How Croatia honored Bharat’s culture when they greeted Modiji

When our Prime Minister Modi visited Croatia, people welcomed him in a traditional Hindustani way. They recited Hindu Slokas, sang Hindu bhajans, spoke in Hindi, and even included Indian dances. Modiji must have cherished the respect they showed toward Bharat's culture. Mutual respect is a Judeo-Christian tradition. Even so, many Westerners have not displayed this level of love for Hindustan. I feel excited about how they honor Indian people and their cultural ways. It was a grand gesture of hospitality. They also sang the Gayatri Mantra, which is as follows.

 

गायत्री मंत्र हिंदी में इस प्रकार है: ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्।।  Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha. Tat Savitur Varenyam. Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi. Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracho Dayateh.

 

Roughly, the Gayatri mantra translates to: "We meditate on the glory of that Divine Light, the Sun, which nourishes all, removes all sins and afflictions, and inspires our intellect." The concept of a divine light cleansing people's sinful condition and transforming them is also a Biblical idea. In a parallel scripture, the Bible declares that all humans are sinful and need cleansing. God is the light that cleanses people's sinful condition. However, we need to be honest with God and admit our sinful condition. If we claim we have no sin, we are lying to God.

 

However, if we confess our sins, God forgives us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on our behalf. The parallel Biblical passages are as follows. "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." –1 John 1:5-7

 

Further, the Bible declares that Jesus is the true light that enlightens the world about God's character: Love. He forgives people's sins and gives them a new birth. "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." –John 1:9-13

 

Thus, people who believe in Jesus become God's children, born of God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God unites forgiven people with God. Hence, they become one with God in mind and heart. God writes his law of love on their hearts, and they are empowered and enabled by God to love others as they love themselves. In this way, God inspires our intellect to do good to others and nourishes our spiritual and emotional lives. Love must be practical. Those who love others forgive, serve, help, and share their goodness with others. May the Lord Jesus help you to love others without stereotyping them, as He did.

 

Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστιν καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία. –1 John 1:5