Parijnanashram III - Opposition and Abdication

Opposition and Abdication

Swami Parijñānāshram's regime was filled with lots of opposition from many quarters. His dynamic and progressive outlook was something that was never expected from a sanyasi like Him. The large scale industrial, commercial and technical development did not go well with certain orthodox sections of the society, especially certain people within the Chitrapur Math. This group tried to mobilise support against Swamiji and thus created a rift within the community. 2 sections emerged - those supporting Swamiji and those against. T

Tired of all the opposition and accusations he had to face, Swamiji graciously relinquished the title of Mathādhipati or Head of the matha and community by 1981. Certain aspects that caused the criticism and opposition are mentioned as follows:

• Constant court cases against Him: Swamiji had to face many court cases filed against him. The basis of these cases was the Chitrapur Math Trust deed, which was very weak in the sense that He was the sole trustee. This meant that anybody could find any small fault in the execution of developmental programs under the trust and the blame would fall on him. Swamiji came clean in all these court cases. The fact that a guru of a community had to go through trial in court cases, resulted in a character assassination of sorts.

• Total control over finances: It came to the notice of Swamiji that some members, who were part of the matha, were involved in swindling the money generated from various activities of the matha. In order to prevent such financial misgivings, he took total charge over the finances of the matha. Moreover, He stopped certain rituals like Pādukapooja(pooja of the wooden sandals of the Guru) to prevent the money offered by devotees from being kept by the priests for their own needs.

• Restriction of Trusts and schemes: Swamiji was a person who wanted to help people of every community and not just the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin Community. Most schemes for welfare development were bound by trusts and schemes that allowed the benefit to go only to the members of that community alone. He wanted to be a true Jagadguru(Jagad = World + guru= Teacher). Thus He found discontentment in these projects and is cited as His chief reason to relinquish the title.

• Starting Archeology Museum: Swamiji had a very keen acumen regarding archeology and hence wanted the people at Shirali and rest of the community to understand the beauty of archeology. For that purpose He planned to start an archeology museum at Shirali. Certain members of the community opposed this plan citing reasons like Idols of Gods(that were displayed at the museum) should not be used for purposes of entertainment and public display. Moreover, the funds used for that project could be used for other purposes. Swamiji was adamant with His decision which resulted in the museum being completed in 1974. This caused tensions within the administration of the matha.

• Restarting of Rathōtsav during times of drought: The Rathōtsav was restarted under Swamiji's wishes in 1973. There was a difference in opinion about the time of restarting of the Car festival or Rathōtsav. The region was facing droughts and this festival will mean thousands of people turning up and staying at Shirali for 3–4 days at a stretch. But Swamiji's ardent desire prevailed and thus the festival was restarted. During the Sādhana Saptāha (Week of Sadhana- See Sādhana Saptāha) in Bombay in 1972 He told the community that the reasons for starting the festival was not much because of the improved financial condition of the matha nor the large number of people wanting it restarted. The principle objective was, Swamiji stressed, that the lore of the rites, rituals and essential forms of the Rathōtsav ceremonies was within full knowledge of only a limited number of priests, and with disuse, this knowledge would dwindle, leading possibly to ultimate extinction. He even hinted that He had plans to restart the festival in 1969 but could not because of certain pressures.

Swamiji was tired of the constant opposition He faced. So as an act of grace, He did the ultimate sacrifice(Tyāga) of relinquishing the title of Head of the community and the matha by 1981. This was reminiscent of the Tyāga made by Swami Vāmanāshram.