Jagadguru Rambhadracharya: The Man Who Helped Shri Ram Win

By Author: Ashutosh Singh
Total Articles: 2
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India has a profound and enduring legacy of being a land that has nurtured and produced some of the world's most influential spiritual leaders. This tradition has spanned countless centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's culture and society. Among the luminaries who have emerged from this spiritual tapestry, Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, shines as a prominent figure. His contributions have had a profound impact on the course of modern Hinduism, as he tirelessly championed the idea of Vedanta, making its teachings accessible to the masses. Swami Vivekananda's profound insights into spirituality, self-realization, and the transformative power of meditation continue to resonate with millions of Hindus worldwide.

In the pantheon of Indian spiritual leaders, Jagadguru Shri Rambhadracharya occupies a distinguished place. Highly revered as a teacher, scholar, and author, Rambhadracharya is celebrated for his deep understanding of the ancient texts of Hinduism. His legacy extends beyond the spiritual realm, as he also founded the Rashtriya Sant Samiti, an organization dedicated to religious ...
... and social welfare. However, it is his significant contributions to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir verdict that cement his place as a transformative figure in modern Indian history.

During the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi case, Rambhadracharya played a pivotal role. He eloquently invoked the Jaiminiya Samhita from the Rigveda to substantiate his claims, providing precise references to the direction and distance from the Saryu river in relation to the disputed site. Astonishingly, upon scrutinizing the ancient texts, it was revealed that all particulars aligned precisely with Rambhadracharya's indications. This extraordinary feat of wisdom from an individual who had been blind since childhood left the judge and all witnesses astounded. It was considered a divine manifestation, exemplifying the profound wisdom that exists within Indian spiritual traditions. Rambhadracharya's arguments and contributions were instrumental in swaying the court's decision to allow the construction of the temple.

In addition to his remarkable legal and spiritual contributions, Shri Rambhadracharya is a polyglot, commanding expertise in 22 languages. His literary output is staggering, including the authorship of 100 books, 50 letters, and the creation of four extensive epic poems. His mastery extends to fields such as Sanskrit grammar, Nyaya (logic), and Vedanta philosophy, earning him acclaim not only as a spiritual leader but also as a scholar and intellectual.

Rambhadracharya's life story begins with his birth on January 14, 1950, in Shandikhurd village, Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Tragically, he lost his vision at the tender age of two months due to an infection on March 24, 1950. Raised in a family of devout Krishna devotees, young Rambhadracharya's early education was facilitated by his grandfather. During these formative years, his grandfather regaled him with stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was during this time that his grandmother affectionately called him 'Giridhar,' one of Lord Krishna's many names.

Rambhadracharya's prodigious memory manifested early in life. At just three years old, he composed his first poem in Awadhi Bhasha, a regional form of Hindi. This poem, which he recited to his grandfather, revolved around an argument between Yashoda, Krishna's foster mother, and a Gopi (milkmaid) over an incident involving Krishna.

Remarkably, at the age of five, Giridhar committed to memory all 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita, including the chapter and verse numbers. This feat was accomplished with the assistance of his neighbor, Pandit Muralidhar Mishra. His thirst for knowledge and memorization prowess continued to astound as, at the tender age of seven, he memorized the entire 10,900 verses of Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas in just 60 days, guided by his grandfather. On Ram Navami in 1957, he not only recited the epic but also observed a fast in reverence to Lord Rama.

Although his parents initially envisaged a future as a Kathavachak (storyteller) for him, Giridhar harbored a strong desire for formal education. His father embarked on a quest to find suitable schooling options in Varanasi, including a specialized school for the blind. However, his mother's reservations about how blind students were treated there led to a delay in Giridhar's formal education. Remarkably, despite his delayed enrollment, Giridhar had already internalized numerous literary works through the power of listening during his childhood.

On July 7, 1967, at the age of 17, Giridhar's life took a momentous turn as he enrolled in Adarsh Gauri Shankar Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Sujanganj village, near Jaunpur. This marked the commencement of what he fondly referred to as the "Golden Journey" of his life. The curriculum included subjects such as Sanskrit Grammar (Vyakaran), Hindi, English, Mathematics, History, and Geography.

The life of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya boasts several remarkable milestones. On June 24, 1988, he was appointed as Jagadguru Ramanandacharya by the Kashi Vidya Parishad in Varanasi. This appointment was formally ratified by mahants (spiritual leaders) of three akhadas, four sub-sects, the Khalas, and saints of the Ramnyas sampradaya at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on February 3, 1989. Subsequently, in Ayodhya on August 1, 1995, he received the official anointment as Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Rambhadracharya received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, India's second-highest civilian award. Numerous prominent figures and politicians, including APJ Abdul Kalam, Somnath Chatterjee, Shilendra Kumar Singh, and even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, bestowed their honor upon him. Furthermore, several state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, have recognized his invaluable contributions.

Beyond his spiritual and academic endeavors, Rambhadracharya established the Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Viklang Vishwavidyalaya in Chitrakoot, a unique university dedicated to providing undergraduate and postgraduate courses specially tailored for individuals with various forms of disabilities.

The seeds of his lifelong commitment to inclusivity were sown during his childhood when, at the age of eleven, Giridhar was forbidden from participating in a family wedding procession due to superstitious beliefs that his presence might bring misfortune. This incident left an enduring impression on him. It is poignantly reflected in the opening lines of his autobiography, where he acknowledges the transformative power of divine grace that turned him from being perceived as a bearer of ill fortune to someone who inaugurates auspicious wedding ceremonies and welfare functions. In his profound words, "All of this is only possible through the divine grace