The duty of any ruling party is to preserve the culture and traditions of the country, said His Holiness Anantashree Vibhushit, Dwarka Peethadheeshwar Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sadanand Saraswati. He stated that no government has the authority to change Sanatana Parampara (eternal traditions).
He stressed that no matter which party comes to power, Sanatana Dharma must be followed. History shows that even rulers who did not follow Dharma, including the British, once governed India but eventually faded away. He explained that governance does not last when Dharma is ignored. Therefore, political leaders should focus on development while also upholding religious and cultural values.
Swamiji compared a ruler’s influence on people to a father’s influence on his children. He said that Dharma must be upheld from the top, as divine incarnations (Avatars) descend to guide humanity. He gave the example of Lord Sri Ram, who followed Dharma by respecting his parents, maintaining brotherhood, and sacrificing his comforts to fulfill his mother’s wishes. His actions reflected key values like Matru Devo Bhava (Mother is God), Pitru Devo Bhava (Father is God), and Acharya Devo Bhava (Teacher is God).
He reminded political leaders that power is given to them by the people, and they must use it responsibly. They should prioritize public welfare, create policies for the well-being of citizens, and govern within constitutional limits. Sanatana Dharma promotes universal values like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (may all be happy). He highlighted that Hindus see divinity in all living beings and even seek forgiveness for harming small creatures like ants.
Swamiji emphasized that Hinduism constantly encourages people to choose Dharma over Adharma (unrighteousness). He explained this with a simple analogy: if someone is given a choice between Kheer (sweet pudding) and poison, a wise person will choose Kheer because they know poison is harmful. This wisdom comes from scriptures (Shastras) and guidance from a Guru, helping people walk the right path toward progress.
He also said that practicing Dharma can be simple. People can protect the environment, keep rivers clean, help those in need, and offer water or Bilva leaves to Lord Mahadev. He suggested that if someone spends Rs 1 crore on a wedding, they could set aside Rs 10 lakhs to help fund the weddings of ten underprivileged girls.
Swamiji concluded by saying that governance does not last where Dharma is abandoned. Political leaders must balance development with Dharma to ensure a just and long-lasting rule.
