Army Chief Visits Spiritual Leader, Receives PoK ‘Guru Dakshina’ Request

Army Chief Visits Spiritual Leader, Receives PoK ‘Guru Dakshina’ Request

In a significant spiritual and patriotic interaction, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at his ashram in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday. During the visit, the spiritual leader offered his blessings and requested the Army chief to work towards reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

General Dwivedi participated in a spiritual discussion and interacted with saints and students at the ashram. Rambhadracharya revealed that he had imparted the same diksha (spiritual initiation) with the Ram Mantra to the Army chief that Lord Hanuman received before his legendary mission to Lanka to rescue Sita.

In keeping with tradition, Rambhadracharya requested a “guru dakshina”—an offering or honorarium given to a spiritual teacher—symbolically asking for PoK as a tribute. The request comes against the backdrop of ongoing security concerns along the India-Pakistan border.

Earlier this year, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. India responded to cross-border firing over four days, eventually leading to a ceasefire on May 10. While relative calm prevails now, the Indian government has maintained that Operation Sindoor remains active.

Diksha, or spiritual initiation, establishes a guru-disciple relationship and equips the disciple to pursue both spiritual and worldly responsibilities. By combining spiritual guidance with national duty, this visit underscores the blending of faith, patriotism, and leadership in India’s ethos.