Sanskrit Sahitya Shastri, Bhagwat Katha, Ram Katha, Shiv Purana, Devi Bhagwat, Jalaram Katha Spokesperson Shri Nalinbhai Shastri is one of the top story tellers of India having vast experience of 37 years.
Born in Gujarat, Shri Nalinbhai Shastri, who has earned Sanskrit Sahitya Shastri degree from Bhagwat Vidyapeeth Sola, Sampurnanand Vishwavidyalaya, Kashi, considers his Sadguru Shri Ram Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Chhote Morari Bapu in India, as his inspiration. The thoughts of Nalinbhai, who encouraged people to move from kumarga (Bad Path) to sanmarg (Good Path) through religious music and stories, greatly influenced the youth.
Question asked during an exclusive conversation with Rishabh Shukla, Managing Editor of ‘On the Dot’ – ‘Spiritual development is necessary for the all-round development of a human being. Despite this, people are running after materialism. Is it fair or unfair? In this era of cut-throat competition, how do people create the right harmony in their lives?’,
Nalinbhai while responding very patiently, said, “Spiritualism and materialism both stand at their respective places. In the present time, a person can not only be happy with the help of materialism nor can s/he live her/his life only with the help of spirituality. If today we are able to complete this interview as per our convenience through mobile, then there is something related to materialism behind it. Therefore, people’s inclination towards materialism is not completely wrong, but spiritual knowledge and development is like a medicine in life… Knowing about the various scriptures of our Sanatan Dharma like Bhagwat Katha, Ram Katha etc. and following them in our life can help us to establish the right harmony between materialism and spirituality. There is a hymn in Sanskrit language “ati sarvatra varjayet” which in Hindi means “excess should always be avoided”, the result of excess is always harmful. How we have to use something is all important. The world is moving towards development. In this era, considering various facilities as God’s offerings and making good use of them, is the way to lead a positive life in the true sense.
While throwing light on the path we should adopt for spiritual upliftment, Nalinbhai said that for spiritual upliftment, the study of Sanskrit language is very important. If you are a ‘Sanatani‘, then it is very important that you read different scriptures. If we talk about the present times, then Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta is very relevant. If it is said that Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta has the answer to every question related to your life and worldly problems, then it will not be an exaggeration. If you read it as a judicial book and imbibe it in your life, then you will definitely get spiritual upliftment.
Expressing his views about the direction and condition of politics in the present times, Shri Nalinbhai Shastri ji said that politics is not bad, it is based on service. A person who enters politics is considered a servant. In politics, there should be a sense of service and not a competition for collection. Politicians should be loved by people which is possible only when they do public service with true spirit. Talking about the negative aspects, I believe that both sides are wrong to some extent. Nowadays, politicians do not love their people and the public has started expecting too much from them. If both the politicians and the public carry their duties with full honesty along with their rights, then an end can be put to all the political problems.
Sharing his views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Nalinbhai said that the main point hidden behind the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the hunger for power, land, domination, prestige. This greed in human beings makes them monsters. No religion or scripture teaches us violence. Today no country is safe because everyone has to expand their territory, for which they do not hesitate to even tear apart humanity. This is my only prayer to God that everyone should get good sense. The souls of those who have sacrificed their lives in this fierce war, may rest in peace. An atmosphere of peace should be established between the two countries at the earliest and the situation of third world war does not arise. While living in our country India, we can talk about world welfare because we have unwavering faith in the ideology of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ according to which the whole world is our family. Therefore, there should be peace in the whole world, this is my only prayer.
To sum up, Shri Nalinbhai said that no matter if you belong to any religion or sect do remember your Ishta, your Sadguru, but do not have hatred for any religion. Sometimes people on the religious path, knowingly unknowingly take shelter of unrighteousness to prove their own religion as supreme, which is wrong and unacceptable.
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामया।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चित् दुःखभाग् भवेत्।।
The essence of all our Vedas, Upanishads is that there should be peace everywhere on earth, water and sky, and may all live in happiness, may all be free from illness, may all be witnesses of auspiciousness and no one has to become a partaker of sorrow.
Peace!
