New Delhi, Jun 23 : President Pranab Mukherjee today said Hinduism is not just a faith but the union of reason and intuition, with basic tenets of happiness, health and enlightenment for all and sufferings, sin and agony to none.
Mr Mukherjee was speaking at a ceremony that was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan to mark the presentation of the copy of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, to him.
The President said Hindu religious philosophy identifies Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksh as the foremost objectives of a human being. Striking a balance in human behaviour in working towards these objectives has been prescribed as a key aim of human existence. Quoting Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, he said “Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced.”
He also quoted Mahatma Gandhi and said “If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth ¦ Hinduism is the religion of truth. Truth is God. Denial of God we have known. Denial of truth we have not known.”
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Uma Bharti and Dr Karan Singh and author of the book Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
Among the religious leaders present were Dr Acharya Lokesh Muni, Father Anil Jose Tomas Couto, Archbishop of Delhi, Maulana Dr Kable Sadiq Sahib, vice-president of Muslim Personal Law Board, Giani Gurubachan Singh, Chief Jathedar Akal Takht, Golden Temple and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
