Pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bonhomie with Pope Francis from his visit to Vatican is all over internet. PM has also invited the Pope to visit India which the latter is said to have gladly accepted. 
Reminds me of a story from a previous papal visit to India, an episode involving Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.
When Pope John Paul II visited India in February 1986, receptions were scheduled across 13 cities.
When Pope John Paul II visited India in February 1986, receptions were scheduled across 13 cities.
Elaborate comittees were formed and Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was invited to inaugurate and address the Christian leaders at one of them. Gurudev was in the middle of a Gītā Jñāna Yajña (Series of public talks on the philosophy of Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā) in Thrissur (Keraḷam)
when the organisers approached him with the request which he gracefully accepted. However, it came as an unpleasant surprise to many of his followers including the members of Chinmaya Mission. Mainly for two reasons.
Gurudev was one of the tallest leaders of the Hindu community worldwide. And to ask him to address a reception comittee gathering of a city is a slight. If the organisers were really serious they must have invited him to share stage with the Pope.
However, this was a matter of diplomacy and protocols, and Gurudev was known to be not so particular about them. But the next was a graver reason for discontent among the Hindus. And rightly so!
The Pope's visit to India and his address of then 13 million Catholics of the country was essentially a rousing call for proselytisation. Evangelism and conversion of families/communities en-masse through allurement, misrepresentation (of Hindu philosphy and theology),
coercion etc have been a major cause of concern for Hindus since the founding of Christian missions in the country. Pope's visit would only enthuse the evangelists further. To add to that one of the greatest Hindu Acārya-s of the time giving blessings upon such a reception
comittee would be suicidal as far as the Hindu response was concerned. Further, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and many other Hindu organisations were planning protests across the country and this gesture of Gurudev would throw them into confusion.
(By the way, Gurudev founded VHP in 1964 along with Guruji Golwalkar and Śrī. SS Apte).They concluded that Gurudev's acceptance of the invite was ill-thought-out.
Now who would tell Gurudev about these concerns? A few did while others trusted that
Now who would tell Gurudev about these concerns? A few did while others trusted that
Gurudev would only do the right thing. A few of his disciples and followers requested him to reconsider the decision. So did a delegation comprising of various Hindu organisations. Gurudev asked them not to worry and told them that his decision was final.
I am told that young members of the Sangh couldn't contain their disappointment, even threatened to block Gurudev's car enroute!
The appointed day came. Gurudev went to the venue as planned. Dignitaries of various Christian missions including the most important bishops
The appointed day came. Gurudev went to the venue as planned. Dignitaries of various Christian missions including the most important bishops
were eagerly awaiting his address. Gurudev walked to the dais. His saffron-red dhoti, bare chest, Malayāḷī style one piece saffron shawl hanging down his left shoulder, flowing white beard, forehead smeared with Vibhūtī and Candanam........
He was a true Hindu patriarch! Gurudev opened his speech. "Pope is our guest. In India we have a long tradition of respecting and welcoming our guests with open arms." A thunderous applause followed. He paused, took a sweeping glance at the audience, and continued,
"however, if this is looked upon as an opportunity to further the Church's proselytisation agenda, with no care whatsoever to the legitimate Hindu (and other indegenous communities) concerns, then it will disrupt the harmony, and society will collectively bear its consequences."
(I'm not quoting Gurudev verbatim here. This is a recreation based on what I have heard from the people who were there) It is said that there was a contemplative silence in the audience. Gurudev thanked the organizers as he wrapped up his speech in 20 minutes.
Later when somebody asked Gurudev why did he accept the invitation in the first place, Gurudev replied, "What is the use of Hindus telling Hindus in Hindu gatherings about the menace of proselytisation?
You need to tell the right people, the right thing, at the right time, in the right manner. Otherwise the message will be lost."
I don't know if Prime Minister Narendra Modi knows this story. If not, he ought to.
--
Śrīnāth Mohandās
November 1, 2021
Original source :
I don't know if Prime Minister Narendra Modi knows this story. If not, he ought to.
--
Śrīnāth Mohandās
November 1, 2021
Original source :
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