Asharam Bapu remains an influential spiritual guru, despite facing legal issues in supposedly fake cases
The content of this article is based on the life of H.H. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu. Swami Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in September 1893. A hundred years after him, Pujya Bapu Ji addressed the same Parliament in September 1993 and the whole parliament reverberated with the chanting of Hari Om. Both of these world-renowned spiritual leaders addressed the audience for much longer period than the given time and the audience were absorbed in listening to them.
To save the youth who are being ruined due to the lustful festivals like valentine’s day, in 2007 Pujya Bapu ji-initiated celebrations of Matri-Pitri Pujan Diwas (Parents worship day) on 14th February. Pujya Bapu ji felt that, due to the blind imitation of Western culture there has been a steep rise in the incidences of alcoholism, suicide, and other immoral activities, especially among the youth during the last week of December. To rescue the youth from this debauchery and denigration, Pujya Bapu ji came up with the idea of worshipping a sacred Tulsi plant (holy basil). So, with a view to awaken the cultural pride of the India and to save the countrymen from mental slavery, in 2014, he initiated celebration of Tulsi pujan on 25th December. Pujya Bapu Ji has always emphasized the necessity to follow rich Indian culture and always said that it is only the Indian culture and Sanatana dharma which can give the world happiness & peace.
Dear readers, India is a tapestry woven from many religious threads, where a rich variety of faiths coexist. The enduring influence of gurus and spiritual leaders on society, has been a longstanding phenomenon in Indian history. The spiritual landscape of India is vast and vibrant, with a multitude of gurus and spiritual leaders providing wisdom to individuals from all walks of life. Sadguru, for instance, has gained popularity among the educated and affluent segments of society, albeit facing challenges of regional and linguistic barriers. However, amidst these revered gurus, the case of Asharamji Bapu stands out, as he currently serves imprisonment while maintaining his innocence in a case deemed false by him. In this edition we are talking about the charismatic influence of Sant Asharamji Bapu.
Saint Shri Asaram Bapuji is in Jodhpur jail for the last 10 years and is challenging the decision of the sessions court in the presumed fake rape case in the High Court. Despite his incarceration, Asharamji Bapu’s social work and spiritual teachings continue to resonate deeply with a large segment of society, demonstrating his enduring connection with the masses. The increase in philanthropic activities managed by Shri Yoga Vedanta Sewa Samiti, an organisation founded by Asharamji Bapu, is very impressive and has continued to thrive. The network of his 400 plus ashrams, 1600 samitis,17000 plus Bal Sanskar Kendra and 40 plus Gurukuls continue to operate at full capacity maintaining robust plans to provide benefit to a wider section of society. Bapu has set a very strong mission for the welfare of humanity and all the followers are working dedicatedly. The complete network of ashram is at forefront in doing social welfare activities. Despite all the things going around, many new ashrams are built and news samitis are coming up to expand and strengthen the ashram’s social network.
It’s noteworthy that Asaramji Bapu’s influence and activities initiated by him transcend boundaries of cast, religion, and belief. The complete humankind finds solace in his teachings. His teachings offer a sense of calm, understanding, or guidance that many people find helpful in navigating life’s challenges. The starting of festivals like Parents’ Worship Day is a boon for the whole humanity. Bapu perceived that in the absence of proper awareness, the modern youth is being misled by the false hope of enjoyment. Ignoring the passion and importance of parents, the kids are behaving parents in a very unacceptable manner.
Under the guise of enjoyment and modernization, the youth are being exposed to obscenity and cultural degradation. This resulted in leading them to ignore and forget their cultural values and blindly adopting western culture. Contrary to promote the happiness and cultural prosperity, festivals like Valentine’s Day are contributing to many social and cultural challenges. This festival promotes lustful ambience resulting in increase in teenage pregnancies, depression, suicides, and cultural degradation. Compassion and family bonding are vanishing and being replaced by hatred and fake attitudes. The gap between the parents and kids is widening resulting in sending more and more parents to the old-age homes. Bapu’s aim was clear to protect the youth by instilling cultural values, strengthening parent-child relationship. His main goal is the welfare of society, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or sect. Initiated in 2007, the celebration of Parents-Worship Day has now become a global trend leading to mass celebrations in schools, colleges, temples, halls and in parks. Many states in India have declared to celebrate Parents’’ Worship Day on 14th February.
The popularity of Bapu can be seen dominating on social media platforms. The fact is evident from the coverage of Bapu’s social welfare activities by many you tube channels, social activists, and social media influencers. The hashtag #AsharamjiBapuQuotes can be seen regularly trending. Many news channels lately have been seen featuring Bapu’s public welfare activities. Bapu was featured in national news for his dominance on the hearts of public. Zee 24 broadcast in its news bulletin how people are worshipping Bapu’s photos on the stages in large gatherings. Many religious and social organisations are coming forward to garner support for Asharamji Bapu. More and more religious gurus are telling people about the propaganda launched by the many media houses against Bapu. Sant Kaushik ji Maharaj recently dedicated his birthday celebrations on 26th March 2024 to Asharamji Bapu. He convened a summit of many other esteemed spiritual gurus and has brought together a host of spiritual minds to address and work on the task of release of Bapu who has been framed in false charges. The congregation was attended by nearly 10, 000 people and emphasizing the urgent need of Bapu’s release, Maharaj ji said that a task force needs to be formed urgently to start working on this project. Talking about the sufferings of great men like Mahavira Swami, Swami Dayanandaji, Swami Vivekanandaji and the likes, Kaushik ji Maharaj said, “look at the suffering of these great men, how much sufferings they have gone through? Could we be misled by someone? Bapu ji was and will remain a great man.” Concluding his speech, he said all the humanity will be indebted to Bapuji for the things he has done.
Bapu has perfectly presented the truth of the ancient scriptures relevant to modern society. He has reformed the lives of countless children, youths and poor tribals. Not only this, but even drunkards are also reformed. The lives of millions of people have been transformed by virtue of his satsang. Bapu’s love and concern for society is so deep that he brings joy to all while bearing afflictions himself for the last 5 decades. General public is getting connected to Bapu’s social welfare activities. Many people who were never initiated by him, visit ashrams to take benefit of satsang (spiritual discourse), bhajan, kirtan etc and express their hearty desire to take mantra initiation from Bapu.
Even as things change rapidly in India these days, the way politics and religion mix are still a big part of what makes Indian society progressing. The connection between how the country is run and the spiritual beliefs has always been important, and that’s still true today. In Indian history, the impact of spiritual gurus on social structures and shaping communities, has been a persistent force for millennia. People have been looking to spiritual leaders for guidance for ages.
To achieve true and all-round progress, the government must recognize the importance of social cohesion, echoing the spirit of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ which emphasizes inclusive care and development for all. Recently in March 2024, thousands of followers of Asharamji Bapu held silent protests in all parts of India demanding the release and very fundamental right of medical treatment. Such mass silent protests and sudden surge in popularity and implementation of social welfare programs initiated by Bapu, are strong testaments to the unwavering trust and faith of not only Bapu’s followers but the common public as well. It is worth noting that with a large following of nearly 50 million devotees, Bapu’s influence over the masses cannot be underestimated, potentially impacting the outcomes of upcoming elections in India. Building trust and fostering collaboration requires acknowledging the voices and beliefs of the people. Dismissing their sentiments can lead to resistance when choices are presented to these people.
To listen Vedic/knowledge stories or to listen 24X7 live divine Satsang, please search “Mangalmay live” on google, visit http://www.ashram.org/live or search “THE SBM STUDIO” on you tube. By the Divine Inspiration of Bapu Ji, the weekly sessions of Bal Sanskar and yoga are held in Brisbane and in Sydney. These sessions are aimed for the character, mental, intellectual and spiritual development of the kids. Please read more about our Vedic culture in the next issue of “The Brisbane Indian Times.”
For more info about Bal Sanskar and yoga sessions, to get a free copy of monthly spiritual magazine Rishi-Prasad in your mailbox in Australia or to get free online subscription of Rishi -Prasad, please contact by email at bskamd@gmail.com or by WhatsApp/phone to Shri Yoga Vedanta Sewa Samiti Au & NZ Inc. at +61 426 834 434 & +61 405 277 802
