187 Hijab controversy: Dharmic insights on state-religion interactions, The Monk’s Podcast with Govinda Prabhu
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated using AI and may contain occasional errors or inaccuracies.
So, broadly we discussed today about the interaction between religion and state based on as a takeoff point of the hijab controversy. So, in the dharmic texts, one's own shraddha was seen as a personal thing. And while there were discussions and even debates among the brahmanas, but they were on philosophical issues which did not affect the people in general.
The theological boundaries were not something which led to aggression or intolerance towards each other. And the state didn't have to step in to regulate because people regulated themselves. And there was overall harmony because the sanatana dharma itself is inclusive.
That there is a natural growth of faith and everybody will grow according to their faith and there is space for everyone. So even somebody like Charak could also live and he could, he was not threatened because of his philosophy, because of his atheistic philosophy. Now, things started changing, say when Buddhism, Jainism, they started, when they became the state religion, that is when the king became a Buddhist, like Ashoka became then, he started using the state infrastructure to propagate.
And from that time onwards, then this separation between state and religion, that became lesser and then it had to be countered. So, but still, how Akshobhya Teertha and Vidyaranya, they all helped in establishing the kingdom of Vijayanagara. But eventually, when Vyasateertha became the guru, it was not that he wiped out the Advaitins.
So it was that the important thing was that the, not that the king was propagating a particular denomination, but that the various denominations, whichever denomination was there, the guru was, in a sense, a blessing or helping, aiding the king in establishing dharma. And once dharma is established, different people can choose different things. So, of course, in today's world, when there are intolerant, there is intolerant religions or intolerant faith, then sometimes this thorn of, thorn to the thorn can be adopted.
But so, then if we consider in the modern times, that secularism may be a functional reality, but when there's somebody, some religions play the minority card or the secularism card and then minority and faith card and then majority, then, then it becomes a broader social issue, which needs to be dealt with. And in this case, it's more of these girls being manipulated by people with an ulterior agenda. And this parallel with Karna was striking.
That Karna says that I don't, that Duryodhana is not trustworthy, but still, he is ready to die for Duryodhana, Madarthi Dattaji as he said. So that is, that is the unfortunate situation of somebody who has mob confidence, that means they have no self-confidence. And then they may do virtues, virtue posturing, virtue signaling, but in one sense, they are bankrupting themselves.
So, in one sense, we could say this issue is a minor issue. However, it is resolved, but when it has been made into a major issue, then at this stage, we have to, we have to consider that, say, that standing up is important so that the further exploitation of people in the name of religion to purport a particular agenda doesn't happen. And the idea is that in educational institute, people are coming for education.
So whatever is required for that, that should be the priority, not the legs. Nice point about where you're coming for then come there for that. Don't bring your Dharma over there.
And there is a space for practicing Dharma. Nobody's denying that. And toward the end, we discuss that, say, one thing you said is that performing Yajna individually is what can make us sturdier.
And then by the influence of higher powers, those who are enemies of humanity can be neutralized. So, rather than thinking that it is irrelevant for us or that we are alone, we see that we, each of us, are a part of something bigger. And when we play our part, then gradually, we can contribute to a more constructive change where there can be harmony in terms of different religious denominations.
And you could say more pressing social issues. This country, the society can flourish and progress. Any other points you would like to add? Thank you.
Fantastic. Thank you very much for a very illuminating discussion. Many new dimensions and perspectives come up in each time we discuss.
Thank you so much.