New Delhi, May 17 -- Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya was conferred the Jnanpith Award in New Delhi on Saturday, becoming the first saint to receive the honour. After the ceremony, he said the award recognises his decades-long contribution to Sanskrit literature.

He also linked the achievement to his commitment to Sanatan Dharma and said the idea of a Hindu nation is rooted in Indian tradition.

Speaking to ANI, he said,"The bigger the struggle, the bigger the success. I have struggled for a long time, so the success is also big. For the first time, a saint has been awarded the Jnanpith Award..."

He said he has written 250 books, including 150 in Sanskrit. "I have written four Sanskrit epics--Bhargava Raghavam, Song Ramayanam, Dashavatar...