According to Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘Religion’ is –

Correct option is C

Jawaharlal Nehru, in his works, especially in The Discovery of India, viewed religion as something that plays a role in the moral and spiritual development of an individual. He emphasized that the internal virtues, such as compassion, kindness, and humility, could be nurtured through religion, which helps individuals lead a moral life. Nehru acknowledged the role of religion in guiding individuals towards virtuous living, but he also cautioned against its dogmatic, superstitious, and divisive elements. For Nehru, religion was not just about belief in the supernatural, but about promoting inner virtues and ethical behavior.
Nehru’s view of religion was shaped by his commitment to secularism and rationalism. While he respected individual spiritual practices, he believed that religion should not be used to justify discrimination or conflict. His understanding of religion focused on its potential to foster internal moral development, rather than on external rituals or doctrines.
Explanation of options:
· (a) Divine consciousness of human being: While Nehru acknowledged spirituality, he did not define religion merely as divine consciousness. His views were more aligned with humanism and the ethical aspects of religion.
· (b) Intellectual interpretation: Nehru saw religion in an intellectual context, but he did not limit it to just an intellectual interpretation. He saw it as being about the internal life and personal virtues of an individual.
· (c) Virtues related to the internal life of an individual: This is the correct option. Nehru believed that religion had a role in cultivating virtues like tolerance, humility, and compassion, important for the internal growth of individuals.
· (d) Unscientific viewpoint: While Nehru was critical of the unscientific aspects of religion, particularly in terms of dogma and superstition, he did not dismiss all aspects of religion as unscientific. He saw religion more as a source of personal ethics rather than a worldview that conflicts with science.
Information Booster:
· Nehru’s Secularism: Nehru was a staunch advocate of secularism, believing that religion should not play a direct role in public governance or politics. His focus was on a pluralistic society where individuals are free to practice their religion without it interfering with national unity or progress.
· Religion as Ethics: Nehru valued religion for its ethical contribution, especially in encouraging virtues like compassion, tolerance, and respect for others. These virtues, according to Nehru, were essential for personal development and social harmony.
· Scientific Temper: Nehru strongly promoted the development of a "scientific temper" in Indian society, urging citizens to approach life and its challenges with a rational, evidence-based mindset, without succumbing to superstition or blind faith.
· Nehru's View on Superstition: Nehru criticized the superstitious and irrational aspects of religion that led to social divisions and conflicts. He believed that true religion should promote unity, tolerance, and the well-being of all individuals.
· Ethics and Modernity: Nehru’s perspective on religion aligned with his vision of modernity, where individuals are encouraged to seek knowledge .