Errol Musk, Elon Musk's father and a billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, has expressed his respect for Sanatan Dharma as a bastion of world peace and well-being of humanity. In a stunning commendation of Hindu philosophy, Musk has compared Lord Shiva to the "ultimate saviour."
If the entire world were to follow Shiva, it would be fine. I'm not knowledgeable, but I'm intrigued by it. It's so ancient, the religion is so old that it blows my mind. It just tells us how much we don't know," Musk said to IANS.
The 79-year-old South African businessman, who is born in South Africa, showed profound gratitude for India's spiritual heritage and historical richness.
His remarks come ahead of a visit to the newly opened Ram Temple in Ayodhya, indicating a personal desire for India's religious and cultural heritage.
By introducing Shiva as a redemptive and unifying force, Musk's statements also align with the message of harmony advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — most specifically the ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or "the world is one family."
Errol Musk's musings are timed as the world's interest in Hinduism is on the upswing, matching the Indian government's efforts to promote its cultural and spiritual heritage. The Modi government has more and more stressed India's ancient know-how as part of its soft power policy.
His respect for Sanatan Dharma resonates with the spiritual fervor witnessed of late during the Mahakumbh Mela, a gigantic religious conclave reflecting India's eternal civilizational soul and attracting participants from all over the world, including foreign dignitaries.
In recent times, such festivals have become tools of cultural diplomacy. Indian governments have utilized such avenues to appeal to global cultural interaction, encourage religious tourism, and reaffirm the image of India as a country of spiritual richness and universal values.
Errol Musk's admiration for Lord Shiva and Hinduism also speaks to the way India's strategic cultural diplomacy — from hosting giant festivals to empowering the diaspora — is deepening its global reach and reframing its global narrative.
India's new foreign policy continues to build on its rich spiritual heritage, employing Sanatan Dharma to connect cultures across the globe, as well as to reinforce its position as a global spiritual and cultural leadership.
