Kanchi Periva Forum - Ebook on Sri Maha Periva's Life History - Volume 6

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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



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



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.



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



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



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



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!



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.



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.



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



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



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



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,



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



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.

****



Periva Divya Darshan

Spiritual

Kanchi Periva Forum - Ebook on Sri Maha Periva's Life History - Volume 6