Ideal first, then country

Question : In our country too, we see leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru calling out `country first, then religion' – what does it mean?

Shri Shri Thakur : The word `desh'<sup>1</sup> (country) is derived from the word 'aadesh' (order). Now this 'aadesh' (order) has to come from an Ideal and Ideal brings love and life with Him. So Ideal should come first. The place, where all those people who follow such an Ideal stay together, is known as a `desh'(country). So it should be `Ideal first, then country.'

 

Foot notes:

¹ – Desh comes from root word Dish which means to order (aadesh).

Ref: Nana Prasange Vol.1, Ninth Edition, Dec-2001, Page 17-18]