Sage Agatthiyar symbol of India's cultural, spiritual unity: VP

Business To Business, New Delhi, 15^th June, 2026:   Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday said that India's unity was shaped not only by kings and political institutions but also by sages and spiritual leaders who helped forge cultural and civilizational bonds across the subcontinent.
He made the remarks while releasing the book Agatthiyar -- The Unifier at an event.
Tribute to Sage Agatthiyar
Radhakrishnan described Sage Agatthiyar as a symbol of India's cultural and spiritual unity, saying the sage played a significant role in connecting the traditions of northern and southern India.
According to the Vice-President, sages and rishis were the "true architects" of India's unity because they fostered a shared civilizational consciousness that transcended regional and political boundaries.
"Kings or political institutions were not the only ones who worked for India's unity."
Radhakrishnan said Sage Agatthiyar embodied the enduring cultural connection stretching from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, serving as a bridge between diverse linguistic, cultural, and spiritual traditions.
The Vice-President's comments highlighted the role of spiritual and philosophical traditions in shaping India's civilizational identity. By emphasizing figures such as Sage Agatthiyar, he underscored the idea that cultural and spiritual exchanges have historically contributed to national cohesion alongside political and administrative institutions.
The book release event focused on the life and legacy of Agatthiyar (also known as Agastya), a revered figure in Indian tradition who is particularly associated with the spread of Vedic and spiritual knowledge across southern India.