Early Times Report
GORAKHPUR, Sept 24: CM and Gorakhpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath said the objective of foreign invaders was not merely to loot India's glory, but also to destroy its knowledge tradition and intellect. Attacks on temples were part of this very thinking. During British period, method changed and attempts were made to create confusion and sever Indians from their traditions, values and roots. "Now is the time to recognize our knowledge tradition, present it before the world with evidence and connect it with modern technology to take it to new generation."
CM addressed the lecture session of the seven-day death anniversary program organized at Shri Gorakhnath Temple on the 57th death anniversary of Yugpurush Brahmalin Mahant Digvijaynath and the 12th death anniversary of Rashtrasant Brahmalin Mahant Avaidyanath on Thursday.
Referring to attacks on the ashrams of sages in Dandakaranya during the Ramayana period, CM observed that whether they were demonic and evil forces or foreign invaders, the objective behind attacks on India was not only to loot its wealth but also to destroy its knowledge heritage. Referring to Mahmud Ghaznavi's attack on the Somnath Temple, he remarked that objective of destroying the temple was not merely plunder, but also to destroy the Sanatan tradition.
CM noted that during the British period, method changed. "Indians were confused about their language, medical system and knowledge tradition. English was given importance in place of Sanskrit and modern medicine was given importance in place of traditional medical practices. As a result, we gradually became disconnected from our traditions, values and roots."
Chief Minister stated that India was called a Vishwaguru because of its knowledge tradition. "History of many developed countries today is 400 to 500 years old, whereas in India, universities such as Takshashila existed 2600 years ago and Nalanda existed around 1700 to 1800 years ago. Kashi, Ujjain, Kanchi and Navadwip were also major centers of knowledge."
He noted that Kumbh was not merely an occasion for bathing. "At Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, saints and scholars used to discuss their research and innovations. Indian society has even today connected its festivals, celebrations and auspicious occasions with the Indian Panchang."
CM informed that more than 01 lakh ancient manuscripts have been collected at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Kashi and their preservation and digitization work is underway. Such knowledge heritage is also present in the homes of families and scholars, as well as in ancient monasteries and temples. Manuscripts, copper plates, and inscriptions have been found in various places, including Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Lucknow. |
