What is the cultural and philosophical significance of sports in Bharatiya Samskriti (culture)? On the occasion of the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of Bhagawan’s educational institutions, Swami explains this to us and also reminds us why we should not stop with the physical benefits of sports.

Samskritam (the language Sanskrit), Samskriti (culture), and Samskarana (refinement) are all terms which have been derived from the roots, Sam and Kru (to make pure or whole). Bharatiya Samskriti (culture) is a composite of purity, divinity, sublimity, and beauty. This combination is reflected in sports and games. Although there may be differences among nations in their food and recreational habits, the spirit of harmony and unity displayed in sports is a gratifying example to all. It is a distinctive quality of sports that differences are forgotten, and persons engage themselves in games in a divine spirit of friendliness and camaraderie. Sports help the players not only to improve their health but also to experience joy. Students, however, should not be content with realising these benefits. Man has another body besides the physical. It is the subtle body, otherwise known as the mind. It is equally essential to promote the purity of the mind and develop large-heartedness. True humanness blossoms only when the body, the mind, and the spirit are developed harmoniously.