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The Heart of Peace: A Message of Unity

A spiritual message on universal peace and Hindu unity, delivered via a representative.

"Peace is not a compromise, a truce, or an armistice. Peace is love and service. It is the consciousness of oneself in the other."

"Hinduism affirms 'Ekam sat viprāḥ bahudhā vadanti'—the truth is one, but the wise call it by various names."

The speaker, conveyed through Swāminī Haṁsānanda Giri, addresses a gathering including Swāmī Maheshwarānanda, honoring the legacy of Paramahaṁsa Swāmī Mādhavānanda. The core message emphasizes that in a time of global conflict, the ancient Hindu principles of Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam (the world is one family) and the acceptance of multiple spiritual paths are the foundation for true peace. The discourse defines peace as an active state of love and self-recognition in others, calls for unity among Hindus, and connects environmental responsibility to universal well-being.

Beloved brothers and sisters, even if I am unable to be here physically, I am present in the joy of spirit within you. Through Swāminī Haṁsānanda Giri, I offer my praṇāms to His Excellency Mahāmaṇḍaleshwar Swāmī Maheshwarānanda and all the authorities, Swāmīs, and Āchāryas present. Surely on this day, the grace of His Holiness Paramahaṁsa Swāmī Mādhavānanda will be upon us all. Swāmījī illuminated the world with his love for all humanity, and he continues to illuminate it through those who carry on his work. It is precisely in these days of violence and suffering—caused in many parts of the world by the craziness of man—that the message of Swāmī Mādhavānanda Mahārāj is more important and necessary than ever. Hindu culture has always taught that humanity is one family: Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam. But this must not remain simply an abstract concept. Each and every person, especially through every true Sanātana Dharma, must be a bearer of light and love toward their neighbors, beyond distinctions of race, sex, and religion. Hinduism affirms "Ekam sat viprāḥ bahudhā vadanti"—the truth is one, but the wise call it by various names. It is this consciousness, the acceptance that every spiritual path can lead to God, that is the origin of authentic peace and fraternity among men. Divisions, and the basis for conflict and wars, are created when we try to monopolize God, when we think we possess a truth others do not have, and when we seek to convert others by affirming that salvation is reached only through one particular path. The ancient sages revealed an eternal truth, equally valid for all men and the root of every spiritual and religious thought: the Sanātana Dharma. Therefore, to support, practice, and defend this Sanātana Dharma is the most beautiful gift every Hindu can offer to all humanity for a future of true peace. Peace is not a compromise, a truce, or an armistice. Peace is love and service. It is the consciousness of oneself in the other. In fact, what we call "the other" is nothing but our own self in another form. In our Hindu culture, we have a beautiful way of greeting that expresses an entire theology of being: the Namaskāram. To unite both hands on our hearts, to unite both palms, means "you and I are one." This greeting is beautiful, and if done with devotion and not merely by habit, how can there be conflict? Dear brothers and sisters, peace originates in our hearts, in the Hṛdaya. Hṛdaya means "this is the place." But which place? The place of God, where we meet ourselves face to face. Hṛdaya also means to offer compassion to all. Therefore, it is in our hearts that we can find peace and unity. On a concrete level, union is also necessary among all Sanātanīs. Now is the time for all Hindus to be more united, also to defend their own rights peacefully but firmly, as Gandhījī has told us. I quote from Young India: "Non-violence is common to all religions, but I found its highest expression to be the ahiṁsā of Hinduism." Hinduism believes in the unity not only of human beings, but of all that is. The entire manifestation is nothing but the body of God. We must become conscious that from each process of perturbation, pollution, or disorder in nature, the sufferings that follow will entangle all men and women like impetuous waves. They will trap them, their sons and daughters, and all the generations to come. Joy and pain, peace and war are in our hands.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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