Rashtra, dharma depends on each other, says Mohan Bhagwat at Vihar Seva conference

Mr. Bhagwat said that India has a knowledge tradition comprising Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Jain Agamas, Tripitaka, Guru Granth Sahib and teachings of saints. File | Photo credit: PTI

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Vihar Seva conference on Friday (October 2, 2026). He said that nation and dharma are interdependent and that the world faces dilemmas of development and environment, freedom and family and faith and conflict. He added that India harbors a treasure of knowledge.

“Rashtra (nation) and dharma are not separate. The purpose of a nation is dharma and dharma helps sustain a nation. Both are interdependent. If one exists, the other exists; if one does not exist, neither does the other,” Mr. Bhagwat said.

“The world faces difficulties. Happiness lacks completion, aspiration brings loss, and loyalty binds to loyalty. There is a lack of balance, there is extremism,” he said.

Mr. Bhagwat said that India has a knowledge tradition comprising Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Jain Agamas, Tripitaka, Guru Granth Sahib and teachings of saints. He recalled that India shared knowledge without trying to conquer lands or convert people.

“The world knows that the way will come from India,” he said. “Earth has a treasure of knowledge that today’s world needs. Devotion gives strength to approach the Almighty.”

He said that preserving the lives and traditions of those who carry knowledge is not only a duty of faith but a service to humanity. “You are not just protecting life. You are protecting the security of the future of humanity,” Mr Bhagwat said.

Published – 03 Oct 2026 10:48 IST