Acharya Prashant explains that conventional nationalism is often problematic because it is founded on divisive characteristics like language, religion, or ethnicity, which the ego uses to create boundaries and separation. He points out that when nationalism is based on differences, it inevitably leads to toxicity, hostility, and conflict, as seen in historical examples like the two-nation theory or the ideologies of the 1930s. The ego thrives on these divisions, and most forms of nationalism arise from this bounded self, which is a source of suffering. He argues that true nationalism should instead be founded on a unifying principle that transcends the ego, a concept he identifies as being most clearly articulated in Vedanta as the borderless self or Atma. He proposes a virtuous and enlightened nationalism where the state's objective is the inner liberation and spiritual upliftment of its citizens. In this model, the functions of the state—including the judiciary, legislature, and education—should serve the purpose of dissolving the ego and ending human suffering. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that a noble nation is born when people unite for the common mission of understanding life and achieving inner freedom, rather than resisting or hating an external enemy. He distinguishes between being a citizen of a country and being a true 'Bharatiya', suggesting that the real identity of India is transcendental and rooted in the courageous pursuit of self-realization and liberation.