Last Updated:November 23, 2025, 16:01 IST

Bhagwat also recalled the sacrifices of the revolutionaries of 1857, calling them examples of courage without expectation of reward.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat (Credits: IANS)

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that while the battles of the past have faded, similar struggles continue in modern times. Speaking at the Divya Geeta Prerna Utsav in Lucknow, he remarked that the challenges of the present echo many from earlier centuries. “The kind of wars that were fought 1,000 years ago, similar wars are happening even today. Crimes, greed, and everything are the same as they used to be,” he said.

Referring to India’s civilisational character, Bhagwat described the country as a society rooted in Hindu values. “We are people of Bharat, a Hindu society and a Hindu Rashtra. We must follow dharma, perform our duties and give the message of service and sacrifice to the world,” he said.

According to him, the teachings of the Bhagavad Geeta still carry wisdom for every age. “The essence of all traditions and knowledge, past and future, across the world has been given by Bhagwan Vyas in 700 shlokas of the Geeta.”

Reflecting on India’s long and difficult history, he said the civilisation once served as a guide for the world before facing long periods of foreign rule.

“For a 1000 years, it was trampled under the feet of invaders. We had to live under slavery. Religious places were destroyed. Forced conversions started taking place. All this was there. It was Bharatvarsh even then,” he said.

Invoking a sense of renewed confidence, Bhagwat added the line that also shaped the theme of the event, “Wo Akraman ke din chale gaye. Ab Ram Mandir par jhanda fehrane wale hain.” He ended by saying, “It was India even then; it is India even now.”

Bhagwat also recalled the sacrifices of the revolutionaries of 1857, calling them examples of courage without expectation of reward. “Our brave heroes of 1857, who sacrificed everything for India’s freedom, did not see the British defeated in their lifetime,” he said.

“Today, people tend to measure everything by gain or loss, but what did Chandrashekhar Azad gain? He wandered from place to place and ultimately died after taking a bullet in Alfred Park. Is that a life one would desire? Yet it is a life we remember for generations—one that continues to inspire us.”

He criticised the growing disconnect between material progress and inner wellbeing. “Material wealth and prosperity have increased greatly, yet life lacks morality, peace, and contentment, and therefore there is no true rest,” he said.

Many people, he noted, feel they are advancing but remain unsure if they are on the correct path. “The right path can only be found in India.”

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More

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