art Metro rail and Metro stations alright; but who will provide guidance on the philosophy of development in aspects such as – How to overcome the evils of desire, anger, greed, lust, ego, jealousy ? How will the management of Metro rail eliminate the shameful behaviour with and molestation of women in the Metro trains ? Though Ravan’s Lanka was made of gold, it is not considered ideal even after thousands of years; people still consider Ramrajya as their ideal. Only Dharma teaches us how to conquer the evils of desire, anger, greed, etc. So, merely achieving materialistic development is not sufficient; it is equally necessary to make people righteous by teaching them how to abide by Dharma. Dharma is the real soul of the Nation.

6. Comprehensive Hindu Dharma that gives the freedom to practice according to the primary nature

Hindu Dharma is first distorted and then called fascist ! In fact, no other sect or religion provides as much freedom as Hindu Dharma does. The Bible says – Christians should act only as per the Ten Commandments that Moses gave them. Islam asks its followers to act according to the decrees of the Quran. On the other hand, after narrating the entire Shrimadbhagwadgeeta, Shrikrushna says to Arjun – ‘विमृश्यैतद् अशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ।’ (Shrimadbhagwadgeeta, 18.63) (The advice I have given to you is neither incorrect not coercive. Listen to it carefully, contemplate over it, and then do what you wish). From this it will be clear that in Hindu Dharma no one is forced to do anything against his/her wish, and has the liberty to perform spiritual practice according to his/her primary nature.

7. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not a narrow-minded concept, but one that thinks of the welfare of the world

In fact, Sanatan Dharma is universal, meaning, one that thinks of the welfare of the entire world; because, its principles are universal. The Indian Sages traditionally performed Yajnas for world peace; even today, the Saints in Hindu Dharma perform Yajnas for world peace, not just for their community or region. Dharmasamrat Karpatri Swamiji said – ‘Dharmaki Jai ho. Adharma ka nash ho !’ (May Dharma be victorious and adharma [Unrighteousness] be vanquished.) Therefore, world peace and welfare can only be achieved through the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

This is what Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale is teaching the society. It will be clear from this that the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ will not be the rule of fundamentalists but of spiritually pure, ideal and religious people. Participating in the mission of establishing such a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is everyone’s duty as per the need and significance of the times.

– Mr Chetan Rajhans (Spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha; Mobile : 7775858387)

‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not a Nation of Hindus (by birth), but a Nation of the spiritually pure working for the welfare of the world !