Some people ask whether it is not foolish to worship an inanimate inconscient figure as God. This question is born of ignorance. Today ninety crores of Bharatiyas hoist the National Flag and revere it. Before the Flag and revere it. Before the Flag could attain this status, many sacrificed their all for the freedom of the country Many suffered long terms of imprisonment. They went through all this suffering so that they could have their own flag in a free country. On. August 15th and January 26th, the National Flag is hoisted all over the country and revered as the symbol of national freedom. In the same manner people in other countries revere their respective national flags. Moreover, people respect even their party flags. Is this flag animate? Has it any vitality or power in it? When you enquire like this you discover that it is the faith in the flag that makes it adorable.

Likewise, if the question. is asked whether a stone idol that is worshipped has any life or consciousness in it, they will find the answer from the example of the honour done to the national flag.

How does a square yard of cotton cloth made into a flag acquire its value? The value is derived from the fact that the flag is a symbol of the victory achieved in the freedom struggle. That victory has no form. The flag demonstrates the achievement of that victory. Without the flag how do you demonstrate the victory in the freedom struggle? Take another example. There is a 100-rupee note. It is lifeless. But you take good care of it because it represents wealth. All people seek wealth. Money as such has no qualities like goodness. But the possessor of money has qualities. Money is a symbol of power. (SSS Vol.28, p. 35)