New york/New Delhi, 30 August (H.S.): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that both unity and diversity are intrinsic to India’s nature. He emphasised that nations are not merely geographical entities but have a responsibility to fulfil. Referring to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Bhagwat said every nation has a message to offer the world, a mission to accomplish and a destiny to realise.

Bhagwat made the remarks while addressing the Universal Oneness Celebration organised by Ahead Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Key points from Dr. Bhagwat’s address

1. Pluralism and unity in diversity

Bhagwat said that when the United States is mentioned, one of the concepts most commonly associated with it is “pluralism”. In contrast, when India is mentioned, another idea comes to mind — “unity in diversity”. He said both unity and diversity are inherently embedded in India’s character.

2. A nation’s mission and responsibility

According to Bhagwat, nations are not merely geographical units. They fulfil a responsibility. Citing Swami Vivekananda, he said every nation has a message to give to the world, a mission to accomplish and a destiny to fulfil.

3. India’s destiny

Bhagwat asked what destiny India has been entrusted with and said the country’s responsibility is to realise the truth of unity in diversity and, from time to time, help the world realise the same truth.

“We are one, and our unity becomes even more beautiful because of our diversity,” he said, stressing that diversity should therefore be celebrated, respected and accepted while the sense of oneness should always be preserved within society.

4. Humanity’s global responsibility

Bhagwat said thoughtful human beings who possess the ability to distinguish between what is right and wrong have a responsibility to contribute towards sustaining and protecting the entire world.

5. The direction of thought

He said that if people think in the right manner, they can move closer to God, whereas improper thinking can take them closer to the animal world. Therefore, he emphasised, the direction of one’s thoughts is important.

6. Responsible citizens

According to Bhagwat, a person who shapes his life in accordance with the right direction becomes a responsible citizen of the kingdom of God.

7. The distinctive human quality — thought

Bhagwat said one of the qualities that distinguishes human beings from animals is their ability to think. If human beings think correctly, he said, they can contribute to sustaining the entire world.

8. Discernment and unity

He said human beings have a responsibility towards the world because they possess the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. This capacity enables humanity to realise unity despite diversity.

9. Inherent oneness

Bhagwat said human bodies are different and everything may appear different externally, yet there is something within all people that is common. Human beings are interconnected and belong to one another.

10. Unity of existence

He described the “unity of existence” as the fundamental truth of human life.

11. A worldview of oneness

Bhagwat said India’s worldview is to see the entire world as one.

12. Two contrasting approaches to life

He contrasted two approaches to life. One is the principle of “live and let live”, while the other seeks to allow only those who obey its commands to live.

He said those who tell others, “Obey us and we will protect you,” represent a demonic approach to life.

13. India’s saintly tradition

Bhagwat said India’s saints and spiritual leaders have traditionally prayed for the feeling of hostility to disappear from the minds of wicked people.

14. Responsibility of the Indian diaspora in America

Bhagwat said Indians living in the United States should remain loyal to the land where they live and work. After fulfilling this essential responsibility, those who have a strong desire to contribute to their motherland should live according to the values and principles that India has given them.

15. India’s role in the world

He said India’s destiny is to convey this message to the world. The firm foundation on which this understanding of dharma rests, he said, is the oneness and unity of existence.

“This is our truth,” Bhagwat said.

16. A responsibility stretching from the Himalayas to the sea

Bhagwat said India has one common responsibility from the Himalayas to the seas — to convey this knowledge to the world. Within India, he said, the responsibility is to realise the truth.

17. India’s vision of life

He said India has offered the world a distinctive vision of life and that this outlook carries a wider responsibility.

18. Not through preaching, but through conduct

Bhagwat said the responsibility of an Indian is to convey this message to the world not merely through sermons or teachings but through personal conduct and example.

19. Meaning of dharma

Bhagwat described dharma as the principle through which the entire creation is sustained and through which human beings can organise and regulate the quality of their lives.

He said the middle path represents dharma.

20. Oneness and diversity

He said humanity is united through oneness and enriched and beautified by diversity.

21. Diversity is natural, unity is the truth

Bhagwat emphasised that diversity is natural, while unity represents the underlying truth of existence.

22. Receiving from and giving back to the world

He said India has received much from the world and therefore also has a responsibility to give back to it.

According to Bhagwat, the important question is not how much one acquires, but how much one shares with others.

23. Tradition and a sustainable way of life

Bhagwat said the responsibility to give back to society and the world is part of India’s tradition. He called upon Indians to carry forward the country’s vision of life, describing it as an ideal of a sustainable way of living.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar