Hindu Scholar, Founder & Principal of Saraswati Vidya Niketan High School, Guyana

In this page we highlight some of Swami Aksharananda’s work at Hindu events

Mahatma Gandhi on Conversion Compiled by Pujya Swami Aksharananda Editorial Note: These quotations from Mahatma Gandhi were complied by Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji and first circulated by Vidya Bharati New York as Track No. 010119.1 on January 19, 2001 and it has since appeared on several websites. I Call Myself a Sanatani Hindu I call myself a Sanatani Hindu, because I believe in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, and all that goes by the name of Hindu scripture, and therefore in avataras and rebirth; I believe in the varnashrama dharma in a sense, in my opinion strictly Vedic but not in its presently popular and distorted crude sense; I believe in the protection of cow. I do not disbelieve in murti puja. (Source: Young India, June 10, 1921) Why I am Not a Convert Hinduism as I know it entirely satisfies my soul, fills my whole being. When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad Gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. (Source: Young India, June 8, 1925) I Disbelieve in Conversion I disbelieve in the conversion of one person by another. My effort should never to be to undermine another's faith. This implies belief in the truth of all religions and, therefore, respect for them. It implies true humility. (Source: Young India, April 23, 1931) Conversion: Impediment to Peace It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today. It is an error which is perhaps the greatest impediment to the world's progress toward peace. Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu to Christianity? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man? (Source: Harijan, January 30, 1937) No Such Thing as Conversion I believe that there is no such thing as conversion from one faith to another in the accepted sense of the word. It is a highly personal matter for the individual and his God. I may not have any design upon my neighbour as to his faith which I must honour even as I honour my own. Having reverently studied the scriptures of the world I could no more think of asking a Christian or a Musalman, or a Parsi or a Jew to change his faith than I would think of changing my own. (Source: Harijan, September 9, 1935) No Conversion Designs Upon Me I am not interested in weaning you from Christianity and making you Hindu, and I do not relish your designs upon me, if you had any, to convert me to Christianity. I would also dispute your claim that Christianity is the only true religion. (Source: Harijan, June 3, 1937) Conversion Conversion must not mean denationalization. Conversion should mean a definite giving up of the evil of the old, adoption of all the good of the new and a scrupulous avoidance of everything evil in the new. Conversion, therefore, should mean a life of greater dedication to one's country, greater surrender to God, greater self-purification. (Source: Young India, August 20, 1925) Aping of Europeans and Americans As I wander about through the length and breath of India I see many Christian Indians almost ashamed of their birth, certainly of their ancestral religion, and of their ancestral dress. The aping of Europeans by Anglo-Indians is bad enough, but the aping of them by Indian converts is a violence done to their country and, shall I say, even to their new religion. (Source: Young India, August 8, 1925) Why Should I Change My Religion I hold that proselytisation under the cloak of humanitarian work is unhealthy to say the least. It is most resented by people here. Religion after all is a deeply personal thing. It touches the heart. Why should I change my religion because the doctor who professes Christianity as his religion has cured me of some disease, or why should the doctor expect me to change whilst I am under his influence? (Source: Young India, April 23, 1931) Missionary Aim: Uprooting Hinduism My fear is that though Christian friends nowadays do not say or admit it that Hindu religion is untrue, they must harbour in their breast that Hinduism is an error and that Christianity, as they believe it, is the only true religion. So far as one can understand the present (Christian) effort, it is to uproot Hinduism from her very foundation and replace it by another faith. (Source: Harijan, March 13,1937) Undermining People's Faith The first distinction I would like to make between your missionary work and mine is that while I am strengthening the faith of people, you (missionaries) are undermining it. (Source: Young India: November 8, 1927) Physician Heal Yourself Conversion nowadays has become a matter of business, like any other. India (Hindus) is in no need of conversion of this kind. Conversion in the sense of self-purification, self-realization is the crying need of the times. That however is never what is meant by proselytization. To those who would convert India (Hindus), might it not be said, "Physician, heal yourself." (Source: Young India, April 23, 1931) Missionaries: Vendors of Goods When the missionary of another religion goes to them, he goes like a vendor of goods. He has no special spiritual merit that will distinguish him from those to whom he goes. He does however possess material goods which he promises to those who will come to his fold. (Source: Harijan, April 3, 1937) If I had the Power and Could Legislate If I had the power and could legislate, I should stop all proselytizing. In Hindu households the advent of a missionary has meant the disruption of the family coming in the wake of change of dress, manners, language, food and drink . (November 5, 1935) The Only Begotten Son of God? I regard Jesus as a great teacher of humanity, but I do not regard him as the only begotten son of God. That epithet in its material interpretation is quite unacceptable. Metaphorically we are all sons of God, but for each of us there may be different sons of God in a special sense. Thus for me Chaitanya may be the only begotten son of God. God cannot be the exclusive Father and I cannot ascribe exclusive divinity to Jesus. (Source: Harijan, June 3, 1937) Western Christianity Today It is my firm opinion that Europe (and the United States) does not represent the spirit of God or Christianity but the spirit of Satan. And Satan's successes are the greatest when appears with the name of God on his lips. (Source: Young India, September 8, 1920) I consider western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ's Christianity. I cannot conceive Jesus, if he was living in flesh in our midst, approving of modern Christian organizations, public worship, or ministry. (Source: Young India, September 22, 1921) Christianity and Imperialistic Exploitation Christianity in India has been inextricably mixed up for the last one hundred and fifty years with British rule. It appears to us as synonymous with materialistic civilization and imperialistic exploitation by the stronger white races of the weaker races of the world. Its contribution to India has been, therefore, largely negative. (Young India, March 21, 1929) No Room For Them In the manner in which they are working there would seem to be no room for them. Quite unconsciously they do harm to themselves and also to us. It is perhaps impertinent to say that they do harm to themselves, but quite pertinent to say that they do harm to us. They do harm to those amongst whom they work and those amongst whom they do not work, i.e., the harm is done to the whole of India. The more I study their activities the more sorry I become. It is a tragedy that such a thing should happen to the human family. (Source: Harijan: December 12, 1936) Outrage! Only the other day a missionary descended on a famine area with money in his pocket, distributed it among the famine stricken, converted them to his fold, took charge of their temple, and demolished it. This is outrageous. (Source: Harijan, November 5, 1937) Let the Hindu be a Better Hindu I came to the conclusion long ago that all religions were true and also that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu. But our innermost prayer should be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian. (Source: Young India: January 19, 1928) Welcome Them Back If a person through fear, compulsion, starvation, or for material gain or consideration goes over to another faith, it is a misnomer to call it conversion. Most cases of conversion have been to my mind a false coin. I would therefore unhesitatingly re-admit to the Hindu fold all such repentants without much ado. If a man comes back to the original branch, he deserves to be welcomed in so far as he may deem to have erred, he has sufficiently purged himself of it when he repents his error and retraces his steps. (Source: Collected Works: Vol. 66, pp. 163-164) NOTE: As a Hindu courtesy, please acknowledge Swami Aksharanandaji who compiled this information.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji (extreme right) is engaged in a discussion with Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati Ji (second on left) and others at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, NYC, USA on August 17, 2000. They were part of a delegation on Hindu saints at the United Nations Millenium Peace Summit headed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Ma. Ashok Singhal Ji.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji officiating at a Bhagavad Geeta Yajnia in Berbice, Guyana in August 1995. One key point made by Swami Ji was “There is a very popular myth especially prevalent amongst our Hindu leaders, that Hinduism will somehow survive regardless of what we do in the here and now. And I repeat, this is a myth. And a dangerous myth for it encourages many of us to simply sit on our hands and do nothing.”

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji hosted Param Poojaneeya Sudarshan Ji, Sanghchalak of the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sevak Sangh (RSS, Bharat) on July 28, 2001 at a Hindu Jaagaranam program in the Caribbean Hindu community of Richmond Hill, Queens, New York Picture shows Sudarshan Ji releasing a special magazine that was published in his honor. Standing next to Sudarshan Ji is Swami Aksharananda Ji. Several dignitaries attended the program which was carried out by the local Durga Shakha in Richmond Hill.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji prepariing pooja-sthan for his conduct of a pooja on October 5 1997.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji speaking on the Hindu position against any form of reilgious conversion at a Parivartana event at DeWillem, West Coast Demerara, Guyana in July 1996. Swami Ji was the first substantive Hindu leader and scholar to state that religious conversion is a form of violence. Pandit Ramdular Singh is seen seated to the left of Swami Ji.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji is leading the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) contingent at the 1998 Phagwa (Holi) parade in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. For years the local HSS Durga Shakha held at the Maa Yoga Shakti Ashram in Richmond Hill provided free of charge to parade attendees, hot tea, coffee and snacks at Smokey Park where the paraded usually ended.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji hosted Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Dharma Prasar Yaatra in Guyana on August 18, 2001. Picture shows Swami Aksharananda Ji escorting the Shankaracharya of Bhanupura, Jagad Guru Param Pujya Swami Divyananda Teertha Maharaj and Pujya Swami Chidananda Saraswati Ji (next to Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji). The Shankaracharya was accorded a grand Hindu welcome in Guyana befitting his great status. At the special program at Guyana’s national park approximately 20,000 people were in attendance to be part of this historic event. Several officials were present at the program and included Prime Minister Sam Hinds, government ministers, Leader of the Opposition Mr. Desmond Hoyte, Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Hamilton Green and the Indian High Commissioner, Dr. Prakash Joshi. Swami Brahmadeo Ji was also present.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda ji donating blood in 2007.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji, Hindu scholar and Prinicipal of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) High School was honored by Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra and Keshav-Srishti on Friday January 4, 2008 in a ceremony at the Alkesh Mody Auditorium, Kalina Campus, Mumbai, India. Swami Aksharananda was honored for his work in the areas of education and social service in Guyana. The picture shows Swami Aksharananda Ji being honored by Shri Mohan Bhagwat Ji, the highly respected and influential Karyavaha of the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who presented Swami Ji with the traditional shawl, coconut, plaque and check for Rs. 51,000. Aa part of the proceedings, Swami Aksharananda delivered a keynote address dedicated to the memory of the late Lakshmanrao Bhide, a fatherly figure to several Indians from diaspora countries.

Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji with Poojaneya Ashok Singhal Ji and Pujya Swami Brahmadeo Ji in Trinidad in 2000. Swami Aksharananda Ji is seated on Ashok Singhal Ji’s left. Ashok Ji was conducting Mahadeva pooja at a river in Trinidad on the occasion of the Gangaadhaaraa festival.

Pujya Swami Asharananda Ji with students at Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN). In this picture, students are seen conducting pooja. Picture taken in early 2000s.

This picture taken in October 2015 shows Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji teaching Sanskrit shubaashita to a set of male students at SVN. Girls are usually assembled separately.

This picture taken in October 2016 shows Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji and Dr. Somdat Mahabir with friends from the Cornelia Ida community of SVN. These are some of the SVN volunteers who work very hard to help make the annual Deekshant Samaroop (graduation ceremony) a grand success year after year. This picture was taken in the evening after the 2016 graduation ceremony concluded.

This picture taken in October 2012 shows Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji delivering the Principal’s Report at SVN’s Deekshant Samaroop (graduation ceremony) at the schools campus at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, Guyana.

Picture taken on April 2, 2016 at the Sundar Gopal Mandir in Queens, New York shows Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji explaining Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads.

SELECTED PICTURE DOCUMENTARY

SELECTED SPEECES, VIDEOS,

WRITINGS, QUOTES

HINDUS MUST STOP PREACHING ALL RELIGIONS ARE ONE Pujya Swami Aksharananda’s keynote address at the Eleventh Hindu Sangathan Diwas (Hindu Unity Day) in New York on July 24, 2005. Chairman of the program was the late Shri Narayan Kataria Ji. The Chief Guest at the program was Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, former Union Law Minister of India. Swami Aksharananda’s speech has since been added to several websites and cited in several scholarly publications. Click on play to hear the speech.

Laxshmi’s Interview: Swami Aksharananda, Principal Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Sept. 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwNUTXzdM8g

Excerpts From Writings and Speeches Missionary Theology Denigrate "Any speech that denigrates and devalues a people is tantamount to an act of violence. Missionary theology devalues and denigrate individuals and groups. Since the days of Constantine, whenever the Christian church received the support of military power, individuals and groups labeled as "unbelievers," "sinners," "idolaters," "heathens," "savages," and "pagans" were victims of oppression and extirpation." (Swami Aksharananda, Stabroek News, July 7 1996) Seeds of Dissention and Hate "Theologies themselves contain the seeds of dissention and hate; you can't be talking of peace, but keep your sword sharpened! It must be remembered that in its very genesis Christianity was already engaged in hate- mongering. Witness, for example, the demonization of Jews as early evangelists unabashedly imputed to Jesus himself anti-Semitic pronouncements. They were Christianity's first anti-Christ. No wonder that Jews have suffered so much at the hands of Christians." (Swami Aksharananda, The UN Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, August 30, 2000, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, NYC. In response to a Christian Bishop from South Africa) Let Us Not Be Fooled "Let us not be fooled. If every census since 1917 has shown an increase in the precentage of Indians who call themselves Christains, and a corresponding decrease in the percentage of Hindus, it does not take a genius to extrapolate into a future where there are no more Hindus in the Caribbean. It has happened in places like Grenada and Saint Lucia..." (Swami Aksharananda (National Conference in Guyana: "Conversion Activity in Multi-Religious Societies, Cove and John, Guyana, April 28 1996). Christian Hegemony Continues in Guyana Over the years there have been successful attempts through the instrument of the state to de-emphasise Hindu and Muslim contributions to the development of education in Guyana while at the same time re-inforcing and glorifying the Christian contribution. In 1976 all denominational schools (and other institutions) were required by the government of the day to change their names in order to delink them from their religious and ethnic background. While the government made sure that schools with Indian, Hindu and Muslim names complied with the requirement, Christian schools were never really affected. Thus Indian Educational Trust college became Richard Ishmael Secondary, Muslim Trust college became Brickdam Secondary school, Hindu college became Cove and John Secondary, Maha Sabha Secondary became Leonora Secondary. On the other hand, officially and otherwise, St. Stanislaus, St. Joseph's, St. Rose's, St, Agnes, St. John's, Sacred Heart, Stella Maris, Christ Church and others have retained their former names and their distinctive histories. (Swami Aksharananda, Stabroek News, September 11, 1999) A Major Problem "Christian conversion activities among the Hindus of the Caribbean is a major problem for the survival of Sanatana Dharma. It is not that Hindus convert on their own will into Christianity. No! Maybe a few. But a majority are cajoled, bribed or intimidated. ...It is the duty of educated people like yourselves to address this problem for the protection of Hindu dharma." (Swami Aksharananda, Lecture, Queens College, CUNY, New York, Dec. 09, 1996) Hindus Have Offered Sanctuary "In that great mantra, that great poem that we have that is known as the Vishnu Sahasranaam, Bhagavan Vishnu is called two names in verse 91 eka and na eka. Bhagavan Vishnu is described as that which is eka or one and that which is, na eka - not one. And so I think one of the visions that the Hindus have presented to the world of ultimate reality is a vision of multiplicity, is a vision of manyness...If you look at the main religions of the world, a long time ago long before mass migrations took place to different parts of the world, India was already the home and continues to be the home and the sanctuary of many of the great religions of the world, many of which religions have been persecuted in their own lands." (Swami Aksharananda, Launching of World Hindu Conference, Sukha Shanti Bhakti Mandalie,Warner Street, Freeman Road, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies, Saturday April 15, 2000) Political Freedom "I believe that Hindus must be free to support any political party of their choice and at the same time we must recognise that the common ground on which we stand is the Hindu Dharma. As Hindus we should not let politics and politicians make us enemies of one another. Dharma is paramount above the interests of any and every political party. Mahatma Gandhi realised this when he declared: "My politics is subservient to my God," And, in closing, let me say that Freedom House is not my Vaikunth." (Swami Aksharananda, Hindu Must Be Free to Support Any Political Party of Their Choice, Stabroek News, Feb. 24, 2001) Gibson's Racist Book "I consider Dr. Gibsons A Cycle of Racial Oppression in Guyana, to be one of the most blatant cases of race hate I have ever encountered in Guyana. The premise of her tract is baseless, her method buttressed by hearsay and rumours unworthy of even the National Enquirer, and her conclusion perverted to the extreme. Scholarship and research which imply rigorousness have been given a bad name. Yet I have never called for the book to be banned." (Swami Aksharananda, This Track is Buttressed By Rumors Unworthy of the National Enquirer, Stabroek News, Oct., 23, 2003) The Day is Coming When Hindus Will "The day is soon coming when every Hindu will begin to understand that whenever a Christian missionary comes to a Hindu home he or she does so with the sole intention to destroy Hinduism. This is an act of aggression against the Hindu religion and Hindu people. And the time is also coming when Hindus will deal with it in the appropriate manner." (Swami Aksharananda, Guyana Chronicle, January 18, 2000)

Made with Xara