Vrindavan, 2016.02.12 (VT): On arriving in Vrindavan a couple of days ago, my tuktuk driver was all excited about the new Priyakantaju temple that Devkinandan Thakur was inaugurating on the Chattikara Road near Akshay Patra. It was 2 a.m. when we drove past, so I noticed that something big was going on, but in the dark it looked like an ordinary temple opening.
The next day, however, when I came looking for the Sant Sammelan that was programmed, I found myself on a huge campus with pandals all over the place, thousands and thousands of people taking prasadam, and many more in the pandal awaiting the coming of the guest speakers. And there were many of the north India’s most respected speakers of Bhagavatam and preachers of Hinduism. Although many of Vrindavan’s noted Bhagavata speakers were present, the place of honor mostly went to non-Brajvasis like Chidananda Muniji from Rishikesh and Jagad Guru Rambhadracharya Maharaj from Chitrakoot.
Devkinandan Thakur has his following trained to shout “Radhe! Radhe!” and hearing over 50,000 voices enthusiastically calling out Shrimati’s name in unison is a balm for the rasika bhakta’s heart. And it was so nice that most of the other speakers also gave it a try.
Everyone exulted in the presence of so many leaders of modern Hinduism, but by reference to the Bhagavatam and the glories of sadhusanga.
The theme of the meeting was set by Devkinandan Thakur after greeting and garlanding the sants, and paying his prostrated obeisances to them all, he asked them to speak to three issues that are close to the hearts of the current political goals of Hindutva: The cleaning of the Yamuna, the protection of cows, and the preservation of the time-honored principles of Sanatan Dharma in the educational system.
Different speakers naturally focused on different aspects of these three subjects, with cow protection particularly dear to the hearts of all. Noted speaker on Go-katha Gopal Maniji Maharaj made the interesting point about current efforts to have the cow named “India’s national animal.” He said, “That is the whole problem, we think of the cow as an animal instead of as our mother. Tulsidas said of Ravan that he thought of Ram as an ordinary man, the Ganges as a drain, and the cow as a mere beast to be exploited. Modern society is following in the footsteps of Ravana.” He also mentioned that his movement to protect the cow will be holding a massive demonstration on Feb. 28 at Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi.
Chidananda Saraswati Muniji spoke of his efforts to clean up the Ganges and Yamuna. He said that the Chief Minister of Haryana, after the recent National Green Tribunal judgments has threatened to turn off all water from Hathini Kund barrage if the National Capital Region does not stop pouring sewage into it. He also spoke of his programme at the Ardha Kumbha in Haridwar on March 22, when a major demonstration with the participation of as many sadhus and spiritual leaders for the cleaning of the holy rivers will be held. He invited everyone, so that representation will not be from Uttarakhand alone, but from all the major centers of Hinduism in north India.
Devkinandan Thakur himself addressed the question of education, asking why in English medium schools basic signs of Hinduism like neckbeads and tilak were not permitted. Geeta Manishi Gyanananda Maharaj asked why Christmas and other Western holidays were being given more importance than Hindu holidays like Krishna Janmashtami, etc. Muniji said, “Let the children wear jeans, that is not a problem. But the inner samskaras need to be taught.”
Muniji also said, “India is not great because of the Taj Mahal or the Lal Qilla, but because of its spiritual heritage in the holy places like Vrindavan. This is where India gets its essential energy.
Gyanananda Maharaj spoke about family values like taking care of elderly parents, condemning the necessity for old-age homes due to the breaking up of such values. This is due to the overemphasis on material education at the expense of teachings that build character. The purpose of education is to create a caring society, not merely a prosperous one.
While Chidananda Muniji was about to speak, Sadhvi Ritambhara came on the stage and was given a seat of honor. He called her sakshat bhagavati svarupaa, the form of the Goddess herself, and vatsalya murti, ‘the embodiment of maternal love.’
The only other woman speaker was the very popular young phenomenon Chitralekha Devi from Barsana. She said that the meaning of Barsana is that Radharani rains down (barsana) her mercy on all who come to Braj.
Devkinandan Thakurji’s guru Purushottam Sharan Shastri, who quoted the Bhagavatam to say that by pouring water on the roots of a tree, all the leaves and branches are nourished. Similarly, Hinduism is preserved if one gives attention and devotion to understanding its scriptural traditions.
Devkinandan Thakur asked all those on stage to sign a common declaration on the three points to be presented to the Union Government.
My impression of the meeting was that in the Hindu mind there can be no separation of identity as an Indian and as a Hindu. To be Indian means to be Hindu, to be Hindu means to be Indian. Though everyone should be free to practice their own religion, those things that are dearest to the Hindu mind, such as protection of the cow, the holy places and the holy rivers, should be given priority, as by preserving the universal sanatan dharma and India itself depends on recognizing the sacred in these places.
Crowd estimates run up to 200,000 altogether. Probably about 50,000 in the pandal.
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