He was Bhaktashiromani by devotion and Maharathi by war

- Nitish Dambal, Dharwad

King Bahlika was the incarnation of Shri Raghavendra Swamy in Dwapara Yuga. Shankukarna, a prominent devotee of Lord Vishnu had the duty to assist Lord Brahma in his daily worship and rituals. Watching the worship of Lord Vishnu by Brahma, Shankukarna too desired to worship Lord Vishnu. 

In order to fulfill his desire, Brahma guided him for four incarnations on earth. To propagate the glory of Lord Vishnu his great devotee Shankukarna incarnated as Prahlada in Satya Yuga, Bahlika in Dwapara and Shri Vyasateertha and very popular Shri Raghavendra Swami in Kaliyuga. 

Bahlika was the eldest son of Pratiparaja of Kuru vamsha (clan). As he was adopted by king of Bahlika, his sibling Shantanu caused for the growth of Kuru vamsha. As per Shri Madhwacharya’s writing in ‘Taatparanirnaya’, when Bahlika was born, there was massive sound which indicated atheists that a ‘Bhagavatottama’ (propagator of Shri Krishna) incarnated on earth. 

Shri Krishna said, ‘dharma sansthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge’ which means, he often incarnated to establish Dharma. With the same motive and to support Shri Krishna, Shankukarna born as Bahlika in Dwapara Yuga. Bahlika was present in all the major incidents of Mahabharata including coronation of Yudhishtira as prince, dice game between Shakuni and Yudhishtira, Kurukshetra war etc. 

King Bahlika preached shastras, significance of Bhagavata dharma, spirituality, utmost devotion to Lord Vishnu, sympathy, goodness, peace, meditating Shri Hari etc. throughout his life. Due to this he was regarded as ‘Bhakta Shiromani’. 

Besides, King Bahlika was a great warrior too and was a ‘Maharathi’ in war field. Knowing his strength, Kourava Duryodhana pleased him to join his party in Kurukshetra war and succeeded in it. He was the eldest warrior fought there. Though Bahlika was uninterested to fight against Pandavas, he desired to attain death by Bheemasena.

King Bahlika fought against Bheemasena with ‘shatagni’ weapon received by Lord Brahma. It was a hazardous weapon that anyone could die of it, but as Bheema was the strongest, it did nothing to him. As the war continued between two, Bahlika was hit by the mace of Bheema and thereby his incarnation of Dwapara Yuga concluded.

Dear Europe, our Samudragupta is not Napoleon of Bharata..!

 -       Nitish Dambal, Dharwad

Irish historian VA Smith refers in his ‘History of India’ that, Samudragupta is ‘Napoleon of India’. Since then the west coated Indian education system emphasized Napoleon more than great warrior Samudragupta. Napoleon Bonaparte was a prominent emperor and military general of France but comparing him with Samudragupta is the blunder what Europe did.

The reign of Samudragupta was 335-375 CE whereas Napoleon ruled France during 1805-1814 which means gap of 18 centuries between two leaders. Samudragupta was much early to rule and gain success. Indeed Napoleon should be called as ‘Samudragupta of France’ but the fact reversed and we are studying the same blunder till now. Moreover unlike Napoleon, Samudragupta was not power hungry.

Samudragupta

Samudragupta was proficient ruler in all facets. Performing ‘Ashwamedha Yaga’ (horse sacrifice ritual) was his significant achievement.  In 50 years of span he fought around 100 battles and never lost single of it. His territory was extended from Himalaya to Narmada and Brahmaputra to Yamuna. Defeated the major rulers of the country and achieved the title ‘Maharajadhiraja’ (King of Kings). He built the largest military force and constructed walled town and check posts around the boundaries of his territory.

The Prayagaraj (Allahabad) pillar inscription describes his military conquests and notable achievements. Samudragupta was always concerned and provided relief to poor and helpless. He reinstated many royal families which had lost their kingdoms, including kings defeated by him.  Besides, Samudragupta was passionate towards art and culture. He was a lute artist and loved listening poems. He too penned many poems unfortunately none of them survived. Considering his passion he was also entitled as ‘Kaviraja’.

Even though he spent major time in waging wars, he maintained peace and amity in the kingdom. Due to superior administration, peaceful and coexisting life his reign was Swarna Yuga (golden age).

A revolutionary by blood turned monk by his choice

 Nitish Dambal, Dharwad

He was a monk, he was freedom fighter, he was a social reformer, he was a great scholar, he was a professor and he was a character with blend of spirituality and revolution, the name is Shri Bharatikrishna Theertha Ji.

Swamiji was so sharp in studies since childhood. Cleared Master of Arts in 7 subjects i.e. Sanskrit, Philosophy, and Classical subject, English, Mathematics, History and Political Science in just one academic year from Bombay

University in 1904 which is still a record. Widely known as the ‘Father of Vedic Mathematics’, Shri Bharatikrishna Theertha Ji has conducted research in Atharvana Veda over a period of 10 years. ‘Ekadhikena Purvena’ is the most significant sutra (formula) contributed by swamiji which provides solution to many mathematical problems.

During early days, Venkataramanan (purvashrama name of swamiji) fought for freedom against British under the guidance of Gopalkrishna Gokhale. He was also in regular contact with revolutionaries like Aravind Ghosh, Barindra Ghosh and many others. He strongly believed that, only armed revolution works to attain freedom rather than non-violence method. Collection of hand bombs, ammunitions and using them against British was his frequent task. Due to his revolutionary activities British enrolled Venkataramanan name in most dangerous people list.

Parallel to revolution Venkataramanan attracted to spirituality which made him to reside at Shringeri Sharada Peetha for 8 years and was guided by Shri Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati, Shri Chandrashekhar Bharati. Later, on July 16, 1919 he received sanyasa deeksha from Shri Trivikrama Teertha Swamiji of Dwaraka peetha and renamed as Shri Bharatikrishna Teertha Ji.

Revolution was in his blood. In all his discourses, swamiji enlightened the people about Hindu Dharma and significance of freedom movement, for which he was arrested too. This triggered the people and British received strong opposition for their fallacious act. In 1925 Shri swamiji became Jagadguru of Govardhan Peetha, Puri.

Swamiji’s affection towards Vedic Maths was endless. 100 digit huge numbers were easily multiplied and divided. Taught Vedic formulas would make maths much easier and insisted teachers to implement in their teachings.  Swamiji had profound knowledge in Ayurveda, Sanatana Dharma, and Vedanta. Besides swamiji treated every Hindu equally and abolished the discrimination. Made Shri Jagannath temple accessible for all Hindus irrespective of caste and country. In 1958 Swamiji visited America and gave lecture on Bharateeya Sanskriti, philosophy etc in many colleges, Universities and Churches.

From 1883 to 1960, 77 years of life span Shri Bharatikrishna Teertha swamiji lived for Rashtra, Dharma and social harmony. Swamiji is still remembered in every mathematical problem which needs to be solved by Vedic sutras.