"Terrorists should remember India is land of Gita": Acharya Prashant on Pahalgam terror attack

Emphasising on the teachings of the Gita, Acharya Prashant said that it "forbids surrendering to injustice" or escaping the wars of life.

"Let those who deal in terror remember we are not a people that bow down. India is the land of the Gita. The followers of Gita never stand helpless in front of fanatic ignorance. Gita forbids surrendering to injustice, accepting defeat, or escaping from the wars of life," Acharya Prashant said.

Noting that Gita is a practical manual for living, Prashant Acharya said that it allows you to stop being afraid when you are with the truth.

"The Gita is not just philosophy or abstract thought. It's a practical manual for living with courage. Fear, hatred, and violence will challenge you, but the Gita demands that you open your eyes, face reality as it is, and respond with the strength of clarity. When you are with the truth, you stop being afraid," he said.

Further condemning the Pahalgam attack, he said, "The Pahalgam attack is not just an act of brutality by a few. It is the outcome of deep-rooted ignorance and hate that we must confront as a nation."

Noting the teaching of Lord Krishna to Arjun in Gita, he said, "As Shri Krishna told Arjuna in the Gita: The forces of ignorance will keep returning in every age. And to fight them, in every age, you will need the Gita. Our strength must come from wisdom. Without the Gita's clarity and courage, even Arjuna could not have shot a single arrow on the battlefield. The perversion of religion can be the most violent force in society. When religion is pure, it uplifts life; when it decays into superstition and fanaticism, it threatens the very fabric of humanity."

He emphasised that today India needs the guidance of the Gita, adding that we need to "answer violence with fearless resolve and utmost clarity."

Acharya Prashant leads a large Bhagavad Gita Teaching Program that has engaged more than 100,000 participants and recently conducted the world's largest online Gita-based spiritual examination.

"I ask people," Acharya Prashant said, "What does it mean to follow the Gita? It means you don't let fear dictate your actions. You hold your ground. You act from wisdom, not from panic. That is the courage I want everyone to have: The ability to turn difficult situations into moments of clarity and growth, for yourself, and for the whole nation. This is the essence of the Gita, and this is the legacy of India."

Acharya Prashant was honoured with the 'Outstanding Contribution to National Development' Award at IIT Delhi on Saturday.

Acharya Prashant's national bestselling books are remarkable for bringing the essence of Gita and Vedanta to the common man in a contemporary and practical way. He holds the distinction of curating the world's largest repository of discourses on Vedanta, making timeless wisdom accessible to millions across the globe. (ANI)