Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s podcast with MIT scientist and AI researcher Lex Fridman was released on Sunday.
During the conversation, PM Modi spoke on various topics, including the impact of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu nationalism. When asked how he joined RSS, PM Modi said, “In our village, there was a branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, where we played sports and sang patriotic songs. Something about those songs touched me deeply. They stirred something inside me, and that’s how I eventually became part of the RSS.”
Speaking further the influence of RSS, PM Modi said, “One of the core values that were instilled in us at RSS was, whatever you do, do it with a purpose. Even while studying, study with the goal of learning enough to contribute to the nation. Even when you exercise, do it with the purpose of strengthening your body to serve the nation. This is what we were taught. And today, RSS is a massive organization. It is now nearing its 100th anniversary. Such a massive volunteer organization likely doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Millions of people are connected to it, but understanding RSS is not that simple. One must make an effort to truly grasp the nature of its work. More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction toward what can truly be called a purpose in life. Secondly, the nation is everything, and serving the people is akin to serving God.”
Also read – PM Modi’s podcast with Lex Fridman released: Talks about early life, journey in Himalayas, RSS, and Hindu nationalism
PM Modi also said, “Alongside education, values are prioritized, and students remain grounded, learning skills so they don’t become a burden on society. That is in every aspect of life, whether it’s women, youth, or even laborers, the RSS has played a role.”
Talking further about the Sangh, PM said that he feels blessed to have gained life’s purpose from such “sacred” organisation. “The volunteers who come from the RSS follow their own interests, nature and inclination, and in doing so, they strengthen and promote these kinds of activities. When you observe these initiatives, you’ll see how over the past 100 years, the RSS has dedicated itself with the discipline and devotion of a seeker staying away from the glare of mainstream attention. I feel blessed to gain life’s values from such a sacred organization. Through the RSS, I found a life of purpose. Then I was fortunate to spend some time among the saints, which gave me a strong spiritual foundation. I found discipline and a life of purpose. And through the guidance of saints, I gained spiritual grounding,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi on Swami Vivekananda
PM Modi also spoke about Swami Vivekananda and his teachings. “Wherever I go, I carry with me the essence of thousands of years of Vedic tradition, the timeless teachings of Swami Vivekananda, and the blessings, dreams, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” he said.
He also reflected on how Vivekananda inspired him. “When I used to read about Swami Vivekananda or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I would often wonder, ‘How did they live? How did they build such remarkable lives?’ And for that, I constantly experimented on myself. Most of my experiments were physical in nature, testing my body’s limits.”
He added that his interest in Vivekananda deepened as he read more. “One time I read about Swami Vivekananda, his mother was ill. So, he went to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa for guidance. He would argue with him, debate with him. In his early days, he would often argue with him, questioning everything intellectually.”
PM Modi added, “The teachings of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda, and the service-driven philosophy of the RSS have played a crucial role in shaping me.”
Lex Fridman is a research scientist and hosts the “Lex Fridman Podcast.” His podcast features discussions with various personalities on topics ranging from complex subjects to broader social issues.
Notable guests on his podcast have included political leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Argentina’s Prime Minister Javier Milei, as well as business and academic figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Magnus Carlsen, and Yuval Noah Harari.
Fridman posted on X, “I had an epic 3-hour podcast conversation with @narendramodi, Prime Minister of India. It was one of the most powerful conversations of my life. It’ll be out tomorrow.”
PM Modi responded, calling it a “fascinating conversation” and mentioning that he spoke about different phases of his life, including his childhood, time in the Himalayas, and journey into public life.
“It was indeed a fascinating conversation with @lexfridman, covering diverse topics including reminiscing about my childhood, the years in the Himalayas and the journey in public life. Do tune in and be a part of this dialogue!” PM Modi wrote on X.
In February, Fridman had described PM Modi as “one of the most fascinating human beings I have ever studied.”
