RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said there is “no contradiction” between science and dharma, asserting that both ultimately seek the same truth through different methods.He made the remarks while addressing the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.According to Bhagwat, dharma is often “misunderstood” as religion, whereas it is actually the “science governing the functioning of creation.””Dharma is not religion. It is the law by which creation runs. No one can function outside it,” he stated, adding that “imbalance” in dharma causes “destruction.”He further noted that science had historically “distanced” itself from dharma on the assumption that it had no place in scientific inquiry, a view he described as “fundamentally incorrect”.“There is no conflict between science and dharma or spirituality. The methodologies may differ, but the destination is the same — knowing the truth,” the RSS chief remarked.Bhagwat elaborated further, saying that science is based on external observation, experimentation and repeatable experience, while spirituality follows a similar approach through inner experience and disciplined practice. Spirituality, he added, also emphasises direct experience that should be attainable by everyone. He said science focuses on modifying matter through external means, whereas spirituality operates in the inner, subtle realm. Bhagwat also noted that modern science has begun viewing consciousness as universal rather than local, drawing parallels with ancient Indian philosophical concepts such as “Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma” and “Prajnanam Brahma.”Emphasising the importance of language, Bhagwat said Indian languages uniquely capture the essence of dharma and stressed the need to communicate scientific knowledge in mother tongues. He cited Finland as an example where students are taught in their native languages up to the eighth grade, supported by specialised teacher training.He expressed confidence that by integrating material progress with dharma, India could offer a “new vision” to humanity and enable nations to move forward collectively as “caretakers of creation.”
