“Hindus must earn strength, wealth and power and become stronger,” said Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhada, Anandavanam Bharti Maharaj, while addressing a gathering in Kochi on June 28. He said Hindus are like elephants, guided by a mahout with a pole despite possessing immense strength of their own. He observed that Hindus in Kerala are passing through a peculiar and complicated atmosphere and said Hindu society represents the continuity of an ancient samskruti. However, the society became fragmented after the prosperous social system underwent various invasions. Though India attained political freedom, he said, it is yet to achieve complete cultural and social freedom.
Continuing his address, Swamiji said that society is still following the same path. The Mahamandaleshwar further said that Hindu society is viewed from different angles, like the blind men feeling the elephant, and gradually Hindus too have begun to follow the same approach.
He said certain forces do not want Hindus to unite because Bharat has now earned a respectable position before the entire world. If Hindus realise their own strength, none can resist or deny it. He added that India’s ancient wisdom was vast and exemplary, its engineering knowledge was advanced and its architecture unparalleled. Today’s carpenters, he said, are the successors of that rich tradition.
Explaining further, he said the King of Mukundapuram used to conduct rituals with enormous volumes of gold. The Marathukali prevalent in North Kerala, he said, is a continuation of the ancient style of Sanskrit interaction. Even ordinary people were once scholars in astrology and Vedanta.
However, it is now propagated that people belonging to certain castes were denied the right to learn these disciplines. He said such narratives were formulated by vested interests to create false stories.
Anandavanam Bharti Swamiji said that collective efforts are needed to recognise the strength of Hindu society. He called upon Hindus to remain vigilant against forces attempting to weaken their samskruti.
Stressing the need for Hindu unity to take the country to the pinnacle of glory, he said people are yet to recognise the wealth of the nation and therefore have not utilised it for the benefit of society.
He called for a methodology to utilise the resources of Hindu organisations, movements, institutions, ashrams and temples for social welfare, adding that such an approach would transform the situation.
Speaking about social empowerment, Swamiji said that Hindu society needs power, wealth and strength to earn respectability and recognition.
He claimed that activists of Semitic religions often project themselves as providers of education and healthcare, whereas during the era of kingdoms, education, healthcare and security were the responsibilities of the king, under whom several institutions were established. He urged Hindus to enter the civil services and the business sector in larger numbers.
The Mahamandaleshwar further said that Hindus lost their strong trading skills due to various reasons over the last few centuries. Referring to Sree Narayana Guru, he said the social reformer had advocated industry and trade, and urged society to enter those fields. He pointed out that Hindu society has chartered accountants who can assist entrepreneurs in maintaining their accounts, while lawyers can provide legal guidance and support.
Referring to the recently concluded Tirunavai Makhamaholsavam, Swamiji said the event was organised over ten days and attracted nearly fifty lakh pilgrims without any elaborate planning or design. He said the Maholsavam became a grand success because sanyasi maths, ashrams, Dharma workers and Acharya groups joined hands.
He further said that when the Acharyas and followers of the Kani order of the North joined hands with the Acharyas and followers of the Malaya order of the South, it became a symbol of collective strength. When everyone came together, it emerged as a powerful Hindu force. Announcing that the next Tirunavai Maholsavam will be held from January 22 to February 28, he called upon all sections of society to work together to make it a grand success. He specifically said that the VHP and Hindu Aikyavedi should be at the forefront of the efforts.
Concluding his address, Swamiji expressed hope that such collective efforts would bring about dynamic transformation in society and said gatherings of this nature would play an important role in achieving that objective. Leaders of various Hindu community organisations participated in the programme.
