Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma: Biography

house of vedas and ayurveda

Amrit Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani

A Biography

By Dr. Pt. Deo Dutta Sharma,                       Vaidya Savitri Devi Sharma

House of Vedas & ayurveda

House of Vedas & ayurveda

Amrit Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani

A Biography

By Dr. Pt. Deo Dutta Sharma, Vaidya Savitri Devi Sharma

Khristyabda: 12/12/2012 Vikramabda: 14 Krishna Margashirsh, 2069 Krishnyabda: 14 Krishna Margashirsh, 5240 Srishtyabda: 14 Krishna Margashirsh, 1 972 949 112

A brief Biography of Amrit Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani [Srishtyabda: 1 972 947 214….., Khrishtyabda: 1896 AD…..], an Agnihotri, a Revolutionary, a Nationalist, an Educationist, a Sanatanarya-Samaaji and above all a true Vedic, is produced here who in 1917-20 AD established “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”, pronounced: ‘Lokmaanya Brahmacharyaashrama’, a unique Sanskrit Institute at Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. The Ashram aimed at unifying hundreds of casts prevalent in ‘Bharat Varsha’ limited to just four according to Dhamashaashtra: Manusmriti. Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani, a Sanskrit Scholar, a revolutionary Social Scientist and Social Reformist, Page-2 of 80 Nationalist, and an educationist established “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” (1917-1948 AD) present RDS College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The Ashram was a unique Sanskrit Institute of Bihar (like Gurukul Kangdi of Uttar Pradesh and Vishwa Bharati, West Bengal) which was acquired by Bihar Government just after independence in 1948, then to convert it into an ordinary degree college called ‘Ram Dayalu Singh College’ at Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma unified hundreds of casts prevalent among Hindus of India into just four, in India through the Ashram. People were jubilant to find such a revolution during 1917 to 1948 AD in Bihar. There was no difference between Brahmacharies, who used to come from the different strata of the society, rich and poor, and different casts or religions The life and social reforming activities of Acharya Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma is exemplary.  Page-3

p

Brief Biography of Acharya

Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma

Publisher:     Dr Pt Deo Dutta Sharma

                        Kamadgiri-806, Kaushambi

                        Sahibabad- 201010

                        NCR Delhi.

All Right Reserved by the Author and the Publisher:

No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or in any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the Authors or the Publisher.

Page-4    

Brief Biography of

Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma

Content:

1.                  Prelude

2.                                                Birth of Amika, Ambika

3.                                                Childhood, Education, Ambika Datta Sharma

4.                  Educationist: Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma

5.                  Nationalist: Hosting Mahatma MK Gandhi in Gyanpuram or Gyanpur

6.                                                Savitri Pathashala, Muzaffarpur

7.                  Established Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram, Muzaffarpur: a Unique Sanskrit Institute of the World

8.                                                 Household Responsibilities

9.                                                Unification of 1000s of Casts of Hindus

10.                                            Sanatanaarya Samaj.

11.              Bihar Politics: Acquisition of Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram by Government of Bihar

12.              Lessons from the Life of Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma Brahmagyani

13.              References

Page-5

Amrit Acharya

 Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma

 Brahmagyani

By Dr. Pt. Deva Dutta Sharma [1],

Vaidyaa Savitri Devi Sharma [2].

1.                                               Prelude:

The birth of a great person always brings a lot of happiness, hope, expectations to the family and society. However, when a child is born in a respectable family, it brings happiness and hope to the family, the villagers and society.

When a baby boy was born in the house of Jung Bahadur Pandey [pronounce: Jang Bahaadur Paande] and Shrimati Chandrawasi Devi [pronounce: Shrimati Chandrawaasi Devi] , a respectable but simple poor Brahman family, it became a very joyful moment of the family and the village as Authors of this book had heard from their grandmother, Shrimati   Chandrawasi Devi [3].

Then no one knew that this boy, named Amika [pronounce: Amikaa] by their parents would become “Amrit Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma” [pronounce: Amrit Aachaarya Pandit Ambikaa Datta Sharmaa], a Brahmagyani [Brahmagyaani], an Agnihotri, a great thinker, educationist, journalist, Nationalist,  revolutionary, reformist, Social Reformist, a great Sanskrit Scholar knowledgeable in almost all Shashtras [pronounce: Shaashtrs]. He became a saintly revolutionary Acharya who unified hundreds of casts of Hindus into just four, as all the Brahmacharies [pronounce: Brahmachaaris] were living together, eating together, doing Sandhya [pronounce:

Page-6

Sandhyaa] and Havan in ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’ [Lokamaanya Brahmacharyaashram] established by him in Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.

A brief Biography of “Amrit Acharya Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani” [pronounced as: Amritaachaarya Pandit Ambikaa Datta Sharmaa Brahmagyaani], Pt. Sharma or Acharya Sharma, is produced here by Dr. Deo Dutta Sharma [pronounce: Deva Datta Sharmaa] [1] and Vaidya Shrimati Savitri Devi Sharma [Vaidyaa Shrimati Saaviti Devi Sharmaa] [2].

The Biography is based on their own knowledge obtained directly from their father and those obtained from their grandmother Shrimati Chandravaasi Devi [3], mother Shrimati Devarati Devi [4], Pt. Bhawani Dutta Sharma [Bhavaani Datta Sharmaa] [5], Pt. Devi Dutta Sharma [6], Vaidya Damodar Pandey [ Vaidya Daamodar Paande] [16], other family members, and >>

>> Friends of Pt. Sharma like Vaidya Shri Ramdeva Ojha [7], Vaidya Shri Brahma Datta Sharma [8], Shri Nathuni Thakur [9], Shri Ambika Chaudhari [10], Shri Bherukhi Chaudhari [11], Shrimati Paranturi Ku*war [12], Shri Shivanarayan Singh [19], Shri Shivagovind Singh [20], Shrimati Yadupati [21], Shri Brijnandan Shahi [22], Pt. Nandkishore Jyotishi [23], Shri Ram Dayalu Singh [24] and >>

>> Disciples like Pt. Rampadarth Sharma [25], Shri Shyamanandan Sharma [13]. Dr. Pt. Ramkaran Sharma [14], Pt. Ramkaran Sharma [15], Vaidya Damodar Pandey [16], and >>

>> Others like Shri Thaggu Thakur [17], Shri Bhairav Sahu [18] and many persons from far and near villages, districts and states of India.

The famous Sanskrit saying “Vidyayaat Amritmasnute” meaning ‘Eternity is achieved through Knowledge’ is fully applicable to Brahmagyani Amrit Acharya Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma making

Page-8

him “Amrit”, ‘Eternal’ or “Amrit Acharya Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma, Brahmagyani”

Pronunciation Tips:

·         Pronunciation: Using Roman Script for Hindi and Sanskrit words is not suitable. However, due to the versatility of this script, it is used for some unavoidable Hindi or Sanskrit words, with some clues given below used within [pronounce:……]

>>> ‘A’, ‘a’ in Hindi or Sanskrit [pronounce: as ‘u’  in but, or ‘u’ in rush]

>>> ‘Aa’, ‘aa’ in Hindi or Sanskrit [pronounce: ‘Aa’ or ‘aa’ as ‘a’  as ‘a’ in bar, or in car]

>>> E, e in Hindi or Sanskrit [pronounce: ‘E’ or ‘e’ always as ‘e’ in pen or men]

>>> U, u in Hindi or Sanskrit [pronounce: ‘u’ as ‘u’ in ‘put’ and ‘oo’ in book or took]

>>> K*, k*  in Hindi or Sanskrit [pronounce: ‘*’ as a short soft nasal sound after K, k. but not as ‘Kn’.

e.g. Kunvar or Kuwar is pronounced as K*uvar or K*uwar]  

2.              The Birth:

Let us know first about the background of the origin of the ancestors of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma.

2.1       Origin and Types of Brahmans [pronounce: Braahmans]:

Long long ago there was a very developed race living in an island in the Mediterranean sea near Cyprus according to book “The History of Brahmanism” [30] written by over 100s of learned Historians of the world. Why this book was named so by hundreds of world Historians is a matter of consideration for all. The book was first time read by Deo Dutta Sharma during 1959-61 AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 059-61 in ‘Khudabax Library’, Patna, Bihar, India [pronounce: ‘Khudaabax Library’, Patnaa, Bihaara, Indiaa]. I leave this consideration to the learned readers.

As read in the above book, I continue: Once about 125 000 years ago (from 2000 AD i.e. in about Srishtyabda: 1 972 824 100), the said Island got submerged into the sea due to which people fled all-round.

Those who fled to the North towards Greece and Rome, present Italy, started Greek or Greeko-Roman, and Roman Culture. Just as Brahmanism believe in multi-god and one Supreme God, Greeko-Romans also believe the same; possibly showing a common root as said above.

The ones who fled to South, started Egyptian Culture and the people coming to the East started Arabian Culture. Out of the latter who came to Bharat Varsa, now also called India by the British, crossing the Arabian Sea and settled in the Bharat are called ‘Dravidian Brahman’. Among Dravid Brahmans those who settled in the Gujrat [pronounce: Gujraat] Coast became ‘Chitpawan Brahmans’ [pronounce: Chitpaawan Braahmans], and who settled in Konkan, are called ‘Konkani Brahmans’; the settlers

Page-9

in Keral Coasts are called ‘Malayali Brahmans’ [pronounce: Malyaali Braahmans] and who came to Karnatak [pronounce: Karnaatak] area, became ‘Karnaataki Braahmans’. On the other hand, those who went around the Indian Peninsula and came for settling in the East Cost of India are called ‘Dravid Brahman’.

Thus, we can list 5 kinds of “Dravid Brahmans” collectively called “Panch Dravid Brahmans”, namely:

(1)    Chitpawan Brahman

(2)    Konkani Brahman

(3)    Malayali Brahman

(4)    Karnataki Brahman

(5)    Dravid Brahmans.

According to the same source, the world historians stated that later many people from the Central Europe from countries like: Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Mangolia etc used to come to Bharat Varsa, Bharat [pronounce: Bhaarat] or India time to time. Out of these whites (Gaud in Sanskrit), those who settled on the banks of River Saraswati are called Saraswat Brahman [Saaraswat Braahmans], and the settlers in the Kanpur area are called ‘Kanyakubja Brahman’ [pronounce: Kaanyakubja Braahman], those who settled in Malwa Zone are called ‘Malviya Brahmans’ [pronounce: Maalawiya Braahmans].

Those came from the Mangolia or Shakadweep are known as ‘Shakadweepi Brahman’ [pronounce: Shaakadweepi Braahman], the rest preferred to be called as ‘Gaud Brahman’ as they were whites.

Thus, we find five kinds of ‘Gaud Brahmans’ collectively called “Panch Gaud Brahmans” namely:

(1)    Saraswat Brahman

Page-10

(2)    Kanyakubj Brahman

(3)    Malaviya Brahman

(4)    Shakadweepi Brahman

(5)    Gaud Brahman

Thus, we find 10 kinds of Brahmans found in Bharat or India: Panch Dravid and Panch Gaud, Panch = five in Sanskrit..

Later due to various reasons, mainly livelihood many people out of Kanyakubj Braahmans spread in the Eastern and Central part of Bharat. Those who crossed River Ganga and settle south of her are called Gangapari Brahman [pronounce: Gangaapaari Braahman], and those who settle East of River Saryu leaving the Kingdom of Ram in Ayodhya are called Saryupaari Brahman.

Long ago a Saryugpari Mishra Brahman, of Gautam Gotra came from the village Pipra [pronounce: Pipraa] of Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh State of India to the house of his bosom friend with surname Pandey [pronounce: Paande]. The friend insisted that they both must have the same surname either Mishra or Pandey. Thus, both became Pandey of Gautam Gotra.

2.2 What does Gotra Mean?

Gotra relates to one’s ancestor or origin, thus Gautam Gotra persons, means the sons and daughters of Risi Gautam.

According to the Indian Culture, all Bharateeyas or Indians think that all human beings are the sons and daughters of the original saint, Rishi Manu. Thus, they are called Manav or Man in short.

Page-11

The next generation, after Rishi Manu are 16 Rishis, namely Rishi:

1. Garg,           2. Gautam,      3. Shandilya,                4. Agastya,     

5. Atri,                         6. Kashyapa,    7. Vashishtha,              8.Parashar, 9.Bharadwaj,             10. Bhargava, 11. Jamadagni,            12. Upamanyu 13. Upreti,      14. Kaundilya, 15. Bhrigu,                         16. Angiras.

Every Human being is supposed to be the sons and daughters, descendant or clan of one of the above Rishis; the person is said to have the Gotra of the same Rishi.

2.3 Varna or Cast:

Originally, there were four Varnas or Casts among Hindus, but it is interesting to note that there can be the same Gotra of persons having different casts. It means their ancestry is one of the above Rishi. 

Originally, according to Dharmashashtras [pronounce: Dharmashaashtras], the Rules of the Human-society for their smooth working and growth, there were only 4 Varnas, Classes, or Casts based on the nature of their profession, namely:

I. Thinkers, Educationists, Philosophers, Scientists, Researchers and the like  called             

 > Brahman

II.     Warriors, Protectors, Kings , defenders

> Kshatri, Xatri

Page-12

III.                         Traders, Business personnel, Industrialists, professionals                                                  

> Vaishya

IV Workers, labors, service class                 

> Shudra

Obviously, in Satyug, there was no casts / Classes in the society.  Later when the society became more complex due to various kinds of work, the nature of profession developed making major four Classes or Varnas as said above.

Even now we find that in any developed society, the above 4 classes of people are needed for any country or society.

When the Varna of a person started to be decided on the basis of the birth, the above system of casts became futile and controversial, particularly when thousands of sub-casts or casts were created, and even now being created in India due to vested interests of people and politicians.

Coming back to the main subject, a Saryupari Brahman from Gautam Gotra with surname Mishra came to settle in the village Gyanpur of his bosom friend having surname Pandey; and due to the love of his friend, Mishra adopted the surname Pandey, although they are “Mishra of Pipra,  Gautam Gotra”. In this very family Aachaarya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma was born as documented below.   

In the year Srishtyabda [pronounce: Srishtyaabda]: 1 972 948 996,

Page-13

Khrishtyabda: 1896 AD in village Gyanpur, Gyanapuram [pronounce: Gyaanpur, Gyaanpuram] (as called by Pt. Sharma), Barahra PS, East of Sinha Ghat, District Shahabad popularly known as Ara Jila [pronounce: Aaraa Jilaa],

now called district Bhojpur in Bihar State of Bharat Varsa, India as called by British, on the Southern bank of the pious River Ganga [pronounce: Gangaa]; the first son of Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey and Shrimati Chandravasi Devi was born.

Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey was not very educated, thus, he joined British Military service for the lively-hood of his joint family with two brothers, and father with 6 brothers, total over 25 family members. The economic status of the family was not very good, depending mainly on Agriculture as shown in the Family Tree [19].

3.              Early Childhood, Education:

The family of Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey was neither educated nor economically sound, but the maternal uncle of Amika who hailed from a nearby village Gundi was a good Sanskrit Pandit. Once Amika’s uncle had come to see his nephew Amika, he observed that although the child’s development was generally good but he was not progre, ssing on studies. Being a responsible Pundit himself he decided to take Amika with him to his place just after his Yagyopaveet or Upnayan Sanskaar, ceremony.

3.1.   Upnayan Sanskaar:

In Bharat Varsa even before a child takes birth, ceremony or Sanskaar starts. In fact the sexual copulation with the aim of getting a child is called:

(a)               ‘Garvaadhaan Sanskaar’, next after a few days birth,

(b)               the ‘Naamkaran Sanskaar’ or naming  ceremony is performed. Other Sanskaras or ceremonies of a person are:

(c)                Karna Chhedan Sanskaar: The Ears-ringing Ceremony.

(d)               Chooraakarna Sanskaar: The Hair Shaving Ceremony,

(e)               Yagyopaveet or Upnayan Sanskaar:

‘Sacred Thread’ or the ‘Secondary Eye Ceremony’.

After this ceremony, a special sacred thread is provided to the child who wears it and gets the rights of performing Yajna or Yagya i.e. a Special Operation.

Page-14    

Unless this ceremony is performed, whatever a child sees, it may not be really so. Only after getting the Mantras or Special Lesson, Clues, the child becomes able to look correctly, what is the Nature, Brahma and other complex aspects of Knowledge or Vedas.

: That is why the ceremony is called Upnayan Ceremony or ‘Secondary Eye’ ceremony.

After this ‘Brahmacharyaashram’, the first of the 4 Ashramaas starts which means starting of the life of a Student.

Aashram means a ‘Phase of the life of a person’

(f)                 Vedaarambh Sanskaar: Ceremony of starting the Studies of Veda.

(g)               Samaavartan Sanskaar: Graduation Ceremony.

After this, marriage and married life can be started which is called ‘Greehasthaashram’, the 2^nd Ashram of a person starts in which he has to earn and expand his family.

(h)               After Greehasthaashram a person should adopt ‘Vanyaprashthaashram’ or leaving one’s house and the entire time should be devoted in ‘Social Work’.

(i)                 After the expiry of the Greehashthaashram a person should adopt ‘Sanyaasaashram’ or the ‘Life of Celibacy’ and create such a situation when the person fully understands “Brahma” [not Brahmaa who is one of the 3 Trinity: Brahmaa, Vishnu, and Mahesh], the ‘Eternal God’.

The last Sanskaar is the ‘ Antim or Daah Sanskaar’ i.e. last ceremony of a person when the body of a person is ‘Burnt Fully’

Page-15    

so that all the matter is gasified and whatever solid remains in the ash form is made to flow in water of a river so that the same enters  an ocean and gets assimilated with the Nature.

3.2.   Amika becomes Ambika Datta Sharma.

After Yagyopaveet or Upanayan Sanskaar or Ceremony, Ambika becomes Ambika Datta or Ambika Datta Pandey.

Then he goes to village Gundi with his maternal uncle and learns Sanskrit from him who was himself a good Pandit of Sanskrit. During the study of Sanskrit, Ambika finds that the surname of all Brahmans should be Sharma; thus he proposed to his uncle whether he could adopt his surname as ‘Sharma’ being a Brahman. On getting permission of his uncle, He became ‘Ambika Datta Sharma’. Then Ambika appears in the examination as Ambika Datta Sharma and passes Prathma Pariksha [pronounce: Prathmaa Parixaa] or Secondary Examination in Sanskrit medium and stream with very good grades.

Seeing very good the result of his nephew, his uncle sends Ambika to Varanasi for further education.

3.3 A Great Change in Life

With the entirely new, active, and pious atmosphere of Varanasi, Ambika Datta’s life was completely changed. In fact it was the encouragement of his uncle which infused a lot of enthuse, courage, dedication, devotion, love for Mata Saraswati [pronounce: Maataa Saraswati] and a discipline in his life as a Bramachari.

In view of above qualities and sharp intelligence, his teachers were highly impressed with him. He was awarded the Degrees of

Shashtri and then Acharya in Vyaakaran i.e. ‘Sanskrit Grammar’, and Degree of Acharya in Ayurveda from “Varanaseya Sanskrit Visvavidyalaya” [pronounce: Vaaranaseya Sanskrit Vishvavidyaalaya], Varanasi, now known as   ‘Sampurnanand Sanskrit University’, Banaras, in Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 014, Khrishtyabda: 1914-15 AD.

About the History of Varanaseya Sanskrit University:

‘Varanaseya Sanskrit Visvavidyalaya’, Varanasi is one of the oldest Universities of India. Earlier it was called ‘Government Sanskrit University’, Varanasi, Kashi. According to the ‘Flower Raj Encyclopedia’ this institute was also known as ‘Queen Victoria Government Sanskrit College’ or ‘Sanskrit University’, Banaras.

The History goes back to 1791 AD when Mr Jonethan Duncon, Resident of ‘East India Company’ proposed the establishment of a Sanskrit College for development and preservation of Sanskrit Vanmaya. Pundit Kashinath was its first Acharya. After 1916 AD, during the principalship of Dr G. Theibo, the system of oral examination was abolished and issue of Certificates and Degrees started. Over 1440 Sanskrit Colleges of Uttar Province and many colleges of Nepal and other countries were affiliated to this Government Sanskrit College, even before this university was founded. Pandit Kuber Nath Shukla was the last Principal of this Govt. Sanskrit College.

Ambika Datta Sharma along with two of his colleagues went to offer Gurudaxina [pronounce: Gurudaxinaa], as the final regards and respect to their Guru before leaving the University. 

All the three bowed to the feet of the Guru who heartily congratulated them for their good performances. When they expressed their desire to offer something as Gurudaxina, the Guru accepted the same, but said them to wait.

Soon the Guru came with a Testimonial Certifying that Ambika

Page-16   

Datta Sharma was knowledgeable and has Mastery over the following branches of learning:

Vedas, Brahmans, Dharmashashtras / Smritis, Nyaya, Shankhya, Yoga, Mimansha, Upanishad, Vedanta, Puranas. [pronounce: Vedas, Braahmans, Dharmashaastrs / Smritis, Nyaaya, Shaankhya, Yog, Mimanshaa, Upnishada, Vedaanta, Puraans]

The Guru showed the Testimonial to the students. On observing the testimonial except Ambika Datta Sharma, the other two questioned the Guru, how could he provide such testimonial when he was himself not knowledgeable of all the subjects mentioned there in.

The Guru replied that that was the reason he was not offering the Testimonial to them.

Then the Guru offered the Testimonial to Ambika Datta Sharma, stating that he had to prove the Testimonial himself by defending the same in a Shashtraartha, ‘Extensive and rigorous discussions to the satisfaction of Acharyas (pronownced Aachaaryas), the learned Professors  and Pundit Samaj [pronounce: Pandit Samaaj] within a period of one and a quarter month.

The students bowed to the Guru and left the University.

3.4    Defending of the Testimonial:

          An Academic Challenge

Ambika Datta Sharma whole-heartedly accepted the Aashirvadam, blessings of his Guru in the form of the ‘Testimonial’ given by him, but it proved to be a great challenge for him.

He went to his uncle and bowed to his feet. His uncle became

Page-17    

extremely pleased to see the performance of the boy. Encouraging Ambika, he blessed and said that he would be definitely   successful in defending the Testimonial given by his Guru, but he has to try hard.

Then Ambika Datta went to his village, Gyanpur near Sinha Ghat, in Ara Jila on the South bank of river Ganga. On reaching home, he bowed to his mother Shrimati Chandravaasi Devi and took her blessings.

Task of getting the entire knowledge of Shashtraas was gigantic; and it was almost impossible for anybody to acquire such a vast knowledge within a short period of of 3 to 4 weeks. Thus, he decided to do Aatma-chintan, brain storming. Thus, he went to a secluded room telling his mother and wife not to disturb him unless he came out of the room. He requested them just to keep some water and Prasadam [pronounce: Prasaadam] near the door.  

He entered into the room and after Aatma-Chintan, how to start, what he must study first, out of:

Vyaakaran and Ayurved [he already knew], Sahitya or Literature [there was no end, and he would tackle the same easily], Dhamashaatra & Karmakaanda [he was already quite aware of Smritis and Grihasutras, no more study at this stage], could it be Nyaaya, Shaankhya, Yoga, Meemaansha, Braahmans, Upanishads, or Vedas.

Pat came to him that “He must study Vedas first of all, after all Vedas are the treasure of knowledge, thus once he studied Vedas, why should he unnecessarily study more”. Ultimately, he could decipher the method or technique of acquiring the ‘Ultimate Knowledge’, UK.

Once the target was identified, he started studying first of all

Page-18   

Rigveda consisting of Mantras praying or describing with regards all beings i.e. Devas or Devataas found in the Nature.

Then he studied Yajurveda, Saama Veda and Atharva Veda. After thorough study of Rigveda, he could easily go through other Vedas. In the meanwhile he used to take Gangaajal, the ‘water of river Ganga’ and sometimes little bit Prasaadam, no bath or any other activity for continuous five days when he came out of the room very happily; as he had come out with lot of confidence in himself.

He bowed to his mother, took bath and lunch and left Gyanpur for Varanasi to meet his Guru after meeting his uncle and taking his blessings.

Ambika Datta Sharma went to his Guru well before the assigned date of Defending.

His Guru became extremely pleased to see him and his confidence. He had already informed the concerned University authority to fix a date for the Shaashtraartha or discussions for Defending the Testimonial.

The University had invited Pundits, knowledgeable persons from all over India, for the Shaashtraatha on any subject other than Jyotish.  Such Shaashtraartha used to take place rarely when any one could ask any question on any subject.  

3.5    Shaashtraartha (Defending the Unique Testimonial)

The Shaashtraartha was organized in 1814-15 AD Khrishtyabda in the main hall of the University, “Vaaraanaseya Sanskrit Viswavidyaalaya”. The Aachchaaryas from all over Bharat, were seated in the front row, whereas in the center Pradhanaachaarya

Page-19

was to be seated. Behind Aachaaryas about 80 to 90 Pandits were sitting who were representing various Sanskrit Universities ranging from East to West and North to South India.

On the other side, the Guru of Ambika Datta Sharma was sitting along with the latter. Everybody was waiting for the arrival of the Pradhaanaachaarya.

On the arrival of the Pradhaanaachaarya, he was greeted by all the Acharyas and Pundits. Soon he announced that the Shaashtraartha had started.

The Guru of Ambika Datta requested the Aachaaryas and Pandits to ask any question related to the following subjects:

Vedas along with its Angs parts and Upaangs sub-parts like: Braahmans, Upanishads, Smritis, Dharmashaashtras, Nyaaya, Yog, Mimaansaa, Puraanas, Vedaanta, Saahitya, Aayurveda and Vyaakaran.

On hearing this, the Pradhaanaachaarya said that the subjects were enormous and vast, thus the Shaashtraartha would take enormous time. He, thus, proposed to the Aachaaryaas and Pandits that the Treasure of knowledge is in Vedas, and if agreed by all, the questions may be raised particularly from Vedas.

Everybody liked the proposal of the Pradhaanaachaarya.

The most controversial questions from Vedas were raised by the learned Acharyas and Pandits like:

(a)                Did Rishis used to take beef?

(b)               Whether Brahmans cherished soup of calves of cow?

(c)                What are the views of Ambika Datta Sharma on the ‘Saayan Bhaasya’ of Vedas, which is quite different compared to other 22 Bhashyaas.  

Page-20   

On getting exemplary replies to all the questions from Ambika Datta to the fullest satisfaction of all, the Pradhanaachaarya, on behalf of all the Aachaaryas and Pandits proclaimed Ambika Datta Sharma  as  Aachaarya / ‘Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma’.

Everybody greeted Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma.

Such Aachaarya who is knowledgeable in all the four Vedas along with the Angs and Upaangs [unlike a Degree of Acharya in particular subject awarded by a University] are ‘empowered by the society to take any decision on any subject’.

3.6    Aashirvaadam blessings from Maamaa (Maternal Uncle) and the Mother

On becoming successful in the Shaashtraartha, Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma first bowed to his Guru who was extremely happy.

Then he straight went to village Gundi to his Maamaa and took his Aashis, blessings. His uncle became extremely pleased.

Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma then went to his ancestral village Gyanpur-Semariya, Gyanpuram and bowed to his mother Shrimati Chandrawasi Devi who offered him 1000s fold Aashish, blessings.

Shrimati Devarati Devi, the Ardhangini i.e Half-Part or the wife of the Aachaarya became very jubilant hearing the news.  

Page-21   

4.              Educationist: Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma

Learning and Education was in the blood of the Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, thus he decided to be an Educationist. His bosom friends like Pt. Ramdeva Ojha, Vaidya [7], Saraiya Ganj, Muzaffarpur, Bihar; Pt. Brahma Datta Sharma, Vaidya [8], Puraani Bazar, Muzaffarpur, Bihar;  Pt. Nanda Kishore Sharma Jyotishi [23], Baruraaj, Muzaffarpur, Bihar were inviting him to Muzaffarpur, the largest town of North Bihar, India.

Muzaffarpur was one of the centers of education in Bihar with a Sanskrit college called: ‘Dharma Samaj Sanskrit College’, fully aided by the British Government of India.

Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma being a Revolutionary Nationalist Educationist wished to establish a unique Sanskrit institute. Initially he wished to go slow. Thus, he decided to open a small Sanskrit Pathashala [pronounce: Paathshaalaa] in Muzaffarpur or Modafalpuram as he used to call the latter.

4.1    Start of Savitri Pathashala, Muzaffarpur.

In view of the above and for the love of Education, Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma decided to shift to Muzaffarpur town. In the year 1916-17, he went to Muzaffarpur to meet his friends. His friends, Vaidya Brahma Datta Sharma [8] and Vaidya Ramdeva Ojha [7] suggested him to start a Sanskrit Pathshala. The suggestion was very attractive to him. Soon a Sanskrit Pathshalaa named ‘Savitri Pathashsala’ [pronounce: Saavitri Paathashaalaa]  was started by Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma in a rented house then in the main market place near Chaturbhuj Sthaan Chauk at Muzaffarpur.

Within a short period of one and half year, there was rush of

Page-22    

students in the Pathshala. Pt. Sharma became very jubilant. On the advice of his friends, he went to his home village Gyanpuram or Gyanpur-Semariya, PS Barahra, near Sinha Ghat, then Shahabad Jila, present District Bhojpur, Bihar, India to take his wife to Muzaffarpur.

4.2                                  Start of ‘Lokamanya Brahmacharyashram’

As an educationist Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma was eager to do something better for the society being a revolutionary person by nature. Thus, he was successful in establishing “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” as described at Paragraph No. 6.

Page-22   

5. Nationalism: Hosting Mahatma Gandhi in Village Gyanpuram or Gyanpur-Semariya, near Sinha-Ghat, District Bhojpur, Bihar

The ICON of Pt Ambika Datta Sharma was the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak in whose memory he named the Sanskrit Institute started by him as ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’ at Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar,India; the same way the ICON of Mahatma Gandhi was Leo Tolstoy in whose memory he named his farm in South Africa as ‘Tlstoy Farm’. This shows how great they were. There was no boundary of country or province.

At about 8.30 PM on the Ninth April 1917 AD Khrishtyabda,

in Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 017 when Pandit Sharma was studying, some 4-5 persons arrived to his house from the Village Jeeradei, Seewaan, then District Chhapra [pronounce: Chhapraa], Bihar. They introduced themselves and Mahatma Gandhi to him. Pandit Sharma, as a freedom fighter and Congressi became extremely happy to receive Mahatma M.K. Gandhi to his home in Village Gyanpur-Semariya along with others who came with him. They got very much relaxed and happy to meet Pt. Sharma; as Mahatma Gandhi had gone to the house of Dr Rajendra Prasad to his village Jeeradei, but Dr Prasad had gone to Calcutta. Due to the absence of Dr Prasad, there was no proper place in Jeeradei village suitable for stay of Mahatma Gandhi in the night. Thus, some of the villagers led Mahatma Gandhi to Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma.

Since it was a dinner time, the guests were simply served with Sarbat after they became fresh, then Shrimati Chandrawasi Devi [3] suggested her daughter-in-law Smt. Devarati Devi [4]  to prepare Puri, a Tarkaari, Curry, Potato Bhujiya and Kheer i.e. Paayasam for the dinner. Since there was no ‘Chawal of Dhan’, rice in the house required for preparation of Kheer, it was decided

Page-23

to borrow the same from the neighborhood, but such rice was not available in the neighborhood as well. Then Shrimati Chandrawasi Devi [3] suggested Devarati Devi [4] to prepare Kheer of the ‘Kodo Ka Chawal’, which was available in the house.  

The dinner was served soon at about 9.30 PM.

Shrimati Chandrawaasi Devi asked Mahatma Gandhi, “How was the preparation?”

Mahatma Gandhi appreciated the same, but said that he liked the Kheer most. He said, “He had never taken such a nice Kheer in his life.”

He wanted to know, “Out of what, which ingredients, the Kheer was made?” 

She avoided replying. How could she tell that that was made of the ‘Kodo Chawal’ [pronounce: Kodo Chaawal]!

The next morning on the Tenth April 1917, after taking the breakfast, most of the guests returned to their village Jeeradei, but Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma lead Mahatma Gandhi along with some others to Muzaffarpur to Acharya J. B. Kriplani [27], who was a professor in the then GBB College. Now GBB College is called Langat Singh College.  Acharya Kriplani was a well known Congressi and freedom fighter.

Then Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma went to Savitri Paathshaala to resume his work. This was described in detail to Deo Dutta Sharma by his Grandmother Shrimati Chandrawsi Devi [3], mother Smt. Devarati Devi [4] and later approved by Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma.

This was the first visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Bihar on the Ninth April 1917 AD.

Page-25    

The number of students increased enormously in Savitri Pathashala. Later Pt. Sharma had brought his wife Devarati Devi to Muzaffarpur who was also helping him and providing motherly love and affection to the children of the school. Since the space in the Paathshaalaa was very much less, Pt. Sharma was in search of some new place out of the congested area in the mid of the town.

One day he went to Gannipur in the outskirt of Muzaffarpur along Hajipur Road. He found a pond in a secluded area out of the din and bustle of the town, but he felt solace here and relaxed. He then took bath in the pond. He further got relaxation. He liked the place and started going there of and on, time and again.

Page-26    

5.                Establishing “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”,

at Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.

One day, Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma while relaxing on the South-East corner of the boundary of the pond in Gannipur, he met Shri Vairo Shahu [18] who was a resident of the nearby village Atardah. The Acharya started addressing him as Shri Vairav Shaw ji, which was liked by the latter. When Pt. Sharma asked Shri Shaw about the builder and owner of the pond, he narrated the story of the ‘Shaw ji’s Pond’ as that was popularly known then. The owner of the pond was ‘Shri Shaw ji of Ghirni Pokhar’ of Muzaffarpur. Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma immediately decided to meet Shri ‘Shaw ji of Ghirni Pokhar’ and get his permission to make a Mandap as Havanshala [pronounce: Havanshaalaa], an all-round open platform with a roof and a Kunda [pronounce: Kunda] in its center to ignite Agni-Deva for Havan, Fire-god in which Samidha [pronounce: Samidhaa], Ghee and other material are offered.

The next day, Acharya Ambika Datta Sharma and Vaidya Brahma Datta Sharma who was residing near the Ghirni Pokhar, a pond fitted with a pulley called Ghirni in Hindi, to the house of Shri Shahoo of Ghirni Pokhar.

They were received with extreme esteem and served with Sarbat, a cold drink.

Pt. Brahma Datta Sharma introduced the Acharya to Shahoo ji. Then Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma asked Shri Shahoo ji for his permission for building a Mandap as Hawanshaalaa where he could offer Hawan to Agni,  the Fire god and teach some students there, since the space at Savitri Pathashala at Chaturbhuj Sthaan was falling short for the students.

Shri Shahoo ji at once got extremely pleased and replied, “Pandit ji, the whole area is lying unused, I will be extremely pleased if the same is utilized for such a noble cause.” 

Page-27    

The Acharya and Vaidya Brahma Datta Sharma became overwhelmed with joy on hearing the reply and blessed Shri Shaw for his generosity.

Shri Shaw presented the whole area with the associated land and orchard spreading to over 20 acres for the good cause. The Pond was already in public use.           

On hearing this, Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma stated that he wished to establish “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” [pronounced: Lokamaanya Brahmacharyaashram], a unique Ashram where young boys of seven years and above, from far and near would live and get educated to become useful members of the society.

Shri Shaw liked the idea and became more eager to donate the area for the good cause.

Vaidya Pt. Brahma Datta Sharma and Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma blessed ‘Shri Shahoo ji of Ghirni Pokhar and his family members’ and left the place, further blessing the him and his family.

Then Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma regularly started going to the Pond. The Bhindaa (the raised boundary of the pond) was full of fish and animal bones. Pt. Sharma started cleaning the S-E corner of the Bhindaa where he had decided to build a Hawanshala [Pronounced: Havanshaalaa].

When people and children saw him cleaning the area where nobody dared to go out of fear of Ghosts, Dubaas (the ghosts of drowned persons in the pond), they were surprised to hear from him that such things were non-existent. They started helping him in cleaning the area.

More and more people started coming from nearby villages. Many of them got surprised to hear new and new ideas from

Page-28    

Pandit Ji. Shri Vairav Shaw [18] was joined with Shri Thaggu Thakur [17] of Gannipur. They became regular visitors to Pandit Sharma at the Bhindaa of the Pond, now called as Havanshaalaa where Pandit Sharma started performing Havan of Samidha [dried mango twigs and Dhup].

In the absence of Pandit Sharma, Shri Vairav Shaw ji and Shri Thaggu Thaakur ji started protecting the Havanshala area which was then barricaded not for the people but from stray animals, particularly dogs due to their strange pishing habit.

One day Babu Bherukhi Chaudgari [11] of Kafen-Dariyapur came to meet Pt. Sharma. He got the Hawanshala platform plastered after making a pakka Havan-Kund. The Havanshala was provided with a thatched roof with earthen tiles at the top.

This way the foundation was laid in Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 007 or Khrishtyabda: 1917 AD itself for the establishment of the ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’ in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. India.

6.1          Commissioning of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’

Once the Havanshala [pronounced: Havanshaalaa] was made at the S-W corner of the Bhindaa of the Pokhar or pond, regular Havan was performed there in the morning, day, evening and in the night which was observed by many people.

One day Shri Bherukhi Chaudhari [11] along with Shri Ambika Chaudhari [10] came with many other landlords and common-men of the area. Shri Bherukhi Chaudhari donated a good amount for the construction of the First Building of the Ashram. Shri Ambika Chaudhari and other people also donated for construction of the 1^st hall of the Ashram.

Soon the First Hall of the Ashram was ready. Then the 2^nd and 3^rd Halls were also built within a short period of two years. By 1917 end, ‘Savitri Pathshala’ was closed and Acharya Pt. Sharma started taking classes in the Havanshala itself.  By 1919-20, three Halls were constructed and in the courtyard behind the Ashram Building a house for the Acharya and pundits, a kitchen, toilets, well for drinking water were also built. Many teachers, Guru-Mataa Devarati Devi and Brahmacharies started residing in these areas.

On the North-West corner of the pond an Aushadhalaya was also built, which served medicines for the Brahmacharies or students and people of the locality free of cost.

Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma considered Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak [31] as his ideal and icon. Accordingly, in the respect and memory of his icon, Pandit Sharma decided to name his Ashram as “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” after getting opinion of his friends.

6.2                                  Brief Description of the Activities of Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram

Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram was a residential Ashram, i.e. ‘A peaceful living house for one’s proper development’   for the boys. Only those boys were admitted in the Ashram whose Yagyopaweet or Upnayan and Vedaarambha Sanskaaras ceremonies were performed by the Acharya or designated Pundits.

The start of the studies of Vedas [pronounce: Veds] is called Vedarambha [pronounce: Vedaarambha] which is one of the many Sanskaras [pronounce: Sanskaars] starting from Garbhaadhaan Sanskaar which means fertilisation of the egg and concieving by the mother of a baby. Vedarambha can only be done after Upnayan Sanskar.

 ‘Upnayan’ means ‘Secondary Eyes’:

Page-29 

Once a boy’s Upnayan Sanskar is performed by an Acharya or Guru, the boy’s ‘Secondary Eyes’ are opened and he starts looking the World and Universe in correct perspective. This is just like a newly born kitty that has eyes, but is unable to see anything until his eyes get open. 

Incidentally, Upnayan Sanskaar of a boy of a Shudra parents has to be performed only by an Acharya and not by any Pundit.

The boy admitted in the Brahmacharyashram had to live the life of a Brahmachari strictly according to Manusmriti, the Dharmashashtra or ‘Code of Practices for the Manav [pronounce: Maanav]’ or Mankind or Man in short; irrespective of the cast, creed and religion of the parents of the boys.

Brahmacharies had to follow the Dress Code of the Ashram according to the Smriti as described below:

(a) A Brahmachari coming from the house of Brahman was wearing White or Safron colored Langot (a tight under wear), an unstitched Lungi  (the lower part covering cloth), and a Chaadar (the top wear Cloth), a Dand (a baton) of Bilwa-Twig or Peepal Twig for protection. No foot gear, no umbrella, no headgear were allowed of any type except a wooden foot wear, that too occasionally only.

(b)A Bramachari coming from the house of a Xatriya parents were to wear cloth, the same as above except the color of the dress had to be Red with a baton, Dand of Palash or Bamboo.

(c)   A Brahmachari coming from the house of a Vaishya parents were to wear cloth, the same as above except the color of the dress was Yellow.

(d)   In case of a Brahmachari from a Sudra parents, the color of the dress was Blue or Black, rest everything were the same as in above cases.

6.3          Unification of over 600 Casts Among Sanaatanies or Hindus into Just Four Casts.

            Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma was a true Vaidic or Vedic, a follower of Vedas. Thus, he never liked differentiating men on the basis of cast, creed, tribe, clan, so called religions, nature of work, place of origin etc. He wished to ultimately establish the Status of Vedas or Satyug, when there was no such distinction, except “the difference between Male and Female” which is made by the nature itself.

            According to Vedas all males or masculine are Devas or Devata, whereas all females or feminine are Devi. It is worth mentioning here that according to Indian System or Vedas:

            The Earth is our [of all living beings including plants]  Mother, thus Feminine or Devi. How the Earth who produces everything, can herself be neuter?

            Similarly, the Sun is the father of all of us [ all living and non-living beings] who provides all the energy remotely to carry out all the activities on the Earth. Thus, the Sun is a Devata and masculine in Sanskrit.

            The above is a basic knowledge which all the persons of Indian origin, particularly Hindus know and have Consumed Well. This is part of their culture.

            One may like to visit India, particularly North India on the 6^th and 7^th day of the Kartik Month according to Vikramaabda or Srishtyabda to witness how Shri Soorya Devata [pronounce: Devataa], the Sun god is worshipped directly while setting in the East  on the 6^th day and while rising on the West on the 7^th day..

Since a change can be revolutionary but not drastic so that the whole society would get a jolt and collapse, Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma decided to unite over 600 Casts among Hindus of all brands into just four; that too following Dharmashastras like Manusmriti.  The next step could be assimilating the four casts into One.

Nobody opposed this, rather people rich and poor, and so called Raja and Rank coming from different casts, of the area liked this step alike and started sending their sons to the Ashram even at 7-11 years of age where very strict discipline was being followed which can be seen in the next sub-paragraph.

He achieved the above goal in practices and could succeed well, in Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram during 1920 and 1948.

The social scenario of India could have been far different and better than what is now today with the extension of the above to other states; followed by elimination of even the four casts as foreseen by the Acharya and the World-renowned Historians in the book entitled ‘History of Brahmanism’ [30].

However, such dream of Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma and the World Historians [30] was completely broken by the ‘post Independent politicians’ of India, as we see that new casts are being created by the great politicians of post-independent Era, post Gandhian Era, post Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram Era of 1920-1948. All these are just due to the ‘Vote-Bank-politics’ and so called secularism of post-independent Era of the great politicians of India in the name of development and Socialism. It is really pity!

In a way it is good, people like Mahatma MK Gandhi and Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma are no longer here, in Bharat, India or in the World to see the present scenario!!!

6.4    Daily Routine of the Students of Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram

Start of the Day:

Page-30    

All the students sleeping in the hall, except those who were

unwell and sleeping separately, used to get up along with the Pundits or teachers early in the morning in Brahma-vela at about 4 am, go to Maidan and plunge into the pond to take bath, and get ready for Sandhya [Pronounced: Sandhyaa]. 

Sandhya:

Sandhya is a ritual to make a person free from diseases, and making the body and mind fresh, pure, healthy and energetic. Sandhya means taking drinking water three times as Aachamani taken in measured quantity each time, ‘Putting one Aachamani water by left hand on the right palm and sipping the same with lips’. This is equivalent to taking 3 doses of mother tincture according to Homoeopathy to take care of the germs present in the person. This is also according to the ‘Eclectic Medical System-D’.

They used to perform Yogas, various Asanas [Pronounced: Aasan] for the all-round development of Brahmacharies.

The Sandhyaa was followed by Havan, offerings to Agni Deva or the ‘Fire god’. 

Sandhyaa and Havan were performed by all Pundits and Brahmacharies together in groups in and around the Havanshala, as the number of students were large. Bramacharies had to collect Samidhaa, dried mango-twigs for them at their leisure from the orchard for Havan. They used to play, gossip often practice going up a tree.

After Havan, they used to go for Prayers and then disperse for the Alpaahaar, the breakfast prepared by Paachak ji the cook under the supervision of the Guru-Mata and some Pundits.

Kaxa or Classes:

Immediately after Alpaahaar snacks or light breakfast,  Brahmacharis used to go to attend their classes from 7am

to 1-30 pm.

After Noon Lunch Self-Study:

Then between 1-30 pm to 2-30 pm they had to complete their Bhojan, lunch and go for Swadhyaya, self-study till 4-30 pm.

Evening Sandhya and Play:

At 5pm to 5-30pm they used to perform evening Sandhyaa and Havan with Samidhaa as in the morning.

Between 5-30pm to 6-30 pm Brahmachari used to play games, Kusti i.e wrestling and Asanas [pronounce Aasans].

Swadhyaya selfstudy, Raatribhojan Dinner and Ratri Vishraam, going to Bed:

From 7 pm to 9-30 pm Brahmacharis used to do Swadhyaya, between 9-30 pm to 10 pm they used to take their dinner and after prayer in their hall they had to go to bed, Raatri Vishraam.

The above daily routine were repeated except the weekly holy days on Ashtami, the Lunar 8^th days of the month and Amaawasyaa, the No-moon day / Poornimaa, the Full-Moon day of every month.

Bhixaatan, Begging Day:

All the students of the Ashram used to go for Bhixaatan every week in groups in different villages, when each student used to go to a house and speak:

“Bhavati Bhixaam Me Dehi” i.e. ‘Please offer me whatever you wish’; as the Brahmachaaries were speaking in Sanskrit only, even when they used to go outside the Ashram in the villages, in town or in Bazar.

Page-31   

Some Interesting Points about the Practices of the Ashram:

·         The women, men and others used to wait in front of their houses with the materials like rice, pulse, new plain cloths, fruits, sweets etc. ready to offer as donations so that the Bramacharies shouldn’t get returned without the same.

·         Each mother used to feel as if she were donating the same to their own son.

·         What a sound system prescribed by Manusmriti!!! The first time a Brahmachari used to ask for donation from his own mother and other near and dear ones, just after his Yagyopaveet Ceremony. This infused in their blood: ‘All children are hers only.

·         Once, Dr Deo Dutta Sharma was in Frankfurt, Germany when a lady asked him, “Why there are so many beggars in India?”  She said, “India is really very poor”.

Dr Sharma simply laughed.

The lady got surprised and smilingly asked again, “Why do you laugh, am I not right?”

He again laughed.

However, when he realized she was really curious about the situation and wanted to know how far she was correct; Dr Sharma said, “In India, boys are formally trained for Begging on the first day of the start of their formal  education (on the day of his Yagyopaveet or Upnayan Sanskaar which is a part of the culture)”.

Thus, in India giving and taking alms, Donations or gifts is not at all looked down upon.

Page-32    

In fact, the person taking the donations are considered great.

The lady got surprised to hear this.

All the material collected in Bhixa used to go to the common store of the Ashram for the common use.

·         It may be interesting as well as surprising to note that sons of very well to do people like good farmers, landlords, Industrialists, businessmen and educated professionals were also admitted in Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram as Bramacharies apart from the sons of the poor and Common man, Aam Aadmi.   

6.5    Cultural Aspects of the Ashram:  Changes in Basic Thinking of the People

            People of the area were witnessing many surprising and revolutionary things, which they had never thought in their life

*>> People had never thought that just after Yagyopaveet and Vedarambh a boy of 7-11 years age has to live as a Brahmachari and complete his education until Samapawartan Sanskar when he starts living like a common person.

*>> People had never seen sons of a Jamindaar or landlord, a highly educated professional, a Aam Aadmi like a farmer, a shopkeeper, a sweeper, a washer man, a teacher, an Professor, a carpenter, a blacksmith, a Brahman, a Xatriya, a Vaishya, a Shudra, a rich, a poor  were doing Bhixatan together; and studying together.           

*>> People had never seen anybody speaking Sanskrit so

Page-33    

effortlessly fluently in bazar or other common places as the students of the Ashram.

*>> People had never seen so many Brahmacharies and Pundits doing Sandhya and Havan three times a day together.

*>> Pandit Sharma did not believe on Bhoot-Doot ghost, Diyan-Ojha, Jhad-Foonk and the like. This was really surprising to all.

How can the Ojhaas of Karoo-Kaamaakhya be wrong? How can the  Ojhaas of Darbhanga or the whole of Mithila be wrong?

Once, Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma was delivering lecture and discourse in the heart of Mithila near Pandul Railway Station, Darbhanga in Bihar, India. At the end of the day when he was carrying on Saptah of Shrimad Bhagavata-Katha [pronounce: Bhaagavat-Kathaa] when the Patha of Srimadbhagavat or ‘The Story of Lord Krishna’ is completed within seven days.  As usual at the end of the Katha Pandit Sharma ask if anybody had to ask any question.  

From one corner, some young men raised hands. Pandit Sharma invited them nearer. They asked, “Pandit Ji, do you believe in ghosts and Jhad-Foonk?”

Pandit Sharma replied, “Not at all. He never believed on Bhoot-Doot and Jhad-Foonk.”

Some people objected to his Statement. They said they could disprove that Pandit Ji is completely wrong. They added tomorrow evening when Pandit Ji will finish the Kathaand sitting on his Aasan, with the help of their Mantra-Tantra they would rotate and revolve him. In case they will succeed, Pandit Sharma has to

Page-34    

serve them whole life. These people were representing the famous Ojhas Darbhanga, next only to Kadoo-Kamaakhya.

Pandit Sharma accepted their challenge but said, “They can do so a day after completion of the Saptah Katha. The Ojhaas shall not come within two hands distance of him, neither they shall physically touch him or throw any material thing on him.” 

The organizers liked the idea.

The Ojhaas made lot of publicity. Thousands of people got collected on the stipulated day. When the District Magistrate of Darbhanga heard about the episode, he himself decided to come and witness the same.

The Ojhaa’s Challenge Day: 

On the day of the challenge, over Twenty thousand persons came by 4 pm. The stipulated time was 7pm.

Thus, there was good police arrangement considering tension in the area created due to Pro & Anti-Jhad-Foo*k pople. The District Magistrate of Darbhanga being English did not believe on ghosts and Jhad Foo*k, so he reached the place before time at 5-30 pm out of his own curiosity and wellbeing of the people,.

When the DM saw the conditions, he said to the Organizers to call the parties.

The DM said that he had observed the conditions of the Challenge, but the same was one-sided.

Thus, after the arrival of the representatives of Ojhaas and the Organisers representing Pandit sharma, he said to incorporate

Page-35    

one more condition to make it balances as stated below:

“In case the Ojhaas fail to rotate Pt. Sharma, the Ojhaas shall leave their profession forever.”

 The Ojhaas readily accepted this condition, and on their own agreed to serve Pandit ji for life in case they do not succeeed..

The DM called his assistant to Record all the Conditions and the names of each party men with their signatures.

By 6-30 pm Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma came to his Aasan seat. Performed Sandhya as usual. By 6-55 Pandit Sharma sat on Padmaasan, ready to start and face the Challenge. 

Exactly at 7 pm 14 Ojhaas entered the Pandaal shouting “Om Hring Shring Chamundayai Namah. In chorus. They started circling round the Pundit shouting different Mantras with sounds of Shankh and various other instruments, producing dreadful sounds. Soon they were joined by another group carrying Mashal and Live Arati Pots. Many came with Bhabhoot, burnt Pooja ash and stated throwing them onto Pandit Sharma.

Just at the nook of time, the DM’s men stopped the Ojhaas and Warned that in case they throw anything on Pandit Sharma, they be charged for breaking the conditions and would be declared loser.

Various grops of Ojhaas came chanting Mantras, sang and danced round around Pandit Ji. However, Pandit Sharma continued sitting in Padmaasan.

When 50 minutes time out of one hour stipulated time was spent, the DM’s men declared that only 10 minutes time was left.

A bigger group of Ojhaas with snakes round their neck came

Page-36    

shouting dreadful Mantras. Pandit Sharma continued to sit erect in the Padmaasan.

Just at the end of an hour, the activities were stopped and the DM declared that the Ojhaas had lost.

The DM also liked to book them under various IPC Codes as they were cheating people in the name of Jhaad-Foo*k and Ojhaagiri.

All the Ojhaas started pleading the DM, not to jail them. They assured they would leave Ojhaadiri forever However, the DM didn’t listened.

Then the Ojhaas started weeping and requesting Pandit Sharma to somehow, save them from going to jail.

On the request of Pandit Sharma, the DM left them free provided they left the profession of cheating people forever.

6.6    Revolutionary Activities: Universal Vedic culture

The advent of the Ashram meant the advent of a Special culture, which is not easy to describe. The whole environment and communities were influenced observing the activities of the Brahmacharies and the Ashram.

People were surprised to see the Brahmacharies in different colorful robes walking in groups together, playing in groups together, singing Stuties i.e. special type of prayers, eating together, doing Sandhya and Havan together.

When they were going to villages and to the town, they were doing conversation together in Sanskrit; they were even talking to the venders in Sanskrit.

Page-37   

All the people, all the boys, all the mothers got influenced and attracted by the life of the Brahmacharies so much that mothers of the localities started dreaming, “When their sons will attend the minimum age of 7 years, so that the boy’s Yagyopaweet Ceremony is performed by the Acharya and they become Brahmacharies and get admitted into the Brahmacharyashram”.

It was heartening to watch that the sons of landlords, the sons of ‘have-nots’, sons of Brahmans, Xatrias, Sudras, and Vaishyas live together, play together, perform Sandhyas and Havan together as Bramacharies.

All these had changed the living, seeing, thinking, behaving and aspiring the people in a very new ways where the so-called unachievable ideal things were becoming practical and easily achievable.

All these changes were happening in the pre-independent India starting from 1917 to 1947 AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 017 to

1 972 949 047 when the Rulers of the Country were the British, under the guidance of Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma, a  Sanskrit Pundit respected by the Pandit Samaj, Pundit Community from Lahore in Punjab to Guwahati in Assam and to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.  

All these activities were looking very revolutionary actions of the Acharya to the people of the area due to the following:

(i)                 All mothers were feeling, while bestowing some article upon Brahmacharies, as if she was offering the same to his own son.

(ii)               Orthodox people were never expecting that ‘a day will come when people of different casts will take food

Page-38   

together’.

(iii)             Many were surprised to find, ‘how it was possible to break the cast system’ when “Brahman, Xatriya, Vaishya, Sudra” were all-together in all the activities; although they were looking different externally due to their robes.

(iv)              In the name of worshiping there was only “Sandhyaa and Havan”, hardly any ‘Karmakaand’.

(v)                A Non-Believer on Jhad-Foo`k, Ghosts etc

(vi)              Due to the above, more and more people started believing in the soundness the `Vaidic or Universal Vedic Culture’. 

(vii)            Universal  Vedic Culture:

Many Sanaatani Pundits were astonished and did not know whether to, how to and why to contradict Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma, who was being worshiped by the people of far and near. Thus, they thought it better to keep quiet and see what more happens.

Similarly, many people were watching the activities taking place in the Ashram with a lot of curiosity.

Page-39   

7                   Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma: a Journalist

After the stabilization of the working of Lokamanya Brahmacharyashram by 1924 AD, Pandit Sharma thought to publish a daily newspaper in Sanskrit for propagation of Sanskrit language and Vedic Culture in practice. Many people were interested in the developments taking place in the Ashram.

Thus, Pandit Sharma decided to publish a Sanskrit daily entitled “Mitram”, in Shrishtyabda: 1 972 949 024, Khrishtyabda: 1924 AD, Possibly first time in India the publication of the Sanskrit Daily ‘Mitram’ started from the Ashram at Muzaffarpur.. ‘Mitram’ means ‘Friend’ in Sanskrit. Firstly, hand written copies were made to distribute them in in the towns far and near like Sitamarhi, Motihari, Samastipur, Patna, Varansi and Calcutta. Later printed copies were distributed even to Delhi, Lahore, Madras and Bombay. The publication of the daily ‘Mitram’ continued until 1938 AD.

However, possibly due to the start of the Second World War and associated economic and other constrains, the publication of Mitram was stopped.

Page-40    

8                   Household Responsibilities

After graduating from “Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya” Varanasi with Vyakaranacharya and Ayurvedacharya degrees and Award of the Title of the “Eminent ‘Acharya’” from the ‘Acharyas and Pundits Shabha’ of the ‘Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya’ of Bharat in Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 014-15, Khrishtyabda: 1914-15 AD, Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma thought of discharging his house responsibilities very nicely as desired by his parents.

8.1.   Marriage with Kumari Devarati

The proposal of Shri Raghuveer Upadhyaya of Village Ko*nthia Nara*wa. (* is used to express light nasal sound, instead of using ‘n’ due to which ‘Ku*war Singh’ very near to ‘Kuwar Singh’ becomes  ‘Kunwar Singh’ very near to ‘Kanwar Singh’), near Dighwara Ghat, on the West Bank of River Ganga in Chhapra district of Bihar was liked by all. Thus, he got married to Ku. Devarati Devi, sister of Shri Raghuveer Upadhyaya, daughter of Shri Bhaloo Upadhyaya in Srishtyabda: 1 972 979 015, Khrishtyabda: 1915.

8.2.      Marriage of eldest Sister Heera

After establishing Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram at Muzaffarpur between 1917 to 1920 AD, Pandit Sharma started looking for a boy suitable for the marriage of his eldest sister Kumari Heera. By this time, he started some earning as well from practice of Ayurveda and gifts from people for his profession of Pandit. Soon he could find Shri Uday Karan Tiwary who came from a respectable Tiwary Family of Shandilya Gotra from the nearby village ‘Charghat’. When explained, the parents also liked the boy and the family. Thus, soon all necessary arrangements were made and Kumati Heera got married to Shri Uday Karan Tiwary in 1922 AD.  

Page-41    

8.3       Education of Brothers and near and Dear Ones

Pandit Sharma had two younger brothers Shri Ram Badan Pandey and Brajraj.

Education was no problem for Pandit Sharma. The two brothers and the younger brother of Pt. Uday Karan Tiwary were admitted to “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” after performing their Upnayan and Vedarambha Sanskaras as Brahmacharies with their new Awatar as: Bhawani Datta Sharma, Devi Datta Sharma and Ram Karan Sharma respectively.

8.4       Birth of the Eldest Daughter, Savitri

By Srishtyabda: 1 927 949 024, Khrishtyabda: 1924, Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram was well established.  Acharya Sharma along with some eminent pundits like respected Pundit Tripathy ji, Father of Pandit Gangadhar Sharma, Ex. Principal of Bhagalpur Sanskrit College, were residing in the campus of the Ashram due to the very conducive atmosphere in and around the Ashram. Pundit Tripathi was a Professor of ‘Dharma Samaj Sanskrit College’, Muzaffarpur, but he liked to live in the Ashram. Not only this, he had admitted his son Gangadhar in the Ashram as a Brahmachari, since the environment of the Ashram was very attractive and very conducive for the proper growth of a child. Above all, the Ashram was developing a Vaidic Culture in the Nineteenth Century India.

Shrimati Tripathy and Devarati Devi became very good friends.

Under the above joyful environment, the first daughter of Shrimati Devarati Devi and Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma was born in Srishtyabda: 1 927 949 024, Khrishtyabda: 1924 AD. Everybody and all the students of the Ashram became very happy to find a baby sister, who was named ‘Savitri’.

Savitri gradually was growing up. She was educated in the Ashram itself, and became the first Veda-Pathy of Eastern India, where due to the orthodoxy; women were not allowed to study Vedas.

However, there was hardly any controversy when Acharya Pandit Sharma started teaching Vedas to his daughter Savitri Sharma, who after graduating as Ayurveda Shastri got employed as a Vaidyaa in the Bihar Government Hospital.

Smt. Savitri Devi Sharma is the Co-Author of this book. 

8.5       Marriage of Younger Sister Hridaya

After the birth of Savitri, Pandit Sharma found that his younger sister Hridaya had also become marriageable. He talked to his mother who also opined the same way.

With the help of his elder brother-in-law, Pt. Uday Karan Tiwary, he found that the younger of Pt. Bhuwaneshwar Tiwary of nearby village Jalpuraa, Shri Narmadeshwar who came from a respectable Brahman Family of Shandilya Gotra, was a good candidate. On the approval of his father, Pt. Sharma arranged for the marriage of his younger sister and she was married to Shri Narmadeshwar Sharma in 1925 AD. Shri Narmadeshwar Sharma started studying in the Ashram and became a Vaidya. 

8.6       Birth of the Daughters, Gayatri and Saraswati

After the birth of Savitri, two more daughters were born to Smt. Devarati Devi and Pt. Sharma in 1928 and 1931 AD. They were named as Gayatri and Saraswati respectively.

8.8       Marriage of Younger Brother, Pt. Bhavani Datta Sharma

Like many other Brahmacharies, Pt. Bhavani Datta Sharma graduated from Bihar Sanskrit Association in Acharya in Vyakaran, Sahitya, Veda, Dharmashastra, Ayurved and Karmakand. He also obtained Teertha Degree from Calcutta Sanskrit University. Bihar Sanskrit Association is now KS Sanskrit University, Darbhanga, Bihar.

Page-42    

Shri Bhavani Datta’s Bhabhi proposed to her mother-in-Law that she would be pleased if he is married to her niece, Kumari Ratna, the daughter of her elder cousin Shri Raghuveer Upadhaya. Everybody liked the proposal. Kumari Ratna became extremely happy to hear the news.

Thus, soon Pt. Bhavani Datta Sharma got married to Kumari Ratna in a simple Vaidic manner. The marriage was sermonized by Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma himself.

8.9       Marriage of Younger Brother, Pt. Devi Datta Sharma

Like his elder brother, Pt. Devi Datta Sharma got Acharya degrees in eight subjects from Bihar Sanskrit Association, Teertha degree from Calcutta and Ph.D degrees in ‘Prakrit and Pali’ and in Jainology.

Many proposals for his marriage started coming. Pt. Devi Datta Sharma got married to Kumari Jeera, sister of shri Kulshekhar Pathak of a nearby village of Gyanpur-Semariya in 1933 AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 033 .

8.10     Birth of the two Sons

Smt. Chandrawaasi Devi, the mother of Pt. Sharma was very much eager to see a grandson, although Savitri was no less than a son for Pt. Sharma. Everybody was so fond of Savitri in the Ashram! Even the father of Pt. Sharma was eager to get a grandson. In view of this, Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma worshipped Lord Shankar and soon, he was blessed with a son. The son was named ‘Sheo Dutta’, the gift of Lord Shiva.

Shri Sheo Dutta Sharma became a Brahmachari after growing up and started studying in Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram. He graduated in Maddhyama in Vyakaran and Sahitya from Bihar Sanskrit Association, Patna through Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram. Later he graduated from L S College,

Page-4 3   

Muzaffarpur, Bihar University and was awarded MA in Economics.

Soon after the birth of Sheo Dutta, Pt. Sharma was blessed with a second son who was named Deo Dutta, which means god gifted, possibly because nobody wanted him, but being born, as a gift of the God, he was most welcomed.

After growing up, Deo Dutta also became a Brahmachari and started studying in the Ashram. As a student of BB Collegiate School, Deo Dutta Sharma independently invented System Engineering during 1953-54 at the age of 15 years under guidance of the Respected Science Teacher Mr Madhusudan Thakur.

 

8.11     Marriage of the Daughters, Savitri and Gayatri

Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma was a strict follower of Dharmashashtras; according to which, a girl should be married just before or after she became Rajaswalaa, attains puberty and menses starts. 

Pt. Sharma started looking a suitable boy for Savitri. Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey wished that the boy should be educated in English. The son of a Pandey Family of Manichapra, a nearby village of Gyanpur liked by Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey, and liked by all. Soon arrangements for the marriage were made and Kumari Savitri was married to Shri Sitaram Pandey in 1939 AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 039.

However, after the marriage, Savitri Devi Sharma continued with her studies, and she was awarded with the Degree of ‘Shastry in Ayurveda’, by Bihar Sanskrit Association, Patna now K S Sanskrit University, Darbhanga, Bihar, India.

Since Gayatri was not interested in studying more, she also was married to a boy of a nearby village Jameera in 1941 AD.

Page-44    

8.12     ‘Bharat Chhodo Andolan of 1942’, ‘Quit India Movement’

 and Passing Away of Shri Janga Bahadur Pandey.

‘1942 August 9, Kranti’, or ‘The 1942 August Struggle’, also called ‘Bharat Chhodo Andolan’ or ‘The Quit India Movement’:

During 1938 AD and 1943 AD, the Second World War was in its peak. In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi started ‘Quit India Movement’ to British using his famous tool of ‘Savinay Avagya Andolan’ non-violent method. Thousands and lakhs of Indians followed Mahatma Gandhi in this Movement. Although the movement was non-violent, but many people were stopping and burning buses, cutting telephone lines of cities and of railway, destroying public properties to press the British to quit India.  

During the struggle, the author was too young to understand the whole thing, still his direct experience would through some light on the prevalent situation.

Direct Experience of the Author:

What he saw one fine morning when he was playing in his village on the bank of River Ganga, was completely new and astonishing. A quite big ship stopped near the village. From the ship, many white ‘Bhutiyas’ short American Militia people started coming to the village.

All the mails of the village had already disappeared somewhere; possibly to participate in the struggle.   The Bhutias entered into the village lanes mostly in groups.

Page-45    

We became careful, as they were carrying guns. They started entering into the houses but did not harm us or women folk. They were searching something. Later I came to know they were searching males.

   

They started eating green cucumbers. My aunt brought some ‘Dal-Roti’ bread and pulsed thinking they were perhaps hungry. They ate and took water like thing, which they had brought with them.

After searching a few houses, they left and went to the same ship.

Later I came to know they were Americans called by British to help them suppress the struggle.

Ailment of Shri Jang Bahadur Pandey:

The next day, two tall and strong Brahmacharies came to our house from Muzaffarpur. They informed, our Grandpa was serious and we must leave the village immediately and rush to Muzaffarpur.

Soon, we packed up and went to Sinha Ghat, port to catch a Jahaj, ship, steamer, boat; whatever we could. The train service from Ara to Patna was completely stopped; the tracks were uprooted at places by the struggling people.

The steamers were also not coming. Boats were also not ready to go to Chhapra, a district town, on the West Bank of Ganga where the struggle was at peak according to boatmen.  

One boatman became ready to take us to Dighwara Ghat. However, he said it was extremely risky to go since any time British could fire us. Still we requested him to make us cross Ganga. Very carefully, he sailed.

My sisters and myself saw a number of Dolphins, seals, fishes of

Page-46   

different verities while we were sailing. We could not enjoys much since we were quite tense.

 On the way he stopped here and there at three four places.     

Finally, we reached Dighwara Ghat. After getting to the sore, we walked for about one and half km to reach the main road. There was no transport. We waited, walked and waited.

It was already getting afternoon. How to reach Muzaffarpur and see Baba, grandfather? A Tanga, a one horse cart came but we were eight including Mom, two sisters, myself, two aunts and Brahmacharies so could not be accommodated.

Luckily, a bogie came to our risqué from Chhapra side; it was empty too. The two Brahmacharies went to the top near the Horseman. Six of us were nicely accommodated inside the bogie.

Then our journey started well, still I could not enjoy it. I was thinking about Baba.

When to meet Baba!

He loved me most. I too loved him most.

I was enjoying. But not enjoying!    

It was already getting dark. The Brahmacharies and the Bogie-man got down in front of the Sonepur High School.

Brahmachari Rajnandan ji came to my mother and said, “Mataji, it is already dark. Thus, it is not safe to move forward in the night. If permitted we can spend the night in the school.”

The Brahmacharies and the cart-man went inside the school and asked the school guard, “Can we spent the night in a corner of the school.”

Page-47   

The guard stated. “How it is possible! Do you not see the school building is already burnt?”

Yes, we observed that almost half of the roof of the school had been burnt badly by the Andolankaries, people struggling for independence.    

The Brahmacharies said, “If you allow to stay, it will be a greast gesture.”

The guard allowed us to stay in the school premises seeing the ladies and children; warning us not to go to the building as the roof was already damaged.

We spent the night there in open after sharing Sattu, roasted and crushed Bengal Gram.

Next day we got up early in the morning and atarted travelling at quarter to four.

By five in the evening, we reached Khabra, Muzaffarpur. All of us became very pleased to meet Baba and talk to him.

We became very happy. I liked to play with Baba as usual but I was reminded often that he was not well. He need not be disturbed.

After four days of our arrival, all of a sudden Baba started raising his legs again and again.

I could make out he was not well. My uncles, eldest sister and some Brahmacharies started chanting Geeta, Srimadbhagavatam and Vishnu-Sahashranam, ‘Thousands of Names of Lord Vishnu’.

Whole day the chanting continued. In the night also he was not well. Then he started uttering something.

Page-48    

Next morning on 16 August 1942, he looked a bit better. However, by 11am his condition became worse. At about 11-30 am he breathed his last.

 I still feel him near me.

Thousands of people gathered in front of our house. His body was taken to Konhara Ghat, the meeting place of River Narayani with Ganga in Hazipur. Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma, the eldest son

performed the last rights of Shri Jung Bahadur Pandey in presence of his brothers Pt Bhawni Datta Sharma, Pt. Devi Datta Sharma and many Pandits, villagers, Brahmacharies, friends and others.

Shraaddha Ceremony of Shri Jang Bahadur Pandey: 

According to Sanatan Dharma, after 10 days mourning, the Hazamat or shaving of hair of the head of male family members was done.

The eleventh and the twelfth day Shraaddh-Karm was performed.

After this, at the end of every month, Monthly Shraaddh processes were carried out.

At the end of one year, the Annual Shraaddh was completed.

8.13     Marriage of Saraswati

Saraswati also did not wish to study much like her elder sister Gayatri. Thus, Pt. Sharma told one of his disciples to look for a suitable boy for her. Soon he proposed a boy Umesh Pathak who

Page-49    

came from a respectable well to do Brahman family from Village Koila-Belwa, District Champaran, near Chakiyaa Railway Station. 

The marriage was sermonized nicely in 1946 AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 046.    

Page-50    

9                                           Unification of Thousands of Casts into Just Four

The Cast System among Hindus is prevalent since ages. It has been made responsible for creating differences and   descripecies in the society. To a great extent, it is correct in the present scenario. However, after independence of India in 1947 various governments in states as well as in Center due to party politics are mis-utilizing cast system as ‘Vote Bank’.

Due to the same reason, more and more new casts are being created by governments and allotted Quotas or Reservations to encash them as ‘Vote Bank’.

To understand the Cast System, we have to go to its basics, since its creators were not less intelligent or less social. It may be the present corrupt system of ‘Divide and Rule’ adopted by the politicians creating the situation worse.

However, let us understand the Varna Vyavastha, Cast System from start:

For the smooth working of any complex society, four classes or kinds of persons or professionals are needed; namely

(a)               Basic Conceptualizers, thinkers, planers, consultants:                       Brahmans

(b)                                    Defenders, Protectors, Warriors:         Xatriyas

(c)                                     Traders, Businessmen, Professionals, Industrialists: Vaishyas

(d)                                       Labors, Workmen, peasants, farmers, service-men: Shudras 

Page-51    

The origin of the division of the people of Bharat into four casts or Varnas,  as they were called earlier, goes back to Treta Yug of about 1.296 MEY [MEY = Mega Earth Year] in which Avataars of Baman, Parasuram and Ramchandra occurred according to Bharateeya or Indian System of Kalchakra, the ‘Time Cycle’.

Dvapar Yug spanned about 0.864 MEY and about 0.005 MEY of Kaliyug is spent so far.

Thus, since about 1.296+0.864+0.005 = 2.165 MEY i.e. 2.165 million Earth years ago [the so called West Trained Historians may not accept for whom Ram and Ramayan is a Myth and some say Ram had been about 6500 years ago from1900 AD say]

 i.e. in Srishtyabda: 1 970 084 000, Rig-Veda [refer

‘Knowledge Beyond nano pico Technology’, By the Author]

Cast system based on the cast of parents started in Bharat or India.

Originally, people of 4 casts were compared with 4 organs of a man:    Brahman            > Head

            Xatriya            > Hands

            Vaishya           > Stomac

Shudra            > Legs [or God in Hindi, Harijan by Mahatma Gandhi]

Page-52    

Since all the 4 organs are essential for the proper functioning of the Body of a person [Purush Shukt: Veda], none of the organs can be considered great or small. This is Vedic knowledge.

Against the above thought, people started thinking some cast higher than others. Not only this, from somewhere the question of Untouchability of Shudras also came; which is:

Ø  totally condemnable by all

Ø  against Vedas and Sanaatan Dharma or Hindutva.

Earlier, cast of a person was decided on the basis of the nature of work as stated above. However, Dvapar Yug onwards it started to be decided based on the birth of a child. The cast of a child is the cast of the parents; just as in England and in most European countries where there is a separate cast of Kings decided by the birth of a child in a King’s house.

How can the Cast System, over two million years old, be changed in a few Decades?

.

9.1     Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma tried for the Unification of over hundreds of casts into four during 1917 to 1948 in Muzaffarpur starting from Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram now Ram Dayalu Singh College. However, this could not be continued due to the Government interference. Instead of unifying the casts, the Governments in India after independence are creating more and more casts for the sake of ‘Vote Bank’. Page-50    

Page-53    

9.2     Mahatma MK Gandhi too started to call most of Shudras as Harijans. This too has no effect in the abolition of the Cast System. Even among Harijans or Dalits government has started creating Ati-Dalits.

Rather governments in India both Central and State governments; are creating more Harijan casts, Dalit Casts, Ati-Dalit Casts, various Brands of Backward Classes now running into thousands in view of what is popularly called ‘Vote Bank’.

9.3         Main Impediment on the Development or Progress of India

              Cast System, Creation of more and more casts, favors for some  religions in the name of minorities by provincial, State and Central governments of India; Quotas or reservations in education, services and in politics for incompetent personnel are the main causes for slow progress of India.

These are against the Constitution of India as well.

Page-54   

10                                     Sanatanarya Samaj

[Pronounced: Sanaatanaarya Samaaj]

Acharya Pt Ambika Datta Sharma was not a common pundit. He was a Vaidic [or Vedic as some people wrongly spell], a follower of Vedas and Dharma-Shashtras. He was working according to  Manusmriti, one of the most popular of eighteen Smrities.

10.1     Pundit Sharma, an Agnihotri

Pandit Sharma was an Agnihotri, thus he used to do Havan three times a day in each of the three Kunds in Havanshala. Agni or the fire-god was continuously alive in the Deva-Kund, day in and day out.  Deva-Kund was made of Squire Shape in Plan-View.

The other Kund was Rishi-Kund, in Plan-View, which was of Semi-Circular Shape.

While doing Havan in Deva-Kund, the Yagyopaveet has to be in the normal position as a Dwij keeps the same generally. While doing Havan in Rishi-Kund, the style of wearing of Yagyopaveet is like a normal Mala or garland.

 The third Kund was called Pitri-Kund, which was of Triangular Shape in Plan-View. While using Pitri-Kund, the position of Yagyopaveet on the shoulder is just opposite to its position of Deva-Kund.

Whenever Pt Sharma used to go out of Muzaffarpur for a night stay, he used carry his Agni, the fire for Havan and for cooking, since an Agnihotri must cook food by his own Agni.

10.2     Chandrayana Vrat [pronounce: Chaandraayan Vrat]

            Pt Ambika Datta Sharma used to do ‘Chandrayana Vrat’ for the

Page-55    

           

            good of all.

The Chandrayan Vrat once started continues for the whole month.  The Vrat means ‘Adopting a particular way of living for the prescribed Period’. Chandrayan Vrat is started from ‘Pratipada Krishna Pax of a month’ i.e. the First Day after Full-moon day, when he used to take ‘One full Tumbler milk less 1/15^th.

The next day he used to take one tumbler milk less 2/15^th tumbler. The third day it was less 3/15 th. Tumbler. Likewise  on the Amavashya, the No-moon day there was no Milk to be taken.

On the ‘Pratipada of Shukla Pax’, the 16^th day of the month, he used to take 1/15 Tumbler milk. On ‘Dviteeya of Shukla Pax’ or the 17^th day of the month he used to take 2/15^th tumbler of milk.

Likewise, every day, 1/15^th tumbler milk used to increase, and on the Full-moon day, he used to take full one tumbler full milk again. Thus, at the end of a month the Chandrayana Vrat used to get completed. During this period, he used to do Havan and Pooja from the Brahma-Muhurt, 4 AM to the night, 10 PM, after which he used to take rest.  

10.3     ‘Sanatan Dharma’, Hindutva /Hinduism/ Hindu

Pundit Sharma was basically a follower of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ [Pronounced: Sanaatan Dharma], in short Sanaatani popularly known as a Hindu.

Many people do not understand what ‘Sanatan Dharma’ is, or who is a Hindu.

The better way to understand ‘Sanatan Dharma’

Is to know: Who is a Hindu? According to the Vedas and Dharmashaashtras [the rule of living for a man]:

Page-56    

*** “The Follower of ‘Sanatan Dharma’, a Sanaatani, or a Hindu [as popularly called by others] is ‘a Maanav, or Manav or Man in short, Who looks good for all being, living and non-living.”

Thus, it is the basic property, virtues or characteristics of mankind in general, who should think for goodness of all mankind and all beings, even non-living being.

Sanaatan or Sanatan literally means ‘the Age Old’ or ‘since time immemorial’. Dharma means the characteristics due to which one can exist. Thus, ‘Sanatan Dharma’ means ‘the Age old Characteristics of Mankind for her/ his existence’.

The definition of a Hindu as given at *** above for a ‘Man’ i.e. Manav includes the followers of: 

(a)   Sanaatan Dharma [ of Hindus]

(b)   Arya-Samaj [strictly following Vedas]

(c)    Buddhism [Mahaayaan, Hinayaan or Ying-Yang varieties]

(d)    Jainism [Digamber or Swetaamber]

(e)   Sikhism [Akaali, Nirankaari, Khalsaa]

(f)     Chistianity [Catholic, Protestant]

(g)   Communism [ethics: Humanism, the 1^st step of Hinduism]

(h)   Atheism: Even an Atheist can be a Hindu like

Page-57    

(i)     Chaarvaak Rishi, so long as s/he follows what is stated at ***  above about a Hindu.

(j)     Everybody is a born Hindu unless s/he is taught otherwise.

*Excludes those who like to harm or kill or destroy other(s) for own gain or pleasure. 

There may be fine differences, but broadly speaking all the above are basically included in Sanatan Dharma.

Only those persons are not included among Hindus who derive pleasure in killing or destroying other beings living or non-living.

This point may be more clear from the following examples:

Once, Dr Deo Dutta Sharma was delivering a lecture in the Moscovaskeeya Gosidvarstvenneeya Universitet, MGU, Moscow University on Hinduism, in 1977AD in USSR.

When he asked, “Who is a Hindu?”

One student replied, “The followers of Vedas are Hindus.”

Dr. Sharma replied, “Very correct, but how many people study Vedas and understand the same”.

Another person replied that the followers of Geeta and Ramayana are Hindus. Dr Sharma appreciated the answer.

The third person said that Hindus are those who do not eat beef.

Dr. Sharma opined many Hindus take beef, but they never kill a cow, ox, calf or so. They also do not take beef of a killed cow.  

Page-58   

Then Dr. Sharma asked another question. He said, “Gentlemen, you have a heap of apples on one side; and a number chickens on the other. Which one you like to take ‘an apple’ or ‘a chicken’?”

Everybody equivocally replied, “Apple.”

Dr Sharma said, “Then you are all Hindus”.

Hearing this, they all became very jubilant.

“Deriving pleasure in killing and destruction of any kind is against Sanatan Dharma or Hindutva / Hinduism, be it killing of an ant or dynamiting and destroying the statues of Lord Buddha of Bamyan, destroying / burning books of Takshashila University or Nalanda University, and Vikramshila University. The institutions generating such persons who destroy and derive pleasure in killing men, destroying libraries, universities, temples, churches, masjids, gurudvaras etc cannot be called universities.

Hindutva / Hinduism:

There is fine difference between Hindutva and Hinduism. The latter denotes an ‘ism’ which shows some sort of narrowness, whereas Hindutva gives a much wider-view and shows openness.

Although Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma was a Vaidic in true sense, he thought Murti-Pooja or worshipping statues as the first step of Sanatan Dharma. After all, according to Veda everything is Devata and Brahma is everywhere, why not in statues.

In the Havanshala he has installed a Shiva-Ling, statues of goddess Devi Paarvati, Ganesh, Vrishabha Bull the carrier of Lord Shankar and Parvati, Surya Sun-god, and Vishnue-Laxmi. He used to worship them every day.

However, the Acharya used to say: When you have to go to Delhi, you go towards west say a step; but if you stand there

Page-59   

itself, you never reach your destination. This 1^st step of Hindutva is: Murti-Pooja or Idol worship, which means respecting everything: men and women, animals and creatures, ants and insects, trees and shrubs, The sun and stars, darkness and light, clouds and rains, mountains and hills, mother and father,…. as gods.

This provides a formula to lay a foundation of complete Social Harmony.

In fact, the ethics of Hindutva is based on Vedas, ‘the Treasure of Eternal Knowledge, EK and Ultimate Knowledge, UK’. Rishis and Pundits of Bharat or India have condensed the vast EK and UK ‘the Ultimate Knowledge’ into an extremely minute MODEL called ‘Oo…m’ in Devanagri Script, which represents clearly IHLOC made up of matter, ITERLOC made of anti-matter and the infinite vast Antarix Space full of various kinds of Rays or Ram. For details, refer the book entitled: “Knowledge Beyond nano pico Technology” by the author.

 

10.4     Sanatanarya Samaj

Pt Ambika Datta Sharma was a Social revolutionary. He was fortunate to be a Sanaatana Dharmawalambi which is so wide in nature.

However, due to orthodoxy and being the oldest path, many irrational customs had developed in Sanaatan Dharma which were not liked by the Acharya such as: Untouchability, Castism, differentiating son and daughter.

Page-60    

Thus, many Sanatani used to call Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma ‘an Aaryasamaaji’; whereas Arya Samaaji called him a Sanaatani. Thus, often he used to call himself a ‘Sanaatanaarya Samaaji’ or ‘Sanatanarya Samaji’. 

10.5 Revolutionary and Free from Orthodoxy:

Pundit Sharma was a Revolutionary and free from orthodoxy. Thus, he did not liked many conventional believes of Sanatan Dharma particularly those which were due to ignorance, and Orthodoxy such as Untouchability, JharFoo*k. Ojhagiri etc. 

In this respect the story of ‘Saptah Katha in a Village near Pandaul’ in Darbhanga district of Bihar state of India may be worth mentioning as described in Sub-Paragraph No. 6.5

Page-61    

11             Lessons from the Life of Acharya Pundit Ambika Datta Sharma

         

          The birth and the life of Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma in Srishtyabda: 1 972 948 096, Khrishtyabda: 1896AD was a gift for the World, Bhaarat Varsha and  Aaryaavart in general, and Bihar, India in particular; as he offered his entire life for Truth, for ‘The good of all’,  for ‘The Good of All Manav or Man’, and for ‘The Development of the Society as a whole’ irrespective of cast, creed, religion, region etc.  

           

            The Acharya lived for the Truth and for the Development of the Society.

           

            He was a freedom fighter. He became the host of Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the night of 9^th April, 1917 [Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 017] in his house at village Gyanpuram or Gyanpur-Semaria, district Bhojpur during his First Visit of Bihar for starting the famous “Struggle against the British Indigo Farm Owners”. 

            Pandit Sharma showed the people:

           

            “How Vaidic Culture can flourish in the Twentieth Century India”, by establishing

Page-62   

                            

          ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’ at Muzaffarpur, India:

            Where all the Brahmachaaries lived together, ate together, played together, performed Sandhyaa and Havan together irrespective of the casts of their parents; be they Shudras Vaishyas, Xatriyas or Brahman;

            be they rich or poor; be they business men or farmer; or be they a labor,  sweeper, landlord”. 

            The Acharya strived for the spread of Sanskrit and for the development of Vedic Sanaatan Culture.

            Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma was the first Journalist of India to publish “Mitram”, the First Sanskrit Daily of India.

The Acharya showed people how a Unique Institute or Culture be established by the Society without the support or interference of the Government.

Pandit Sharma was free from Orthodoxy, particularly religious orthodoxy.

As a Brahmagyaani Pandit, he never bowed to anyone.

He had decided not to serve the foreign British Government of India.

Acharya Sharma respected all, rich & poor, educated & illiterate.

Page-63   

He never believed on Ghosts, Wichcraft, Jhaad-Foo*k etc.

Acharya Pandit Sharma was a Brahmagyaani Vaidic, thus he worshiped all Devatas and Devies, gods and goddesses. He respected all beings, living and non-living. l

He strengthened ‘Universal Vedic Culture’,   ‘Anglo-Aryan Vedic Culture’ or ‘Sanaatanaarya Samaaj’.

He knew the importance of Agni-Deva and Havan.

Amritacharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma Brahmagyani truly proved the saying:

“Vidyayaat Amritmashnute”,

“Immortality is achieved through Knowledge”.

Page-64   

12.    Bihar Politics: Death of “Lokamanya Brahmacharyashram.

          India knows the ‘Three Great Unique Institutions’ established by the Three Great sons of Bharat Maataa, the Mother India:

[A]     “Gurukul Kangdi”, Kangdi, Uttarakhand

          > Established by Swami Sahajanand in Uttar Pradesh..

[B]     “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

> Established by Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma.

[C]     “Vishva Bharati”, Shantiniketan, West Bengal.

          >  Established by Gurudeva Ravindranath Tagore. 

            One can easily find that “Gurukul Kangdi” and

“Vishva Bharati” are still working in some form or

Page-65   

the other, even getting aids from the government.

The question arises what happened to “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram?

Where the Ashram has vanished?

Has it really vanished?

Has the Ashram died?

One will be astonished to know that just after independence of the country in 1948 AD; some greedy powerful Bihar politicians gobbled up the Ashram by acquiring the same and converting the Unique Sanskrit Institute of the Country then into an ordinary degree college, called Ram Dayalu Singh College. 

Pitiably Shri Ram Dayalu Singh, then the President of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’ was in coma when the Ashram was taken over tactfully; Shri Singh could not get up from the coma and left us forever.

The then Working President Shri Nathuni Thakur

Page-66   

could not save the Ashram being an ordinary honest Bihar Government servant.

Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma could not survive the shock and by the end of 1948, he also left us forever.

This is Bihar Politics. Since 1948 AD, Bihar is suffering from Bihar Politics.

Too much of everything is undesirable; in Bihar there is too much politics. Possibly this is one of the reason why Bihar is suffering and unable to Progress.

Er Nitish Kumar, the present [2012 AD] Chief Minister of Bihar is trying his level best for the development of Bihar. We hope for his success in this endeavor.  

Page-67   

   

                Time Line Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma:

1.      Birth: Srishtyabda: 1 972 948 096, Khrishtyabda: 1896 AD

2.      After Shaashtraartha with all the Acharyas and Pandits invited from all over Bharat, India; Ambika Datta Sharma Graduated as Acharya from the ‘Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya’, Varanasi, India in

Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 008 to 1 972 949 015,

Khrishtyabda: 1908-1915 AD.

3.      Marriage with Ku Devarati: Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 015, Khrishtyabda:1915 AD

4.      Established Savitri Pathshala at Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India:

SrishtyabSda: 1 972 949 016, Khrishtyabda: 1916 AD

5.      Hosting Mahatma MK Gandhi in his Gyanpur-Semaria House, present district Bhojpur, Bihar: 9^th April 1917AD, Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 017.           

Page-68   

6.      Establishing “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India: Srishtyabda: 1 972 949 017-20, Khrishtyabda: 1917-1920 AD

7.       Birth of >>> the eldest Daughter, Savitri: 1924 AD, 2^nd Dtr Gayatri: 1927AD, 3^rd Dtr Saraswati: 1930, 1^st Son, Sheo Dutta: 1936 AD official, 2^nd Son: Deo Dutta: 1939 AD official, Youngest Dtr, Shanti: 1941 AD.

8.      Marriage of >>> Eldest Sister Ku Heera: 1922 AD; Youngest Sister Ku Hridaya: 1925; Eldest Dtr Ku Savitri: 1929; Elder Brother Bhavani Datta Sharma: 1930; Eldest Dtr Savitri: 1934, Younger Brother Devi Datta Sharma: 1935; 2^nd Dtr Gayatri: 1937;   3^rd Dtr Saraswati: 1944AD.

Page-69   

14.                               Reference:

[1]        Dr. Pt. Deo Dutta Sharma, younger son of Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, the last student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’. He is a student of Vedas, scientist, engineer, technologist, the Author of this book along with Savitri Devi Sharma as the Co-Author, ‘Knowledge Beyond nano pico Technology’, ‘Palmistry as Science and Technology’ and ‘Biyography of Acharya Pandit Ambika Datta Sharma’ Brahmagyani.

[2]        Vaidyaa Smt. Savitri Devi Sharma, eldest daughter of Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’. She is the Co-Author of this Book.

[3]        Shrimati Chandravasi Devi, the respected mother of Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma and a daughter village Gu*di, district Bhojpur, Bihar. She was the Chief Host of Mahatma MK Gandhi on the 9^th April 1917 in village Gyanpur-Semariya, Bhojpur, Bihar, India.

[4]        Shrimati Devarati Devi, wife of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma and the daughter of Pt. Bhualu Upadhyaya, village: Ko*thiy*aa Naaraao*, from Badaagopal Railway Station, district Chhapra, Bihar, India.

Page-70   

[5]        Pt. Bhawani Dutta Sharma, younger brother and of Pt. Ambika

 Datta Sharma, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’, Ex. Professor, MDDM College, Muzaffarpur, and Visiting Professor of a number of Sanskrit  Universities of India, a practicing Vaidya who had an Aushadhalaya in the main street of Motijheel, Muzaffarpur and Sanskrit Scholar, having Achharya and Teerth Degrees in 7 subjects.

  

[6]        Pt. Devi Datta Shatma, the youngest brother of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’, a practicing Vaidya and Scolar of Sanskrit, Pali and Jainology having Acharya, Teerth Degrees in 8 Sanskrit subjects, and Ph.D in Pali and Jainology. He was the main person of ‘Vishwabandhu Aushadhalaya’, Motijheel, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

[7]        Vaidya Shri Ramdeva Ojha, Saraiya Ganj, Muzaffarpur, Bihar: a renowned Vaidya and the bossom friend of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma

[8]        Vaidya Shri Brahma Datta Sharma, Purani Bazar, near Ghirni-Pokhar, Muzaffarpur, Bihar,  the bossom friend of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma

[9]        Shri Nathuni Thakur, Ex. Head Clerck of Commissnary, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a very revolutionary and courageous friend of

Page-71   

village Patahi*, west of Muzaffarpur town. Mr Thakur was the Working President of ‘Lokmanya Bramacharyashram’, Gannipur [now Ramdayalu Singh College], Muzaffarpur; since Mr Ramdayalu Singh, the then President of the Ashram had become bed-ridden and was in coma during take-over of the Ashram by the Government of Bihar in 1948.

[10]      Shri Ambika Chaudhary, a famous Landlord, village Taarsan, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a very close friend of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma.

[11]      Shri Bherukhi Chaudhari, village Kafen-Dariyapur, Muzaffarpur, a very close friend and the last Secretary of “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” till its take-over by the Government of Bihar in 1948. 

[12]      Shrimati Paranturi Ku*war, wife of Babu Bherukhi Ojha, village Khabra, Muzaffarpur popularly called “Khabra Darbaar”, a close and generous friend of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma. She was a renowned  Landlord of Muzaffarpur District.

[13]      Shri Shyamanandan Sharma, a student of the Ashram and later English Teacher in the Ashram. 

[14]      Dr. Pt. Ramkaran Sharma, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’, a World renowned Sanskrit Scholar and author of several books in Sanskrit, Ex. Director / Advisor of Sanskrit Education, Government of India, Ex. Vice Chancelor of Varanaseya Sanskrit University, Varanasi, Ex.  VC Sanskrit University, Darbhanga and Tirupati Sanskrit University, visiting professor of many Universities of the World.

[15]      Pt. Ramkaran Sharma, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’, Ex. Principal, Dharma Samaj Sanskrit College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

Page-72   

[16]      Vaidya Damodar Pandey, a student of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’.

 [17]     Shri Thaggu Thaakur, Gannipur, Muzaffarpur, the Watch and Ward In-charge of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’.

[18]      Bhairav Saahu, Dwaarpal, Gate in-Charge of ‘Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram’.

[19]      Sivanrayan Singh, Laheriya Saraya, Darbhanga, a friend of the Acharya, Darbhanga.

 [20]     Shri Shiva Govind Singh, village: Kamalpura, Reva, Dt. Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.

[21]      Shrimati Yadupati, an Industrialist, Chaturbhujsthan, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

[22]      Shri Brijnandan Shahi, a renowned Landlord of village Varuraaj, Ex President of “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” and Ex. Chairman, District Board, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.

[23]      Pt. Nandakishore Jyotishi from Village Varuraaj, a famous practicing Jyotishi of Bihar.

Page-73   

[24]      Shri Ramdayalu Singh, a renowned Landlord, the first Speaker of Bidhan Sabha of Bihar, the last President of “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram” who was bed-ridden and in coma when “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”  was taken over by some greedy powerful persons in 1948. Thus, “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”, a unique Sanskrit Institution of India like ‘Vishva Bharati’ Shanti Niketan, West Bengal and ‘Gurukul Kangri’, Uttara Pradesh was made to die along with its last President and Acharya Pt. Ambika Datta sharma, the Adhishthata of the Ashram in 1948. All this happened due to popularly known as ‘Bihar politics’. 

[25]      Pt. Rampadarth Sharma, a Brahmachaari of “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”,  who was a great pandit and Ex. Secretary of “Bihar Sanskrit Association”, the predecessor of the present “Sanskrit University”, Darbhanga, Bihar, India.

[26]      Pt. Gangadhar Tripathi Sharma, a Brahmachaari of “Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram”, and Ex. Principal of the Sanskrit College, Bhagalpur, Bihar

[30]      The book entitled: ‘History of Brahmanism’, read by Shri Sheo Dutta Sharma during 1957, and Deo Dutta Sharma then a student of Bihar College of Engineering during 1959-60 in the ‘Khudabax Library’, Patna, India. In 2006AD the book was untraceable in the Library.

Page-74