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Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha - 2

B R Haran

22 Apr 2010

	Guru Darshan at Abirami Temple We held a press conference on April 16 to brief reporters and correspondents about the event, and received good coverage the next day. On April 17 evening, Kanchi Kamakoti Peethathipathi Jagat Guru Sri Jeyendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya Swamigal and Thondaimandala Adheenam Sri Thiruvambala Desika Gnanaprakaasa Paramacharya Swamigal graced the occasion at the Abirami Amman Temple. They blessed a gathering of over five hundred people; Sri Thondaimandala Adheenam spoke about the historical instances of temple desecrations during the Islamic and Christian invasions. Sri A.M. Rajagopalan explained the Stal Puran and history of Padmagiri Hillock and emphasised the significance of returning the presiding deities to their original abodes. Pujya Periyava spoke about the importance of temple worship, and eradication of caste discrimination. He cited many instances from the lives of Nayanmars and told the gathering that all the 63 Nayanmars are given equal importance though they are from different communities and Bhagwan Shiva saw only their bhakti and gave moksha to all of them. The press followed the event closely, and Pujya Periyava himself detailed them the next day’s programs. Members of Dindigul Chamber of Commerce, who sponsored the event, were honoured and blessed by Pujya Periyava and Sri Thondaimandala Adheenam with a spatika mala (crystal necklace), rudraksha and shawl each. Girivalam March and Public Meeting On April 18 evening, local people flocked to Abirami Temple. A dozen organizations came in full strength to participate in the girivalam (parikrama). All the Mathathipathis, (Pujya Periyava Kanchi Sankaracharya, Thondaimandala Adheenam Sri Thiruvambala Desika Gnanaprakasa Paramacharya Swamigal, Thiruchirapalli Mauna Madam Mauna Kumara Swami Thambiran Swamigal representing Dharmapuram Adheenam, Sri Suntharamurthi Swamigal representing Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam and Sivapura Adheenam Sri Thirunavukkarasu Desika Paramacharya Swamigal were present on the occasion. All Swamijis blessed the devotees who thronged the temple between 4 pm and 6 pm. All devotees were given a raksha (black thread) and eudraksha as prasad. Exactly at 6 pm the girivalam began, with all Mathathipathis leading the march with hundreds of devotees following and chanting *Ohm Nama Shivaya.* As the march proceeded with reverberations of Namavalis and Bhajans, the general public en route joined in and the gathering swelled to over 1500 people. Arati was performed and a coconut broken before each and every temple on the girivalam path. The girivalam around the hill took an hour’s time and ended at Fort Mariamman Temple grounds, where the public meeting was organized. A beautiful stage was erected and it was a glorious sight to see the saffron clad sanyasis on the dais. Around five thousand people attended the public meeting. The Swamis spoke about the importance and methodology of temple worship, the crisis faced by the Hindu majority and why Hindus should stay united in this hour of crisis. They cited stories from the Puranas and emphasized the importance of learning religious hymns like Thevaram, Thiruvachagam and other Thirumurais. They educated the people about the maintenance of our culture and traditions and the need to defeat the nefarious designs of alien cultures attempting to de-Hinduise this nation. Sri AMR enthralled the audience with a speech replete with facts concerning temples. He emotionally described his personal divine experience of getting darshan of Abirami Ambal as a child sitting on his lap, after Pujya Periyava insisted he sit in the car during the girivalam. He urged that one should treat his Mother Tongue, Mother Nation and Mother Religion equally at par with his own Mother and if one changes even one of them he becomes dead and lifeless. Pujya Periyava raised the three major issues of putting an end to conversions, stopping the flow of foreign funds to NGOs and minority organizations, and creating an autonomous body for administering Temples and other Hindu Institutions. He requested the local government authorities to remove the encroachments along the girivalam so that the circumambulation of the hill could be easy and peaceful in future. He also urged the government to hand over the temples to autonomous bodies of reputed citizens in the respective places, which would function under the guidance of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha. He informed the people about the formation and objectives of the HDAS, and together all the Swamis encouraged the people to participate in the girivalam every Pournami (purnima, full moon day) and bring more and more persons to the sacred march. All those who attended the public meeting received prasad - a rudraksha and a laddu (rudraksha gifted by Kanchi Matham; laddu by Sri Krishna Sweets). They were immensely pleased and returned home happily, cheerfully and peacefully. The press was in full strength to cover the event. The police force was meticulous, gently and respectfully controlling the public and giving protection and ensuring security to all the Mathathipathis. Municipality officials helped arranging the stage and watering the girivalam path for easy walking. The Sun God was merciful, going behind clouds early in the evening, and the Rain God showered his blessings after completion of the meeting. Mother Goddess Abirami blessed us with pleasant weather throughout the event. The local business community was generous in sponsorship and treated us with love, affection and great respect. Some individual activists from various organizations volunteered themselves and worked tirelessly to make the event a great success! Resolutions Earlier in the morning, Pudukottai Sri Bhuvaneswari Avathootha Peethathipathi Pujya Sri Omkarananda Brahmmendra Saraswati Swamigal attended the Sadas and blessed us. His Holiness could not be present in the evening due to prior engagements in Thanjavur. The following resolutions were passed: - It was resolved to perform Girivalam around Padmagiri Hill every Pournami Day without fail. - It was resolved to conduct a signature campaign among the local people and thereafter to approach the Archaeological Survey of India for earlier installation of the presiding deities at their original abodes atop the Padmagiri hillock. - It was resolved to conduct the Consecration Ceremony with the help of the government immediately after getting the permission from ASI to install the deities. - It was resolved to conduct such meets thrice a year taking any temple related issues across the state. To support or not to support? That’s the question! As the presence of Sanyasis is the most important part of such an occasion, we accepted the date (18 April) decided by them. Immediately after deciding the date, the all-India chief of a Hindu organization was informed, and he in turn instructed his Tamil Nadu officials to meet and extend all possible support to us. They duly called us for a discussion and when apprised of our plans, simply said we should have deferred to them before finalizing the dates with the Sanyasis! They refused help on the pretext of hosting their own annual conference the same day, viz., April 18. We politely replied, “With your help and support we would get 50,000 people, but without you we might get only 50 people. Nevertheless, the March and the Meet would go on!” We were certain other forces were behind this blatant non-cooperation. But if this was an organization where the leader supported us and subordinates didn’t, we had another organization where the leader refused support but the cadres attended! This organisation’s President felt the organizers of the Hindu Dharma Protection Movement (that is us) had “ulterior motives” and refused support. But his Dindigul-based cadres were present in full strength during the public meeting on April 18. Such is the power of Dharma! Muckraking and sabotage Final preparations for the meet went on amidst high drama over the Nityananda scandal, with some self-appointed supporters of the disgraced godman demanding that everyone support the beleaguered swami on the grounds that this was a Christian conspiracy – even though there was no trace of the same, despite searching high and low! Nityananda himself made things difficult for his ‘friends’ - first he denied everything; then he said he had not done anything ‘illegal’ (whatever that means); then he said he had done it in trance (how? Don’t ask!). Then he told an American independent researcher that he did indeed do ‘tantra’ experiments, for which he had duly executed ‘legal contracts’ with women (no comment)! Since some of the fellow columnists on this website had already perceived a severe departure from Dharma and accordingly called a spade a spade, enraged associates of Nityananda – who have as yet unknown stakes in his reputation – unleashed salvo after salvo against the colleagues of this writer, as also this writer. This heat percolated to the March and its preparations. Rumour mills were launched to propagate the Hindu Dharma Protection Movement as a dubious move to split the Hindu society! There was little regard for the fact that Pujya Periyava Kanchi Acharya and other major Mathathipathis had blessed the movement and were participating in it to begin a pro-active phase of Hindu society against the gigantic dimensions assumed by the conversion industry. Anticipating sabotage attempts, we visited the major Mathams and Acharyas again to confirm their participation. Some Mathathipathis candidly discussed the attempts to dissuade them from joining the march, but promised to attend, and did indeed do so. Even Sri AMR was urged to abandon us, not knowing that he who initiated this movement! This writer would like to place on record that the attempts of sabotage by the saboteurs have diminished only their standing and not our standing in the eyes of Mathathipathis. I have a small message and a request to them: “You have not acted against us, but against Goddess Abirami! You have not troubled us, but attempted to derail a temple cause! You have not belittled us, but our revered Mathathipathis! So, please apologise to the Mathathipathis and seek their blessings!” Conclusion If an event like this can be conducted by four or five individuals with the blessings of the Acharyas and cooperation of the local people in a communally sensitive place like Dindigul, then nothing is impossible. This success reiterates the importance of commitment to Dharma. If Hindu Samajam stands united for the cause of Dharma, pushing aside egos and personal prejudices, then Dharma will certainly protect us and lead us to victory. (Concluded) The writer is a senior journalist; he lives in Chennai

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User Comments:


	What more one can say other than " Kodi Namaskarams" to Mr Haran for his fantastic work.Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful work you are doing. Thank you
	Rama
	22 Apr 2010


	It seems the writer's aim is only to attack some Hindu organization rather than espousing the Hindu cause. A real pity. To tell that just because some people do not agree with me they are against Goddess is the height of arrogance. Perhaps first Hindu Mada-Athipathis should apologize to Harijans for the atrocity done on them by upper castes in India and should have visited the Harijan villages around where they are facing the wrath of Christian upper castes.
	Vedha Swarupam
	22 Apr 2010


	Shri Haranji: this is the sort of activism which will bring Tamil Nadu back into Hindutva fold. Pl let me know where I can meet you for I would like to be part of this. Regards
	S. Ganesh
	22 Apr 2010


	Shubha kaamanaayen, Haran ji. I am very happy that the event went well. With Devi Abirami's anugraham, everything is possible. Lighting up a deepam is the toughest of tasks (yet a profound event) any hindu can and should perform. Keep it burning bright as an effulgent, sanatana flame, enlightening, uniting all hindusthanis.
	Kalyanaraman
	22 Apr 2010


	This movement will lose its purpose if Radha ji and Sandhya ji guide it with thier narrow and dogmatic approach and attitude. This movement should not have any caste flavour attached to it and I have serious doubts on it because these two estemeed ladies are on board of it. Radha ji and Sandhya ji should stop their disservice to Hinduism.
	S Vasan
	22 Apr 2010


	Dear Vasan, You amaze me. //This movement should not have any caste flavour attached to it and I have serious doubts// Why doubt at all? This is casteist movement. These people do not have guts to take serious matters. They beat around the bush with pseudo-scientific nonsense like astrology and cooked-up Sthala-puranas. Instead of taking up seriously the challenged Hindus face in Dindukal, they will bifurcate issues as "spiritual" and "political". Let them do one thing. Let them make a Dalit Hindu priest of this temple they are demanding. From now itself let them grrom a Dalit in Vedas and Agamas and make him the priest. Will they do that? Then i will accept all my assumptions about these people are wrong and apologize. But these people treat the very rightful descendants of Vedic Rishis as untouchables but hobnob with peddlers of a pseudo-science like Astrology.Shame.
	Vedha Swarupam
	22 Apr 2010


	@Veda Swarupam - Astrology is not pseudo-science. And it is not shameful to believe in Astrology. A good priest is what we want and not a dalit or person from a particular caste. That is also casteist. Lets not be restircive on either side. We have to be accomdative. Since I know the pulse of the estemeed ladies and their attitude to Hinduism, I fear that his movement will be a farce.
	S Vasan
	22 Apr 2010


	Shri Vasan, if you had read Haranji's column attentively you would have known that Pujya Kanchi periava said clearly at the public meeting in Dindukkal that this movement against religious conversion, foreign funds and autonomous board for temple and matha management will be carried forward by hindu dharma acharya sabha. You are allowing your anger to coud your reading and thinking. Our programme for Dindukkal needed a name and that is why Pujya periava gave this name. Nothing more, nothing less.
	Radha Rajan
	22 Apr 2010


	Vedha Swaroopam! I would have appreciated had you made your comments in your real name. I have identified you my friend! As you are a member of that organization you feel the pinch. My write-up was not an expression of arrogance as you presume, but an expression of truth. Many times, truth is bitter and hurting too, especially for those who are not true to Dharma. The concerned organizations knew me well enough to understand me, okay? We have slogged for six months as “Hindus”; Mathathipathis of all sampradayas have come together as “Hindu Sanyasis” and blessed and guided us; members of Dindigul Chamber of Commerce have sponsored the entire event as “Hindus”; People of Dindigul have come together as “Hindus” and participated in the event. It is the jaundiced eyes of Veda Swaroopam and Vasan seeing “caste” here. Vasan! I already clarified that HDPM is Tamil Nadu centric and that it has got nothing to do with HDAS or DRS. I have also mentioned that HDPM was initiated and blessed by Kanchi Acharya. His Holiness has also attended the event both days. No true devotee of the Acharya will call this movement ‘farce’, but you have! Please stop suspecting the movement because of your personal prejudices. Suspecting the movement is suspecting the Acharya. I think both of you are frustrated at the success of the Dindigul meet. I hope youy are not part of the group of saboteurs!
	B.R.Haran
	22 Apr 2010


	Re your two-part detailed write-up (well written) on the efforts in TN recently under the guidance of Sri Kanchi Periyaval. It was a good start to counter Conversion on regional basis and on the basis of specific temple-related activity. Rejuvenation of temples is a sure way of making demoralised/disunited Hindus recover and return to their cultural practices, roots and identity; and that is a strong way of thwarting the Conversion vultures.
	RVN
	22 Apr 2010


	@Haran I am no one to suspect Pujya Periyava.....I am at his lotus feet always. Knowing Radha ji and her clamour for Varna Dharma and stupid medieval irrelavant impractical thoughts, I say that this movement will be a farce. Dont bring in the revered Acharya here.
	S Vasan
	22 Apr 2010


	Soon after emergency, Smt.Indira Gandhi was defeated in elections by hard labour put in by RSS and other democratic forces. Having been defeated, she wanted to build a force of volunteers alike RSS and expressed her wish on a tet-a-tet with the press. Having sufficient masala, the press reporters met parama pujaneeya Bala Saheb Deorasji, then sarsangachalak of RSS and enquired as to how he viewed the wishes of Smt.Indira Gandhi of starting another organisation like RSS. To their dismay and mischief, know, how Deorasiji replied? "To start one organisation like RSS? Start hundred more organisations like RSS. That would be for the good of swadesha" Its another thing that the wish of Smt.Gandhi materialised. Let there be thousand organisations for protecting hindu interests. genuine, fake, half hearted, egoistic, self centered etc etc. The law of nature and dharma take care of all these things "Survival of the fittest" "Swayameva mrugendrata" "Dharmo Rakshati RakshitaH"
	krishna kumar
	22 Apr 2010


	Shri Vasan, varna dharma is one of the cornerstones of Hindu dharma; another being worship and protection of cow; but like most english educated, you have equated the pernicious practice of untouchability with varna dharma. You have to do your own thinking sir instead of permitting others to sell you politically correct lemons. And I do not know about more RSS, but I certainly know that only one HDAS like the only one God is un-Hindu and monotheist in concept.
	Radha Rajan
	22 Apr 2010


	@Radha ji - I know the difference between Varna Dharma and Untouchability........It is just that Varna Dharma cannot be pracitcally applied these days.......Three or four generations have come away from it and it is very late now to even think of following it.
	S Vasan
	22 Apr 2010


	Haran Who i am is as irrelevant as who is behind this movement etc. What astonishes me is that a peddler of atrocious nonsense like AMR -who writes publicly that Gayatri Mantra should not be chanted by women- should be made the pioneer of this FARCE. There was a movement - a sustained people's movement to liberate Jalakandeswar temple. Most probably you are not aware of it. At least now that you have discovered this new found love for Hindu Dharma you should familiarize with history (not the type of distortions . It was not foisted on people by outsiders. But the people movement attracted people including Late Sri Munje and spanned generations and culminated in victory. Let me also make myself clear. i consider all Maths as only social institutions. The Hindu Maths have become stagnant and have been made stagnant by the British. They need to democratize themselves. Let Atheenams and Mathams open themselves to all Jaathis. Before they desire to lead the society which is fast moving let these institutions democratize and radicalize themselves. Let them talk for Dalit rights Let them talk against abuses -of all who have been downtrodden and oppressed : from brahmins to Dalits. Let them become the voice of tribals and their land rights. Let them fight where Dalits are denied temple entry. Let them sit on a fast. The flag of Dharma will then fly high over Chennai fort and ultimately red fort. But dillydallying with astrologers and pseudo-histories is not the way to protect Dharma. Dharma deserves better defenders than these.
	Vedha Swarupam
	22 Apr 2010


	RR says that only english educated equate untouchability with Varnashrama Dharma. So here is one English educated person equating Varnasharama Dharma with untouchability: Pages 193-196 (concluding part) 13. AbrahmakIta jananI --a nAmAvaLi (row of names) in this phrase in Lalitha SahasranAmam. The nAmA next to this is varNASramaviDHAyinI . Combining these two names, PeriyavaaL answered a difficult question. When PeriyavaaL was giving darshan after the puja was over and he returned after his bhikSA , a bhaktA (devotee) asked: "Since Lalitha SahasranAnam mentions that AmbaaL is the mother of all this world we all become sahoDharA s (brothers and sisters). If this is so, why to move with some people without physically coming in touch with them or touching them ? How is this untouchability appropriate?" Periyavar : For this question (why is there such distinction) the answer is in the very next nAmAvaLi . "AmbaaL who is the Mother of everyone has also established the niyama (regulation) of varNASrama (four divisions). She is also the varNASramaviDHAyinI ! Now tell me who is right? Ms. Radha Rajan or the revered Pujya Sri Jagath Guru Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi Paramacharya Maha Swamigal Sri la Sri Chandra Shekendra Saraswathi Swamigal of revered memories? Or does the revered Pujya Sri Jagath Guru Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi Paramacharya Maha Swamigal Sri la Sri Chandra Shekendra Saraswathi Swamigal of revered memories , should be considered as an English educated person mixing up Varnashrama Dharma and untouchability. I am not quoting something obscure here. This incident is repeated and posted approvingly by internet using elite Hindus in many forums discussing Advaita, Hindu Dharma etc. This one i took from http://www.kanchiforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1932&start=50
	Vedha Swarupam
	22 Apr 2010


	As against such statements let us take some of the Seers who heralded social change. Sri Narayana Guru very explicitly stated that caste is an anathema. All huamity is one caste he said. Swami Vivekananda condemned birth-based casteism and untouchability unequivocally. Swami Chitbavanda also condemned birth-based Varnashrama. He revolutionized Tamil spiritual milieu by stating that all castes and genders can chant and meditate Gayatri Mantra. And all these sages would be sages without lineage for RR and her group friends. These lineage-less Swamis also reacted to untouchability and the revered Pujya Sri Jagath Guru Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi Paramacharya Maha Swamigal Sri la Sri Chandra Shekendra Saraswathi Swamigal of revered memories also reacted to the issue of untoucability. And what a change there exists between two reactions. Now ...whom do RR and her group of chelas call to provide uncalled for spiritual leadership to Tamils? A person who writes that women should not chant Gayatri Mantra! What a farce in the name of Dharma...what a power trip in the name of protecting Dharma!
	Vedha Swarupam
	22 Apr 2010


	Dude sheeshooswarupam jyotisha is science - astronomy and astrology. Shri AM Rajagopal deserves your respect for his age. That is the Hindu way. Your brahmin hatred makes you a very poor spokesperson for any issue. For arguments' sake even if brahmins willingly surrendered their caste identity I dont see Mudaliars, Chettiars, Gaunders, Pillais giving up their caste. So I am afraid until that happens brahmins will remain brahmins. Your disrespect of our mathathipathis and now of Shri AMR just because they are brahmins is becoming something of a bore. If you have any intelligent to say, say it; else take a walk.
	S Bhavatharini
	22 Apr 2010


	Veda Swarupam! Pujya Paramacharya had delved deeply into the ocean of Sanatana Dharma and delivered number of discourses throughout his lifetime. He knew the Dharma behind Sri Adi Sankara’s establishing the five peethaas and understood his prime responsibility of what he must do for the welfare of this Jagath and acted accordingly. He was very much aware of the fact that some of the concepts as told in the Dharma Shastras and other scriptures could not be implemented in the present day contexts, but he consciously stuck to his Dharmic responsibility and attempted to create awareness among the ignorant masses to at least sustain as much as possible and put them into practice for their own welfare. A considerable portion of his great discourses have been compiled and documented quite well by Sri.R.Ganapathi in his seven-volume magnum opus “Deivathin Kural” (Voice of God). It is true that he advocated Varnaasrama Dharma, which might have lost its relevance now. But just because we cannot put it into practice now, it doesn’t mean that the Varnaasrama Dharma is wrong or bad. In Volume-2 from page-985 to 1028 he speaks in detail about the caste system under 17 heads. He clearly establishes the fact that the Varnasrama Dharma is not discrimination but division of labour, which happens even now, albeit in a different manner, as we have the religious scholars, armed forces, business community and labour class. And in one chapter, he candidly explains the motive behind his advocacy of such concepts. The same is the case with some other concepts, which might not be possible to put into practice in the present circumstances. But it doesn’t mean they are wrong. One cannot understand Paramacharya’s discourses by a customary glance. One should study repeatedly many times and one would be surprised to get new and improved understanding every time after reading them. Small fries like us do not have the authority, knowledge, qualification and standing to criticize His Holiness and his teachings. If we get any doubts and need clarifications, we must approach the Scholars and Pundits (Upaadhyayas, Mahopaadyayas and Maha Mahopaadyayas) who have immense knowledge in Vedas, Shastras and other scriptures. So, don’t dare to criticize Pujya Paramacharya.
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Veda Swarupam! Shastras prohibit women from chanting the Gayatri Mantra and Sri.AMR has rightly said it. There are certain norms for chanting Gayatri Mantra. For example, one must have undergone Upanayanam, to chant it. Just because some modern day Swamiji had liberalized its norms, it doesn’t mean the Shastras are wrong. People are free to follow both. At the same time, those who follow the modern day Swamiji do not have the right to criticize or question those who follow the Shastras. And astrology is accepted by millions the world over as a great science. You are entitled to your opinion about astrology and you may not believe in it. But you don’t have the authority or right to insult a great pundit like Sri AMR calling him “a peddler of atrocious nonsense”. By using this kind of a language against learned elderly people you are only insulting your parents. It will reflect only on them, for readers will only deduce the way you are brought up.
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Veda Swarupam! You need not teach me about the history of Jalakandeswara Temple. My sister lived in Sathuvachari (where the Deities were kept in safe custody) then and she and my brother-in-law had participated in the movement. Hindu Dharma is not my new found love, stupid. As devotees of Kanchi Matham we have been contributing for Veda Rakshana, Go Samrakshana and Temple Renovations for generations. Please be informed that Atheenams and Mathams are always open for all Jathis. Sannithanamas and Acharyas do not discriminate people. It is the malicious propaganda by vested interests like the Dravidian racists (who were slaves of the British), which spoiled the people. Of course, some caste leaders were also responsible, but things are changing now. They have started reaching out to the poor and downtrodden and the Dhalits. Kanchi Matham has started this long time back and the present Pujya Periyava is doing so much for them reaching out to them, visiting them, their temples and colonies. As Hindu activists, it is our duty and responsibility to speed up the process, ultimately uniting the Hindus. It is a long process, but we must strive hard. That is what HDPM is all about. If you think it is not a people’s movement you are in the wrong.
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Veda Swarupam! Who are you (Aravindan Neelakandan) is very much relevant, as who is behind this movement. Because people, I mean the Hindu Samaj, must understand things by facts. Otherwise people like you will attempt to sabotage the entire process due to ego and personal prejudice. Things must be transparent, you see! It must not be like sending a few nameless persons as representatives of Hindu Samaj to inter-faith dialogues! Readers must understand who is who! I suggest you don’t divert the discussion unnecessarily and waste our time.
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Editor! I request you to kindly allow only the comments, which are decent in language and relevant to the column. Thanks & Regards
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Aravindan Neelakandan! 1. Varnaasrama Dharma is not untouchability, but division of labour. People must know the difference between untouchability and Achaaram. I condemn all those (whether they are bakthas of Kanchi Matham or not) who equate Varnaasrama Dharma with untouchability. 2. Vedas / Shastras too prohibit women from chanting specific Mantras. There are exceptions. But rules are different. That is why I said Modern day Swamijis have changed the rules and I said that people could follow whatever they want to. I also said, one follower must mind his/her business and must not criticize the other. I am not bothered about your opinion on Shastras. Similarly you may ignore Sri.AMR too. 3. You may not like or believe astrology. That is your will and wish. Whether you accept it or not, it is a science. 4. I said Atheenams and Mathams have started to reach out to Dalits. Kanchi Acharya has been doing it for long. Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam has done it recently in Thirunelveli. Late Paranchothi Swamigal of Sachithananda Ashram, Theni had done it throughout his life. He had many dalit disciples. Now Dalit Swamijis have set up Ashrams and people of all castes go there seeking blessing. With regards to RK Mutt, I can write many things about it. But, due to my reverence for Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, I am refraining from doing so. 5. I was not hitting below the belt my friend and the intention was not to drag in your parents. Your decency was quite evident in the manner you addressed Sri AMR. And from where on earth you found he was trying to dominate the Hindu movement initiated by Savarkar? Nobody has a dispute over Savarkar here. To understand the patriotism and religious passion of Sri AMR, one should talk to him a few times in person and read his editorials. You seem to discard him purely on the grounds of astrology and insult him too in the process. This is atrocious. 6. Writing articles in pseudonym is a different game altogether my friend! But entering into debate with known people in fictitious names is what I objected. And talking of bravery, my columns stand testimony. You wanted to print and circulate some of my articles (which I wrote in my pseudonym) in my original name throughout the state. I refused and asked you to print them in my pseudonym itself. It is not crying my friend, it is being cautious. If something happens tomorrow, neither you nor your organisation would come to my rescue or for taking care of my family. I have seen enough sacrifices of individual activists and what the organisations have done for their families. I am not throwing stones sitting in glass house, but you are only spitting lying flat on the ground!
	B.R.Haran
	23 Apr 2010


	Mr Haran, Kudos to the sincere and margadarshak steps that you have taken as individual people. They are a great step that each and every Hindu needs to take. It is a Dharma yudh and the dharma will protect all who stand by it. Those who criticize without reason show their personal falisities and how they have no respect for even women the way they keep refering ( some comments stink). ancient Indians and even now understand the power of Shakti to demean them just show ulterior motives and no understanding and practise of Dharma.
	Arvind
	24 Apr 2010


	By the way stop calling me Aravindan Neelakandan. It is an insult to me. Aravindan thinks casteists like you can contribute to Hindu society and he believes you. I have been telling him from the beginning you are an useless racist who will only harm and not help Hindu cause.
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	//Varnaasrama Dharma is not untouchability, but division of labour. People must know the difference between untouchability and Achaaram. I condemn all those (whether they are bakthas of Kanchi Matham or not) who equate Varnaasrama Dharma with untouchability. // Accept my heartfelt congratulations for this statement.
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	If you can also make a statement that Varna is not birth-based, then it will be really good.
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	Varna is NOT birth-based, it is a theory of ordering of Hindu society at a time when it was expanding rapidly and needed an overarching framework. Jati is birth-based, and as history shows, it is very flexible also - and movement up and down the varna hierarchy is very possible. Read Adi Deo Arya Devata, A Panoramic View of Tribal Hindu Cultural Interface, Sandhya Jain, Rupa, 2004. Also said GC Pande, The Foundations of Hindu Culture, 2 Vols.
	Pratap
	24 Apr 2010


	Pratap I completely agree with you. It is time we need to democratize our traditional institutions beyond the confines of birth-based structures. Unless that is done asking these stagnant institutions to provide leadership or guidance for a changing society is not only futile but also dangerous.
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rl6A5RWSco Is Swami Samartha Ramadhas Modern Swami? Should we go silent before such persons as the eminent learned person from Kasi depicted here? What is this malaise that continues to haunt Hindu society even from the days of Shivaji Maharaja?
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	//Though it is painful to part with friends, with whom I shared the monumental mission of launching www.tamihindu.com ,// is it? its a news to me. can you pl explain how you are involved in the launch of Tamilhindu.com. As far as I heard, you are continuously writing in Tamilhindu.com. As a writer, you fed a lot to Tamilhindu, I understand. I understand your pain too. But I could not understand what you shared in the launch of Tamilhindu. If you have shared a lot in the launch, please make it public.Let us be open to the world.
	Parabrahmma
	24 Apr 2010


	Dear webmaster of Vijaya Vani, I wish to draw your attention to: http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=1188 wherein one person called Vedha Swarupam has indulged in profanity (almost) and personal attacks (certainly) against Shri Haran and Ms Bhavatarini. Please remove the offending remarks by this person so-called "Vedha Swarupam" as they in no way contribute to a healthy intellectual discussion. If this person "Vedha Swarupam" does not like astrology or the rules of Hindu Dharma Shastra-s etc, and if this person is capable, it would have been more appropriate for this person to provide logical arguments as to why astrology is inappropriate and why a certain interpretation of the Dharma Shastra (w.r.t who can chant the Gayatri mantra) is not appropriate (in his/her opinion). Without doing so, this person has merely resorted to using harsh words against people like Shri AMR who is respected by many people in the present Tamil Nadu. I have seen on other websites like bharatabharati.wordpress.com how some people like Ms Jain express dissatisfaction against Shri Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam who is also a very respected person, but people like Ms Jain do so in an appropriate dignified manner without resorting to things like name-calling or denigrating. Similarly if this person has differences of opinion with Shri AMR or Shri Haran, then he/she has full freedom to express those opinions but in a logical manner like Ms Jain and not by the way he/she has done so in the above-mentioned page of your website. Therefore I request that such tasteless comments be removed from the page in question.
	Shriramana Sharma
	24 Apr 2010


	Mr. Sharma, You have your facts wrong. I did not call Bavatharini "septic tank etc" while she called me so (and interestingly that post has disappeared). I am not attacking or dragging Mr. Haran's parents while he definitely is dragging my way of being brought up. As far as my harsh comments on Mr.AMR, i stand by them. He has used a popular astrological magazine to peddle anti-women and anti-humanist messages by writing against women chanting Gayatri Mantra and against inter-caste marriages. Meanwhile Sangh - a progressive Hindu social organization supports inter-caste marriages. When i said what AMR says is wrong i have presented by views logically drawing attention to the fact that Manthra Drishtas themselves have been women. Where is any abuse or personal attack in this?
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	What would happen if a woman chant Gayathri Mantra? You guys are really funny yaar! And Sthal puran - you can write whatever you want and say its the sthal puran. Everybody will bow to feet and accept it! AMR - Atrocious \| Merit-less \| Ridiculous - do not shoot at your own feet by creating your own sthal puran.
	jeevan mukthi
	24 Apr 2010


	Parabrammam, Veda Swarupam, Jeevan Mukthi….Good combination! ….Well, I could recognize my (former)friends! //But I could not understand what you shared in the launch of Tamilhindu. If you have shared a lot in the launch, please make it public.Let us be open to the world.// I accept, my statement has given a wrong meaning and I regret. I didn't share any financial investment or technical knowhow. Sincere apologies. What I meant was contributing to the growth and spreading the message. Thanks for the association. Bye!
	B.R.Haran
	24 Apr 2010


	Yes, the Editor has removed that comment about septic tanks smelling the same no matter by which name they are called. What a pity. Dude Haran, you have surely other things to do instead of bandying words with those who are knowledge proof. And as for Tamil Hindu if it has Aravindan Stupidinsy in it, then you are better away from it. I mean that's what I think.
	S Bhavatharini
	24 Apr 2010


	I would like to know how in what way those who decry sthalapurana-s and jyautisha can call themselves Hindu-s? AFAI can see sthalapurana-s and jyautisha are also part of Hindu culture, no? So what's the big problem with them? If you don't want to believe, don't believe, that's all. See a lot of purana-s and not just sthalapurana-s -- I'm talking about the 18 main purana-s and 18 upapurana-s and even maybe other purana-s that exist -- these are written with very ordinary people in mind, to bring some kind of sense of "God exists" in them. See today we have serials like that one (I don't watch them so I don't know their names) about Murugan, and lots of serials about Amman and so on. In the olden days the purana-s served the same purpose -- to instil values into ordinary people. "Veda Swarupam" has so far not expressed disrespect towards Shri Maha Periyava, and so I hope he would respect what Shri Maha Periyava says. Shri Maha Periyava says that by the Mahabharata Katha and other Purana Katha-s in the olden days the good values like "satya" (Harishchandra) "dharma" (Yudhishthira) "matrudevo bava/pitru devo bava" (Rama) "acaryadevo bava" (Aruni, Shri Krishna) "atithi devo bava" (Siruttondar Nayanar) etc were instilled into ordinary people. That and that only is the main intent of the purana-s. The story that are being said towards this goal may be mutually conflicting etc. They may even be concocted -- but the moral is what is intended and what people who consider themselves real Hindus (and Veda Swarupam seems to include himself into this) should grasp from these stories. So what if the sthalapurana-s are imaginary tales? What is lost? Nobody is trying to making monetary gains here by these sthalapurana-s, and if you say that temple archakar is trying so, then you must consider that all such an archakar may earn is a pittance compared to the lakhs that IT professionals earn today. I often see and am saddened by people who earn in lakhs grudging to drop a 1-rupee coin in the bowl of a beggar (even if the beggar is really deserving in terms of being disabled etc). So similarly we must not grudge these archakars the few rupees they may be earning, if at all. If "Veda Swarupam" is a real Hindu then he must be concerned that lamps must continue to be lit in all the temples of Tamil Nadu and elsewhere, and seeing as these archakars are still to a great extent continuing to light the lamp and do some puja -- whether that is fully conforming to shastra-s or not is a different matter -- to the swami. As Krishna says "Svalpam apyasya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat" -- even a little of this great Dharma will protect us. So we must not immediately decry these archaka-s, especially seeing that we are ourselves not able to light the lamps of and do puja to all these various deities located in inaccessible locations... I'm just saying this in anticipation of "Vedha Swarupam" saying "archaka-s invented the sthalapuranams for their own livelihood". "Vedha Swarupam" must also note that Shri Maha Periyava always respected all these sthalapuranams and gramadevatai-s etc, and in fact He would inquire to devotees whether they were aware of the sthalapuranams of their own native town/village. So one must not decry sthalapuranams if one is a real Hindu. BTW "Vedha Swarupam" may want to change his name to remove the "h" in "Vedha" as "Vedha" in Sanskrit (as against "Veda") means "wound" or "attack"!
	Shriramana Sharma
	24 Apr 2010


	As for jyautisham, again as before, if you don't want to believe don't believe. I myself normally don't go running to jyautishi-s with my life's problems, but then I don't berate them. But in only one case in my personal experience I intimately know a person who benefited from a jyautishi and that jyautishi is Shri AMR! This person's parents' search for an alliance for him was repeatedly getting hindered and Shri AMR instructed him to do Aswamedha Parayanam in Kamakshi amman sannidhi in Kanchipuram for 9 days and within a couple of months a girl's party who had previously said "no" themselves contacted and said they are willing to finalize the alliance and the marriage took place and the couple are happy and have one baby girl now. So? "Coincidence"? Is that the answer? OK, if you don't want to believe don't believe. Those who believe will continue to believe and that should not hurt you or affect your bank account balance in any way. "Women should not say Gayatri" -- if you don't want to believe don't believe -- if you are going to do prachara everywhere by calling women and teaching Gayatri, what am I supposed to do about that? Many women I know are perfectly content NOT to say the Gayatri mantra -- what is your problem with that? If you are going to teach your wife, can I prevent you? All I am saying is that don't mess with my beliefs (I mean, that of people like Shri AMR). "Only Shivacharya-s are allowed to touch and do puja to the vigraha-s in Shiva temples" -- if you don't want to believe don't believe. If you want to construct a temple and train/appoint a dalit as archaka, I can't prevent you and won't try to. But again, don't mess with my beliefs. NOTE: Not even the greatest Somayaji-s or Agnihotri-s or Chaturvedi-s or Ghanapathi-s or Vedanta pundits among the "Veda" Brahmana community are allowed to do puja in Shiva temples --- only the "Shivacharya" community has the right to that. So there is no question of "why dalits are alone not allowed?" here, is there? If you are a real Hindu you must realize that the very greatness of Hinduism is that it is able to contain multitudes -- the real "unity in diversity" (and not the false one of the professed secular Indian Govt) is in Hinduism. So if somebody has a belief different from yours, why do you get so hot and bothered about that? Tolerance is Hinduism's middle name, don't you know? (@others: Yes yes I know all about how over-tolerance lead to Hinduism's downfall, and I am not advocating over-tolerance to the extent of allowing fanatics of other religions to dance upon our heads... Just I am saying some mutual tolerance is needed here to stop this meaningless flame thread...) So let us stop this meaningless thing here and spend our time in better things. @Veda Swarupam: You too, go and calm down and do what good you can to others in the form of "Jan Seva Janardan Seva" (Makkal Sevaiye Mahesan Sevai) and not waste your time by fighting with people who have different opinions than you (which includes me, incidentally). This I am saying for all of our good only...
	Shriramana Sharma
	24 Apr 2010


	Sri. Sharma, Thank you for the elaborate explanation. Yes. I agree with you Sthala Puranas are important. And it also pains to see our temple Archakas reduced to penury. They are an indication of the entire society forgetting the Dharma. Just like how the number of keystone species in an eco-system is an indication of the health of entire ecosystem, the same way the way pious people being reduced to penury is a sad plight that diminishes us all. So where i am diametrically opposed to HDPM is that they are starting with the isolated fragmented divisive approach of providing relief only to the Archakas. What i think as solution is we should make Dharma build up from the base. From socio-economic and cultural security of Dalits, radical empowerment of Dalits democratization of Veda Pada Salas and opening it up to the poor Dalits and also Brahmins. Brahmins are not a caste. they are a Varna, let us revitalize Brahmana Varna by opening the doors of this Varna to children of all Jaathis. Comparing modern day serial to traditional Sthala Puranas is too much. Modern day 'Bhathi' serials are obscene to say the least. Sthala Puranas may have a historic kernel and definitely poetic beauty to them. i show disrespect to none. but i do not respect and surely want to throw away those obscurantist views and corrupt Smrithis that plague Hindu mind at one level. Here i would not think of Smrithis as cunning books of deceit but museum pieces that had served their purpose. Ambedkar Smrithi is the most humanitarian and spiritual than any Smrithi that this nation has seen. So i detest the views put forth by people like AMR and i do not disrespect the person. Yes i know i hurt. The typo is not intentional. But if the shoe fits let me wear it.
	Vedha Swarupam
	24 Apr 2010


	Dear Vijayvaani.com, Some readers have brought to our notice the following comment by Sri. B R Haran to this article and sought clarifications. // Though it is painful to part with friends, with whom I shared the monumental mission of launching www.tamihindu.com , it should happen if it has to happen // Sri B R Haran is a regular contributor of articles to Tamilhindu.com. Like many well wishers from many Hindu groups, he also popularized our website by writing about it in News Today (he was with the magazine at that time) and a few other forums. We are very greatful to him for the continued support. In response to the supposed ambiguity in the above -said comment, we wish to state categorically that Sri BR Haran did not play any role in founding / launching the website, He is also not involved in the running of the website in any manner. anbudan, Tamilhindu.com Editorial board
	Tamilhindu.com Editorial board
	24 Apr 2010


	Tamilhindu.com Editorial Board! //In response to the supposed ambiguity in the above -said comment, we wish to state categorically that Sri BR Haran did not play any role in founding / launching the website, He is also not involved in the running of the website in any manner. anbudan, Tamilhindu.com Editorial board// I had regretted for inadvertently using the word 'launching' and conveyed my sincere apologies too as follows: // I accept, my statement has given a wrong meaning and I regret. I didn't share any financial investment or technical knowhow. Sincere apologies. What I meant was contributing to the growth and spreading the message.// I wonder how it escaped your attention, as you (in different names, I suppose) have been following each and every comment of mine in this forum! However, I thank you for being grateful to my continued support. Let me also reiterate the last part of my comment: - //Thanks for the association. Bye!//
	B.R.Haran
	24 Apr 2010


	Dudes tamilhindu now that you have all hyperventilated about Haran 'launching' your website, which you dudes say you got to hear from Vijayvaani readers, did anyone tell you all that some dude from your website has been posting obscene messages on this site about the Kanchi paramacharya and about another venerable old man - AM Rajagopal? This creep burning with anti-brahmin hatred has been writing under different names and while you clueless dudes seem anxious about the semantics of 'launching' I thought i should also bring to your notice this creep aravindan stupidinsky alias dravida sheeshooshoshum and alias vedhamdhimdhoomdhaam is that dude. Any profound clarifications on this issue dudes?
	S Bhavatharini
	27 Apr 2010


	Dear Hindu brothers and sisters, dont waste your precious time and energies in arguments. continue the goodwork ignoring the criticism,sabotage,cunning propaganda etc we should not use such fora to wash dirty linen even if some Hindu brothers and sisters have done harm because it will only embolden anti-Hindu forces to further muddy the waters. And we will end up standing in the same spot. The need of the hour is to bring about the unity of the Hindus so that the Hindu-baiters and supporters of muslims and christians are thrown out from politics. the anti-Hindu forces in different garbs will try to confuse the Hindus by starting some irrelevant topics like varnashrama etc. all the best R.Sridharan
	sridharan R
	28 Apr 2010


	//obscene messages on this site about the Kanchi paramacharya and about another venerable old man - AM Rajagopal// You seem to have some queer notions of obscenity. What exactly are these obscene comments?
	Sambuka Ekalaivan
	01 May 2010


	May God bless you.
	HinduOnline.blogspot.com
	02 May 2010


	Who is a Hindu?
	Prakasam
	08 Jul 2010

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