Foreign invaders sought to destroy India's knowledge tradition, not just loot its wealth: CM Yogi

Gorakhpur, Sep 24 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said foreign invaders sought not only to loot India's wealth and glory but also to destroy its rich knowledge tradition and intellectual heritage and attacks on temples were part of this very strategy.

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 rediscover our knowledge tradition, present it before the world with evidence, and connect it with modern technology so that it can reach the new generation," he said. The Chief Minister was addressing a lecture session organised at Shri Gorakhnath Temple as part of a seven-day programme marking the 57th death anniversary of Yugpurush Brahmalin Mahant Digvijaynath and the 12th death anniversary of Rashtrasant Brahmalin Mahant Avaidyanath.

Referring to the attacks on sages' ashrams in Dandakaranya during the Ramayana period, Adityanath said that whether the attackers were described as demonic forces or were foreign invaders, the objective was not merely to plunder India's wealth but also to undermine its knowledge heritage. Referring to Mahmud Ghaznavi's attack on the Somnath Temple, he said the objective behind the destruction was not merely plunder but also an attempt to undermine the Sanatan tradition. The Chief Minister said the method changed during British rule, with efforts directed towards creating confusion about Indian languages, traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge systems. "Indians were confused about their language, medical system and knowledge tradition.

English was given importance in place of Sanskrit and modern medicine was promoted over traditional medical practices. As a result, we gradually became disconnected from our traditions, values and roots," the chief minister said. Adityanath said India was regarded as a "Vishwaguru" because of its longstanding knowledge tradition. He noted that while the history of several developed countries stretches back 400 to 500 years, India had universities such as Takshashila around 2,600 years ago and Nalanda around 1,700 to 1,800 years ago. He also cited Kashi, Ujjain, Kanchi and Navadwip as major centres of learning.

The Chief Minister said the Kumbh was not merely an occasion for ritual bathing, but also a platform where saints and scholars discussed research and innovations. "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," he said. Adityanath said more than one lakh ancient manuscripts have been collected at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Kashi and that efforts are underway for their preservation and digitisation.

He said valuable knowledge heritage isalso preserved in family collections, among scholars, and in ancient monasteries and temples. Manuscripts, copper plates and inscriptions have been found at various places, including Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Mathura-Vrindavan and Lucknow, he added. The Chief Minister said three aspects would be important in taking India's knowledge tradition forward. "First is truth. Therefore, whatever we say must be said with evidence. Second are the opponents, who will try to prove it untrue, and third are those spreading disinformation, who will create doubts. Technology can greatly help dispel such doubts.

We have to take the knowledge tradition forward by adapting it to the times," he said. Adityanath said India had a rich knowledge tradition across fields including language, grammar, economics, science, astronomy, astrology, Ayurveda, crafts and technology. He stressed the need to introduce the younger generation to the contributions of Panini, Patanjali, the acharyas of Ayurveda and Chanakya's Arthashastra. "New generation must be introduced to the legacy of Panini, Patanjali, Acharyas of Ayurveda and Chanakya's Arthashastra. Around three thousand years ago, 88,000 sages had gathered at Naimisharanya to document the knowledge received through the oral tradition." Former Chairman of the Higher Education Services Commission Prof Ishwar Sharan Vishwakarma said the principles of the Indian knowledge tradition were reflected in the concept of "Viksit Bharat".

"Development is not possible by becoming disconnected from one's land and roots. India can move forward on the path of becoming a Vishwaguru only by connecting with the Indian knowledge tradition," he said. Prof. V. Ramanathan of IIT BHU said Indian civilization has always prioritized knowledge.

"The new generation must be made aware of its heritage through modern mediums. Forgetting one's heritage becomes a cause of alienation in society." Jagadguru Swami Sridharacharya stated that education without values is inauspicious. "Education connected with Indianness becomes a means of public welfare. Knowledge is that which leads a human being towards self-realization." Jagadguru Vishwesh Prapannacharya, referring to yama, niyama, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, asana, dhyana, and samadhi, said the Indian tradition of yoga is comprehensive. "It should not be viewed as being limited only to asanas."

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