Acharya Prashant explains that for any two people to be related, they must have a basis for their relationship. The fundamental question is what this basis should be to ensure peace and well-being for all. He asserts that the only auspicious basis is the Atma (the Self) or Satya (Truth). Any relationship founded on falsehood is inevitably driven by self-interest. The primary falsehood is the ego, the sense of 'I', from which countless other lies emerge. This feeling of 'I' is considered a lie because it lacks continuity and is subject to change, whereas the sages define truth as that which is unchanging and eternal. A relationship based on the false 'I' is a dualistic one where two incomplete entities selfishly try to complete each other, which invariably leads to sorrow, violence, and separation. This principle of relationship extends from two individuals to an entire nation. If the foundation of a nation is not auspicious, the lives of its people cannot be. Therefore, the only auspicious way to form relationships, whether individual or collective, is on the basis of non-duality (Advaita). The true Indian nation, he states, has Advaita Vedanta at its foundation. Without this, a nation becomes merely a clan, rife with internal and external conflicts. This applies to any group of people, whether it's two or two hundred crore. If the basis of their connection is not auspicious, their lives cannot be. Acharya Prashant then addresses the critique of nationalism, referencing Albert Einstein's view of it as an "infantile disease." He agrees that most forms of nationalism are indeed poisonous because they are built on flawed foundations. However, he posits that the Indian nation is an exception, provided it remains rooted in its spiritual foundation of self-knowledge and Dharma (truthfulness). If Indians forget this foundation, their nation will also become poisonous. He advises not to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' but to recognize the value of a nation founded on the right principles. He believes the Indian nation has historically stood on the healthy foundation of the Atma, self-knowledge, spirituality, and Dharma. As long as this foundation is remembered, the Indian nation will be auspicious for its people and the entire world.
