UN embraces Ramayan’s wisdom

Pujya Morari Bapu’s nine-day recitation links ancient values to global goals

• Trusha Dawada
• 20 September, 2024

By: Trusha Dawada

IN A historic first, respected Indian spiritual leader, Pujya Morari Bapu, recited the Ramayan over nine days at the United Nations in New York earlier this summer.

Although Pujya Bapu has recited the sacred Hindu scripture several times in India and across the world, this was the first time a spiritual leader has held such an event at the UN, highlighting its global importance.

The story of the Ramayan is soulful and thought-provoking. It gives us a guide on how we should conduct ourselves through the challenges in our lives of today’s world. 

 Pujya Bapu has been telling this story in full for many decades, invoking contemporary and real-life issues for followers to ruminate upon.  

At the UN katha (July 27-August 4), AI was used for the first time to recreate Pujya Bapu’s voice to translate the recitation in English.

 The United Nations is central to global diplomacy and international relations; its headquarters in New York is an assembly of 193 member states who convene to address global challenges.  

The UN is largely focused on humanitarian, equality and sustainability issues, aiming to achieve peace and security for all. Central to its agenda is to fulfill its aim by 2030 to reach peace and prosperity for people and the planet through its programme of 17 sustainable development goals (SDG), agreed upon by all UN members in 2015. 

 Pujya Bapu has conducted kathas based on all the 17 SDGs even before 2015, when they were formalised at the UN by member states. 

 In 2016 Pujya Bapu did a parikrama, a circumambulation of the UN building. 

 Many religious figures have visited the UN for talks on how religion and religious figures can play a role in educating its followers and attaining peace; however, it was an ambitious idea to do a nine-day long spiritual discourse based on the Hindu faith, as such a request had previously never been granted. 

 Pujya Bapu’s principles of truth, love and compassion drive the goals of the United Nations. 

 At the UN katha, his mood was one of excitement – Pujya Bapu was happy to be conducting the Ram Katha at the United Nations Headquarters, where countries sit and discuss peaceful solutions to global challenges.  

He talked about the importance of equality between all genders. He also expressed the importance of our natural resources and said trees were the veins of god and that oceans and seas are the stomach of the almighty.  

Pujya Bapu has been pleading to end wars where many young and innocent people have been killed unnecessarily. He said wars start with words.  

“We should be mindful of how we speak and how our body language portrays our emotions,” he said. “How we look at each other can make all the difference in diplomacy and everyday life with families, friends and neighbours.”  

The urgent need to look after our natural resources was also highlighted as Pujya Bapu said if there was another war, it will be over water, as everything is being depleted.  

“Every person should be proud of their country as one’s country is one’s identity; however, we must respect each other as we are one family,” he said, explaining the Indian concept of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, the family of god or a higher power. 

 He said the truth is within us, we do not have to look for it anywhere else. 

 From the Ramayana, Pujya Bapu recited how one can learn from Lord Ram’s governance, when people were at peace and felt safe. All the principles of Ram Rajya are applicable today and would be invaluable to the principles of the UN, he added.  

Experiencing the Ram Katha at the United Nations headquarters led to the thought: do religion and politics overlap? Absolutely, they do. Concepts such as justice, equality and human rights often have religious underpinnings, even in countries where they try to separate the two. Laws are often based on what is moral and based on the teachings of religious systems, such as those related to abortion. 

 The significance of the UN Ram Katha was about ending wars, understanding that our planet is being depleted of basic but vital resources and that it should be protected. We all have to make changes to achieve this because we are all one family, or Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. 

It is clear the teachings of the Ramayana and the SDGs, as well as the morals and values of the UN, are all deeply intertwined. This profound connection between ancient principles and contemporary issues, such as equality and justice, resonates with our current society and culture on many levels.  

This event highlighted how Pujya Bapu’s timeless message of truth, love and compassion is not only relevant within the realm of spirituality, but also within the wider spheres of global diplomacy and governance. 

Kathas highlight 17 global goals towards peace and prosperity 

These are the recitals done by Pujya Morari Bapu, pertaining to the 17 sustainable development goals of the UN:  

1. No poverty: Manas Garib Nawaj Katha number 582 Ajmer, Gujarat, India, on July 7, 2001 Pujya Bapu spoke about the need to eradicate poverty in all shapes and forms and among all groups
2. Zero hunger: Manas Parmarth Katha number 778 Bharol, Bihar, India, on June 13, 2015 Pujya Bapu talked about the importance of food being distributed to all by better and sustainable farming practices. He also advocated cutting wastage, being mindful of how we all can help to end hunger and improve the nutritional value in the food we produce and promote.
3. Good health and wellbeing: Manas Aushadh Katha number 713 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, on January 8, 2011 This katha focused on good health and well-being for people in all age groups and what we can do for ourselves to keep our mind and body healthy.
4. Quality education: Manas Vidhya Bhavan Katha number 701 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, on January 9, 2010 Pujya Bapu spoke about the need for good, worthy education, which he said can lead to the doors of opportunities opening wider for more people.
5. Gender equality: Manas Kinnara Katha number 785 Thane, Maharashtra, India, on December 17, 2018 Pujya Bapu addressed the taboosubject of the hermaphroditism, thoughtfully highlighing that all genders should be respected and the rights of such women, girls and all genders should be strengthened.
6. 6. Clean water and good sanitation: Manas Swachchhata Katha number 785 Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on December 12, 2015 Pujya Bapu pressed for clean water and good sanitation facilities for everyone and talked about the utmost importance and urgency of this basic need.
7. Affordable and clean energy: Manas Adishaktii Katha number 654 Mata Nu Madh, Gujarat, India, on September 9, 2017 Pujya Bapu stressed that affordable, reliable and sustainable energy should be ensured for all for a more equitable future.
8. Decent work and economic growth: Manas Sevadharma Katha number 843 Nadyad, Gujarat, India, on February 2, 2019 Pujya Bapu said permanent good jobs should be available to everyone, adding that this will enhance the economic standing of a country. He said a decent job to sustain one’s family is dignifying and brings self-worth to individuals.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure: Manas Samvadh Katha number 748 Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, on August 3, 2013 Pujya Bapu spoke of the advancement of nations through innovation, building a strong infrastructure and encouraged sustainable industrial growth.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Manas Setubandh Katha number 635 Koteshwar, Gujarat, India, on February 26, 2005 Pujya Bapu talked about reducing inequalities between people and countries.
11.  Sustainable cities and communities: Manas Vicharti Jati Katha number 715 Viramgaam, Gujarat, India, on March 12, 2011 Pujya Bapu said he believed in stability and inclusivity for all people, whether in cities, communities, settlements, or tribes. He emphasised the importance of harmony, adding that he would like all human beings to be living in secure, sustainable, safe, and resilient establishments
12. Responsible consumption and production: Manas Sur Raj Katha number 707 Kurnawati Club, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on May 1, 2010 Pujya Bapu called for continued, responsible consumption and production for everyone.
13. Climate action: Manas Setubandh Ram Katha number 457 Mediterranean Cruise – Ship Katha, on August 26, 1993 At an iconic Katha, Pujya Bapu passionately highlighted the pollution of air and water provided by mother nature’s bounty.
14. Life below water: Manas Sagar Katha number 891 Lakshadweep Island, India, on January 22, 2022 Pujya Bapu appealed for marine life, the oceans, the seas and marine resources to be kept clean and surveyed so that proper use is ensured.
15. Life on Land: Manas Nav Jeevan Katha number 824 Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on February 23, 2019 Pujya Bapu said terrestrial life and the terrestrial environment are woven together. He called for protection and promotion of forests, lands and ecosystems and to combat desertification in order to ensure diversity.
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions: Manas Shanti Niketan Katha number 688 West Bengal, India, on January 17, 2009 Pujya Bapu called for building peaceful societies, to ensure development of strong institutions and justice systems for all.
17. Partnerships for the goals: Manas Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Katha number 940 UNO, New York, USA, on July 27, 2001 Pujya Bapu said tor the development and success of these goals we need to strengthen resources and build universal partnerships and allies.