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India Gazette
08-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"They have never really been a democracy, Pakistan army benefits when Pakistan gets destroyed": Acharya Prashant
New Delhi [India], May 8 (ANI): With India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, author and Advaita teacher Acharya Prashant has said that there are times when the right response can be in the form of inflicting damage on someone who is not ready to understand any other language. In an interview with ANI, he also questioned Pakistan's aggressiveness towards India, saying that 'the (Pakistan) army benefits when Pakistan gets destroyed'. 'There are times when the right response can be in the form of inflicting damage on someone who is not ready to understand any other come a country on the brink of bankruptcy like Pakistan can afford to fight a war in these circumstances, such an expensive war. India is far too big to be engaged in war from the perspective of a smaller country like Pakistan. They are doing it because they are not really a democracy. They have never really been a democracy. The army benefits when Pakistan gets destroyed,' he said. He underscored that war becomes necessary when all efforts for peace have failed. 'So it is not war that is forbidden--it is bloodlust, ego, and unconsciousness that are. What is forbidden is an ego-driven response. What is forbidden is bloodlust. When you have that emotional, ego-driven frenzy riding your head, then you totally forget what you are doing--to yourself and your nation,' he said. Acharya Prashant said that war comes at an enormous financial cost, noting that a single advanced fighter jet can cost upwards of Rs 2,500 crore and a day of conventional warfare can cost Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 crore. 'And for a country like Pakistan, whose economy is nearly ten times smaller than India's, the cost will be even more staggering,' he said. He attributed this irrationality to Pakistan's military establishment. 'Pakistan is not really a democracy. It's the army that calls the shots. And the army benefits when Pakistan gets destroyed, because their very existence is based on enmity with India. That is the twisted logic they operate on.' Acharya Prashant said Pakistani army thrives on enmity with India to justify its dominance. He said India is not against people of Pakistan. 'We are up against an army that does not have Pakistan's own interests at heart. Their very identity is built around hostility towards India,' he said. He said Pakistan cannot afford a war with India. 'Global pressure will build, as conflict here affects international trade and supply stable peace will remain elusive until the ideological roots of the conflict--particularly distorted interpretations of religion--are whole conflict is rooted in a religious misinterpretation--the two-nation theory,' he said. He said when Pakistan realizes that a war with India is economically unbearable, it will be forced to scale down. 'A nation that truly knows why it exists will not be easily provoked. Pakistan, in its current form, seeks attention through aggression. That's what happens when a country lacks a constructive vision. We must resist being dragged into battles that ultimately serve to distract and divide. Respond when you must, but with 'vivek' (discernment). Fight when you have to, but never let the enemy enter your mind. That is where the real war is won or lost,' he said. He stressed the need for self-awareness--both in individuals and nations. 'Those who do not know who they are, are most prone to war. The Pakistani army, with nothing meaningful to do, needs violence to feel relevant. Before the Pahalgam attack, nobody was even talking about Pakistan. And now they have your attention,' he said. Acharya Prashant said India has ambitions that stretch far beyond the region. 'We aim to be a global hub of innovation, education, and human development. Engaging in costly wars only serves the interests of those who wish to slow us down--especially countries like China,' he said. Answering a query, he said when public debate is dominated by hawks and sensationalism, and when mature, balanced voices are drowned out, 'that is a sign we're losing our spiritual and rational grounding'. 'A democracy must think, must choose wisely. If in the public domain you are finding only hawks, if there are no level-headed voices, that's a red alert. The public is being instigated constantly. Then you should know that we're surrendering our thinking to the enemy,' he said. He warned that true enemies win 'when they occupy our minds'. 'They want to make you mad. They want you to stop thinking and start reacting.' India carried out precision strikes on early Wednesday on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupited Jammu and Kashmir in response to Pahalgam terror attack last month. (ANI)
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Oppn doing politics on Pahalgam attack shows sign of poor mentality: Aparna Yadav
Prayagraj: Vice-chairperson of Uttar Pradesh state women's commission and functionary on Friday flayed opposition for doing politics on and said it showed "sign of poor mentality". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Our country will not tolerate terrorism under any circumstances. But what can be more shameful than those doing politics even at this time? At least everyone should remain united on sensitive issues like these. This shows their sign of poor mentality," she said. Yadav was in the city to attend campaign. Yadav said that at a time when the entire country is united and the Prime Minister and Home Minister have talked about giving harsh punishment to the terrorists and their masters, the politics and thinking of the opposition is of a low level. "Through the media, the entire country came to know what happened in Pahalgam. People said that victims were killed after being asked about their religion. What can be said about the indecent comments that were made after this? After this incident, the duplicity of such people has been exposed," she said. Speaking on simultaneous polls, Yadav said "If our nation is one, then election should also be one." "Under Advaita philosophy, Adi Shankaracharya gave the philosophy of one nation, one thinking. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced the same principle," she said adding that youngsters must spread awareness about One Nation One Election through social media and digital platforms, seminars and symposiums. She said simultaneous polls would also lead to financial savings across the country and ensure continuity in governance and administrative convenience. The public's attention will be on development issues, and there will be political stability, Yadav said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On caste census, she said "Prime Minister has always talked about the issue with seriousness and sensitivity. It is Congress which diverts attention from the issues of the country by talking about this and that. If Congress is not in power today, then the reason for that is Congress itself." On Samajwadi Party's Ambedkar hoarding row, Aparna said "When the subject is Baba Saheb, it is not appropriate to associate his face with any political person. The person who did such a misdeed should apologise."
Time of India
01-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Shankara's Advaita and magnificence of Brahmn
Adi Shankaracharya shared profound Vedantic insights in Vivekachudamani, verse 78, 'Humans, victims of all five senses', and pinpointed Advaitic truths by expounding that to catch a deer, one entices it with sweet sound of, say, a flute, and when it stands motionless entranced by that sound, one catches it. An elephant is caught by tempting it with the touch of a she-elephant. A moth is attracted to a flame by the brightness of its form, falls into it and dies. Fishermen catch fish by using bait; the fish takes the bait and falls prey. The fragrant smell of flowers attracts the bee, which dies enjoying that fragrance. 'Thus, one or the other of the five senses leads these beings to a fatal end. But a man who is a slave to all the five senses, falls prey to the five-fold influence.' In verse 261 of Vivekachudamani, Shankara explains that Brahmn is actionless and changeless. So, when we say that Brahmn is the cause of the universe, we are only viewing it through the medium of our senses and mind. Also, when we say that Brahmn is the cause of the universe, it is only an indicative characteristic of Brahmn; it is not its 'swarupa-lakshan' – which is existence-consciousnessbliss, a three-in-one definition; an integral whole, not three but one only. In Advaita Pancharatnam, verse two, Shankara explains the core teaching of Advaita: 'A rope mistaken for a snake, a shell mistaken for silver, the trunk of a tree mistaken for a thief.' These objects last only as long as their perception persists when the rope is perceived in ignorance, either due to darkness or otherwise, as a snake; we merge with ignorance. In the same way, unaware of our true nature as the absolute Self, we are aware only of the body, mind, and intellect. This conglomeration, which we usually call jiva, is thought of as the only existence, an empirical reality. In Shankara, one finds unusual combination of philosopher, poet, savant, saint, mystic, and religious reformer, all rolled into one, who ensured that the truth of Advaita Vedanta would thrive not only in India but throughout the world. Shankara traversed far-flung corners, preaching to the local populace and debating philosophy with Hindu, Buddhist, and other scholars and monks along the way. He engaged in reforming the Sanatan Dharm and personified wisdom of the Vedas. Shankara also wrote philosophical treatises, and composed hymns known as 'Prakarana Granthas' including 'Vivekachudamani', 'Atma Bodha' and 'Upadesa Sahasri' in verse and prose. His verses have unfathomable depth, and they have helped successive generations experience beauty and liveliness of the Self. In Bhaj Govindam, Shankara exhorted people to chant the name of Govind and free themselves from the illusion of samsara. He established that duality is all-consuming, and we can get out of the binary of dusk and dawn, winter and spring, only when we have mastered our desires and are ready to seek permanent refuge in Brahmn. Shankara Jayanti is on May 1 Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam appoints 25-year-old as 71st acharya
Tamil Nadu's Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam on Wednesday appointed a 25-year-old as its 71st acharya. The present Acharya Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swami anointed the 71st Acharya Ganesha Sharma Dravida from Andhra Pradesh and named him as Satya Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi. 'Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 acharyas. The acharyas have taken measures for the protection of Veda Dharma, for propagating the Advaita discipline, and alleviating the sufferings of the people,' the mutt said. The 2,500-plus-years-old mutt was established by Adi Sankara, an 8th century philosopher. The ceremony of multiple rituals began at 6am at the Kamakshi temple in Kancheepuram, more than 70 km from Chennai which was attended by thousands of devotees, governor RN Ravi and BJP state president Nainar Nagendran and seers across the country. The new 71st acharya is a Rig Vedic scholar from Annavaram Kshetra in Andhra Pradesh, served at Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam in Telangana, according to the mutt. 'It was indeed a moving function to see the young boy giving up everything material, removing the last bit of hair, changing into Saffron clothes, getting the Danda from Guru's hand & taking view to be a Sanyasi. All in front of his parents and only little sister and thousands,' said S Gurumurthy, part-time director on the central board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and an RSS ideologue. The present senior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi was made acharya of the Peetam when he was only 15 years old by his predecessor and 69th pontiff Jayendra Saraswathi on May 29, 1983. 'It was a great joy to personally attend the anointment of Sri Sathya Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, the 71st Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, founded by the great teacher Adi Shankaracharya,' said BJP leader Nagendran. 'I extend my respectful greetings to him as he prepares to carry forward the timeless parampara of the Mutt to the next generation. Our great nation continues to shine as a Dharmakshetra due to the blessings of our sannyasis and jnana gurus.'
