Sanatana Dharma - Aka Hinduism (2nd Bin)

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->SHABARIKUMBH


(Compiled from Marathi Weekly “Vivek” dated 26th February 2006)



In Daang District of Gujarat, there is a place called ‘Subir’. It was here that
Shabari waited for Shriram with sweet Bers (a sweet and small fruit usually
found in jungles) already tested by her for sweetness. On arriving there, as the
Ramayana describes this poetic incident, Shriram met her with happiness and ate
those bers, which she had already tested. She was a resident of this jungle that
time called Dandkaranya.  Nearby is the place of the Ashram of Matang Rishi her
Guru and also Pampa Lake. Consecrated by these three emotional connections with Ramayan, the
Vanavasis (forest dwellers) have a faith
that Shabarimata saw Shriramchandra here and on receiving the Kripaprasad of
him, disappeared in the infinite. Swami Assemanand, who is famous for Gharvapasi
of Hindus (Reconversion of converted Hindus in Hindu religion) in Daang and
Gujarat had realized the potential of this place and told the workers of
Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram that there was a need to awaken the age old emo
tions attached with Shabari here. Further, he expressed his wish that in this
important Hindu place, a large temple of Shabarimata should be erected. While
activities were undertaken for it, the people here decided that Shri Muraribapu
so well known for his ‘Ramkatha’ discourses should hold them here for nine days.
‘Ramkatha’ was started here with a great enthusiasm, which got accelerating
momentum. Shri Muraribapu saw Pampa Lake, saw the Mandir of Shabarimata and was
inspired with a great idea. He directed the people here in his hallowed voice
that a Shabarikumbh must be held HERE around the time when a Shabariyatra was being held here
by Vanavasis.



It was a seed of a great idea with tremendous potential and challenge to all
Hindutva workers in India. ‘Kumbh’ Melas are held in India in various places at
different times. They denote the drops of heavenly nectar (Amrit), which fell
when the Nectar was won over from Asuras by Garuda and the Amritkumbh was
carried by him to the Gods by him. Here Muraribapu gave the idea of
Shabarikumbh. Mata Shabari had created here the Amrit of Rambhakti. Various
organizations and institutes involved in the work on Vanavasis, threw themselves
with heart and soul along with thousands of their activists in this work months
before and the message of Shabarikumbh scheduled to be held on 11th, 12th and
13th February was spread to all the corners of the country, particularly in
jungles, Vanavasi localities and remote areas. Everywhere the preparations were
being made for travel arrangements of the participants, names enrolled, groups getting organized and
preparations for a massive function were
launched at the actual site.  There was a quiet mass movement going on in the
Vanavasis.



The media wanted a sensational news about the communal Hindus to denigrate them
as usual. They started giving special reports with their pet labels of headings:
“A New Ayodhya in the making, Maker Modi”, “In the tribal Dang of Gujarat, the
Sangh is building a big bomb”, “Sangh converting Dang tribals”, “The crucible of
Hindutva – The RSS selects Dang as its New laboratory” etc. It was a pathetic
effort of the interested lobbies to create an atmosphere of hate and prejudice.
But it seems they could not fool the people again and again. However, by
connecting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, VHP, Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Bajrang Dal
and others with this great movement, they actually honoured these organizations
for their work. Media was engaged in spreading false news like, ‘For
preparations of Shabarikumbh, a number trees were cut down’ etc. In fact, although the place of
Shabarikumbh was smack in a locality, which was
originally a forest (Dandkaranya), not a single tree was cut do
wn as most of the Vanavasis worship them like gods. The result was that again
the media lost its credibility further and since people are convinced about the
valid intentions and nationalist spirit of these organizations, they knew that
Shabarikumbh was for their good only. The critics of Kumbh had thus ensured the
success of Kumbh.





Noticeably, the Shabarikumbh Samaroh Samiti conveniently neglected this
disinformation campaign and kept working to the schedule already drawn. It
followed Narendra Modi’s tactics – kept working only. The attackers got
disappointed as there were no counters and their movement slowly waned. Samiti
had for their objective to awaken the feeling of Samarasata (Harmony) in the
Hindu society and encourage Vanavasi culture and pride, promote their
development and give expression to the Unity and oneness among them.



All arrangements were made with great imagination, expertise of Sangh and its Parivar and well
directed incessant efforts of thousands of workers. It was just unimaginable
that such a great event on a mammoth scale could be organized to culminate in a
grand gathering and glorious function successfully. Only Sangh could achieve it.
It is beside the point that infrastructure facilities were provided by
Government of Gujarat and brought lot of roads etc. to this Vanavasi area.



Vanavasi brothers and sisters attended the Kumbh in a huge number, much much
more than expected from all corners of the country with the Kalashas of holy
waters of the rivers flowing in their areas. This power of their unity and their
firm and sound faith in the Hindu religion which was amply underlined here is
the acknowledgement of the great and massive efforts of the workers.





The opening ceremony of Shabarikumbh took place in a magnificent and glorious
manner. The pandall was overflowing. On the dais were various Sadhus and Saints, the five kings of
Daang, office holders of Shabarikumbh Samaroh Samiti,
Kishorji Vyas, Satyamitranand Giri, Asaramji Bapu, Sant Muraribapu and the Chief
Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. In this ceremony only, all speakers spoke
firmly and clearly about conversion and protection of the religion.  This
opening ceremony guaranteed the success of the Kumbh.



The President of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram Shri Jagdevrao Uraunva said.



‘Today’ is extremely auspicious. Thousands of devotees are here. On the dais a
number of Sadhus and Saints are present to bless and unique feature of this
gathering is even our Vanvasi Saints are also here.”



Stating that this hill of Shabari was called Chamak Dongri, he recounted how the
idea of Shabari Kumbh was mooted by Muraribapu and implemented and said that we
are seeing this idea has taken a concrete form today.



“But this Kumbh is quite different than others. Its importance is unprecedented.
Till recently, the situation appeared as if the Vanvasis had forgotten their unique tradition.
The idea of this Kumbh is that their
tradition should be looked after; they should know these their own traditions
themselves and should be aware that they are an inseparable part of the Hindu
society and other constituents of Hindu society should feel brotherly love and
oneness for the Vanvasis as well.



“Lakhs of brothers and sisters will come here, hundreds of saints will arrive,
they will think over the situation of the country. Let us take inspiration from
all these things.”



Swami Satyamitranand Giri said in his speech said that all present on the dais
were “Ramsainiks” and CM Narendra Modi was leading them and pandall got
reverberated with the applause of the audience. “Once one gentleman asked a
Vanavasi, ‘What do you do?’ He replied, ‘We walk in the forests (Vanacharaam),
take people across the rivers (taraam), cultivate the farms (Ahraam), we are not
afraid (Abhayraam), and thus Ram has filled throughout our life. Hence, the
place that the Gods have is given to the Vanavasis. He further explained that even in your small hut,
Hanuman Chalisa must be chanted. Take any service offered to you, but do not
barter your religion to Christian missionaries for it.  Taking advantage of
one’s poverty, convert him is a great crime”. He

concluded his speech by giving an outline as to how there should be a change in
the Vanavasi community. He said, “In every village, there should be a school, a
gymnasium. Entire village should start ‘Ramkatha’ which should end with a
Bhandara (free meal for all). It will strengthen the society and nobody will
dare to try to convert us.”



Chief Minister Narendra Modi said in his speech, “The word ‘Shabarikumbh’ came
out of the mouth of Muraribapu and we are all seeing today it is taking a
concrete shape. My Government has declared this year as a Tourism Year.  You all
lakhs of people have come here today and have given an excellent start to it.”
He expected that it would be a place of pilgrimage in the minds of all Vanabandhus
and all of them would feel like visiting this place. With the tourism, the
development of this region would also grow. He thought that Shabarikumbh is the
beginning of the development of Daang. If such festival takes place for the
middle class, it was not a new thing, but here the place of importance is given
to the Vanavasi brothers. That was the most important thing. He said, “Shabari
was waiting here for Shriram. I am seeing here a developed India, because India
is waiting for development for last so many years.”



Among thunderous applause, sarcastically, he thanked Arjunsingh for criticizing
and calumnising Shabarikumbh, as it was due to that publicity he gave to it in
the Hyderabad Session of the Congress that it was successful that day. In his
aggressive style, he attacked those who calumnise and denigrate Hindu culture
and also congratulated because the success also due to their disinformation
campaign. He pointed out that in the constitution stated that to convert by
allurement or fraud was a crime and even Gandhiji said that to convert was
wrong for any cultured
society. But abuses were heaped on him when he said it. He also criticized Lalu
Prasad for his denigration of Shabarikumbh.



He congratulated the organizers for the success of the Kumbh and stated that the
Government was working for the development of Daang. He stated that the
Government had spent 600 crore rupees for the development of Daang. Asphalt
roads were now reaching up to every village or Pada. Power supply is made for 24
hours. He confidently told the people that Daang would be developed to a great
extent during the coming five years.



Shri Asaram Bapu said, “By this way or that way, due to the discussion that took
place in the country, the feelings of the people leading a neglected life in the
remotest corners of the country have reached to the nook and corner of the
country. Hence, people have come here in lakhs. With this gathering, great Tapas
of the Vanavasi brothers is being seen here. Man’s life is for a short time here.

But during this time, we must learn the art of converting
defeat into victory. How far are we going to allow us to be exploited? We must
awaken. To tolerate injustice is great sin. Don’t commit the sin of changing
your religion. Our Vedic religion does not allow fear or mourning. Hence, nobody
should get afraid of Hindus awakening or strength.”  He also appealed
Missionaries not to convert Hindus and send Christ to the cross again and told
many examples of Padris having a change of heart.



Saint Muraribapu said that Shabarikumbh Mela was not the thought of myself alone
but the entire people on dais. He was very happy to see that it has been brought
into reality of all the people. He mentioned that Shabari had a great faith on
the words of Matang Rishi her Guru and hence never doubted that she would meet
Shriram. And it came to be true. Criticising the Christian Missionaries for
their converting activities, he quoted from Bible how Christ also was against
conversion. He also was emphatic that there is nothing wrong in returning to Hinduism.

“We were bringing
our people in our religion. Christians hence need not get afraid. If they are
getting afraid because they had converted Hindus by allurement or fraud etc. we
can cure it. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is our Sanatan motto. We do not scare
anybody.” In the end he quoted a Sher meaning, “These dying candles will not of
any use. Light on new lamps, because the light was very faint”.



Next day three Conferences were held. Saint’s conference, Women’s conference and
Youth conference.  The conferences were addressed by Gunvantsinh Kothari,
organizing secretary of VKA, Umeshji Gavit, RSS speaker Indreshkumar gave
enlightening speeches and pointed how Christian Missionaries were using various
means to convert Hindus, also how they were making Hindus to fight with each
other and how they were also destroying our culture, religion and country. One
lakh women who attended the Kumbh were asked to be ready to protect our
religion. There was wonderful response by them.
Huge pictures of Mahishasurmardini and Ranima Gaidenlu
were adorning the dais along with poetic and inspiring slogans written in large
letters. Sahapramukh Sevika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Pramilatai Medhe said,
“Water of good thoughts of Kumbh and Prasad of good thoughts should be taken by
women to all villages. In our motherly power, there is a strength of destroying
the mindset of purchasing our mother and motherland.” 

Famous activists like Mesdames Laxmikanta Chawla,
Buhitati, Chairperson of the Conference, Shivsaraswati, all delivered inspiring
speeches expressing confidence that now the women will protect our Sanatan
Dharma. The speeches of Shivasaraswati who roams from small villages or padas
for protection of our religion throughout the country, got a tremendous
response. Huge number of men also was present to hear her.



Saint’s Conference was extremely thoughtful and wonderful from all accounts.
Saints from different parts of the country spoke and all of them had a single
strain of protest against conversion by Missionaries and everybody
appealed all Vanavasis to fight against them and stop their conversion.
Ramprapannaji Maharaj from Ramrekhadham, Zarkhand asked all the saints  to
consider to stop the conversion their first duty. H asked the Hindus to consider
that one conversion means killing one cow and fight it tooth and nail. In the
concluding ceremony, Shri Sudarshanji said, “Our Hindu society is like Hanumant.
It does not know its own strength. That is why the other religions are attacking
it. As they were cut off their history, this community is sleeping. All saint
should keep moving from place and wake up their consciousness and make aware of
their history and religion so that they will be ready to protect the religion”
He cited the example of Kooki community in Assam. They have be
en brought back in Hindu religion. Their priests got wild and told them to bring
their Fathers to discuss. Kookis told them we are pastors of our religion and
sent them away. Nobody is aboriginal here, nobody is Dalit (downtrodden) and we should use the words
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. We have to fight with demonic powers in
the future and hence this society awakening work has to be done very fast. He
expressed satisfaction over the success of the Saints’ Coherence.



Dharmasabha was addressed by the holy saints and women and was full of mature
thoughts and desire to fight conversion. It passed a number of resolutions most
of them covering legal, moral and social aspects of the conversion and partial
treatment to Hindus in this Hindu dominated country. Right from Shankaracharya
of Jyotirmath, Vasudevadand Sarsaswati, Sadhvi Ritambhara to Mrs Sidhutai
Sapkale all spoke spiritedly and Shankaracharya asking to hold such Kumbhs in
Uttaranchal, Poorvanchal, and Dakshinachal. Mrs Sapkale thanked the Samiti or
for oganising this Kumbh and covered the social aspect of it. Sadhvi Ritambhara
appealed the audience to make the roar of Conch of energy out of this Kumbh. We
must give tit for tat to the terrorists. To save our religion and Shaastraas we should
use weapons (Shastras) also.



Mohanji Bhagwat, Sarsahkaryavah said that such a massive and magnifiscent
Mahakumbh has been successfully held is a sign of the Kripa of Shabarimata. Her
blessings are with us and with it we will be successful in we will be successful
in taking this great country to the highest peak of prosperity, affluence and
pinnacle of glory.



Shabarikumbh : Statstical Data




Residential Accommodation            :            31 townships

Planning from                                     :            29 Departments

Controllers (Prabandhaks) Male:            4,000

Controllers (Prabandhaks)Females:            1,000

Kitchens                                    :            9

Watertanks                                    :            300

Ambulances                                    :            13

Dispensaries/clinics                        :            3

Traffic Centres                        :            3

Kumbh Area            `                        :            12 Km

Tubes                                                :            8,000

Bulbs                                                :            50,000

Conference Hall                        :            57 lakh Sq. Ft

Ghaats in Pampa Sarovar            :            4



Material for food arrangement



Rice : 12 tonnes

Daal : 40 tonnes

Vegetables of various kinds: 75 tonnes

Potatoes: 100 tonnes

Mirchi (Chilli) : 2 tonnes

Haldi (Turmeric): 1,000 Kg

Dhania            : 700 Kg.                                    


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