As we celebrate SWAHA’s 15th anniversary on April 15th 2022, we pay special tribute to the founder of SWAHA, the late Shankaracharya, H. H. Pandit Hari Prasadji. The Shankaracharya was born on December 11, 1927, to the late Pandit and Mrs. Pateshri and Dhanmati Tewarie. He taught that “everybody is divine by nature. My advice to mankind is, first of all, study the Ramaayan, listen to the glories of the Master in various ways…By doing so, one will get peace.”
At the age of 15 years, he was initiated by his Guru Pandit Bibhudial Sharma. He was well versed in Hindi and Sanskrit, and began serving the community through religious and spiritual education at age 16. Shankaracharya got married to the late Shreemati Chandrawti Persad, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage, during which time they raised six sons and one daughter, and were the proud grandparents of 18 and great-grandparents of 10.
The Shankaracharya envisioned the need for a Hindu organization founded and led by pandits. It was from this vision that the organization, SWAHA International, was founded in 1993, headed by the Shankaracharya, Pandit Hari Prasad. He was a renowned and charismatic leader, a role model, a visionary, a dedicated and dutiful pandit, a devoted husband, a loving father, a simple and humble son and maataa-pitaa bhakt, a true believer in the worship of his parents. Some of the Shankaracharya’s words of wisdom are contained in the following extract taken from one of his satsangs:
When the Divine Energy is invisible, formless and infinite, it is called Niraakaar Brahm; however, the Divine can assume a divine form and name (Sakar Brahm). That Divine Energy is personified in various ways, both masculine and feminine. In the feminine form, She is called Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Katyayani, Vaishnavi, Rudrani, Indrani, Brahmani, and numerous others. She is very kind, compassionate and merciful. Those who make sacrifices in Her name, in whatsoever way, will receive Her mercy.
Shri Sutaji once explained to an audience of many sages the glory of the Divine’s past incarnations. However, he talked only of the masculine manifestations of the Divine, and the sages requested that He explain to them the Divine Feminine. Without hesitation, he said that he would glorify Maha Shakti, the Supreme Energy. However, he said, it is not easy to listen to the glories of the Divine Mother. In the first instance, one must be qualified by the mercy and grace of the Divine Mother. Secondly, we must be willing to listen. We must also have some knowledge about the Divine Mother, in terms of how graceful, merciful, kind, considerate and compassionate She is.
Spiritual people usually agree that the Divine Energy, the spiritual force in the feminine form, is more compassionate and more easily pleased. There was a time when that masculine Divine form was unable to help the people of this universe, but with the intervention of that Divine Mother, their problem was solved. Therefore, Sutaji said that their request was acceptable, pleasing and satisfying to him: “What I have in my intellect about the Divine Mother, I shall impart to you all. However, let me tell you that there is no end to Her glories and Her greatness.” He said, “To go to holy shrines is very important as it helps to build one’s merit. By listening to different scriptures, one gets inspiration and motivation to follow the spiritual path.” Human beings are not perfect. Time and again they make mistakes but devotion to the Divine Father and Mother will liberate them. Everyone has that potential. Everyone is divine by nature.
Devi katha, devotion to the Divine Mother, is the solution to all problems. If a child gets mud on his body, the mother will make sure and clean that child. Human society is not perfect but we can strive for perfection through good association, self-enquiry and self-sacrifice. When one practises these spiritual actions, one moves forward. Just as the human mother cleans the child, the Divine Mother blesses, spiritualises and motivates the devotee. Sutaji said, “I could glorify that Divine Mother; I could praise Her and give Her the due respect that She deserves; but no one knows the fullness and greatness of all Her manifestations.”
Sutaji narrated that Vyas was an incarnation of Maha Vishnu, yet He seemed unable to compile his scriptural works. Thus, the Divine Mother in the form of Saraswati, through the medium of Naradji, inspired him, and he then wrote the Bhagwat Mahaa Puraan. The Divine Mother is very kind, compassionate and considerate in nature. Blessed are those who know Her greatness. Blessed are those who make sacrifices in Her name. Blessed are those who sit and listen to Her glories. The practices, lessons and history in the Devi Bhagwat will bring happiness, peace and fulfilment in our lives.
We are all blessed to receive the wisdom imparted from the Shankaracharya during his lifelong dedication to the advancement of Hindus. We reflect upon his message as we celebrate SWAHA’s 29 years of service to the Hindu community and the nation.
