We led the world. We did not conquer any country, we did not suppress anyone’s trade, we did not change anyone, we did not convert anyone. Wherever we went, we gave civilisation, knowledge, we learnt scriptures and improved life. Every nation had its own identity, everything was there, but there was good communication among them. That is not there today,” said Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat at the release of book ‘Parikrama Kripa Saar’ written by Madhya Pradesh Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel at Indore.
Recalling how global leaders, including former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, had predicted that Bharat would not survive as a unified nation after the end of British rule, he said, “Winston Churchill once said that after independence (from British rule), you (Bharat) will not be able to survive and will be divided, but this did not happen. Now England itself is coming to the stage of division, but we will not be divided. We will move forward. We were once divided, but we will unite again.”
He further said, Bharat continues to move ahead on the path of development, disproving predictions by following its traditional philosophy of balancing knowledge, action, and devotion. “Due to its belief in the traditional philosophy of the balanced trinity of knowledge, action, and devotion, Bharat is continuously moving ahead on the path of development by proving everyone’s predictions wrong,” he noted.
“Bharat has defied predictions of failure by drawing strength from the trinity of Gyan, Karma and Bhakti (knowledge, action and devotion) that has been handed down through faiths and communities,” he said.
He highlighted that Bharat led the world 3,000 years ago, but didn’t conquer any other country or suppress anyone’s trade. Bharat gave civilisation and knowledge wherever the its people went. “Technological progress was very high, but the environment did not deteriorate. Human life was happy and cultured,” he said.
“The present world is craving for such a relationship with nature. For the past 300–350 years, countries have been told that everyone is separate and only the strong will survive. They have been told that it does not matter if they trample on someone’s stomach or slit someone’s throat to become powerful,” he further said.
“Now, so-called development has taken place, the environment has also deteriorated, and families have started breaking up. People even abandon their parents on the road. All this is due to the lack of sanskars,” he said.
He said that the book ‘Parikrama Kripa Saar’ reflects experiences from the Narmada Parikrama, describing it as a journey of deep faith. He emphasised that Bharat is a country of both faith and reason, balancing Karmaveers (action heroes) and Tarkaveers (logic champions). ‘Life runs on faith and belief,’ he said, noting that conflicts in the world today stem from selfishness and ego, with everyone prioritising their own progress over others.
He said modern global strife to personal interests are the root of most contemporary problems, such self-serving motives must be set aside for the betterment of humanity and national progress.
“Faith and belief have been given tangible forms as Bhavani and Shankar. God is within us, and without faith, we cannot truly perceive Him,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh Minister of Panchayat, Rural Development & Labour, Prahlad Patel, said that earlier he had refused to publish his book because his aim was not to “sell” Narmada. He mentioned that in the last 30 years, he got two opportunities. When he travelled again in 2005 and later became the Union Minister of Culture, his friends suggested that the book should be published. He said, “I had a 72-hour video of the Narmada Yatra and its banks. Even people from the Discovery Channel approached me about it, but I still said that I do not want to sell Narmada. Narmada is our mother, rivers are our heritage, they are our life, and we should approach them with a resolution. The release of this book is not just a launch; every single penny earned from it will be spent on Gau Sewa.”
Swami Ishwaranand, speaking about the Narmada Parikrama, said that the pilgrimage involves water, air, fire, sky, and even the blood in one’s body, all coming together to create a divine experience. He added that the Parikrama is not just a journey, but a symbol of spiritual connection with life and nature.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, cabinet ministers, and people from various sections of society attended the event. Prahlad Patel’s book is based on his pilgrimage journeys of the Narmada River.
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