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सनातन धर्म को बचाना हो, तो एक सीधा उपाय || आचार्य प्रशांत, बातचीत (2022)
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2 years ago
Hindu Dharma
Vedanta
Upanishads
Gita
Brahman
Mukti (Liberation)
Shri Krishna
Shri Ram
Description

Acharya Prashant begins by defining a true Hindu as one who makes liberation (mukti) the sole goal of life and is initiated into Vedanta. He asserts that being a Hindu is not a matter of birth or performing rituals, but a state that must be earned through great eligibility. He laments that there are likely not even a thousand true Hindus in India, and ironically, those who are not genuinely Hindu are the ones shouting that the religion is in danger. He questions the very existence of Hinduism in its popular form, stating that what is commonly practiced is a mixture of customs, beliefs, and superstitions, not true dharma. The speaker argues that the greatest threat to Hindu dharma comes from within, specifically from its own culture (sanskriti) and the ignorance it fosters. He explains that this culture emphasizes rituals like bursting firecrackers on Diwali or tying threads on Rakhi, while neglecting the study of core scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Gita. People celebrate Janmashtami without understanding Krishna's teachings in the Gita, which he calls a pretense and hypocrisy. This focus on superficial culture over deep scriptural knowledge is what is truly endangering the religion. When asked if he believes in God, Acharya Prashant equates God with Brahman, the ultimate Truth. He clarifies that if God is understood as a creator of the world or a specific image, this is a childish notion, as the world itself is an unreal construct of an impure consciousness. The purpose of life, he states, is to purify consciousness and become one with Brahman. He further explains that both Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are manifestations of the same singular Truth, and differentiating between them is to reduce them to mere worldly figures. Truth is one, so Ram and Krishna are one. Acharya Prashant dismisses the concept of the four yugas (Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali) as external time periods, calling them a story not found in the Vedas or Upanishads. He explains that the yugas are internal states of the mind. Time itself is a mental construct. A person living in dedication to truth is in Satya Yuga, while a corrupted mind lives in Kali Yuga, regardless of the external era. He illustrates this by noting that even in the presence of Krishna, there was Shakuni, who was living in his own Kali Yuga. Finally, Acharya Prashant outlines his purpose. He works for every being who suffers and causes suffering due to ignorance. His work is for animals, birds, and the environment, as they have no voice. He also works for the youth, who are at a critical juncture in life; for women, who are often exploited due to a combination of emotionality and ignorance; and for true spiritual seekers who are misled by false gurus and superstitions. His aim is to offer them pure, clean spirituality and guide them toward liberation.