Self, society, and the state: Vedanta's voice in Indian democracy

Vedanta aligns with India's Constitution, revealing democracy's spiritual essence.

- ACHARYA PRASHANT

In India, age-old traditions weave through the fabric of daily life. And on the other hand, the ideals of democracy are deeply cherished. We often find ourselves caught in a paradox: Can a secular Constitution truly reflect the spiritual essence of a nation so steeped in religion? This question pops up time and again in discussions on balancing our rich cultural heritage with the modern framework of laws that govern us.

Some argue that these two worlds—our spiritual traditions and the secular principles of democracy—must be by definition at odds. But is that really the case, or is there something deeper at play here?

To answer that, we first need to step back and ask: What do we actually mean by "religion" and "culture"? These terms are often used casually, but perhaps understanding them more clearly can reveal a more harmonious connection between the Constitution and India's spiritual heart—a connection that might just be hiding in plain sight.

RELIGION VS CULTURE To grasp this complicated relationship, we should first try to determine what religion is in itself. Unless we look deeper into its core nature, we tend to reduce religion to mere rituals and customs. Culture, on the other hand, is everything about behavior—how we live from day to day. It is concerned with habits, values, and social interactions; it is essentially a system of decisions that we make on a daily basis.