A prominent religious figure from Patna’s Matri Udbodhan Ashram has publicly rebuked Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati for flouting the norms expected of a Shankaracharya. Satyendra Ji Maharaj insists that discipline forms the cornerstone of a guru’s teachings, a principle Avimukteshwaranand blatantly ignores.
In detailed remarks, Satyendra Ji traced the lineage back to Adi Shankaracharya, who founded four key mathas to safeguard Hindu traditions. ‘Their leaders embody restraint and cooperation with established systems,’ he noted. Yet, Avimukteshwaranand repeatedly courts controversy, unlike his peers.
The flashpoint was the January 17 incident at Prayagraj’s ongoing Maha Kumbh. Avimukteshwaranand’s arrival in a traditional palanquin at Sangam for the sacred bath clashed with police directives amid the massive crowd. Refusing to disembark, he escalated tensions, later protesting the ‘insult’ and sitting on a dharna during the Magh Mela phase.
Satyendra Ji accused him of political affiliations with Samajwadi Party and Congress, claiming he manufactures disputes. ‘No other Shankaracharya attended the Magh Mela or demanded such privileges. This isn’t devotion; it’s defiance.’ He dubbed Avimukteshwaranand self-appointed, warning that such actions necessitate governmental intervention to maintain order.
As the Kumbh continues to draw millions, this rift underscores tensions between tradition and administration. Religious leaders must balance fervor with discipline to prevent disruptions. Satyendra Ji’s intervention highlights the need for unity in upholding Dharma without needless confrontations.