During the auspicious event of Maha Kumbh Mela, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, was honoured with the title of ‘Vishwa Guru’ by the Akhila Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. This is the first time in history that this honour has been bestowed upon a spiritual leader.
HH Mahant Ravindra Puri Ji Maharaj, President of the Akhara Parishad, Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avadhoot Arun Giri Ji Maharaj of Awahan Akhara, other Mahamandaleshwars from various Akharas, secretaries, senior saints and thousands of devotees participated in the programme.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman and Mentor, Global Hare Krishna Movement and President of ISKCON Bangalore and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman and Co-Mentor of Global Hare Krishna Movement and Senior Vice President of ISKCON Bangalore presided over the event.
The Deity of Srila Prabhupada was offered pushpa vrishti (showering of flowers), a grand arati and auspicious paraphernalia accompanied by sacred chants.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “It brings me and the entire ISKCON community immense joy and happiness to see that Srila Prabhupada, our Acharya, has been offered the title of Vishwa Guru in the divine atmosphere of Maha Kumbh Mela. It is a matter of pride for us that Srila Prabhupada has been recognised and honoured for making people accept Sanatana Dharma, our timeless ancient wisdom, Bharatiya culture and way of life beyond the shores of India. His pioneering efforts to propagate the message of Lord Krishna have transformed lakhs of people all over the world.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Akhila Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, HH Mahant Ravindra Puri Ji Maharaj, Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Sri Mahant Rajendra Das Maharaj, and Sri Mahant Murli Das Maharaj for organising this wonderful event and honouring Srila Prabhupada. I also thank all the sadhus, pilgrims and devotees for participating in this momentous event. I pray to Lord Krishna to bless us with the strength and ability to continue our services to humanity and preserve Sanatana Dharma.”
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj said, “Undoubtedly, taking the Sanatana tradition to every household could have been possible only for a personality like Srila Prabhupada who was sent by Lord Krishna Himself. The significance of the title Vishwa Guru has increased due to being bestowed upon Srila Prabhupada. This honour should have been conferred much earlier, ideally when Srila Prabhupada went to the West and established ISKCON, but it was destined to be awarded at this sacred confluence of Triveni today. It is our good fortune that we have been blessed with the opportunity to confer the title upon him. We appreciate the great work being done by Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa Ji and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa Ji. I wholeheartedly congratulate them and all the dedicated members of ISKCON Bangalore for their immense commitment.”
HH Mahant Ravindra Puri Ji Maharaj said, “Srila Prabhupada, Bharat’s spiritual philosopher and religious teacher, whom we have honoured today, is so great that giving him the title of Vishwa Guru is like offering a lamp to the sun. Following his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s instructions, he made the message of the Bhagavad Gita and the glories of Vedanta accessible to everyone.”
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avadhoot Arun Giri Ji Maharaj said, “Srila Prabhupada spread Sanatana Dharma across the world at a time when our country was facing various challenges. It is truly incredible that he went abroad to propagate Sanatana Dharma despite such a situation.”