Pranav Birje | The News Bulletins
At the valedictory ceremony of the month-long Bhagavadgitosava in Udupi, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan delivered a powerful message linking spirituality, personal resilience, and public life. Addressing Generation Z, he urged young people to treat the Bhagavad Gita not as a ritual object but as a living guide capable of offering clarity in moments of depression, confusion, pressure, and loneliness. Calling the modern digital age a “constant Kurukshetra,” he described the Gita as a counsellor, mentor, and moral compass for anyone navigating the complexities of contemporary life.
Kalyan, celebrated both as an actor and as a political figure, deepened this message by emphasising the unshakeable roots of Sanātana Dharma. Speaking partly in Kannada and partly in English, he rejected Thomas Macaulay’s prediction that English education would uproot Indian spirituality, stating that the Vedas, the Gita, and the Dharmic tradition remain indestructible forces shaping India’s ethical fabric. He praised Udupi as a “powerhouse of spirituality” and lauded Puttige Math’s mission to spread the Gita’s teachings, even joining the initiative to write and distribute one crore handwritten Gita copies.
For him, the Gita is not superstition but a profound science of life, one that teaches equanimity in victory and defeat – principles he said have guided him personally and politically. Reinforcing the connection between spirituality and governance, Kalyan described the Bhagavad Gita as the “highest manifesto of humanity,” asserting that its philosophical essence resonates even through India’s Constitution. He noted that the purpose of both religion and governance is ultimately the same – to build a just, peaceful, and harmonious society.
Pawan Kalyan praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presentation of the Gita to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a “timely gift” whose wisdom is relevant in an era marked by conflict and global tensions. Alongside these reflections, Kalyan encouraged the Hindu community to actively practise Sanātana Dharma by protecting cows and supporting community-based initiatives for gau-raksha. He reminded listeners that reciting the Gita is insufficient unless its values are lived.
Spiritual leaders, including Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji and others from various maths and organisations, echoed this sentiment and requested the inclusion of Madhwacharya’s teachings and the Bhagavad Gita in Andhra Pradesh’s school curriculum. The event concluded with Pawan Kalyan receiving the honorary title Abhinava Krishnadevaraya, recognising his commitment to spiritual values and his advocacy for the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.