CM Yogi Adityanath Stresses Commitment to Faith Over Wealth in Varanasi Speech

Varanasi, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a powerful statement in Varanasi, asserting that one should never forsake faith for the sake of wealth. He declared, “Remember, the goal of a monk’s life should be to never abandon religion for money. And if war breaks out, I will also launch bombs and shells.”

During his address at the centenary celebration of the Kashi branch of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh, he highlighted that every sacrifice made for the country and religion is significant. He noted that while the essence of religion during peaceful times is restraint, harmony, and public welfare, one must also be prepared to fight when the nation and faith are under threat.

The Chief Minister paid homage to the portrait of Swami Pranavanand Maharaj and performed rituals before the idol of Goddess Durga. He received a ceremonial shawl and a symbolic emblem from Swami Vishwatmanand, the Sangh’s General Secretary.

Adityanath remarked that the Kashi branch, established in 1926, has completed a century of its tradition of service and national awakening. This organization promotes eternal values and the sage tradition not just in India, but across many countries. He expressed concern that the spiritual, historical, and cultural heritage of the nation is at risk during times of crisis.

He posed a rhetorical question about the audacity of foreign invaders if they had not been successful in their conquests, referencing the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ram Janmabhoomi site. The repercussions of internal divisions, he stated, have been felt by the country, and saints have turned spiritual practice into a means of national awakening to rectify these wrongs.

The construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, he noted, is a result of this national consciousness under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Adityanath also shared a historical connection between Swami Pranavanand and the Gorakhnath Peeth, recalling the Swami’s journey to Gorakhpur in search of a guru, where he was recognized as a born yogi.

He emphasized that the spiritual inspiration from Gorakhpur has been a catalyst for national awakening across the country. The Bharat Sevashram Sangh, founded by Swami Pranavanand in 1926, has consistently advocated for independence and Hindu awakening throughout India’s colonial past.

In a significant gesture, the Sangh provided sewing machines to 100 families during the centenary event, with Adityanath personally distributing machines to five families. He described this initiative as vital for promoting self-reliance, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a self-sufficient and developed India.

Adityanath praised the Sangh’s humanitarian efforts during the Prayagraj Kumbh and its various welfare activities across the nation. He concluded that empowering society through service and welfare during peaceful times is the true essence of spiritual practice.

Swami Vishwatmanand reiterated that the Kashi branch was established with the resolve to link religion with humanity, spirituality with service, and pilgrimage with national awakening. The Sangh is actively engaged in aiding the needy, serving pilgrims, providing medical care, education, and preserving cultural values, all essential for building a developed India.