A FEW THOUGHTS ON SHRI RAM MANDIR

The struggle for reinstating Ram Mandir on Ram Janmabhoomi was a movement to reinstate the dharma of Bharat which was being systematically distorted in the name of secularism.

- MANMOHAN VAIDYA

On 22 January 2023, the consecration of the Shri Ram Lalla idol will take place in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir situated in Ayodhya. Not just the entire Bharat, but the whole world is jubilant with the fervour of the festivities of this rare occasion.

Even on 5 August 2020, during the ceremony to lay the foundation of the temple, waves of enthusiasm and festivities ran high through the entire society. People living in Bharat and people of Bharatiya origin across the world witnessed this spectacular event with a sense of contentment. To scores of men and women, it was a dream come true. A sense of achievement was evident as the event was the result of a centuries-long battle. This time too, billions of admirers of Bharat across the world must be rejoicing in the greater bliss and glory of this moment. It is a day of accomplishment for many, but in reality, it is the beginning of a new task.

For many people, it was the mere inauguration of the temple construction. However, the Bharatiya view of tradition and philosophy is holistic and integral. Bharat never segregated religion from social life but considered them as complementary pursuits. The Bharatiya view has maintained that every soul is potentially divine. With this view, it sets the goal of manifesting this divinity within, thereby attaining Moksha (to become one with the Supreme being) as the ultimate goal of human life. This process can be pursued by controlling nature, internal and external, by everyone. Bharat accepts and believes that according to the potential, nature and taste of the person there can be various ways and means to accomplish this and all these multiple ways (religions) of manifesting divinity are equal. We are the shining example of this tradition as Bharat Mata is known to have cradled and nourished various religious legacies that continue to shine and thrive here in Bharat.