As February 14th approaches, a mad frenzy over professing undying love takes hold of many, with love being commercialized to an unimaginable extent. Billions are spent on gifts and grand gestures, all in the name of a single day’s celebration. But who truly benefits from this? It is certainly not those who participate, but rather the corporations that exploit emotions to rake in enormous profits. To put it bluntly, Valentine’s Day is less about love and more about business.
The Western Influence on Love and Its Misrepresentation
Valentine’s Day has never been a part of India’s ancient traditions because love in Sanatan Dharma is not confined to a single day but is an eternal commitment based on mutual respect and unwavering support. Unlike the Western view, which imposes a finite timeline on life and relationships, Indic philosophy acknowledges time as fluid, ever-evolving, and cyclical. The idea that love needs to be celebrated on one particular day is both artificial and restrictive. Hindus must realize the underlying truth behind the extravagant portrayal of Valentine’s Day and avoid falling prey to corporate-driven Western narratives that have hidden agendas.
The Dark and Murky Origins of Valentine’s Day
The history of Valentine’s Day is far from romantic. Its origins trace back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated from February 13th to 15th. This event was associated with fertility rites, including the sacrificial slaughter of animals followed by men whipping women with their hides, a practice believed to enhance fertility. According to historian Noel Lenski, the Roman men indulging in these practices were often drunk and naked. Women lined up to be struck, either voluntarily or under societal pressure, reflecting an extremely misogynistic culture.
Furthermore, men would randomly pick the names of young women from a jar, leading to forced pairings that lasted the duration of the festival or longer. This demeaning tradition reduced women to objects rather than individuals with dignity and choice. The Western world, which prides itself on liberalism and gender equality today, conveniently overlooks its troubled past of oppression.
How Christianity Co-opted the Pagan Festival
In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day in an attempt to suppress Roman pagan traditions and further Christianize Europe. The execution of two men named Valentine on February 14th in the 3rd century AD contributed to the creation of this holiday, but it had no association with love until the 14th century. The celebration was later romanticized and commercialized, losing any original connection to genuine affection.
The Hypocrisy of Western Love Culture
The Western world has promoted Valentine’s Day as the ultimate celebration of love, yet their societal structure reflects a different reality. Family bonds are weak, and the elderly are often placed in old-age homes rather than cared for by their children. The emphasis on fleeting romantic relationships and materialistic expressions of love has led to an emotionally detached society.
In contrast, Indian culture upholds love as a sacred and selfless virtue, extending beyond physical attraction to include devotion to one’s family, Guru, and motherland. True love is exemplified by freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and Lala Lajpat Rai, who sacrificed their lives for the nation. If love were meant to be restricted to a single day, would they have fought so relentlessly for India’s freedom?
Why Should Hindus Reject Valentine’s Day?
- No Spiritual or Cultural Relevance – Valentine’s Day lacks spiritual significance and is purely commercial. Hindu festivals, on the other hand, are rooted in scientific and cosmic principles.
- Encourages Superficial Relationships – The emphasis on grand displays of affection promotes materialism rather than deep, lasting bonds.
- Diverts Youth from Core Values – Celebrating such events leads to moral and cultural dilution, distracting young minds from their true purpose and responsibilities.
- Western Cultural Imperialism – The event is yet another example of the West imposing its traditions on India, distancing Hindus from their Dharmic roots.
Embracing Indic Values Over Western Consumerism
Instead of following Western trends blindly, today’s youth must rediscover and embrace India’s rich heritage. Great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj dedicated their lives to upholding Dharma at a young age. Our festivals, rooted in ancient wisdom, honor love in all its forms—parental, spiritual, and nationalistic—rather than confining it to romantic indulgences for a single day.
It is time to reject the commercialized illusion of Valentine’s Day and realign with Sanatan values that promote genuine, selfless, and eternal love. By doing so, we not only uphold our cultural identity but also ensure that future generations are not swept away by superficial and misleading influences.