Bhagwat urges return to indigenous wisdom

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday stressed that Indians must liberate themselves from the “foreign influence” of the Macaulay Knowledge System (MKS) to reconnect with the country’s own knowledge traditions. Speaking at the release of Arya Yug Volume in Mumbai, he said the colonial-era education system shaped Indian minds along foreign lines, leaving generations disconnected from their intellectual roots.

Colonial education, lost heritage “We weren’t educated in the Indian system. Our origins, foundation, and intellect for the pursuit of knowledge were formed according to the Macaulay Knowledge System. We are Indians, but our minds and intellects became foreign. Only by freeing ourselves from this influence can we truly understand our knowledge tradition,” Bhagwat said.

He highlighted how ancient Indian systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Sanskrit literature, Vedic mathematics, and indigenous sciences have been undervalued or neglected. Modern students, he noted, often remain unaware of India’s rich contributions to medicine, astronomy, and philosophy, which were holistic and advanced long before Western interventions.

Learning from others, without losing identity Acknowledging global progress, Bhagwat emphasized the need to study other nations critically. “We should understand the secret of their progress, accept what is useful, and discard what is not,” he said, stressing that adopting foreign methods need not come at the cost of ignoring indigenous wisdom.

Beyond senses, beyond the mind Bhagwat also discussed perception and consciousness, referring to the concept of Jnanendriyas sensory organs through which humans perceive the world. “Humans see seven colours, but a dog sees only two and a chicken three. A dog would disagree with us on what it sees. To know the truth, we must transcend physical perception,” he explained, highlighting that true understanding requires going beyond the physical brain.

Reviving India’s knowledge systems He urged incorporating subjects like traditional medicine, Vedic mathematics, Indian philosophy, and ancient sciences into modern education. “If we lose touch with our knowledge tradition, we lose the foundation of our civilization. Reviving it is essential for innovation, critical thinking, and understanding the world from an Indian perspective,” Bhagwat concluded.