Thirukkural cannot be de-spiritualised under pressure from some ideology, says Governor
Thirukkural is a spiritual text and it cannot be 'de-spiritualised' under pressure from some political ideology, Governor R.N. Ravi said on Friday.
Thiruvalluvar was a great saint of Sanatana Dharma and his work Thirukkural is a unique blend of dharma sastra and neethi sastra. It has devotion, bhakti, renunciation, and compassion, Mr. Ravi said after unveiling the foundation stone for the rajagopuram and 'prahara mandapam' of Sri Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple at Gunaseelam near Tiruchi.
He released the books Gunaseelam Mahathmiyam, authored by K.R. Pichumani Iyengar, and Valluvathil Meignanam, authored by Sennakarai Subramanian.
Sanatana Dharma, Mr. Ravi said, was not limited to just a small number of devotees or a geography; it integrates not only people but also animals, plants, and every element of creation.
Bharat for thousands of years had been a dharma rashtra based on the essential values of Sanatana Dharma. No country in the world can come anywhere close to Bharat as it was unique. Although there could be numerous religions, there was only one dharma and that was Sanatana Dharma which included all. 'We cannot imagine Bharat without dharma. Bharat as a rashtra and dharma are inseparable and the two are integrally connected,' he said.
Contending that the dharma and the country had suffered a lot during foreign invasions and rule, Mr. Ravi said both were rising again fortunately.
According to him, the identity of Bharat was directly linked to her commitment to Sanatana Dharma. Divine souls appeared time and again in Bharat whenever there was perversion and distortions in society.
Temples had been the centre of gravity for society. Crises in society were resolved at the temples at times of peace or distress. They had been centres of spiritual learning. 'But in the name of fraudulent secularism, our children and students have been deprived of getting to know who we are,' he said.
Sri Yathiraja Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar, 41st Peetadhipathi of Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt, was present.
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