Kartik Krushnapaksha 2, Kaliyug Varsha 5115
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On the occasion of organisation of mammoth ‘Dharma-sabhas’ of Shankaracharya Swami Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati of Govardhan Peetha …….
Once Bharat was a bright nation that spread light of Sanatan culture all over the world; but which is now stricken with eclipse in the form of unrighteous rulers ! In such period of crisis, most of the Hindus seem to have forgotten their own Dharma and have drifted from even their duty towards the nation. As a result, the whole nation is going down the path of decline. It had happened even earlier in history. ‘Brahma Satyam Jaganmithya Jeevo Brahmaiva Naapar:’, i.e. Brahma is the only truth and rest is all false / illusion; soul is not separate from Brahma’. Adya Shankaracharya taught this ‘Adwait (non-duality)’ principle to the world and for that, he travelled all over Bharat for establishment of true Sanatan (eternal) Dharma and clarified ‘Avaidic views’. This is only known as ‘Shaankardigvijay’ ! Sanatan Bharat’s such original tradition is being preserved and nurtured today by 145th Jagatguru Shankracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj of Govardhan Mutt (Puri, Odisha) ! Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has started this ‘Yadnya (sacred fire)’ of ‘Hindu Dharmajagruti Sabhas’ to give a call for revival of Bharat and Hindu Dharma and to be the host of such ‘yadnya’ and as if to give a message to all Hindus to wake up (Uttishthata Jaagrata)’, Srimat Shankaracharya Swami Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj is visiting Maharashtra and Goa for the first time. On this occasion…..
1. Life history of Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj
‘Puri-Pitha’ was established in ‘Yudhishthir Shaka Samvat 2652 i.e. in 486 BC. Presently, Jagatguru Swami Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj adorns the post of Shankaracharya of ‘Puri-Pitha’.
1.A. Spiritual practice started at young age: Jagatguru Swami Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj was born in ‘Vikramsamvat 2000’ on Ashadha Krushna Paksha Trayodashi i.e. on 30th June 1943. His earlier name was Neelambar. At the young age of 2-1/2 years, he was initiated by Radhakrushna. At the age of 16 when he was seriously ill, he went to his father’s ‘samadhi’ (who was king’s priest) and pleaded that ‘let this body become a lifeless or let it become healthy’. At that moment, some divine energy quickly helped him to stand up. After getting up, he looked at the sky when he saw his 10,000 ancestors wearing ‘pagadi’ and white clothes, sitting in circle, in the posture of ‘Padmaaasana’. With the blessings of his ancestors, he got rid of all ailments.
1.B. Study of ‘Dharma-granthas’ as youth : He studied in colleges at Bihar and Delhi. While studying in college, he also worked as Vice President and General Secretary of ‘Chhatrasangha Vidyarthi Parishada’. When he was studying in a Delhi college, under the guidance of Pundit Sridev Jha, he undertook initial spiritual practice. He studied 52 holy books on ‘Tantra’ within one year as also worshipped Annapurna Devi. He also started studying Bhagavat Geeta and Yoga-shastra while studying in college.
1.C. Jail for ‘Gou-raksha Andolan’: On 7th November 1966, he took part in the agitations staged for protection of cows; therefore, he was arrested and detained in jail for 52 days.
1.D. He took ‘Sanyas-deeksha’ at young age : In all Conventions held at Delhi on ‘Vedashakha’, he got ‘darshan’ of ‘Poojyapaada Dharmasamraat Karapatraswami’ and treated him as his Guru. When he had intense wish to take ‘sanyaas (renunciation of worldly things)’, he walked to Kashi without informing anyone. At the age of 31, he took ‘sanyaas’ with the blessings of ‘Poojyapaada Dharmasamraat Karapatraswami’. Then, he stayed at various places like Vrundavan, Naimisharanya, Badrikashram, Rhushikesh, Hardwar, Puri, Shrungeri and studied ‘Vedas’ in detail.
1.E. Holding the post of Shankaracharya : On 9th February 1992, the then Shankaracharya of Puri Peetha, Shankaracharya Poojyapaada Jagatguru Swami Niranjan Dev Teertha Maharaj declared Swami Nishchalanada Saraswati as his heir when Swamiji was 49 years old and he was appointed as 145th ‘Pithadhishwar’ of ‘Puri-Pitha’ !
2. Unique ‘Dharmakarya’ of Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj !
2.A. Protection of Hindus’ interests and ‘Rashtra raksha Abhiyan’ for national integrity ! : After taking over as Shankaracharya, first, he brought together all Acharyas from the country on one platform, for impressing upon them that ‘while protecting interests of others, protection of Hindus’ existence and their ideals is the real security and integrity of this country’. Later, he undertook ‘Rashtra Raksha’ movement at national level with the expansive purpose of freeing this country from power – hungry and short-sighted politicians.
2.A. ‘Peetha Parishada’ set up for learned citizens ! : To bring this drive into reality, he set up ‘Peetha Parishada’ for the learned citizens. Under this, he started ‘Aditya vahini’ for youth and ‘Anand Vahini’ for women. He has plans to bring together God, Dharma and nation through these organisations. For the nation which is divided in parties and Sects, it is the noble intention of Shankaracharya, to expand the path of faith towards sovereign Sanatan principles; from the viewpoints of science and practicality.
2.C. Activities related to social welfare : With the inspiration of Srimat Shankaracharya, the following welfare drives are undertaken by ‘Govardhan Peetha’ on regular basis.
2.C.1. Social : hospital, ambulance, free food-courts, gymnasiums etc.
2.C.2. Religious : Conventions of Saints, ‘Rashtreeya sadhana camps’, organisation of ‘Ratha-yatra’, publication of religious books, library, ‘gou-palan shala’ etc.
3. Special mission of Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj
3.A. Presenting ‘Vedic’ doctrines with scientific definitions: Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj is the ‘Veda-murty’ of ‘Vedic’ principles. He explains in practical and scientific language, giving definitions, science (vidnyan) behind different streams in Vedic principles e.g. ‘Bhojan (food) – vidnyan’, ‘Vastra (clothes) -vidnyan’, ‘Aaavaas (house) -vidnyan’, ‘Suraksha (security)–vidnyan’, ‘’Nyay (justice) -vidnyan’, ‘Swasthya (health)– vidnyan’, ‘Paryavaran (environment) -vidnyan’, ‘Vivah (marriage)-vidnyan’, ‘Vyavaharic (practical)-vidnyan’ etc. for mankind to lead life with happiness.
He, however, gives importance to knowledge on spirituality and advises that the main goal of human life and fulfillment is God realisation only.
3.B. Books based on ‘Vedic’ mathematics by mathematician Shankaracharya are used by 200 countries for modern fields ! : Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj has written a book titled ‘Swastik Ganit (mathematics)’ after carrying out research on Vedic maths. The principles explained in this book are being used by 200 countries in various fields from computers, cell phones to Space. He has written many books on mathematics which will prove to be standard for scientists at global level in various fields establishing new inventions.
3.C. Note taken by United Nations and World Bank : In the year 2000, United Nations had organised ‘World Peace Summit’ at New York and World Bank had organised ‘World Faiths Development Dialogue’ at Washington, guidance by Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj was obtained in writing. On the same topics, his two books were later published titled as ‘Vishwashanti kaa Sanatan Siddhant (Sanatan Principles for world peace)’ and ‘Sukhmay Jeevan kaa Sanatan Siddhant (Sanatan Principles for happy life).
4. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s purpose behind organising ‘Dharmajagruti Sabha’ of Srimat Shankaracharya !
Considering the present situation, it is of utmost importance that awareness is created amongst Hindus towards their social, national and religious obligations. Srimat Shankaracharya is the highest Dharmaguru and seat of worship of all Hindus; therefore, his guidance filled with knowledge, radiance, brilliance and divine consciousness will help Hindus in finding true direction in life. HJS, after its establishment in 2003, had arranged a public ‘Dharma-sabha’ in Goa in which Shankaracharya Shri. Swami Jayendra Saraswati Maharaj of Kanchi Kamkoti Pitha had given guidance. Thereafter, till today, HJS has held 916 Hindu Dharmajagruti Sabhas in 11 States in this country, in 7 languages. These ‘Dharma-sabhas’ have been addressed by local Dharma-Gurus, Saints and eminent pro-Hindu leaders. As a result, Hindus are coming together forgetting their posts, castes, creeds and parties, Sects etc. which is leading to nation-wide unification of Hindus against injustice meted out to them.
This year, HJS is celebrating 11th year (October 2002 to October 2013) and in this 11th year, HJS has successfully undertaken five-point programs of ‘Dharma-shikshan’, ‘Dharma-jagruti’, ‘Rashtra-rakshan’, ‘Dharma-rakshan’ and ‘Hindu sanghatan’. Awareness was created in Maharashtra towards two anti-Hindu Acts viz. anti-superstitions Act and ‘Taking over manwgement of temples by the Government’ Act. It took active initiative in stopping distortion of Hindus’ history taking place through text books in Goa, denigration of Deities, criticism against Hindu Dharma, thefts in temples and conversions etc. All these activities were possible only due to God’s grace and Saints’ blessings. Last year, HJS completed a decade and during ‘Maha-Kumbh-Mela’ held at Prayag (Allahabad), Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj had declared HJS as ‘Puri Pitha’s ‘mitra (friend)-sanstha / associate/ sister organisation’. HJS is actually a ‘balak (child)-sanstha’ in front of ‘Shaankarpitha’. This year’s 11th anniversary is a moment of gratitude for HJS. There is no better person than a Saint in the world; therefore, with the feeling of gratitude, HJS has organised ‘Dharma-sabhas’ of Shankaracharya Shri. Nishchalananda Saraswati Maharaj. In these ‘Dharma- sabhas’, there will invaluable guidance given by Srimat Shankaracharya scheduled on 20th November at Navi Mumbai, on 24th November at Goa and on 27th November at Pune. It is the prayer at the holy feet of ‘Peethasta’ Deities that taking benefit of such guidance, let devoted Hindu-mind take a pledge for revival of Bharat and Hindu Dharma !
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
