Army Chief receives unusual 'Guru Dakshina' request: Reclaim PoK

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi received a symbolic and unexpected request for ‘guru dakshina’ during his recent visit to the ashram of revered spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. The Jagadguru urged the Army Chief to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a sacred offering, invoking a powerful blend of spirituality and nationalism.

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The Army Chief visited the ashram on Wednesday, where he sought blessings and engaged in spiritual discussions with saints and students. During their interaction, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya compared General Dwivedi’s mission to that of Lord Hanuman's journey to Lanka, symbolizing courage and divine duty. He noted that the General had been initiated with the Ram Mantra, likening it to Hanuman’s sacred preparation before his legendary mission.

In this spiritual context, the Jagadguru asked for PoK as guru dakshina — a traditional gift from disciple to teacher in Hindu philosophy. The symbolic request came soon after the launch of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians.

Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor targeted terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, with a ceasefire reached on May 10. Although active combat has paused, Indian officials maintain that the operation continues in strategic terms, keeping national security in sharp focus.