• Who was sage Vishwamitra? Twelve ways how India become Vishwamitra to the world.

DRAFT ARTICLE 

In our Vishwaguru series, the first article was Path to Viksit Bharat 2047, the second was Why India was Respected - Forget Vishwa Guru bit This one states that India should seek to become Vishwamitra-Friend of the World.

To my mind titles comes from karmas for e.g. I earlier wrote that it was during the battle of Bardoli, in April 1928, that someone referred to Patel as the peasant’s Sardar. The appellation caught on. Vallabh Bhai Patel did not call himself Sardar, people did. 

India should focus on Sukarmas-good actions and time will decide the title. A retired diplomat said, “Basic point of being a friend not guru is unexceptional. So is the idea of helping others as much as we can. For which we must add to our own capacity as well.” 

This article tells who was sage Vishwamitra and next briefly gives twelve ideas on how India can become a Friend of the World.

1. What was the role of Sage Vishwamitra in Indian history?

eSams author Dr Subhasis C wrote, “Sage Viśvāmitra is one of the most important sages in Indian tradition. His name means “friend of the universe.” He appears in ancient texts like the Ramayana and the Rig Veda. Viśvāmitra was born king (King Kaushika, the ruler of the Kusha kingdom.)”

“During a conflict with sage Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra realized that spiritual power is greater than royal power. So, he left his kingdom and began a long life of meditation and austerity. Gods tested him, and he faced inner struggles. But he continued his effort. Finally, he gained the highest spiritual status and became a Brahmarṣi, equal to the greatest sages.”

“Viśvāmitra is also connected with the famous Gāyatrī Mantra, one of the most sacred prayers in Hinduism. In the Ramayana, Viśvāmitra took the young princes Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to the forest. There he teaches them sacred knowledge and divine weapons.”

“Viśvāmitra’s life shows transformation. He moved from power and pride to wisdom and discipline. His story teaches that through effort, patience, and self-control, a person can reach the highest truth.”

To read about his interaction with Sage Vasistha and lessons

2. Export Dharma not Democracy

Maharshi Aurobindo said in 1908, “It has been said that democracy is based on the rights of man; it has been replied that it should rather take its stand on the duties of man; but both rights and duties are European ideas. Dharma is the Indian conception in which rights and duties lose the artificial antagonism created by a view of the world, which makes selfishness the root of action, and regain their deep and eternal unity. Dharma is the basis of democracy which Asia must recognize, for in this lies the distinction between the soul of Asia and the soul of Europe.”

He added, “Whenever a nation gives up the purpose of its existence, it has been at the cost of its growth. India must remain India if she is to fulfil her destiny.”

3. What should be India’s approach to become a Friend of the World?

1. V Srinivas, author of Awakening the Nation-Rediscovering the spirit of India with Swami Vivekananda quoted Swami Vivekananda, “Who knows the writers of our philosophy or the Puranas. They all pass under the generic name of Vyasa, and Kapila and so on. They have been true followers of the Gita, ‘To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof.’” Lectures Colombo to Almora 200.201

Simply put, we should not be transactional in our approach. We should help because it is India’s Nature to help and not believe that every act of helping shall result in geopolitical gains. Having said that, we should not help countries that work against Indian interest for e.g. Turkey and Pakistan. 

2. Dharma in Foreign Policy – Insights from the Mahabharata

Amitabh Mattoo, Dean of International Studies JNU wrote, “First, Dharma means upholding the larger righteous interest, the welfare of humanity both in its mundane and transcendental sense (interest of the people from internal and external adversarial circumstances.) Second, Dharma means action not passivity; and without regard for narrowly defined gains from that action. And acting decisively while recognising, however, that the war for upholding Dharma will almost necessarily always cause collateral damage.” 

“Dharma is beyond self-interest, it is concerned almost always with the larger good; it reifies humanity, the people and not necessarily the state.”

3. India must not seek to become a Dominant Power. 

India must not seek to dominate others or try to emulate USA or China.

Whatever India must do is for the benefit of humanity. She must facilitate and support the success of other countries.

4. Gift of Spirituality, Yoga and Ayurveda to the world

Swami Vivekananda spoke, “The gift of India is the gift of religion and philosophy and wisdom and spirituality.” Lectures Colombo to Almora 199.1 1 This includes sharing meditation and mind management techniques.

Whilst sharing of knowledge is India’s Dharma, the government and people of India must make every effort that users worldwide give credit to Indian authors and sages. If a country is using or making money out of Indian Knowledge Systems they must acknowledge and pay for it.

For e.g. I quoted U.S. based Indic Scholar Rajiv Malhotra in an earlier article, “The Anthroposophical Society that was founded by Rudolf Steiner, was formerly with the theosophists where he picked up his main ideas from Hinduism, and where J Krishnamurti later became the head. The huge movement known as 'Mindfulness Meditation' is nothing other than vipassana and its American copyright claimant Jon Kabat-Zinn learned it from S N Goenka. 'Lucid Dreaming' is a technique widely taught in the USA including the US army and various medical centres, but it is in fact Yoga Nidra.” 2 Read  The Battle between Secular India and Bharat So also, SUPER BRAIN YOGA is Thoppukaranam says Yogacharya Dr Ananda

Setting up of the Global Centre for Ayurveda in Jamnagar, Gujarat in collaboration with WHO is a good move to harness the knowledge of traditional therapies from various countries for collective good. It is an e.g. of the Vishwamitra approach.

5. Repairing and Restoration of Temples in Southeast Asian countries

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken restoration of temples in Vietnam. Shobhna Vora visited My Son Sanctuary Vietnam. Her photo feature

Exports for benefit of countries, known as GLOBAL SOUTH/West.

6. Views of Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI) New Delhi

On how India could help the world Ajay Srivastava of GTRI says that Indian can help in three ways, “First, it can mass-produce mature-node semiconductors—chips above 80 nanometers that cost under $10 and serve more than 80% of industrial and consumer applications—giving it a realistic path to become a major supplier of affordable chips.” 

“Second, with long-term crude supply contracts, India can deepen its position as a global refining hub by importing crude and exporting higher-value fuels and petrochemicals.” India has helped Sri Lanka during 2026 USA-Iran War. It could consider helping Nepal, Bangladesh, Middle East, Europe etc.

“Third, India’s vast health-data ecosystem can underpin the development of AI-based healthcare tools—from diagnostics to predictive analytics—creating a new export frontier in digital health.”

If over time, India sets up a facility of scale it could reduce the vulnerability of the Global South to pressure from existing large producers. Read Countries wishing to challenge dominance

2

7. Exports of Generics – Pharma Products  (happening now)

India must continue to be a quality reliable supplier of generics to countries across the world. These exports make healthcare affordable in both, the West and Global South.

India must be seen as a reliable vendor, one who does not cut off supplies all of a sudden and use supply of generics as a geopolitical tool like China and the U.S. At the same time, India must reduce dependence on China for key raw materials.

8. Export of Vaccines during Covid   (already happened)

India sent Covid Vaccines to 101 countries as grant and on sale. For Country wise list There was no hidden agenda -the only intent was to save lives. In case a similar manmade health crisis erupts again, India must do its best to help. Long-term capacities can be created keeping this in mind.   

9. Help during National Disasters        (already happened)

Helping neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka during natural disasters is what one had read about. Perhaps, for the first time in recent years India sent disaster relief teams to Turkiye in February 2023.

What followed were Turkish Drones to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor (2025). India can do without helping such countries.

10. Export of UPI, Direct Benefit Transfer and Jan Dhan Yogna  (happening)

Since India is strong in technology, it must share its innovations in Digital Public Infrastructure for e.g. Direct Benefit Transfer and UPI, with the West and Global South alike. The motto should be ‘the more we share the more we grow’.

11. Exports of Arms - Brahmos to Phillipines

Exports arms not to increase India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but to prevent a smaller country from being bullied. The dividing line in deciding this is thin so be guided by Dharma.

If India is making cars and motorcycles at competitive rates, export them worldwide and/or set up manufacturing facilities. Thus, Indian products are improving the quality of life of Global South country residents.  

12. Help countries build their Infrastructure, not the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) way.

Nominate star infrastructure builders like say Larsen and Toubro to build quality infrastructure in countries of Global South. Indian companies must be seen as reliable not those who will not exploit poorer countries.

If India becomes the first country that disassociates health care from wealth health (expected in the next 5-7 years), as stated by Narayana Health founder Dr Devi Shetty, learnings from this experience must be shared with the Global South.

If India continues with its current reservations policies more Engineers and Doctors will serve the world even though the reasons for doing so are different. Read  Why Indian students go to USA

India’s sukarmas should help the world grow, prosper, improve the lives of its citizens and contribute to improving mental health. 

Titles would be given by beneficiary countries-India must never ask for it.

Our goal should to become VISHWAMITRA.

References and Also read

1. Awakening the Nation-Rediscovering the spirit of India with Swami Vivekananda

2. The Battle between Secular India and Bharat

3. US Needs Indian Pharma products and India needs US market

4. From Big Brother to Vishwamitra

5. Vishwamitra – The Sage of Transformation