Deendayal Upadhyaya and Integral Humanism
Introduction
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968) was a prominent Indian thinker, political leader, and
ideologue who presented the philosophy of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan) as an
indigenous alternative to Western political ideologies. His thought emphasized the complete and
balanced development of human beings at the levels of body, mind, intellect, and soul, rooted in
India's spiritual and cultural traditions.
Life Sketch of Deendayal Upadhyaya
• Born: 25 September 1916, Nagla Chanderbhan (U.P.)
• Early hardships: Lost both parents at a young age.
• Education: Brilliant student, awarded gold medals.
• RSS Association: Joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1937.
• Role in Politics: Became General Secretary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), later
President.
• Philosophy: Formulated "Integral Humanism" in 1965 as a political, economic, and
social doctrine.
• Death: Found dead under mysterious circumstances in 1968.
Understanding Integral Humanism
Integral Humanism is a philosophy that integrates the spiritual and material dimensions of
human existence. Upadhyaya believed that Indian society must be organized around the holistic
needs of human beings, not just economic or political interests.
The Four Aspects of Human Personality:
Deendayal viewed the human being as an integration of:
Element Description
Body (Sharir) Physical needs and health
Mind (Manas) Emotions and social behavior
Intellect (Buddhi) Rationality, understanding
Soul (Atman) Spiritual fulfillment, self-realization
Diagram: Structure of Human Being according to Integral Humanism
+-------------------+
| Soul (Atman) |
+-------------------+
↑
+-------------------+
| Intellect (Buddhi) |
+-------------------+
↑
+-------------------+
| Mind (Manas) |
+-------------------+
↑
+-------------------+
| Body (Sharir) |
+-------------------+
All four must be harmoniously developed for complete human development.
Main Features of Integral Humanism
1. Social Dimension
• Society is an organic entity (not a collection of individuals).
• Emphasized Atmeeyta (feeling of oneness among people).
• Indian society should be based on unity in diversity.
• Inspired by Vedic concept of cosmic man (Purusha Sukta).
2. Political Dimension
• Nation vs. State: Nation is natural, State is man-made.
• Advocated for Dharma Rajya, not a theocracy but a system ensuring justice based on
moral values.
• Emphasized national identity rooted in Indian culture (Bhartiya Sanskriti).
• Rejected blind imitation of Western political models.
• Supported democracy based on duties and responsibilities.
3. Economic Dimension
• Criticized both capitalism (for promoting greed) and socialism (for ignoring spirituality).
• Supported decentralized economy, Swadeshi, trusteeship, and agrarian development.
• Advocated balanced pursuit of four Purusharthas:
o Dharma (righteousness)
o Artha (wealth)
o Kama (desire)
o Moksha (liberation)
System Deendayal's View
Capitalism Promotes consumerism
Socialism Ignores spiritual dimension
Indian Model Holistic development centered on man
Relevance of Integral Humanism Today
• Provides a sustainable alternative to materialistic models of development.
• Encourages balancing economic growth with ethical and spiritual values.
• Offers a framework to tackle modern challenges like inequality, ecological crises, and
social disintegration.
• Strengthens national self-reliance and cultural identity in a globalized world.
Conclusion
Deendayal Upadhyaya's Integral Humanism remains a timeless contribution to Indian political
thought. It offers a comprehensive vision where human beings are not reduced to economic
agents but seen as spiritual entities aspiring for complete development. His ideas aim at building
a society where individual growth, social harmony, and national strength coexist in perfect
balance. Even today, Upadhyaya's philosophy continues to inspire policies aimed at inclusive,
ethical, and sustainable development.
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Deendayal Upadhyaya and Integral Humanism
Introduction
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968) was a visionary Indian thinker and political leader
who introduced the philosophy of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan) as a guiding
framework for India’s political, social, and economic development. His philosophy offers an
indigenous alternative to the materialism of the West by focusing on the holistic evolution of the
individual and society, rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
Life Sketch of Deendayal Upadhyaya
Born in Nagla Chanderbhan, Uttar Pradesh, Deendayal faced personal hardships early in life,
losing his parents at a young age. Despite this, he excelled academically and chose a life of
public service, joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1937. Later, he played a
crucial role in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) and was instrumental in shaping its ideological
framework. In 1965, he formally presented Integral Humanism as the BJS’s guiding philosophy.
His untimely death in 1968 left behind a rich intellectual legacy.
Understanding Integral Humanism
Integral Humanism is a philosophy that integrates all dimensions of human existence — body,
mind, intellect, and soul — and stresses their harmonious development. It rejects the narrow
materialism of capitalism and socialism and offers a human-centered alternative based on Indian
philosophical traditions.
The Four Aspects of Human Personality
Aspect Description
Body (Sharir) Physical health and needs
Mind (Manas) Emotions and social behavior
Intellect (Buddhi) Rational thinking and wisdom
Soul (Atman) Spiritual fulfillment and liberation
All four must be nurtured together for complete development of an individual.
Mind Map: Integral Humanism
[Integral Humanism]
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
[Social Dimension] [Political Dimension] [Economic Dimension]
| | |
- Organic society - Nation vs State - Critique of
Capitalism & Socialism
- Atmeeyta (Oneness) - Dharma Rajya (Moral state) - Human-centric
economy
- Unity in Diversity - Democracy based on duties - Swadeshi and
Decentralization
- Vedic inspiration - Bhartiya Sanskriti - Agriculture as
backbone
Main Features of Integral Humanism
1. Social Dimension
• Society is an organic whole, not a collection of isolated individuals.
• Emphasizes Atmeeyta (sense of oneness among all beings).
• Promotes Unity in Diversity, inspired by Vedic traditions (Purusha Sukta).
• Advocates harmonious living with nature and universal brotherhood.
2. Political Dimension
• Deendayal distinguished between the Nation (natural entity) and the State (man-made
institution).
• Supported the idea of Dharma Rajya — a morally guided, democratic system, without
religious authoritarianism.
• Advocated for democracy rooted in Indian cultural ethos emphasizing duties over mere
rights.
• Stressed the importance of maintaining national identity (Bhartiya Sanskriti) while
engaging with the world.
3. Economic Dimension
• Critiqued both capitalism (for promoting greed and inequality) and socialism (for
ignoring human spirituality).
• Advocated a decentralized, self-reliant economy based on Swadeshi and trusteeship.
• Emphasized balanced development through the four Purusharthas — Dharma, Artha,
Kama, Moksha.
• Highlighted agriculture as the economic foundation for India, while promoting industry
for balanced growth.
Relevance of Integral Humanism Today
Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy remains highly relevant in today's world. His emphasis on
holistic human development offers answers to modern issues like inequality, alienation,
ecological crises, and the erosion of human values. Integral Humanism provides a framework for
sustainable development, rooted in ethics, spirituality, and self-reliance.
Conclusion
Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Integral Humanism offers a complete vision where individual growth,
social harmony, national strength, and global cooperation are integrated. Rejecting blind
imitation of the West, he advocated an indigenous model that respects India’s spiritual traditions
while meeting modern challenges. His ideas continue to inspire the goal of building a just,
prosperous, and harmonious society centered around the true nature of man — as a physical,
intellectual, and spiritual being.
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