Puri Shankaracharya

By Nageshwar Patnaik in Puri, January 20, 2017 : Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on Friday called upon political parties to refrain from indulging Sadhus [saints] in electoral politics saying that religion should always stay above the governance.

Speaking at the concluding session on the consecration ceremony of Goddess Bimalamba Temple at the Gobardhan Pith here, the Puri seer underscored the need for  moral and spiritual education in order to build an “Akhand Bharat” [undivided India].

The Shankaracharya called for retrieving the old glory of Bharat uniting Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.  “Politics has divided the country. There is no definite shape of undivided India. Our education, security and administration is not our own”, the seer said.

The seer made it clear that the Shankaracharya has all the rights to guide the rulers. “Politics should encompass service, welfare and protection of culture. Poverty in the country is no indication of country’s progress. The country cannot progress without spreading Vedic culture”, he remarked saying that the social values have hit a rock bottom sans spiritual knowledge.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s [BJP] national president Amit Shah who was chief guest at the concluding ceremony hailed the Puri Shankaracharya and Gajapati Maharaja for their guidance for spiritual upliftment.

“The manner in which the Puri Jagannath Temple spreads peace and harmony amongst all irrespective of poor or rich, the Bimala Temple will also provide spiritual upliftment to the devotees for years to come,” Shah said.

Shah recalled the role of Adi Shankaracharya in reviving India’s cultural and religious tradition and setting up four prime Hindu Peethas. “One hundred and fifty crore Hindus across the globe are looking at the Shankaracharya for guidance to lead spiritual life. No government has the right to interfere the traditional rights on Shankaracharya’s decision on the ways Hindus conduct themselves”, he observed.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to spiritual values, Shah said the union government is keen for material as well as spiritual development of all Indians.

Speaking on the occasion, union petroleum and chemicals minister, Dharmendra Pradhan said whosever rules the country or state must listen to the saints. “The saints should have final say in religious matters.

Earlier in the afternoon, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat took part in a discussion on the need of being a better citizen for a better society. More emphasis should be given on the Indian culture-based education system so that more importance could be given on moral and spiritual education, he observed.

“As far as I know, the Central Government is planning to make moral education based on the culture and tradition of India an indispensible part of the curriculum,” said Bhagwat, adding that good human beings can be made only at home with good upbringing.

Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb too stressed on a curriculum which promotes spiritual and moral education of the country. He further criticized the current education system and said, “The main motive of current education system is to make money. There is no religious significance in it that once made India the greatest among the nations. Without spiritual knowledge, the social values have hit a rock bottom.”

“There is a need to delve upon a curriculum which promotes spiritual and moral education of our country, and which is acceptable to all,” said Puri King Gajapati Dibya Singha Deb.