Let us pray for the benefit of all, at Lord Bhavanishankar

SWAMI PARIJNANASHRAM’s Lotus Feet. 

Dear Swamiji,

In our inconspicuousness and in our smallness lies our pride. Parijnan Parivar will consider it an honor to even clean the bathrooms at YOUR Samadhi Sthal, which for us is a Punya Sthal. We are born to serve YOU and have no qualms about the kind of service we are called upon to perform for you.

Our only other fervent prayer to YOU is: PLEASE clean the mind of those who have ill understood the purpose of YOUR sacrifice, and never understood YOUR worth. If this means our own severe reprimand and penance, so be it….. It cannot be greater than Your sacrifice of life.  

Damodar Pandit Dasa (ISKON) writes in the speaking tree TOI –

True Love Knows No Fear……

Shri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu’s ‘SHIKSHASTAKAM’ mentions that an ardent lover of God or Guru manifests such a degree of resignation that he is fully prepared to undergo any kind of adversity – birth after birth – to attain to HIS lotus feet. If inspite of all this surrender, he never ever gets a glimpse or is shunned by the Lord, still his faith would not diminish even an IOTA; rather his inexhaustible affection would increase a million fold without a trace of misgiving.

This simple but true story says so much.  Once, Lord Krishna had a splitting headache. No doctor could cure Him. Finally, Krishna revealed that only the dust of the feet of His unalloyed devotees could give Him relief.  The moment the Gopis heard this they all offered the dust from their feet. When admonished for thinking of allowing the dust of their feet to be put on the head of the venerable Lord – an offense that would send them to hell….. they joyfully replied, “we don’t care about going to hell, for all eternity, if it gave a moment of relief to our beloved Krishna.”  

Once again the Parijnan Parivar has become a soft target and as usual a boxing bag for letting out frustrations of the Bhanap community…so be it….  

In all humility and a devout sense of service, we had started to help with all daily routine administration and the social activities in Karla Math since its inception, when hardly any ‘SWABHIMANI CHITRAPUR SARASWAT’ was even casting a glance at the Samadhi Math in Karla, including the one so vehemently uttering these words recently. With His grace, inspite of being caught in the cross fire of the TRUSTEES of Shree TRUST even then, and being squeezed out of shape, we continued. Then there was an ‘awakening’ in Karla, and our volunteers were thrown out overnight. (with the knowledge of the current leadership?) Yet we restrained ourselves from creating a ruckus or indulging in any sort of shameful fights of throwing abuses within the precincts of the holy Samadhi Math, in its entirety, unlike the recent show of political strength in a fashion never seen before, between two sections of ‘devotees’ owing allegiance to the same ‘leader’, with ‘screaming wars’ happening almost every weekend and each one showing off his own political ‘goonda’ power. Both sides were addressed in a civil manner not to continue with such behavior, but to no avail.

The SMS was thus a spontaneous emotional outburst sent to the leadership’s close associates, (as there is no direct approach) to only alert the ‘leader’ as he always claims that things are done without his knowledge and he is not responsible for the behavior of his ‘praja’, rather than implicate him, nothing more. We are sorry if in our naivety of exposing the true situation we have upset many. But unfortunately it was again misinterpreted and misrepresented to the laity in local sabha meetings, converting these to ‘gossip corners’ rather than pooja and seva meetings. What a misuse of authority!!…..Again probably the leadership is unaware of this misuse…So be it…  

We would also like to point out here that of course we do not approve of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Samadhi being intruded upon by people other than vaidiks. But for various reasons in the recent past it has unfortunately been done. And as we have so far, no authority to encourage it or stop it, we are silent spectators. But there are enough other witnesses to prove that similar acts have been committed for various reasons, by some people from the same group as those who most vehemently condemned the latest intrusion. Do they have special VIP privilege passes? Among the spectators of the most recent event, were atleast 50 other Swabhimani Chitrapur Saraswats and the respected vaidiks appointed by Shri Chitrapur Math, what did they do? 

Why is it that our every move taken amiss and the presence of our members in any congregation misinterpreted and more importantly misrepresented? We are in no position so far, to change anything even if we strongly feel about it. But, is it a crime if we visit the Samadhi Sthal at Karla for a prayer? Or is it a crime to shake hands with old acquaintances.. We don’t have any qualms about shaking hands even with our ‘SUPPOSED’ enemies, in reality we have none – and so we believe. Certain family relationships cannot be hacked at all, especially our Gurumata. YES, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, but no malice or spite.  

There are repeated attempts to align us with a said ‘Trio’, and repeated attempts to MALIGN us through a hate campaign, for speaking the TRUTH and adhering to the TRUTH as we feel it is, and standing by our convictions.  

We are now forced to go back and narrate the sequence of events leading to the current. *We feel that the hasty steps taken in 1996-97, even before expunging the HORRIBLE remarks made against SWAMI PARIJNANASHRAM, by telling lies to the Community that the remarks were infact expunged, was totally wrong and misleading.

*We do not recognize any one as SWAMI PARIJNANASHRAM’S successor, NOT because WE want it that way, but because SWAMIJI Himself has said it and it is documented.

*We therefore feel that the whole present show was started on a wrong foot. When one starts on the wrong foot in a march, one needs to take a couple of quick steps to get back into the rhythm, but these same steps can infact also trip one and bring one to the ground. A few steps backwards sometimes help. Instigating LOVE may work better than HATE, but then only hate and arrogance alone sometimes enjoy the sound of claps. 

Whenever any person or leader starts issuing threats and ‘Fatwas of boycott’ against those who do not toe his line, it only proves his own sense of insecurity, and exposes a dictatorial, phobic and a schizophrenic frame of mind with an attitude of divisive fanatic politics of the lowest order. 

We are, and will continue to remain silent spectators of the ‘entertaining coups’ that are happening in Karla Math. We sincerely feel that even in HIS Samadhi state the bhanap samaj has failed to give Swami Parijnanashram any peace of mind. The Parivar does not want to be a party to it.  

Our love is only for ONE GURU PARAMPARA AND ONE SWAMI PARIJNANASHRAM. Unfortunately, His aspiration for ONE SAMAJ was never fulfilled. Though, in His last words at Khar Math in June 1991, after His official Ashirvachan, He showed the path to invoke the GODS once again to give the samaj a GURU from GOD’S own court in Kotiteerth, Gokarn, like our ancestors got, but it was given a very different direction by some who were in a hurry.  

Swamiji had also said that ‘we all’ will have a golden period soon, obviously including Him in it. Unfortunately Swamiji refused to record His Guru Vakya at that time because probably He wanted to see how many of those who had heard it would follow it FAITHFULLY AND IMPLEMENT IT LATER ON FOR PRESERVING ‘THE CHITRAPUR SARASWAT SWABHIMAN.’

The same is well documented in black and white in 'Prabhuddha Parijnana' (1974, pg.75 | click here to view)

THE SAMAJ STILL SUFFERS THE PANGS and are PAYING FOR IT. 
 

RECAP OF FACTS   

We do not recognize any one as SWAMI PARIJNANASHRAM'S successor, not because WE want it that way, but because SWAMIJI Himself has said it and it is documented as follows: 

(Ref. Chitrapur Sunbeam Dec.1989)

Swami Parijnanashram’s words as reproduced in the sunbeam magazine of 1989 :

"If  the  Guruparampara  has to  continue,  I  will  have  to  come  back  as Mathadhipati , even  if  it  is  for  a  day  and  initiate  a  shishya"

"Anybody  initiated  by  any  other  sanyasi  will  be  starting  a  new parampara  and  the  one  started  by  Adi  Parijnanashram  Swamiji  will end   with  me."  

The concluding Resolutions of the Mahasabha which were unanimously passed by the Mahasabha were: 

1. Resolved that the only way to continue the present Parampara founded by Adi Parijnanashram Swamiji is to install H.H.Parijnanashram Swamiji III as the Mathadhipati and accept a Shishya initiated by Him” 

2. Further Resolved that as per tradition, custom and usage, Chitrapur Saraswat community has accepted only that Shishya who has been initiated by our own Guru and in view of this tradition it is our resolve that no other Shishya initiated  by any other Sanyasi  will be acceptable to the community” (Page XIV Directory 87-90) 

Unfortunately the ‘Swabhimani Chitrapur Saraswat’ Community has kicked its own resolution, and does not accept to listen to anyone who chooses to take the side of TRUTH! What a shame!! 

What is Parijnan Parivar after all? It is actually synonymous with the original Chitrapur Saraswat Brahman. Just as all humans are born ‘Shudra’. The fact that we were all following the parampara of Adi Parijnan – made it a Parijnan Parivar automatically!! Unfortunately, after 1979, only some continued to remain part of that original Parijnan Parivar while others decided otherwise and left this ‘GLORIOUS’ parampara to follow others. Inspite of Parijnanashram Swamiji’s repeated request and prayer, those that went away, did not bother. He tried to win their trust; no one listened and chose to remain away! When everything failed, may be He felt His absence might help, and made His ultimate sacrifice. 

Instead of Implementing His GURU VAKYA AT SUCH A TIME, the community decided to go their own way manipulating the ‘Shastras’ and the ‘Shastris’, as it was the easy way out, (Ref: Sunbeam May 1995, Pg 10 | click here to view) and the majority followed, as it was the best way to remain with the tide and remain popular in the community.

In a mirage you see the water that does not really exist, similarly, in reality there is no sunrise or sunset, because the sun is stationery, it’s the earth that revolves! In a world where we have become the interpreters and the final judges we seem to make such errors.  

We truly believe that just because the majority is in tune – it may not mean they are right.  Swami Parijnanashram’s orders given in 1974, 1989 and repeated in 1991 were thrown in the bin! 

WAS THIS THE CHITRAPUR SARASWAT ‘SWABHIMAN’ WHICH WAS REFERRED TO RECENTLY AT KARLA MATH and applauded by the 1500 naive laity, comprising 5% of the bhanap population, brought there on free buses just as people are herded for political meetings? And that too IRONICALLY, ON 1^ST MARCH THIS YEAR, by THOSE WHO CLAIM TO UPHOLD SARASWAT PRIDE and who HAD CONVENIENTLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE and FORGET THEIR GURU’s VAKYA WITHOUT REMORSE all the way from 1974 onwards!!  

Swami Parijnanashram makes a reference to ‘GURU VAKYA’ in HIS treatise ‘Haav – Ammi’ which is His own journey within – ‘Saints’ who have the power to control the Panchmahabhootas, never speak out of turn. Their words are pearls of wisdom, and simple as they may sound, each one has a deep meaning, which only those unalloyed devotees who have regard for them, would understand and should follow.’ 

(Ref. Sunbeam June 1996) 

Shri Sadyojat Samvit Giri in Bangalore had said: 

“The Lord has found it fit to DEPRIVE this samaj of the ‘Moorth’ form of the Guru. Guru is there, but if you cannot handle the ‘Moorth’ form of the Guru then you don’t require it and the Lord removes it. We all pray and beg of the Lord to get a suitable Guru for this Math. But I want to ask you all, I am asking because all elders of the samaj are here, what is it that the Chitrapur Community wants? Does it want a Guru or a ‘Mathadhipati’? I make a distinction, and you may find it a little surprising. I have to make this distinction because the means that are being employed to get a Guru are not going to be successful to get you a Guru at all. A SHISYA CAN NEVER SELECT A GURU. A shishya can only pray to the Lord for a Guru. THE GURU IS INSPIRED BY THE LORD TO ACCEPT THAT PERSON AS SHISHYA – samaj or individual. He cannot create a GURU. If it is a Mathadhipati you want, then your sense of vyavahar is useful. Select the boy, make him Mathadhipati, and he runs the entire Math – good. HE MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE A GURU. Remember that I have been brought into this very often, and I am one of you when I tackle this.  

On what basis will you ever, select a Guru?  ‘GORRO GOMTOchi, Gomtey Ullaitha, chikeychi train kellyari Guru jatlo. Is that the way you select a Guru? Do you know what GuruTatva means, and can you put somebody there, invest in him with Sanyasa and then accept him to guide you to realization? It is not possible; Sanyas in itself is very difficult. It is not a joke. SANYAS DEMANDS AUSTERITY and MATHADHIPATYA PROMISES LUXURY. Sanyas demands that the person’s ego, self importance be completely crushed; be just out-off the Guru. Mathadhipathya offers to the sanyasi atleast in the samaj, unadulterated adulation. Everybody treats him with great respect. You know what havoc it can create in a young Sanyasi’s mind? And then you expect him to guide you. What I am trying to say is – you cannot select or try to put somebody and give him sanyas, make him your Guru and pray that everything goes on well. You will have another responsibility, another liability on your hands. I PRAY THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS. This is a very illustrious Math with a beautiful Parampara – UNITE, settle your differences. The Lord has given you the Parampara; HE will inspire the correct boy. He can be made and initiated as the Mathadhipati and the Lord will take the responsibility that he becomes a pure ‘Bhramanishta’ and guides the entire samaj. Don’t take it on your shoulders. You cannot. ‘Aami tumgeyla makshi aasati, tummi haanga baisaati, mhaylari jaayna. Devagali prerana aaska, full aashirwaad aaslyari maatra jaatta.’  

Respectable and trustworthy words which were well said, but were they not meant to be put into practice??  

“We should stop the COURT parampara,” again well said, but have they been put into practice??  
 

(Reference: Thus Spake Our Guru, by Gopal Hattiangdi, Bombay 1966)

Swami Anandashram the Ninth Guru of our Divine Parampara had said in ‘Bombay’ 1937:

‘Instances have come to notice in which a few members of our community have neglected their wives and children and have lost their all by falling into the net spread by seeming saints who possess no right conduct or thought, but have nevertheless become famous as great devotees. The company and service of saints have doubtless been prescribed (Gita IV-34), but when Bhartrihari asks, how many such saints are there in this world? It is obvious that genuine ones are rare indeed. According to the Gita, too, ‘among thousands men scarce one striveth for perfection; of the successful strivers, scarce one knoweth Me in essence’. (VII-3)  Imitation ware has the better shine; even so, seeming saints possess the greater attraction. Hence, it is most necessary to be on one’s guard in the search for the true seer.’ 
 

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST 

*Swami Parijnanashram and all His Paramparic Gurus always said ‘Chaang Karma Karaati, if you take one step, LORD Bhavanishankar will manage the rest’. Today it appears that astrologers have taken over from the Lord. 

*When yesterday’s friends become such intense enemies today, and without sitting across the table drag each other into court, why should not an observer ask a question which he/she feels genuinely strongly about?

*Yesterday the one who was considered the ‘LAXMI’ for the Chitrapur Math, attracting wealth for ten long years, is today referred to as an ‘Asura’!!  

We have always been shouting from the roof tops since 1992, that manipulative persons should not be entertained at all and that they will advice the laity to serve only their own agenda and that they will finally be the cause of severe agony in future. Unfortunately it had fallen on deaf ears and an ‘Enterprising’ association with the new leadership saw unprecedented financial gains for ten long years. Today we stand vindicated. And now to hide from the shame, it becomes necessary to show to the world that we are in league with them…. So be it…..

Parijnanashram Swamiji has taught us to Love and Share, not to Hate and Tear apart.  

Try and show us why we should not carry on the way we are, show us in an open, sensible and logical debate that this ‘appointee’ appointed in contradiction to his own sermon in June 1996, is infact the continuation of the ORIGINAL PARAMPARA. We may have a change of heart.  

Every person's experience, and the interpretation of it, is particular, personal and singular. One cannot really feel what another person feels, nor completely understand the feelings, reasoning and values that make up another's hopes, desires, ambitions and finally DECISIONS.  

UNITY DOES NOT MEAN JUST CONGREGATIONS, MAJORITY DOES NOT MEAN ONLY NUMBERS, EVEN THE KAURAVAS WERE LARGER IN NUMBER.  

GOD KNOWS YOU BY WHAT YOU DO, NOT BY WHAT OTHERS SAY. 

WE PRAY AT LORD BHAVANISHANKAR’S FEET - we have poured our heart out now. FOR THE UNITY OF THOUGHT AND DEED WITH LOVE AT ITS CENTER and the imposition of the GURU VAKYA IN ENTIRETY, TO UPHOLD THE TRUE CHITRAPUR SARASWAT SWABHIMAN, may HE help and make good sense prevail forever.

JAI PARIJNAN!