Swami Satyananda Saraswathi (71), head of Sree Ramadasa Mission, former chairman of Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) and fiery orator par excellence, who devoted his entire life for unity and self-respect of Hindus, passed away on November 24 due to liver and kidney ailments.
Inspiring orator and religious scholar, Swami Satyananda would quote from the Bible and Quran with calm ease, as he handles the broad spectrum of ancient treasure house of knowledge from ?Vimana Shastra? to ?Upanishads?. He shot into prominence in late seventies, when he took a march from Kasargod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram, for removal of the Cross erected in the dense Agasthyavan forests, after demolishing the statue of saint Agasthya by Christian encroachers. Later, he entered the forest, removed the Cross and consecrated the idol of saint Agasthya. The Nilackal Agitation, which was a bunch mark of Hindu unity in Kerala for removal of the Cross situated at Nilackal enroute to Sabarimala, saw Swamiji as a frontline warrior. Later, during the CPM led rule of 1991-96, when there were attempts to divert temple funds to the Government treasury, the Swami was in the vanguard of the agitation against the Devaswom Bill of 1996 with the slogan of ?Temple Administration for Believers?.
Also in every issue of injustice meted out to Hindus, Swamiji was in the forefront of agitation like removal of papal podiums during John Paul II'sKerala visit, Guruvayur temple liberation struggle, etc.
An author of almost 50 books including English translation of Tulsidas'sRama Chritamanas, the Swamiji was also founder editor of Punyabhoomi, a Malayalam daily. He is also the first person to conduct Shata kodi archana.
Sri Kummanam Rajase-kharan, state organising secretary of VHP and Swamiji'scompanion during several agitations, described him as a Nishkama karmayogi who enriched spiritual Kerala by his presence and contributions. He described him as a selfless saint who worked for Hindu reformation and unity. RSS Prant Karyavah Shri A.R. Mohan said Swamiji had converted Sri Ramadasa Ashram into a renowned centre of spirituality. Sah Prant Pracharak, Shri J. Nandakumar, gave credit to Swamiji for being in the forefront to question the injustice meted out to Hindus of Kerala. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Shri O. Rajagopal described Swamiji as a brave warrior and hero, who all through his life fought for Hindu unity and renaissance. He called upon the Hindus of Kerala to forge greater unity so that the life-mission of Swamiji is realised.
When the mortal remains of Swamiji were interred to the Jyothi Kshethram in the Chengottukonam Ashram, it was raining torrentially. Perhaps it is symbolic of even nature crying over the passing away of its loving son.
