Shri Sudhindra Mahime | Involvement in Ayodhya Rama Mandira

Article written and shared by Shri Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy, Mumbai, in January 2024, on the historic occasion of the inauguration of the Shri Rama Temple in Ayodhya 

The First trip to Ayodhya

After HH Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha took over the baton as Mathadipathi of Kashi Math Samsthan and daily Pooja to the presiding deity Shri Ram, HHS expressed desire to Visit Ram Janma Bhoomi. 

HHS was very much aware about the dispute of Ram Janma Bhoomi and Babri masjid yet HH was nurturing this divine thought for quite a sometime and in 1960's under the leadership of B N Bhandarkar and his wife Meenakshi Mai and three others, the trip to Ayodhya was planned. This was Swamiji's first yatra to the North, from Mumbai Sri Walkeshwar Sri Kashi Math. 3 cars started for Ayodhya, by very bad muddy road  as train connectivity was very poor at this time. 

In the retinue of 3 cars, first car was Shri B N Bhandarkar, second Swamiji and third was occupied by shishya Vargas of Cochin.

As it was a long journey the retinue took the first halt at Nasik, next to Indore-Ujjain and finally to Ayodhya the birth place of Avatar Purush of Mahavishnu, Sri Ram. Swamiji was very keen on visiting Ayodhya since Ram is the presiding deity of Kashi Muth and reverred by all Bharatvarshis.

Looking at the pathetic condition of the temple housing the lord of Brahmaand, HHS was shocked and on the verge of tears and was pondering very deeply to the solution of this problem existed through out Moghul and British rule and even after the independence. Swamiji felt strongly that our daily prayer is incomplete until this problem of Ram Janma Bhoomi is solved

After reaching Prayag Math, Swamiji summoned Shri Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy from Mumbai, who immediately reached Prayag. Swamiji wanted to discuss  with Shri K. H. Shenoy, (who was closely associated with R.S.S. and VHP) as to why V.H.P or R.S.S are not taking any action over this  matter and why restoration of the Temple is not being undertaken?

HHS wanted to discuss this matter in person with the leaders of R.S.S and V. H.P on an urgent basis and HH's next halt was in Delhi's greater Kailash, Kavale Math and accordingly Shri K.H. Shenoy was asked to arrange the meeting with the top VHP leader of that time Dr. Madhav Pandurang alias Rajabhau Degvekar and after 2 days the meeting took place for 2 hours and HH had to cancel all the engagement of the day with Delhi Samaj

Dr. Madhav Degvekar was a Sanskrit scholar and the discussion took place in Sanskrit and it was a divine experience but Dr. Degvekar said HHS must also discuss this sensitive issue with Shri Moropant Pingale who was in-charge of the Rama Janma Bhoomi issue.

Swamiji's meeting with Shri Moropant Pingale in Walkeswar Mutt

Swamiji reached Bombay and summoned for Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy to initiate discussion with Sri Moropant Pingale at the earliest so they could get an update on the current situation of Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir 

Shri Moropant Pingale, one of the stalwarts of RSS of the time, had a busy schedule, organising many events in Bharat Varsh and abroad in building RSS from its roots.

KHS approached Shri Pingale and he humbly accepted Swamiji's summons to discuss on the sensitive issue of Ayodhya Ram Mandir only after 2 days and said he can spare 2 hrs for the discussion between 5 to 7 in evening from his tight schedule. 

Swamiji cancelled all their engagements for that evening and asked Madde maam to call everyone after 7:30 pm 

He was right on the dot and sat at the feet of Swamiji, declining chair. He was very humble and was open to accept any suggestions. Shri Pingale asked Swami as to why HH showed no inclination to guide and bless VHP whenever their community leader requested.

Swamiji humbly replied that being Mathadipathi of Kashi Math samsthan, our Guru has laid down some norms, wherein they had to restrict themselves to work for the welfare of the Samaj only. The entire conversation took place in Marathi and English 

Finally the discussion turned to the main topic and Swamiji asked why nothing is being done about Ram janma Bhoomi?  

Shri Pingale asserted that all possible things were being done but without the support from centre and state Governments things were not moving in positive direction. Shri Pingale seeked HHS blessings for the positive outcome.

Shri Moropant Pingale was blessed by Swamiji with a Shawl and Mantrakshata and was assured of every possible assistance from Swamiji and Mutt.

Today our Swamiji would have the most happiest Saint on earth to witness the inauguration of Ram janma Bhoomi after 500 years of Vanvaas.

Shri Sudhindra Mahime | First Ganga Snaan in 1968

Narrated by Shri. Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy, Mumbai
Written by Shri. Vilas Shenoy, Mumbai

Published on Facebook on 12th June 2018

HHS Sudhindra Thirtha Swami's Novel Pavitra Ganga Snan at Haridwar in May 1968 before proceeding to Maiden Badrinath yatra.

It was Swamiji's Camp in Walkeshwar Sri Kashi Math, Mumbai, when HHS Long nurtured divine thought of a maiden yatra to Haridwar took a concrete shape and HHS set out with only 15 chosen devotees by car and van after prayer at the Holy Vrindavans of HHS Madhavendra Tirtha and HHS Varadendra Tirtha Swami.

Those were the tough days, when HHS had no alternative then to travel by rough tar and muddy roads, no highways, no direct train, no means of communication and this ordeal took many days to reach Haridwar after camping at various places on the way.

To make the yatra more comfortable and convenient 10 devotees under the able leadership of Shri Karnad V K Shenoy, set out directly with Shri Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy of Babulnath to Haridwar and Karnataka Dharmashala was chosen for the very first camp of HHS at Haridwar, in vicinity of Holy Ganga about 30 mins walk from Har ki Paudi.

The moments below was captured, with HHS having Maiden Ganga Snan at Haridwar with punyavan devotees of those time. No one even had a slightest clue that HHS Sudhindra Tirtha Swami would proceed to build a beautiful dream Vyas Mandir at Haridwar after 20 years and make HH'S permanent abode, where HHS Vrindavan stands witness.

Courtesy - Shri Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy, Mumbai

This is in devotion to param pujya HHS Sudhindra Swami's ashram sweekar day on 15/06/18, when HHS Samyamindra Swami will have Pavitra Ganga Snan at Haridwar before proceeding to Badrinath with thousands of devotees

Shri Sudhindra Mahime | Mission Badrinath

Published on Facebook, 8th June 2018, on the eve of Badri Yatra arranged by GSB SEVA MANDAL.
Narration by Shri. Kaup Kamalaksha Shenoy, Mumbai
Written down by Shri. Vilas Shenoy, Mumbai

Where there is will there is the way for mortals but for self-realized like our beloved Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji, where there is Divine Will, nature will move heaven and earth to bring it to pass. This was witnessed by very few punyavaan shishya vargas, who accompanied HHS, on his maiden yatra in the year 1968 - now fondly remembered as 'Mission Badrinath'.

Courtesy - Shri Kamalaksha Hari Shenoy, Mumbai

HHS was nurturing a long-standing yearning to visit Badrinath, which may have been due to the following:

• Badrikashram is an abode of Chiranjeevi Veda Vyasa. At the behest of the creator of the universe, Grandsire Brahma, Vyasa sought the help of Mahaganapati to write down stanzas recited by Vyasa from memory - thus the epic script of Mahabharata was inscribed at Badrikashram. This great epic has stood the test of time of five thousand years and is still the guiding force with the Bhagwat Gita at its core. Veda Vyasa is also the presiding Deity of Kashi Math Samsthan and thus, highly revered by our HHS.

• Madhvacharya, the chief proponent of Dwaith philosophy of which Kashimath Samsthan is an ardent follower. He often visited Badrinath to meet his Guru, Veda Vyasa and received directions from him to write commentaries on Bramhasutras and Mahabharata epic. It is believed that Madhvacharya was the third reincarnation of Vayu, son of Lord Vishnu. While Madhvacharya disappeared from human sight in 1317, it is believed among his followers that he is also a Chiranjeevi and is still present even today in Northern Himalayas (Greater Badri) continuing his spiritual pursuit with Sri Veda Vyasa but beyond ordinary vision.

• Near Bhim pul, a makeshift rock boulder bridge built by Bhima, the Saraswati River merges into Alaknanda (one of the two headstreams of Holy Ganga). We, Gaud Saraswats, have a close link to Saraswati river.

Mission Badrinath was a great test for the retinue of shishya vargas, because of the very tough terrain of an uneven muddy road and regular landslides that were taking place during those days.

Nothing deterred our beloved Swamiji. Many of the staff members of Samsthan quietly dropped out because of the precarious condition of the pilgrimage, but our smiling God was looking forward to the sojourn with enthusiasm. An army major in charge of that area was contacted and he assured of all-out cooperation to make the yatra comfortable for our Swamiji and the accompanying yatris.

Yet things were not so easy - after combating the uphill task of reaching atop, the news came that the army officer was transferred on an emergency on the borders - worry was writ large on the face of shishya varga. Looking at the crowd gathered there, someone suggested that we should wake up in the early hours of the morning and stand in the queue and escort Swamiji, but practically even at that hours, the rush was tremendous. So, they had to satisfy themselves with just a parikrama of the temple, our Param Pujya Swamiji was totally at ease and smiling as if he was assuring shishya vargas that everything will be alright

On the second day, as the retinue were doing parikrama, Swamiji asked Sant Bhadragiri Achyutdasa, a famous GSB Kirtankar to sing bhajan and with tear full pleading eyes, Bhadragiri Achyutdasa began to sing hymns in praise of Vyasa, HHS was also involved intently with Bhadragiri Achyutdasa and lo and behold, the miracle just happened.

This morning was reserved for a customary once in a year pooja by Govt. of India and the temple was kept empty for an exclusive visit of the Secretary and his wife, who was representing Indian Govt. As the retinue escorting Pujya Swamiji was doing parikrama, halfway at the back entrance of the Badrinath temple, a serene-looking sage in the normal outfit, appeared and opened the back door and escorted Swamiji right inside the sanctum sanctorum (garba graha) of the temple and just disappeared, not to be seen again! The security outside was annoyed but could do nothing to stop our Swamiji

Once inside, Swamiji joined the Raval,(Head Pujari) in the recitation of Veda mantras more proficiently, more competently and aptly than the Raval, that the Secretary who was irked at first was awe inspired and Raval was found gaping at this divine intrusion when the consciousness level and bliss increased tremendously. After this, the arthi was shown to the deity and as a custom, the arti should be taken to a Swamiji first, but as Pujari unknowingly touched the flame with the palm of his hand first, HHS just directed him very politely to the minister couple, who were chief sevedar of that day seva.

The Raval( pujari, the sole conductor of all the important rituals performed in the temple, a highly qualified authority appointed by Sankaracharya ashram) hailed from Kerala and Swamiji had a lengthy dialogue in fluent Malayalam with him and a rapport was established. In the evening, the same Pujari inspired by our HHS, came with full paraphernalia, flowers and fruits to receive Swamiji with full honour at Joshi mutt Birla house and had a lengthy discussion on spirituality and was very much impressed and the next day morning the temple was booked for our Swamiji’s exclusive visit and our Pujya Swamiji personally performed a very grand Seva, witnessed by the punyavaan shishya vargas.

So the mission Badrinath turned into pilgrimage Badrinath. The unanswered question that remains is, who was that great sage who escorted Swamiji inside the temple? Was it Veda Vyasa himself?

Vyasaya Vishnu Rupaya,

Vyasa Rupaya Vishnave;

Namo Vai Brahmanidhaya,

Vaasishtaya namo namah

Translation - I, pray to Vyasa, who is himself Vishnu form and Vishnu, who is Vyasa form and who is the descendant of Vasishta, and who is the treasure of Brahmanic knowledge

मुख्यप्राण स्मरण करि रे मन

MukhyapraaNa Smarana kari re Mana
Language - Konkani
Lyrics - Shri. Babu Bhatmam, Walkeshwar and Shri Pandurang Shenoy, Babulnath 
Based on - Raaga Bhoopaali

Mukhyaprana, Banganga, Walkeshwar, Mumbai

मुख्यप्राण स्मरण करि रे मन, मुख्यप्राण स्मरण

O Mind, remember Mukhya-Prana; constantly keep Him in your remembrance.

वायू कुमारू, तो महा वीरू

शरणांक पावतलो, तो सद्गुरू

He is the son of the Wind God (Vayu Kumar), a great warrior (Mahaveer). 

Whoever seeks His protection will find in Him their true Sadguru (Spiritual Guide).

चिरंजीवी हनुमंतले ध्यान

जन्मो जन्मांतरी पाप उद्धरण

Meditate upon the immortal (Chiranjeevi) Hanuman. 

This meditation purifies the sins accumulated over many lifetimes.

बाणगंगा तीर क्षेत्र हांगेले

हरिद्वार तीर क्षेत्र हांगेले

He resides at the banks of the sacred Banganga; 

He dwells at the banks of the holy Haridwar.

मारुति दरुशन भाग्य आमगेले

To have the vision (Darshan) of Lord Maruti is our greatest fortune.

मुख्यप्राण स्मरण करि रे मन, मुख्यप्राण स्मरण

Mukhyaprana, Vyasashrama, Haridwar

Notes:

1. The reference to Banaganga in Walkeshwar and Haridwar as kshetras of Shri Mukhyaprana are in reference to the Samadhis of our revered Swamijis of Kashi Math Samsthana

2. The Jeevanta Samadhi of H.H. Srimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swamiji and Samadhi of H.H. Srimad Varadendra Tirtha Swamiji are located in Kashi Math, near Banganga, Walkeshwar in Mumbai

3. The Samadhi of H.H. Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji is located in Vyasashrama, Haridwar.