Why Sanatan Dharma Values Are Missing from NCERT Books: A Call to Reclaim Our Spiritual Heritage

Published on: August 06, 2025 | 02:05 PM IST | By Hindutone Team

In the sacred land of Bharat, where the Ganges flows with divine grace and the echoes of Vedic hymns still resonate, a troubling question arises: Why are the timeless values of Sanatan Dharma absent from our NCERT textbooks? Even after 75 years of independence, the rebuilding of temples, and the divine return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya, our children grow up disconnected from the spiritual roots that define our civilization. This article dives deep into this silence, exploring the exclusion of Dharma, Karma, Moksha, and the wisdom of our Rishis, while igniting a devotional call to bring Sanatan values back into education with love, pride, and clarity.

The Silent Erasure of Sanatan Wisdom

Sanatan Dharma, the eternal way of life, is the soul of Bharat. It is not merely a religion but a living tradition that has gifted the world Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedanta, and the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Yet, when we open our NCERT books, we find a glaring omission. The stories of Maharishis like Vashishtha, Yajnavalkya, and Gargi—who illuminated the path of righteousness—are overshadowed by chapters on Mughal kings like Babur and Aurangzeb. Where is the mention of Adi Shankaracharya, the great saint who revived Hindu philosophy? Where are the lessons on the sacred concepts of Dharma, Karma, and Moksha that guide us toward inner peace and liberation?

This silence is not an accident. It disconnects our youth from the divine heritage that has sustained Bharat for millennia. As devotees of Sanatan Dharma, we must ask: How can our children honor their roots if they don’t know the sages who shaped our spiritual destiny?

The Missing Essence of Sanatan Dharma in Education

The term “Sanatan Dharma” itself is absent from most school curricula. This eternal dharma, which flows through our festivals, temples, and family values, is the heartbeat of Hindu culture. Diwali celebrates Lord Ram’s triumphant return, yet textbooks reduce it to a “festival of lights.” Holi, a celebration of good over evil through Holika Dahan, is merely a “festival of colors.” The deeper spiritual significance—why we worship Ganesha, fast on Karwa Chauth, or chant mantras on Ekadashi—is left unexplored.

Even the Bhagavad Gita, a divine dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjun, is sidelined as “religious” rather than celebrated as a universal guide to courage, duty, and self-realization. Global icons like Einstein and Gandhi drew inspiration from its verses, yet our children are denied this sacred wisdom. Is this not a disservice to the Sanatani soul that thrives on devotion and dharma?

Unspoken Wounds of Our Civilizational History

Our textbooks glorify “syncretism” but shy away from the painful truth of temple destructions—Kashi Vishwanath razed by Aurangzeb, Somnath attacked 17 times, and the centuries-long struggle for Ram Mandir. These are not just historical events; they are wounds on the body of Bharat Mata, our divine motherland. By omitting these truths, we rob our children of the resilience and pride that come from understanding our past struggles and triumphs.

As devotees, we light diyas and offer prayers to heal these wounds. Shouldn’t our education system reflect this sacred journey of restoration and devotion?

The Reduction of Festivals and Yoga to Rituals

Festivals like Pongal and Teej are presented as harvest celebrations or social customs, stripping away their devotional essence. The lighting of the diya, the planting of the Tulsi, and the sound of temple bells are acts of cosmic gratitude rooted in the Vedas and Puranas. Yoga, a global gift from Maharishi Patanjali, is taught as mere exercise, ignoring its connection to Moksha and the eight limbs of spiritual growth.

This reduction turns our sacred traditions into empty rituals. As bhakts, we know that every puja, every vrat, and every yatra to Kailash or Kedarnath is a step toward divine union. Why are our children not taught the sanctity of our rivers, the power of the 12 Jyotirlingas, or the spiritual geography that makes Bharat a land of tirthas?

The Absence of Dharma and Bharat Mata’s Soul

Dharma, the cornerstone of Sanatan Dharma, is the path of right conduct and inner growth. From the Ramayana to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, it has guided Bharat’s destiny. Yet, this profound concept is missing from our textbooks. Similarly, the idea of Bharat Mata as a sacred motherland is replaced by a political map. We study Mughal architecture but not the ancient science of temple design or the Vedic verses of our Bhakti saints.

This omission leaves our children rootless. They hesitate to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” view temples as regressive, and fall prey to narratives that dilute the uniqueness of Sanatan Dharma. As devotees, we must ask: How can we raise a generation brilliant yet disconnected from the divine?

A Devotional Call to Action

This is not about forcing religion but reclaiming our truth and identity. Just as the Quran and Bible are studied for moral insights, the Gita and Upanishads should be taught as fountains of wisdom. If we learn about Abraham Lincoln, why not Swami Vivekananda, whose words awakened the world to Bharat’s spiritual might?

The silence in our education system is not neutral—it is designed. But as devotees of Sanatan Dharma, we can change this. Let us bring back the teachings of our Rishis, the glory of our temples, and the sanctity of our festivals with love and devotion. Let us ensure that every child grows up knowing the divine legacy of Bharat Mata.

Join the Movement

• Share this article to spread awareness about the need for Sanatan values in education.
• Offer a prayer to Lord Ganesha for wisdom and to Saraswati Mata for knowledge to guide this change.
• Engage with us—leave a comment below or visit our Contact Page to join the conversation.

May the divine light of Sanatan Dharma illuminate our children’s minds and hearts. Jai Shri Ram! Om Shanti.

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