Asserting that Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Lord Shankar and the epics associated with them are not just stories, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said they are symbols of our faith, heritage and the highest ideals of a civilised culture.
Citing the views of eminent socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, he said that as long as Indians continue to worship Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, Leela Purushottam Murli Manohar Shri Krishna and Devadhidev Mahadev Shankar, no force in the world can harm the nation.
"It's unfortunate that today, those who claim to follow Lohia's ideology no longer heed his words," said Adityanath, according to a press statement issued here.
"But one thing is certain, anyone who opposes Lord Ram is bound to face ruin," he added.
The chief minister was addressing the concluding session of the Shri Ram Katha and Guru Purnima Mahotsav held at the Digvijaynath Smriti Bhavan in Gorakhnath Temple.
After offering floral tributes to the portraits of the late Mahants Digvijaynath and Avaidyanath and worshipping the Vyaspeeth, Adityanath emphasized that the stories of Shri Ram and other deities are integral to India's cultural fabric.
The chief minister reminded the audience that Dr Lohia, a staunch socialist, freedom fighter and fierce critic of the Congress Party had initiated Ramayana Melas and stood firmly for Sanatan Dharma, the statement said.
He recalled that in the years following Independence, "when doubts were raised about India's unity, Dr Lohia had affirmed that as long as Ram, Krishna and Shiva are worshipped, there can be no disunity".
Expressing regret, Adityanath said that today's so-called socialists have strayed from Dr Lohia's path and now "even open fire" on Ram devotees.
Referring to the fate of the demon Maricha from the Ramayana, the chief minister said that despite being born into a noble lineage, the former met a tragic end.
"Though born human, he died like an animal. This is the consequence of betraying righteousness," he said.
Adityanath stressed the importance of aligning one's actions and thoughts, saying that even an illiterate person can recite the Hanuman Chalisa with devotion and Hanuman became revered just by serving Lord Ram with unwavering faith.
"Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Lord Shankar and the epics associated with them are not just stories, they are symbols of our faith, heritage and the highest ideals of a civilised culture. It is the duty of every Indian to safeguard and uphold these legacies. Ram, Krishna and Shiva are living embodiments of Sanatan Dharma," he said.
The chief minister called Sanatan Dharma the soul of India.
Citing a Muslim woman lawyer who once said, "We are also Sanatanis. India has only one religion. Sanatan Dharma. My mode of worship may be Islam, but my religion is Sanatan", he urged people to understand the difference between dharma, sect and faith.
Adityanath explained that Sanatan Dharma is not merely a method of worship, but a way of life that embraces various forms of devotion.
The chief minister said that Shri Ram Katha has been an intrinsic part of the Indian tradition for thousands of years.
"There is no Sanatani in the world who is unfamiliar with the episodes of Shri Ram Katha. Ramayana remains the most watched television serial even today. When India had a population of 100 crore and only half had access to television, 66 crore people still watched the serial," he added.
Adityanath said that Ramayana was the most viewed programme on Doordarshan during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Describing Guru Purnima as a glorious occasion, the chief minister said it offers an opportunity to express gratitude toward one's teacher.
"India is the only country that has taught the world how to express gratitude," he added.
The chief minister further said that the birth anniversary of Maharishi Ved Vyas is celebrated as Guru Purnima and it is through Ved Vyas that the Indian tradition of knowledge was codified for future generations.
He asserted that it is untrue to claim Indians failed to preserve their heritage or lacked scientific and modern knowledge.
"Such claims were made to malign Indians through intellectual deceit. In reality, the Vedas, the world's most ancient texts, were composed in India when the rest of the world lived in darkness," said Adityanath.
The chief minister also reminded the audience of Naimisharanya, where 3,500 years ago, thousands of sages gathered in a grand workshop to shape the Indian tradition of knowledge.
Expressing delight over the plantation of over 37 crore saplings in a single day across the state, he said that such large-scale afforestation can give development a more sustainable form.
Adityanath noted that the state has witnessed significant improvement in forest cover due to the plantation of 241 crore saplings in the past nine years under his government's efforts.
Emphasizing the importance of plantation along rivers and water bodies, he said that rivers are to mother earth what arteries are to the human body.
"Rivers are considered the cradle of civilization, but we are facing pollution and numerous health challenges due to the disappearance of riverine culture," said Adityanath.
