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Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 6 By Subi Anna
© Copyrights reserved Kanchi Periva Forum – www.periva.proboards.com & www.periva.org 2
Table of Contents Author’s Note ......................................................... 3
Chapter 14 .............................................................. 4
Year 1934 .............................................................. 4
Sanatana Dharma Sabha in Hyderabad ............ 4
Departure from Hyderabad ................................ 4
Travels Further North ......................................... 5
Journey to Central India ..................................... 6
Camp in Jabalpur City ........................................ 8
Visit to Allahabad ................................................ 9
Entry into Kashi City ........................................ 11
Navaratri Festival in Kashi ............................... 14
Chapter 15 ............................................................ 17
Year 1935 ............................................................ 17
Visit to Benaras Hindu University (BHU) ....... 17
Advice to Students ............................................. 26
Periva Divya Darshan .......................................... 28
Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 6 By Subi Anna
© Copyrights reserved Kanchi Periva Forum – www.periva.proboards.com & www.periva.org 3
Author’s Note
In volume 5 of this E-book,
we covered Maha Periva’s
travel from South India to
Hyderabad in the Deccan. In
this volume, we describe his
travel further north over
difficult terrain in Central and
Northwestern India towards
Kashi (Varanasi).
We keep writing about many
holy rivers and temples. What
is their significance? How did
those spots become sacred?
Maha Periva explains:
"In the past yugas, people
acquired spiritual merit by
performing tapas and intense
austerities through many
years. With the lapse of time,
men's capacity for endurance
and strength of will
deteriorated. Our ancient
sages were full of compassion
for future generations. So the
sages themselves performed
tapas, dedicated them to
those sacred spots saying that
whosoever comes to that
kshetra or teertha would have
the benefit of their tapas and
would be purified and
elevated thereby. That is how
the custom of pilgrimage to
holy places arose in our
country. It serves as a
spiritual bond unifying all
people of our motherland
from one end of the country
to another erasing all
differences of caste,
languages, customs and
manners."
In this issue, we have covered
more holy rivers and temples.
Let me add a small correction.
On the left column of page
22, Volume 4, we mentioned
the name of the organization
that published Maha Periva’s
first fifty speeches as
"Kamakoti Kosam." The
organization’s name should
correctly read as "Kamakoti
Kochasthanam." The author
regrets the error and thanks
senior member 'kahanam' for
pointing out this error.
Subi Anna
Jaya Jaya Sankara
Hara Hara Sankara
Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 6 By Subi Anna
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Chapter 14
Year 1934
Sanatana Dharma Sabha in
Hyderabad
During Maha Periva’s stay in
Hyderabad (March-April
1934), a Sanatana Dharma
Sabha (a conference) was
convened at the residence of
Sri. Gadgeru Madhava Rao.
Maha Periva attended this
sabha. Many pundits including
Brahmasri Pulusu Appanna
Sastrigal, Vanaparthi
Samasthana Vidwan Sri.
Nambakkam Ragahavachary,
Veluri Rangathamulu and
others had come for the
sabha.
While inaugurating this
Sabha, Mahaperiva appealed
to everyone born as a Hindu
to make best efforts to
protect our dharma and
religion. He stressed that if
this was followed by all,
Sanatana Dharma would
eventually sustain itself.
He further counseled that it
was essential to establish
more such sabhas to explain
about dharma for which
cooperation was sought from
the vidwans with support from
the community.
Following Maha Periva’s
inaugural address, sixteen
prominent citizens were
chosen to be members of the
Sanatana Dharma Sabha.
It was also decided to raise
funds for constructing a
building for the sabha.
Maha Periva entrusted the
responsibility for fund raising
to Mahadev Damodar Gadgil.
Departure from Hyderabad
After a stay of over forty days
in Hyderabad, Maha Periva
decided to move on with his
‘Ganga Yatra.’
As he had to travel through a
very difficult terrain with little
population, he decided to drop
part of his entourage in
Hyderabad itself.
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Accordingly, some of the
carts, cattle, groceries were
left behind under the care of
some of the disciples.
The people of Hyderabad
including government officials,
businessmen, the rich and the
poor gathered together to
receive Maha Periva’s
blessings and extend him a
warm send-off.
After a short speech before
his departure, Maha Periva
left Hyderabad on April 24,
1934 towards the North.
Travels Further North
Moving northwards, Maha
Periva traveled through
Nizam’s state passing through
many small towns and
villages.
On May 5, 1934, he reached
SOAN, a small village in
Nirmal Mandal, Adilabad
district of Andhra Pradesh
located on the banks of river
Godavari.
Fig.51 A map of Adilabad District
(Courtesy: mapsofIndia.com)
At Soan, Maha Periva had a
bath in the sacred river and
met with the local Vedic
pundits.
Later, he traveled through the
towns of Nirmal and Adilabad
and arrived in a village called
Pendalwada on May 15.
Maha Periva celebrated
Sankara Jayanthi at the banks
of river Penganga at
Pendalwada. Many scholars
conversant with Vedas,
Brahmasutras and Upanishads
helped to conduct the
Jayanthi over four days.
Continuing the Yatra and
traveling through the villages
of Karanji, Warora and
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Themutta, Maha Periva visited
on May 31 a place called
Nanduri.
Traveling further North, Maha
Periva halted for a day in the
town of Jaam and proceeded
towards Nagpur city in central
India via Kandini, Asosa, and
Thangardam.
Journey to Central India
On June 5, 1934, Maha Periva
arrived in the city of Nagpur
located in Central India.
Fig. 52 Nagpur District Map
Nagpur is the largest city in
the Vidharba region, once a
part of British Raj’s Central
Provinces. The city is
popularly known as the
“Orange City,” as it is a major
trade center of oranges
cultivated in the region.
Fig. 53 Delicious Nagpur Oranges
Nagpur also connects many
tiger reserves in Central
India.
The local citizens of this city
that included people from
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
and Tamil Nadu provided a
great reception to Maha
Periva.
They took him in a 4- hour
long procession through the
city’s main streets. Thousands
of people joined this
procession.
At the end of the procession,
the citizens presented a
welcome address to Maha
Periva in Sanskrit, Marathi,
and Tamil languages.
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It is noteworthy that Maha
Periva responded to the
people in all the three
languages.
National leaders and high
government officials too had
gathered to receive Maha
Periva in Nagpur.
Well-known pundits Sri
Warnekar and Sri Thane
Sastri met with Maha Periva.
In appreciation of their work,
Periva presented them
Kashmir Shawls.
On June 19, 1934, Maha
Periva left Nagpur city and
moved towards Seoni in
Madhya Pradesh (mid-way
between Nagpur and
Jabalpur) through Kamptee,
Mansar, Deolapar (Vidharba
Region)
The northern part of Central
India region (Madhya
Pradesh) is covered by the
Vindhya mountains.
The terrain is undulating with
most of the areas covered by
small hill ranges.
During the month of June,
this region becomes intensely
hot and water becomes
scarce. Traveling through
this region at this time was
most arduous and
challenging.
However, the entire staff of
mutt was so highly devoted to
Maha Periva that they faced
the problems with enthusiasm
and none complained.
The mutt staff included many
members who were scholars
and others who worked as
volunteers without any salary.
All of them had a high sense
of devotion to Maha Periva.
In spite of the difficulties,
Maha Periva’s entourage
covered about 25 miles per
day traveling through this
region.
The Madhya Pradesh police
had made excellent security
arrangements for Maha
Periva’s camp enroute.
As Maha Periva knew many
languages, communication
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with the local people was not
a problem.
Camp in Jabalpur City
After a halt in Seoni city, and
travel through the towns of
Mandol, Chhapara, Dhuma,
Shukri and Barkhee, Maha
Periva reached the city of
Jabalpur on July 3, 1934.
Fig.54. Maha Periva with devotees in
Jabalpur city.
In Jabalpur city, many people
from Chennai were working in
a Railway workshop located
there. These people had made
all arrangements for Maha
Periva’s stay in the Railway
Colony.
Maha Periva stayed here for 4
days giving darshan to
thousands of local people. For
the mutt staff, it was a
welcome break from the
arduous travel.
Fig.55 Narmada River, Jabalpur
During the camp in Jabalpur,
Maha Periva had a dip in the
holy Naramada River that
flows close to this city.
The river Narmada is one of
the holy rivers of India.
(There are seven rivers that
are considered ‘Punya Nadhis’
–the holiest. These rivers are:
1. Ganga, 2. Yamuna, 3.
Godavari, 4. Saraswathi, 5.
Narmada, 6. Sindhu, and 7.
Cauvery).
Traveling further in the north-
east direction, Maha Periva
crossed the Rewa District in
Central India during July 15-
21, 1934.
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Throughout his travel, the
district police authorities and
revenue officials made
arrangements for Maha
Periva’s camps and safe
journey.
Visit to Allahabad
On Monday July 23, 1934,
Maha Periva visited Allahabad
also known as 'Prayag.'
The city's original name—
Prayaga, denoting the city as
a "place of offerings", is said
to come from the confluence
of three of the holiest rivers
Ganges, Yamuna and the
mythical subterranean river
Saraswati. This confluence is
called “Triveni Sangam.”
Allahabad is a large
metropolitan city in the
present Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh.
At the outskirts of this city,
Maha Periva was received
with 'Purna Kumbham' ( a
traditional honor) by a
welcome reception committee
and thousands of people to
the accompaniment of music
played with local instruments.
The reception committee
included many dignitaries like
Dean of the local University
Mahamahopadhyay Ganga-
nath Jha, Former Judge of
High Court Kanyalal, Editor of
the local 'Leader' newspaper
C.Y.Chinthamani, Municipal
Member Venkatesa Shastri,
and others.
Maha Periva was then taken
on a procession through the
city's main streets to
Daragunj, a place where
arrangements had been made
for Maha Periva’s stay.
Several thousands of people
cheered him on the way with
shouts of “Guru Maharaj ki
Jai” (Victory to the great
Guru) with joy.
Since the year 1922, Maha
Periva had preserved the sand
he had collected from
Rameswaram in his Puja.
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Fig.56 A View of Triveni Sangam
Traditionally, the sand
collected from Rameshwaram
is deposited into the waters at
'Triveni Sangam' - the
confluence of the holy rivers
Ganga, Yamuna and
Saraswathi.
In observance of this
tradition, on July 25th, 1934,
Maha Periva and his devotees
proceeded to the Triveni
Sangam.
In the presence of local
residents and priests, Maha
Periva performed the rituals of
sankalpam, offered
'dakshinas' (donations) to the
priests, walked towards the
Triveni Sangam and immersed
the Rameshwaram sand from
a silver vessel into the waters
there.
People gathered at this spot
joined Maha Periva in having
a dip in the river.
On the way back from Triveni,
Maha Periva prayed at the
Someswarer temple.
The next day, Vyasa puja was
conducted in Daragunj. A
large crowd of local people and
other devotees from various
parts of India witnessed the
puja.
The puja was grand and Maha
Periva performed the
Chaturmasya sankalpam.
There was a lunar eclipse on
that day. So, Maha Periva
performed the Pournami Pooja
after having a bath in the
Ganges at night.
Maha Periva stayed in
Allahabad for four pakshas
(fortnights) until September
21, 1934.
During his stay, a Vidwath
Sabha (conference of
scholars) took place on
September 1.
Many scholars from North
India participated in the
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philosophical discussions held
in the sabha.
Maha Periva honored the
scholars with appropriate
presents.
Later, on September 18, Maha
Periva visited Vasuki temple
and Bharadwaj Ashram.
On September 21, a group
representing the citizens of
Kashi city (now Varanasi) met
with Maha Periva and invited
him to celebrate the
Navarathri festival in Kashi.
Soon after the completion of
the Chaturmasyam on
September 24, Maha Periva
started his ‘Yatra’ (travel) to
Kashi.
The people of Allahabad
gathered in large numbers to
seek Maha Periva’s blessings.
Entry into Kashi City
Kashi city, known as the
spiritual capital of India, is
now called Varanasi.
The name Varanasi originates
from the two rivers Varana
and Asi that join the Ganges.
Kashi is also known by the
name of Benares.
It is a city on the banks of
Ganges (Ganga) in the
northern India state of Uttar
Pradesh.
From Allahabad, Maha Periva
walked a distance of 79 miles
to reach Kashi.
He entered Kashi on Saturday
October 6, 1934.
He was received with due
honors by the Maharaja of
Kashi, Madanmohan Malaviya,
Vice Chancellor of Banaras
Hindu University and many
other dignitaries.
Many scholars and
associations provided
welcome addresses.
On the same night of his
arrival, Maha Periva had
darshan of the famous deities
Kashi Sri Vishwanathar and
Annapurani.
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Fig. 57 A picture of Kashi
The local Hindi newspaper
covered Maha Periva’s visit
and published a report on
October 8, 1934.
This report, summarized and
translated, follows. The word
‘Swamiji’ that appears in this
report refers to Maha Periva.
“Traveling by foot all the way
from Prayag, Sri Kanchi
Kamakoti Peetadhipathi
Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya
Swamiji, arrived in Kamatcha
today (October 6, 1934)
around 2 pm.
Since morning, thousands of
people from Kashi had
gathered there expecting
Swamiji’s arrival and making
arrangements for a reception
to him.
Their happiness knew no
bounds the moment they saw
the glowing face of the holy
man. There were shouts of
‘Jaya Jaya’ piercing the sky.
A huge arch was set up near
Kamatcha and it read “A
Great God amongst Humans”.
A stage was built near the
arch.
The Maharaja of Benares,
ascetics, eminent scholars and
prominent citizens had
gathered there to receive
Swamiji. On behalf of the
people of Kashi, the Maharaja
welcomed Swamiji.
Earlier, he and his Yuvaraja
had taken Swamiji to their
gardens called Kahlia Saheb
and performed Sahasra Pada
Puja.
Elephants, camels, horses,
bands, and flags were all lined
up along the Kamatcha camp.
A huge procession started
from there at 3:30 pm, went
through the main streets and
reached the guest house of
Rao Saheb Madhavram Santh.
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All along the way, the city was
decorated with flowers,
plantain trees and festoons.
Swamiji went inside the
temple and had darshan of
the Lord.
Wherever the Acharya went,
he was honored with Aarathi,
flowers and voluntary
monetary contributions. All
buildings were full of people
who wanted a glimpse of
Swamiji.
Inspite of volunteers for
crowd control from the Youth
group, Varnasrama Suyam
Sangh, Charanar group under
the leadership of Swamylal
Nath, Hindu Youth
Association, Kashi Swayam
Seva Sangh, and the
hardworking police, it became
almost impossible to restrain
the crowd.
To begin with, there were
more than twenty-five
thousand people in the
procession.
As the procession proceeded,
a greater number of people
joined it.
Fig. 58 Procession of Maha Periva in Kashi
Sri Yatanji Pande, President of
Bharatiya Swayam Seva
Sangh and Pundit Madan
Mohan Malaviya had come to
have darshan of Swamiji.
Sri Pande walked all the way
alongside the procession. In
the front of the procession,
sitting on top of an elephant,
Swamy Shivananda
Brahmachari held the flag of
Rishabh.
The next elephant carried the
picture of Jagadguru Sri
Sankaracharya. While Sri Rao
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Saheb Madhavramji was
trying hard to control the
crowd, Swamiji stopped and
stood on top of the palanquin
to give darshan to all.
The procession was proving to
be a hindrance to thousands
of people who were seated on
the sides of the roads since
morning, waiting to have
darshan of Swamiji.
Fig. 59 Welcome Reception to Maha
Periva by Kashi Maharaja, Pandit
Madan Mohan Malaviya & Citizens
It is believed that the large
crowds assembled here and
the reception arrangements
made will be marked in the
history of Kashi as a most
memorable event.
On the night of his arrival,
Swamiji visited Sangaveda
Vidyalaya in Ramghat. The
chief of this Vidayalaya
Dharmamurthy Sri Mehta
Murarilal paid tributes to
Swamji by performing Paada
Puja with flowers and
contributing Rs. 501 as his
humble offering."
Navaratri Festival in Kashi
On October 9, 1934, Maha
Periva performed the
Navaratri Puja at the home of
Rai Saheb Madahvaram Sant.
In observance of the Navaratri
festival, the following rituals
were conducted:
1. Rig Veda Samhita Homam
2. Sri Vidya Homam
3. Chandika Homam
4. Maharudra Homam
5. Rig Veda Parayanam
6. Shukla Yajur Veda
Parayanam
7. Krishna Yajur Veda
Parayanam
8. Sama Veda Parayanam
9. Atharvana Veda Parayanam
10. Upanishad Parayanam
11. Bhashya Parayanam
12. Sri Vidya Moola Mantra
Japam
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13. Bala Mantra Japam
14. Durga Sapta Sathi
Parayanam
15. Lalithopakyana
Parayanam
16. Devi Bhagavada
Parayanam
17. Lalitha Sahasranamam
Trisathi Ashtottara
Parayanam
18. Vishnu Sahasranama
Parayanam
19. Ramayana Parayanam
20. Geetha Parayanam
21. Surya Namaskaram as
prescribed in three Vedas
22. Navagraha Japam
23. Mahanyasa Ekadasa
Rudra Japam
In conclusion of the festival,
on Mahanavami, Tuesday
October 16, Kanya Puja and
Saraswathi Puja were
performed.
On the same night, as part of
the concluding ceremony
“Poorna Ahuti” (the complete
offering) was done for all the
homams.
Fig. 60 A picture taken with devotees
after the ‘Poorna Ahuti.’
Maha Periva is at the center. The
Maharaja of Kashi is to his left.
The Holiness of Kashi
There are seven main holy
cities in India. They are called
Saptapuri (सप्त-परुी) in Sanskrit
meaning seven cities.
These cities are: Ayodhya,
Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi
(Varanasi, also known as
Benaras), Kanchipuram,
Avanti (now Ujjain) and
Dwarka.
Amongst these holy cities,
Kashi (now called Varanasi) is
deemed to be the holiest of
all.
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Fig. 61 A View of Varanasi
Likewise, there are seven holy
rivers. The river Ganga
(Ganges) is deemed to be the
holiest of all.
Kashi is one of the sixteen
Shakti Peetams cited in Devi
Mahatmiyam, a holy scripture
of the Hindus.
There are two rivers, Varana
and Asi that surrounds Kashi
and hence, the city is now
called Varanasi. The English
termed it as Benaras.
The city is also known as
‘Maha Smasanam’ (the big
burial ground).
“kAshyantu maraNanmuktiH”
says a Sanskrit proverb. It
means that those who die in
the holy city of Kashi attain
salvation and do not have
rebirth.
Like Kashi, there are some
important holy cities in Tamil
Nadu. “smaraNAdaruNachale”
is another proverb.
It means mere remembrance
of Arunchalam
(Tiruvannamalai) helps to
attain salvation. There is also
the belief that those born in
Tiruvarur do not have rebirth.
Many people who believe in
Sastras spend the evening of
their lives in Kashi to die in
this holy city.
At Kashi, the river Ganga
flows northwards as
Uttaravahini; it also flows in a
curved fashion like a bow.
There are 64 bathing ghats on
the banks of Ganga. Amongst
these ghats, the chosen best
ones are: Manikarnika Ghat,
Panchaganga Ghat, Asi Ghat,
Dasaswameda Ghat and
Varanasangama Ghat.
Sri Adisankara has stayed in
Kashi and performed some
amazing activities.
Though not constructed as
large as South Indian temples
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with tall gopurams (towers),
the Kashi Viswanath temple
has interiors built with
marble.
The priests called ‘Pandas’
perform regular pujas with
abhishekams to the
shivalingam.
Sometimes, the devotees are
permitted to perform
abhishekam and puja by
themselves.
In the Shakti Peetam’s
sanctum of Annapurani Devi
(the deity providing food),
Adisankara has installed a Sri
Chakram.
One of the famous hymns
composed by Sri Adi Sankara
on Annapurani Devi is the
‘Annapurnashtakam.’
The temple of Kashi Visalakshi
Devi (the consort of Lord
Viswanath) is located
separately at a distance from
the Viswanath temple.
There are many choultries in
Kashi set up by Maharajas
and wealthy people.
Chapter 15
Year 1935
Visit to Benaras Hindu
University (BHU)
Banaras Hindu University
(Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya
in Hindi), is a public central
university in Kashi established
in 1916 by Pandit Madan
Mohan Malaviya.
Accepting an invitation from
Pandit Madan Mohan
Malaviya, Maha Periva visited
the Benaras Hindu University
on February 9, 1935.
To welcome Maha Periva, all
the buildings in the university
were decorated beautifully for
this occasion.
At the entrance to the
University, Pandit Malaviya,
officials of BHU, professors
and students had gave a
rousing reception to Maha
Periva.
After introducing the key
officials of BHU, Pandit
Malaviya escorted Maha
Periva on a conducted tour of
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the university explaining the
curriculum and teaching
methods.
Later, after Maha Periva was
seated on the dais in a hall,
Pandit Malaviya presented a
welcome address in Sanskrit.
This address included five
slokas that Pandit Malaviya
had specially composed on
Maha Periva.
Fig.62 Pandit Malaviya’s Welcome
Slokas in Sanskrit
Transliterated in English, the
five slokas read as follows:
1. “Yadvaachaam lasithaihi
triloka janathaa
mohaandhakaarakshayaha
Padaabja smaranena yasya
kalushadh vamsaath
praasadaha sthiraha|
Tasyaadvaita giram guroho
bhagavathaha Sri
Sankarasyonnathham
Kanchi peetapatham
yateeswaramahan sthane
twayaadhishtitham||
2. Tathva gnaana tapaha
samaadhi karunodhaarya
prasaadaadhibhihi
Punyam bhaaratha
varshamethadhanagam
praapnothi laabham param|
Keerthyate amalayaa
yateendra!
Mahataamaadarshathaam
praapthayaa
Santaha santatamullasanthi
cha dishaha sarvaahaa
samudhbhaasithaha||
3. Swaamin!
Swaagathamasthuthe
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shivapuri shree
vishwavidyalaye
Shikshaakendra varetra
bhaarata bhuvam
vidyaarteenaam sarvataha|
Sreemadvaktra
saroruhoditha
shubhasheergeehi
sudhaadhaarayaa
Saapalyam shrutijanmano
bhavatu nah shaantyai
shravantayaa bhuvaha||
4. Ghore kalau prathidhisham
bhuvi satya dharmo
hantaapakarsha madhunaa
nitaraamupaithi|
Tasyonnathihi
punarihaakilamangalaartha
Bhooyaadhyathaa,
karunayopadishethi
yaache||
5. Praanchya
prateechyashubhamaavasa
manyavena
Bhogaapavargadha
sukshina dhaanasheelaha|
Eshokhilabhyu
dhayakrudhyathivarya!
Vishwa
Vdyaalayastava
shubhaagamanena
dhanyaha||
Maaga shukla sapthami sam -
iti nivedayathi – Malaviyo
Madanamohanaha|”
The summary meaning of
these five slokas is as follows:
“When a man meditates on
those lotus feet of the great
person all ignorance vanishes,
the sweet words emanating
from this great person
pervades in all directions, the
great one who reflects all the
Shastras and their inner
meanings like a mirror, you
are thou, who occupies the
seat of that great person Sri
Sankara in Kanchi Peetam!
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Because of the awesome
power of ancient penance,
and your appearance as an
embodiment of knowledge,
austerity, philosophy,
penance, compassion, and
blessings, our country’s
people are getting
enlightened.
On our behalf and on behalf of
the students who have joined
this university from different
parts of the country to learn
many arts and sciences, we
humbly extend a warm
welcome to you.
In this age of Kali when
dharma is declining, we are
awaiting to hear the sweet
words of advice from thy
mouth. Your advice will serve
as a foundation to benefit the
whole world.
This university provides
education through the best
methods of both East and the
West. We hope that this
university, our country and its
people will benefit from your
visit and sermons today.”
Fig. 63 Benaras Hindu University
Responding to the welcome
address, Maha Periva spoke in
Sanskrit at great length.
This speech provided a great
deal of advice to the entire
community. We have provided
here a summary of his
speech.
“It is well-known from
universal experience that
more happiness prevails
where there is more peace.
Mental peace is the pinnacle
of human goals. When peace
decreases, misery increases.
When men try to eliminate
misery, they happen to hurt
others. If each one tries to
injure others to reduce their
own misery, it leads to chaos
and confusion in society.
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When such chaos happens,
government officials resort to
legal actions to restore
orderliness and peace. Misery
does not impact people only
when they resist lures and
control their senses.
When there is lack of world
peace, there will be more laws
and punishment. Peace can
result through good
education. We can expect
peace through university
education, particularly
through Benaras Hindu
University.
It is the responsibility of
elders to achieve peace
amongst the students.
If peace prevails in the
country, expenses may come
down for the government, the
police and the army.
The first objective of our
ancient educational system
was to attain mental peace.
By expanding education in
ever advancing scientific field,
and applying the benefits of
such expansion in the dharmic
(righteous) path, the country
and its people would be able
to attain peace in a higher
form.
Instead, if we permit the
senses to wander freely in
their own ways, evil thoughts
and desires will tend to grow.
Problems and misery will
increase.
People attain immortality
through education. Hence,
education offers the best
benefit - better than any
others.
Superior education is the one
that focuses on attaining
immortality. All other types of
learning offer worldly
benefits, meaning material
wealth. The material wealth
can be used towards dharmic
activities eventually leading to
the knowledge of Brahman.
Ancient Acharyas have said
that a person can attain Atma
-gnanam (self-knowledge) by
following the dharma imposed
on him dutifully, through
meditation and worship of
God.
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The type of education that
provides 'Atmagnanam' is
called ‘Paravidya’ and others
are called ‘Aparavidya’.
Paravidya removes ignorance
and helps attain knowledge of
the Atman.
This University in Kashi has
associated in its name, the
word ‘Hindu’ and is famous in
the outside world too.
Moreover, this university is
spreading the light of
knowledge from it.
It is with the blessings of the
Almighty that this university is
seen as an unequalled
institution. It is needless to
say that every person who
sees this University will
experience boundless joy.
Looking at this artistic
structure, one can realize the
awesome mental strength and
the greatness of Pundit
Malaviya. Subjects taught in
this university include
Dharma Shastra, Philosophy,
Law, Sculpture, Vedas,
Vedantam, Smruti and several
Arts.
In addition, western scientific
subjects are also taught here.
I hope that the subject of
Astronomy is taught here as a
part of Vedangam.
The benefits of Dharma that
are not seen by the eye can
be understood only through
the Vedas and Smruthi. The
basis for Gnana (knowledge)
are the Vedas, instincts, or
experience.
This is as per Adi Bhagavad
Padacharya. Teaching some
subjects like astronomy,
politics, economics that are
comprehensible through
human intelligence using
western techniques is aiding
the progress of this
institution.
However, in combining the
traditional teaching methods
with western ways, we need
to be steady in our approach.
Our sense of purity and self-
discipline help to grow the
belief in the Almighty.
All things that would stimulate
and provide pleasure easily to
our senses should be taken
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off from the teaching
methodology.
If we engage in adopting the
western behaviour, clothing,
attitude, and conversational
manner, we run the risk of
gradually losing our culture
and dharma. It may
eventually hurt our country
and its people.
If we find that learning
modern scientific research
from the foreigners is not
beneficial to us in anyway, we
need to re-think about
learning them.
At present, there is a trend in
our country to learn culture
and science in western ways
and sacrificing from young
age some aspects like
discipline, prayers.
This trend is a hindrance for
people to attain happiness in
this world and in the next one
too.
It is, therefore, my desire that
we should teach our people
our culture, morality, dharma,
truth, and discipline right
from an young age. I would
like to remind everyone that
when this University was
originally founded, people
were aware of Pundit
Malaviya’s dharmic life and
moral caliber and expected his
high principles to be taught
here.
It is sad to note that our
ancient methods of learning
are being referred to as
‘Oriental Learning’. (Oriental
refers to Eastern).
Because we live in the Eastern
part of the world, the
westerners call our practices
as 'Oriental.' It is amusing
that our own countrymen,
obsessed with western habits,
call our Shastras as Oriental
studies. It is not appropriate.
Do the westerners advertise
their universities as places of
learning for western arts and
sciences? I am not so much
concerned about changes in
names.
I just want to say that such
thoughts should not enter this
traditional Hindu University
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which should be a seat of
ancient traditions.
Pundit Malaviya made
tremendous efforts and
overcame numerous hurdles
to establish this university
with the sole object that this
institution should serve as a
symbol of our Hindu culture
and studies.
I convey my blessings with
happiness to this University
that it should thrive
independently and conform to
Manuneethi Dharma.
The substance of my talk so
far is that everyone is this
university should be single-
minded, should not move
away from a spiritual frame of
mind, should not discard our
ancient culture but work
together to alleviate poverty
in this country and benefit the
whole world.
In our country, there are
many leaders who are
concerned with political
advancement. On matters
related to religious practices,
there is a difference of opinion
between the people and the
leaders.
The leaders seem to think
that our religious practices are
a hindrance to political
development. Leaders should
have good character, integrity
and faith in dharmic culture.
The scholars who graduate
from this University should be
talented like Rajarishis to lead
the people in the right
direction.
About sixty years ago in our
country, every Vedic scholar's
home served like a university.
In those days, the students
did not pay any fees to the
teachers nor did the teachers
receive any salary for
teaching.
There were not a large
number of students, all
assembled at one place for
studies like it is here now.
Students would live closer to
their teacher's home. They
would seek their daily food
from the neighbors. The kings
and landlords felt it was their
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duty to take good care of the
teachers, provided for their
living and protected them.
The teachers also felt it was
their duty to impart
knowledge to the students. As
this practice involved no
money, the teachers stayed in
their villages.
Every village had a teacher
and the students benefited
from their presence. The
teacher also had the
opportunity to keep an eye on
the students and build their
character as well as their
knowledge base.
The teachers showed love and
taught the students selflessly.
The students reciprocated the
teacher's sentiments by
showing guru bhakthi, good
character, patience, and
humility.
As the teachers were
independent and were not
bound by any rules, they
taught the facts as per the
Shastras without having to
obtain approval from anyone.
In those days, people had
faith in God and lived their life
auspiciously and happily.
Such teachers and scholars
are a rarity today.
Everybody knows the reason
for this. People with money
spent it on western education
and followed their customs
resulting in erosion of
religious faith.
The teachers and officials of
this university should be
independent.
The students should go to
villages, seek food and lead
their lives with good qualities
such as humility, character
and truth.
At this point, I have an idea.
This university should support
teachers the way the wealthy
lords supported vidwans in
those days.
If some of our country's
prominent members can
assist a learned pundit , well
versed in one sakha of the
Vedas, at least one darshan of
the darshans and the Smruti,
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to lead his life without any
monetary worries, then
righteousness, discipline and
happiness may be restored in
our country like in olden days.
Advice to Students
I wish to say a few words to
the students assembled here.
It is not easy to say how
blessed you are.
You are born as human beings
with two key qualities of
intelligence and discernment
that are so useful in life. You
must make use of these two
qualities to contribute to the
welfare and progress of the
country.
In olden days, the pundits did
not have much monetary
problems because the people
unitedly contributed to
austere activities.
In current times, conflicting
ideas come up in the minds of
people. Fast-changing political
situations, like floods in a
river, are adversely impacting
our Sanatana Dharma.
Society too, is gradually
changing.
Therefore, students leaving
the portals of this university
as scholars should
courageously work for the
political progress of our
country, without hindrance to
Dharma.
It is my desire that your
learning should help the
welfare of the people and
simplify the political
administration.
Very close to this place, the
river Ganga flows northwards.
The Sun shines before all the
praying devotees. Of all
virtuous qualities, Acharam
(etiquette) is the best.
This holy place is very
convenient to follow etiquette
and uphold our Dharma.
Every student here, sent by
parents from a different part
of the country, should sit in
this vast mantap on the bank
of the holy Ganga, worship
God as prescribed and resolve
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not to deviate from the path
of dharma and discipline.
By doing so, you will beget all
kinds of benefits and fame. Of
all the auspicious things that
we all will be happy with, this
action will be the most
auspicious.”
After Maha Periva’s long
sermon, Pundit Malaviya
made a short concluding
speech. He said that he felt
overwhelmed with Maha
Periva's words of advice to the
staff and students of the
University.
He assured Maha Periva that
he would take action on
Periva's suggestions to the
extent it was possible.
On behalf of all, Malaviya
expressed his gratitude and
respects to Maha Periva.
Thus, Maha Periva’s visit to
the Benaras Hindu University
was a great success.
It ended on a note of
inspiration to all the students
and staff of the University.
****
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Periva Divya Darshan