Our spiritual culture embedded in spirit of service, says PM Modi
Navi Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted India’s spiritual culture is deeply rooted in the spirit of service and his Government has been working selflessly for people’s welfare for more than a decade.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, Modi, who assumed office for a third time in June last year, emphasised his Government has launched a slew of welfare measures like building toilets, homes for the poor and providing LPG connections and medical insurance to citizens.
“This spirit of service brings true social justice and is a symbol of true secularism. The main foundation of our spiritual culture is the spirit of service. India is not just a piece of land surrounded by geographical boundaries. It is a living land, living culture. Knowledge is spirituality and if we want to understand India, we have to imbibe spirituality,” he underlined in his speech. He said followers of ISKCON, a global bhakti movement founded on the Bhagavad Gita teachings, across the world are connected to each other by their devotion to Lord Krishna.
PM Modi said the spirit of service propagated by the ISKCON movement inspires the youth and helps them create a sensitive society which promotes human values. “It inspires people to heal in India and look after their well-being,” the PM maintained. Modi said true service is symbolized by self-less human endeavour where there is no other interest and described India as an “extraordinary, wonderous land”.
He noted the grand temple showcases various forms of the divine and a museum based on Hindu epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata was being constructed to cater to the interest of the new generation.
Modi expressed confidence that the temple complex, spread across nine acres, will become a sacred centre enriching India’s consciousness along with faith.
“ISKCON followers worldwide are united by their devotion to Lord Krishna,” emphasised Modi and highlighted that another connecting thread is the teachings of the movement’s founder, Srila Prabhupada Swami, which guide the devotees round-the-clock.
The PM noted Srila Prabhupada Swami promoted the importance of the Vedas, Vedanta, and the Gita during India’s freedom struggle, linking their teachings to the consciousness of common people. At the age of 70, when most people consider their duties fulfilled, Srila Prabhupada Swami started the ISKCON mission and travelled the world over, spreading Lord Krishna’s message to every corner, Modi pointed out.
The PM observed that those who view the world only from a material perspective see India as a collection of different languages and provinces. However, when one connects their soul with this cultural consciousness, they truly see India.
