The Proactive Swami Swaroopanand

The Faqir of Shirdi with a Golden Throne

I came to know about Sai Baba in a Raghunath Temple close to our place where every week a group of devotees used to sing ‘Sai Bhajans’. I used to wonder who this Sai Baba could be but did relish the bhajans sung in a melodious voice with devotion seldom found elsewhere. What I could understand was that Sai Baba was a faqir revered by millions due to different reasons.

I have been told by my parents that I am a Sanatan Hindu. I believe that I am neither very religious nor irreligious. But I love visiting places and India wherever you go, you find the place famous for some temple – of whichever faith – Shiv, Shakti, Vishnu, Ganesh and Surya (the least popular of deities though) and modern temples of Sai Baba etc. And I shirk going to temples - not because of the God seated there in the form of a deity but because of people like me. I cannot withstand so many people like me together particularly when they are vying for the darshan of the deity like a herd as if the deity would run away before they can have its darshan.

When I first went to Sai Temple I was impressed by the way they were managing the crowd. There was a long queue but there were seats to rest too. There was neatness and discipline until you have darshan. There was no display of religiosity by burning incense, oil lamps here and there and ‘prasad’ littered everywhere.  

When my over-religious wife expressed her wish to visit Sai Temple yet again, I readily agreed. And this time the things were even better. While we stood/sat in the queue waiting for our turn, there were coolers, water coolers and even tea was being served. Some may find it irreligious but even ice cream was being sold and savored by many, particularly the kids who were otherwise clueless as to why their parents had brought them to this unknown and inconvenient place.

On both the occasions, I could not understand why there was such a huge (though captivating) idol of Sai Baba which was being worshipped like a god. I looked for some literature and everywhere I found what I had found years ago in a temple close to my place. Sai Baba was still regarded as a Faqir and many held him in high esteem like a guru. Nowhere could I find Sai Baba being called an incarnation or a god.

I find the criticism of Sai Baba wearing a golden throne, however, ridiculous. Nobody had any problem with the gold lying in somebody’s locker. But when it was turned into a throne for Sai Baba, people started having problems with that. Pathetic.

But, even though I am not a very religious person, my little knowledge of Sanatan Dharma did make me find it a little odd that Sai Baba, a faqir was being worshipped like a God. Why people should worship their gurus like gods, I asked myself. But I did bow before the idol with reverence as I would before a saint.

Swami Swaroopanand’s objection to the worship of Sai Baba only vindicates my feelings. I have no hesitation in admitting that Swamiji is saying only what I said to myself years ago. The only difference is that I said it to me and my family whereas Swami Swaroopanand is saying it publicly. Not only saying, but even declaring it anti-Sanatan Dharma .

Being a Sanatan Hindu myself, I would have thought twice before going to Sai Temple had a Shankaracharya said it before I went to Sai Temple first time. I wonder what checked him from coming out openly like he has now.

Sects and Cults - Curse for Hinduism

I am not a devout Sai Bhakt and do not know much about the practice of Sai cult. But I do know a bit about some other sects and cults. And there are numerous in India. Then there are numerous gurus who are also turning into different cults every other day. I understand that some of them even tell their devotees that they need not/should not go to any other temple after joining their respective cults. In a temple run by a cult I even heard their priest explaining to visitors like me. “Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh bow before Bhagwan___________” My elder brother felt so annoyed at this statement that he almost had a fight with him before I took him out to avoid an ugly scene.

These sects and cults start their operations as Hindus and before people could realize they turn into religions unto themselves much against the interests of Hinduism. The trend needs to be checked and only a connection with Sanatan Dharma can ensure that. No fatwa can stop people from believing what they believe. 

I find it so ironical  that in an era when people in general have scant respect for their own parents and other relations, 'gurus' are flourishing in the market.  Every second person seems to having a 'guru'. People are fighting on behalf of their gurus while the traditional  teacher-taught relationship in schools and colleges has died. Obviously, people are looking for gurus with supernatural and miraculous powers in the hope of getting worldly success and pleasures and not 'knowledge' that gurus can actually deliver.  And no popular guru guides the disciples against this fake 'gurudom' but all seem to be encouraging this trend and vying for more and more disciples.

Adi Shankaracharya devoted his life for the unity of Hindus

Adi Shankaracharya worked for the unity of Hindus and for the purpose founded four peethas called Govardhana Peeth, Puri in East, Sharada Peeth, Sringeri in South, Dwarka Peeth, Dwarka in West and Jyotirmath Peeth, Badrinath in North India.

In order to bring unity among various Hindu sects of those times Adi Shankaracharya wrote five pancharathnam stotras for each of the following prime deities. The deities were Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesh and Surya.

Obviously, if there were more than five prime deities, he would have worked for the unity of the followers of all of them.

The Peethadheeshwars (Heads) of the four Peethas are supposed to be doing what Adi Shankara did, unifying Hindus.

Adi Shankaracharya travelled across the country, met people of various sects, interacted with them and wherever required, had shastrarth with them and convinced them of his philosophy.

What are Present Day Shankaracharyas doing?

Are the four Shankaracharyas doing the same? Adi Shankaracharya acted according to the needs of the times. Are the present day Shankaracharyas responding to the demands of today’s society? If there is ignorance among Sanatan Hindus, who can help them? 

Are the present day Shankaracharyas connected with the Hindus they claim to represent in any way? The unfortunate answer is an emphatic ‘no’. The prestige of the seat of Shankaracharya has been brought down to the extent that Swami Swaroopanand is known as a Congress stooge!

Why this Avoidable Controversy?

Swami Swaroopanand is already head of Dwarka and Badrinath Peethas. During elections to the 16^th Lok Sabha, there was a news in media that two Shankaracharyas would work against Narendra Modi in Varanasi. One of the two names was that of Swami Swaroopanand. While a Shankaracharya participating in active politics is not undisputable, what is noticeable here is that the name of the other Shankaracharya was Swami Adhokshjanand Devtirath of Puri Peetha. Noteworthy here is that actual head of Goverdhan Peetha of Puri is Swami Nischalanand. Obviously somebody named as Adhokshjanand was being illegitimately projected as Shankaracharya of Puri. This is a mischief unheard of even in much denounced politics. Intention seems to be to become a supreme ruler of all the Peethas directly or through proxies as if two seats of Dwaraka and Badrinath do not satiate his hunger for power. Is the present controversy yet another attempt aimed at bringing the entire sant-samaj under his umbrella? The recent call to Naga Sadhus to assemble in Haridwar seems to be an affirmation of such intentions.

Sai devotees have fallen prey to this calculated move and have responded immaturely by burning effigies of Swami Swaroopanand, thus giving sant-samaj reason to get united. Honestly speaking, even I hated seeing our Shankaracharya being humiliated like this even though I am not a fan of Swami Swaroopanand. But this move does not seem to be against Sai devotees. This is a game being played at different levels about which Sai devotees do not have clue about.

Another theory doing rounds in social media is that this is a game being played at the behest of Congress party and is aimed at dividing Hindus and forcing BJP/RSS/BHP to take a side. It is believed by them that Modi’s victory is due to polarization of Hindu votes which needs to be reversed if Congress wants to come to power in State elections in near future and at the centre after five years.

The first probable reason given above is unfortunate and the second one is even more unfortunate, if true.

A Good Acharya commands respect – Does not have to Demand it

I regard my late parents as much as any human being can regard any one. I have not seen God but I have seen my parents living and dying for their family and doing all good things all their lives. When my father went to his heavenly abode, I placed a picture of my father among other deities in the small puja room in our house. My mother advised me to place my father picture at the holy feet of deities, even if I revered my father more than anyone else. I obeyed. I obeyed because these were my mother’s words whom I respected. She commanded my unconditional respect. She never had to demand it.

Even if a Shankaracharya had come to my place to tell me that, I doubt that I would have obeyed. Certainly not if he had threatened me for worshiping my own father.

The Questions of an Ordinary Hindu

It is no use asking who is right. The question is who is going to benefit from this controversy. Will Hinduism gain from it? Evidently, the controversy has only divided Hindus. Swami Swaroopanand claims that Sanatan Hindus can do away with Sai Baba whereas Sai devotees cannot do away with Sanatan Dharma. Even if it is true, is it not good for Hinduism? Does he want Sai devotees to start doing away with Sanatan Dharma? Whose gain will it be if they start doing it?

As explained above, there are so many sects, cults and Babas who are turning Hindus away from Hinduism in different ways. Is Swami Swaroopanand not aware of it? What has he done about saving Hindus from them?

Even if the latest controversy initiated by him is regarded as saving Hindus from Sai cult, is it the way to resolve an issue? Is the intention to resolve the issue or something else? 

Does he really believe that people will stop going to Sai Temples intimidated by the way he has tried by asking them to ‘purge’ themselves to become eligible to be called Sanatan Hindu again? Will he not alienate such people from Sanatan Dharma? Does he want to serve Sanatan Dharma by dividing Hindus?

Does Shankaracharya have no role to play in Modern India?

It would be wrong to conclude anything like that. In fact, the Akhara-System founded by Adi Shankaracharya needs to be protected and strengthened. But it needs to be modernized too. It should respond to the needs of the present society. It should come close to people. This is unfortunate but true that most of the Akhara heads are not connected with Hindus. Not even with temples. Most of them are enjoying the comforts and luxuries of their own Ashrams. Most of them are quick in telling people their duties. Few of them realize their own duties to the people they claim that they represent.

I appreciate that Swami Swaroopanand has taken pains to tell we Hindus what is ‘Shastra-sammat’ (in accordance with the holy scriptures). Thank you for telling us. We are obliged for the trouble you have taken. You claim that being an Acharya (teacher) it is your duty to guide us. Thank you for the guidance. Now leave the rest to us.

Instead, focus on the better management of temples across India. Do something to ensure that people feel connected with Hinduism and do not go to Fraud Babas in search of worldly benefits and quick solutions to their everyday problems. Do something for Vedic Education in India, at least in temples. Teach us what is meant by 33 crore gods and which of them should be worshipped and which of them not. Teach us what is the meaning of “Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vissnnur-Gururdevo Maheshvarah; Gurureva Param Brahma Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah”. If Guru is Supreme God, why can guru not be worshipped. 

And if guru cannot be worshipped, why are gurus of Sanatan Dharma get them worshipped on Guru Purnima day?  Do something for keeping the society united. We are fed up hearing that Bharat was once a world-guru. We want that leadership position once again. We want to know what Vedic Religion is, what Sanatan Dharma is. Show us the way by example. Save us from Asaram Bapus and Nirmal Babas.

Do something for the pathetic condition Hindus in Pakistan are forced to live. Do something for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in their homeland with dignity and security. Do something to ensure that Ram Lalla gets a pucca roof and dwelling place in his birth place at Ayodhya. Do something to ensure that nobody dares make attacks on the symbols of Indian Culture like Shri Ram Setu. Do something to stop conversion of Hindus in North-East, Kerala and other parts of the country. Do something to improve the living conditions of poor Hindus so that they are not lured by missionaries who find it so easy in India compared with other countries. Why are you after Hindus who refuse to succumb to your wishes, whims or fatwas, call them what you will?

And for God’s sake do not project Sanatan Dharma  as yet another cult competing with others, proactive Parampujya Sri Dwarkapeethadheeshwar and Sri Jyotipeethadheeshwar Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand ji Maharaj!

We would love to see a proactive Shankaracharya on air but not for wrong reasons.