Ramanandacharya special issue of “Dharmayan” magazine by Mahavir Temple released digitally

(Issue Numer 103, Magh 2077 Vikram Samvat, i.e. 29th January- 27th February, 2021)

(Since the COVID lockdown only digital edition is being published)

Ramanandacharya Jayanti on Magh Krishna Saptami

It’s the birth anniversary of Swami Ramanandacharya today. As per traditions of the Hindu calendar, his birth is celebrated on Magh Krishna Saptami.

Almost six hundred years ago Acharya Ramanand had started a religious reform movement to put an end to social discrimination of all kinds. He had announced that in the traditions of “Bhakti” issues like caste-creed, gender, or difference of age do not matter at all. Rising above such discriminatory practices he announced “Jaat-paat pooche nahi koy; Hari ko bhaje so hari ka hoye” which means no one is asked about caste or creed but whoever shows praises the supreme being, he or she belongs to God.

This went on to become a great support for the Indian society during the turbulent times of medieval India when social and political changes were taking place.

The magazine Dharmayan

This magazine is in publication continuously since 1990. Dignitaries like Acharya Sitaram Chaturvedi Ji, Dr. Shriranjan Suridev, and Dr. Kashinath Mishra have been associated with this esteemed magazine on culture, religion and nationality. Currently Acharya Kishore Kunal graces the position of Chief editor and it is being edited by Pt. Bhavanath Jha.

On the occasion of this event the religious, cultural, and national magazine of Mahavir Temple, “Dharmayan” is being launched as “Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Special Issue”. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, its digital edition is being published. It can be read for free on the Mahavir Temple website and downloaded too.

Features of this Special Issue

This important special issue has seven feature articles related to Swami Ramananda which also includes a poem by Acharya Kishore Kunal. In this poem, he has expressed his reverence towards Swami Ramanandacharya and also elaborated on how his ideas on the removal of social discrimination are relevant today.

An I.P.S. officer Dr. Paresh Saxena has written a critical note on the historical importance of Shri Ramanandacharya regarding Hinduism.

A scholar from Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh “Sanjay” sheds light on the social aspects of Bhakti-movement and the role of Swami Ramanandacharya in the same.

Along with them Mr. Ambikesh Kumar Mishra from Delhi and Mr. Mahesh Prasad Pathak from Giridih discuss the importance of Swami Ramanandacharya and the debates associated with him.

A renowned scholar of philosophy from Patna, Dr. Sudarshan Shrinivas Shandilya discusses Ramananda tradition in the light of “Vishishtadwaita”.

In this special issue, monthly festivals are also discussed. On the Durga Puja of Magh, Pt. Markandey Shardey has written and Mrs. Ranju Mishra from Banares and Ms. Shilpi Kumari from Jaynagar write on “Tusari- Puja”.

Along with research-based articles, all the relevant references have been published. With these, the news related to the temple and all other regular features find a place too.