Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the one-eyed monarch, left an indelible mark on India’s spiritual landscape. His enduring legacy includes the restoration and expansion of the Harmandir Sahib, now known as the “Golden Temple,” a symbol of Sikh faith. In 1835, he donated 1 tonne of gold to plate the dome of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, showcasing his respect for diverse religious traditions. His dedication to spirituality is also reflected in his bequest of the Koh-i-Noor diamond to the Jagannath Temple in 1839, enriching India’s cultural heritage.
Singh is remembered for uniting Sikhs and founding the prosperous Sikh Empire. He is also remembered for his conquests and building a well-trained, self-sufficient Khalsa army to protect the empire
..He worshipped as much in Hindu temples as he did in gurudwaras. When he was sick and about to die, he gave away cows for charity. What did he do with the diamond Kohi-noor? He did not want to give it to the Darbar Sahib at Amritsar which he built in marble and gold, but to Jagannath Puri as his farewell gift. When he had the Afghans at his mercy and wrested Kashmir from them, he wanted the gates of the temple of Somnath back from them. Why should he be making all these Hindu demands? Whatever the breakaway that had been achieved from Hinduism, this greatest of our monarchs bridged in 40 years.
Khushwant Singh, quoted in Elst, Koenraad (2002). Who is a Hindu?
बलोपासक: Praying to Strength is a series of products by IndicLore that depicts and signifies क्षात्र kshaatr spirit by expressing admiration for warriors and their role in safeguarding society. We took the inspiration of Balopasak Tees from Saint Samarth Ramdas who first advocated Balopasana more than three hundred years ago.
Sant Samarth Ramdas wished to counter the depredations done by foreign rulers and invaders. He saw the need to rouse society from its slumber to rise up against it’s subjugation. For this, he saw the need to emphasize बलोपासना, the importance of physical strength along with knowledge for individual development.
He argued that only the strong and those with a fighting spirit would be able to establish the rule of dharma, and he expressed admiration for warriors and their role in safeguarding society.
Ramdas is not deemed a pacifist and his writings include strong expressions encouraging militant means to counter the aggressive Muslim invaders. He emphasized upon the importance of physical strength and knowledge towards individual development. He expressed his admiration for warriors and highlighted their role in safeguarding the society.
Our Balopasak Tees continue the tradition of worshipping of the strength by highlighting lores, hero and Divinity that symbolise immense strength.
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