Unholy Mess in Varanasi
             "Shankaracharya" against "Shankaracharya"

Varanasi, May 2 . As Swami Adhokshanand arrived in the holy city to expose Narendra Modi, a press release landed in the media offices issued by Puri Shankarcharya Peetha here today alleging that Swami Adhokshanand is misleading the people by appropriating name of Puri Peetha.

                            Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati has sent a letter to Election Commission of India complaining that a person named Swami Adhokshanand is moving around Uttar Pradesh supporting Congress and Samajwadi Party, press release said. Swami Nishchalanand in his letter to the Election Commission, has attached a Puri court's order which prohibits movement of Swami Adhokshanand in and around Goberdhan Peeth, The seat of Shankaracharya at Puri.

                          Puri seer urged the Election Commission to initiate legal action against " fake Shankaracharyas", to ensure the sanctity of election process and maintain the dignity of Shankarcharya Peethas.

     Narendra Modi : From Vadnagar to Varanasi via Vadodara           

                                                 Modi in God's Own Constituency

                          Boy from Vadnagar, Narendra Modi says he was called to Varanasi by Mother Ganga. But why he forgot Lord Shiva, who might also be interested in bringing boy of Vadnagar to his eternal abode.

                         No body comes to Varanasi without a calling. Great Annie Besant was ordered to proceed to Varanasi from London by divine masters ( Mahatmas) living in Tibet.. Annie Besant had to postpone her India trip as Madam Blavatsky and other senior leaders in Theosophical Society warned her about Varanasi visit. Some of them had intuition about the imminent danger awaiting Annie Besant in Varanasi.

                         Annie Besant in 1893 finally declared that she was proceeding to Varanasi on the specific order of her mentor Mahatma. Thus " maker of modern Varanasi" came to the city and remained here  for decades until her death in 1933. Central Hindu School which was later converted into Banaras Hindu University (BHU) , Vasanta college, Krishnamurti foundation and theosophical society are testimony of contribution of this great Rishi.

                       Mother Ganga called Narendra Modi to Varanasi and who called Arvind Kejriwal? Perhaps Modi, as the Broom crusader says that with the defeat of Modi , Varanasi will decide fate of the nation.

                       Where does Lord Shiva come in all these natural and supernatural scheme of things? Vadnagar is essentially a Shiva pilgrimage centre. It is the abode of Shiva in Hatak (gold) form. Presiding deity of Vadnagar is called Hatkeshwar. The capital of Great Shiva devotee, Ravana is described in the Puranas as Hatakpur (Lanka- city of gold). Gujaratis world over worship Shiva as Hatakeshwar and in Varanasi they built a temple of Hatkeshwar on the banks of holy Ganga.

                     Then there is a destiny shaper element in Vadnagar. Ancient name of Vadnagar is Chamatkarpur ( city of miracles). So lot of chamatkar is awaiting India in 2014 elections as boy from Chamatkarpur is on the march from the city of Vishveshwar.

                                               Political bickering in Varanasi

                                                               I asked a holy-man one night,
                                                               (who was a kaaldarshi)  
                                                               this land is in a sorry state
                                                               goodness and virtues left the land
                                                              father fights son , brother fights brother
                                                             unity and harmony are nowhere
                                                              Kaliyuga is on rampant 
                                                             why then qayamat is not occurring
                                                             who is preventing qayamat's final blow
                                                             holy-man pointed towards Kashi (Varanasi)
                                                             and said with a smile,
                                                            the divine painter does not wnat
                                                             his most beautiful creation destroyed
                                                            Kashi (Varanasi) enriches the humanity with
                                                             its colour and liveliness
                                                          ( Mirza Ghalib in Masnavi Chiragh- i- Dair- Temple Lamps)
                                                          
                                                             Even if great Ghalib had not penned these eulogy of Kashi (Varanasi) we Banarasis know by conviction and experience that our city is the cause of the creation and if the creation still survives it is because of this land. 
                                                          But in these days, in the midst of election fever the Banarasiness  is experiencing severe strains. The city appears to be , literally, a battleground, where all types of methods are being used to score a political point.  Arvind Kejriwal, an outsider, cautioning the people against another outsider , Narendra Modi. Argument is that if nation is to be saved then Modi should be defeated here. Modi supporters were retaliating with words and muscle power. Wherever Kejriwal goes, Modi supporters are there to jeer him. And it often results in Police intervention.
                                                      Paid or unpaid workers ,in large numbers , have landed in Varanasi from outside, specially from Delhi. Their presence is not being criticised but, certainly, it is creating problem. Local workers of different parties know each other by face and know how to interact. Outsiders behave like an adviser .
                                                     Controversial Aap leader Somnath Bharati was physically assaulted in Assi locality last week and an FIR was registered against Professor Kaushal Kishore Mishra, Head Of the Department , Banaras Hindu University and some BJP workers. Prof. Mishra said he and Mr Bharati were taking part in a TV debate when Aap leader used objectionable language against Narendra Modi. Aap leader denies the allegation.
                                                 Banarasis would all be happy that outsiders, candidates and their supporters, shall  leave the city at the earliest. We don't need saviour of the city , The city is in fact saviour of the universe. Don't vitiate the atmosphere.



                                                              
                                                          
                                                             
                                                        

                                                          

                     Broom Caps Hit the Street and In Strength

Varanasi April 27. Lull is broken and broom caps hit the street and in strength. 60 hours after Narendra Modi's road show Arvind Kejriwal demonstrated his determination and zeal to take on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate. And the venue was most appropriate- the Lanka locality, near Banaras Hindu University.

                            About 10 thousand  strong and attentive crowd cheered Kejriwal intermittently  though there was also jeer shouts of Modi, Modi from a short distance. BHU students, young boys and girls, were part of the crowd and left the venue only after listening  farewell slogan of Bharat Nata Ki Jai.

                            I heard two students standing nearby. One broom capped asked his friend about elections- reply was Agli Baar Modi Sarkar. The sentiments of youths are divided in such a way that Kejriwal himself get amused when he read a question sent by an audience. Aap leader reading the chit said with a smile- one Vijay Sonkar says that he is a Modi supporter; who he should vote for? Aap leader said he had put his case before the people, now do what ever your conscious tells you.    

                           It is still a hazy scenario in Varanasi; as Kejriwal moves in Muslim localities, people are appeared inclined towards his narratives. Muslims appreciate Kejriwal's frontal attack  on Modi, who is still a nightmare for minority community. Polarization of Muslims in favour of Kejriwal will drastically change the election calculations; it will fetch about 100000 + votes to Kejriwal, enough to challenge formidable Modi. Modi is still a favourite but it will not be a walk over as road show analysts are predicting.

 Narendra Modi's Ganga Jamuni Tehjeeb : An Unexplained  Rhetoric 

Varanasi April 26. Narendra Modi boast of his home work and research. So,  supporters and detractors alike, curious to know what did he mean when he said in the holy city , that he swear by Ganga Jamuni Tehjeeb  (GJT) of the country.

                            For many decades, and even in this election debates, GJT remains a catch word for Indian intelligentsia, specially the liberal secular warriors. For Sangh Parivar GJT is an anathema as the Parivar believes in Hindu culture. One wonders whether Modi did a proper research or home work before uttering these words.

                        A lady reporter was struggling with words to translate GJT  in English. I helped her suggesting Composite culture of the country. The Hindu reporter missing the meaning by miles,  used word etiquette while Times of India was nearer to meaning chose, communal harmony.

                       Sangh Parivar's guiding light, M. S. Golwalkar (Guruji), who was product of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) , dealt with the question in following manner :- Answering the question, “May not the development of Hindu culture hinder the evolution of a composite culture?” Guruji said, “It need not. Firstly, a composite culture, if any, cannot grow on weak and deficient constituents. Secondly, the basic culture of the country, while absorbing elements of other cultures, retains its identity and name.” ( S Gurumurthy )
                       Times of India , in its editorial, commented on  Modi's Ganga Jamuni Tehjeeb thesis - " Victory in Varanasi is imperative for the narrative that Modi will uphold a syncretic Hindu heritage. Hopefully, this can trump hate-mongering HIndutva in BJP's identity."
                      As one understands  the phrase,  Ganga stands for Hindus and Jamuna (Yamuna) for Muslims and confluence of these two religious/ cultural traditions results into GJT. And this syncretic culture is in consonance with the Mainstream of the Indian nation, as envisioned by national leaders. But the Mainstream calls for   common rules and standards for all the citizens  and this is not acceptable to certain groups.

         Lull in Varanasi : Nrendra Modi's Road Show Effect

Varanasi April 26. Suddenly there is lull in the holy city, hopefully temporarily. Nrendra Modi's road show unnerved and unsettled many. In the last 36 hours the show is being debated more in Delhi than in Varanasi. Certainly the Varanasi event was the most significant happening of  2014 Lok Sabha elections. Why? why show of strength by a political party in a single constituency should effect the entire country? This shows power and magic of Varanasi- as the  mover and shaker of the country.

                                                                      In 19th and 20th century , to mention only recent centuries, the city led the Indian renaissance, the city was virtually birthplace of Theosophical Society and Orientalism. Annie Besant and Madan Mohan Malaviya were instrumental in development of national education in the country through Central Hindu School (1898) and Banaras Hindu Univercity (1916). Annie Besant later guided national politics for about 20 years and Mahamana played important role in preventing the derailment of national movement.

                                                                     After a gap of several decades Varanasi is about to regain the pivotal role of shaping a new India as a world power , materially and spiritually. Presence of Modi and Kejriwal in the election fray only testifies this reality.And there is something non human element in all these development. Modi and Kejriwal both saying that they are the chosen ones. And the chosen ones chose Varanasi to fulfill God given task.

                                                                    Coming back to profane, the city appears t in mood of relaxation. Road show's tiredness , and for some, its after-shocks, took a toll. Modi's rivals are taking stock of the situation afresh -resetting their strategies. In next few days it will become clear  who will have an upper hand and establish himself as a  main challenger to Modi. Modi in the meantime is touring all over the country, to be in the city only in the last leg of elections- perhaps in early May. By that time Kejriwal and Congress candidate Ajay Rai will have to demonstrate before the voters- who is formidable enough to take on Modi.

 

Modi in Kashi : Unprecedented; awesome and yes, intimidating 

Vatanasi April 24. Seeing is not believing. The scene witnessed in the holy city today is really historic and unprecedented .Nrendra Modi would  not have seen such a crowd or jajba if his whole months' long campaign.Lord Shiva might have opened third eye, not to incinerate but to bless this new arrival.

                                    Enthusiasm touching frenzy has also an element of intimidation. It  resembles Ayodhya movement but at that time there was no individual to be supported and appeal was all religious/communal.

                                   The crowd surpassed the numbers seen in any past political gathering.At the height of his political career even Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not able to gather such a support. From southern end     ( Banaras Hindu University) to northern end (district headquarter) the city was on its toes to welcome a political aspirant. The city was flooded with the posters " Modi Aane Wala Hai". The slogan was intriguing; was it a simple information, a welcome note or a  warning. When he really arrived and left, same intriguing persisted. 

                                  The election outcome is all clear but two newly initiated ganas of Shiva, Modi and Kejriwalare are all set to engage in many duels in future. The city today saw opponents of Modi being       un-capped.but one thing is certain that Kejriwal is not here to be intimidated.Shiva, perhaps, is entrusting Modi a task and if he fails then the other gana is always there to carry out the same.