A  GREAT  PROBLEMPROOF  SAINT
(By Shri Munnesh Kumar Agnihotri)

Rishikesh, June 2024

One must have heard about shockproof, waterproof and leakproof things, etc., but I am going to introduce to you a great Mystic Saint, who is problemproof. Problems come and go before him, but this great Saint is never shattered by the problems. He treats them alike. He remains calm and quiet with his never-failing smile. He is a true Karma Yogi.

It is extremely difficult, rather impossible for me, to reveal all the inbuilt characteristics / qualities of this great Saint. However, I make a sincere effort, to the best of my abilities, to highlight some of the great qualities of this unique personality. This great Saint is a Mystic Saint; whosoever comes in his holy and divine contact, experiences divine vibrations and forgets all worries and anxieties and feels such an extraordinary peace, which, of course, can only be felt within the heart and cannot be expressed.

You must have seen many Saints and Disciples, but not like this great Saint, who is completely dedicated to his Guru. Everything, whatsoever it may be, how important it may be, what he accomplishes, he always attributes the credit to his Guru. Such an extraordinary devotion, dedication, I have not seen anywhere else. He takes everything as gracious Blessings of his Gurudev. During the span of 40 years I have never seen or heard this great Saint using "I" word for any achievement or taking credit for himself for accomplishing anything.

His significant contribution in the field of Education in the remote areas of the Garhwal Hills in Uttarakhand is not hidden to anyone. Presently there are 40 Omkarananda Hill Schools, which include Primary, Junior, High Schools, Intermediate and Degree Colleges in the remote areas in Uttarakhand, which are imparting quality education. It is noteworthy, that these Schools are being taken care of in the best possible manner. Grant-in-aid (financial assistance) is being sent by Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas regularly to these Schools. Besides Grant-in-aid, other demands of these Schools, such as construction of school-buildings, furniture and computers for students and buses for ferrying students are also generously provided. From time to time a team from the Ashram inspects these Schools just to ensure the smooth running of these Omkarananda Hill Schools. Swami ji has got special love for the people of Himalayas and is committed to their academic and spiritual development. Not only this, by the Grace of his Guru Swami Omkarananda, Swami ji has also opened one Management Institute, Omkarananda Institute of Management & Technology (OIMT), at Muni-ki-reti, to provide higher Professional Education. The youths of Garhwal and whole Uttarakhand need not to go outside, to far away places, for professional education. This Management Institute has been providing quality education for over 25 years. Many former students of OIMT are serving now in prestigious Companies in India and abroad, too.

For the study of Vedas, Swami ji has opened a Gurukul, i.e. Omkarananda Gayatri Ved Vidyalaya, which is located on the bank of Holy Ganga. Young and interested students, from across the country, come and get free lodging, boarding and education under the able guidance of prominent and learned Veda Acharyas. The entire atmosphere of this place is full of tranquility and bliss. Bluish serene and ceaselessly flowing Ganga Maiya and the lush, green environment captivate everyone. Whosoever has an opportunity to visit this great and wonderful place feels surcharged with divine vibrations.

In recognition for his immense contribution in the field of education, social, religious and spiritual fields, Swami ji has been honoured with many prestigious Awards like "Pride of Uttaranchal Award", "Vedic-Rishi-Ratna Award", "Rashtra Shakti Award", "Shiksha Shiromani Award for Excellence in the field of Education and Vedic Culture" and other Awards. Swami ji is the true embodiment of "Simple Living and High Thinking". He does not believe in pomp and show. He is committed to the social service.

This problemproof personality is none other than Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati ji Maharaj, President of Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Charitable Trust. Swami ji is the true follower of his Guru's teachings - He is a Genius. He is an embodiment of Intelligence. He is a True Karmayogi. Since wee hours till late evening he is always busy in one or the other work. He never allows even a single minute to pass idle. He leads a very simple life. I still remember, once Swami ji fell sick and a renowned Doctor from the Town came to check up Swami ji. The Doctor was highly surprised to see the room of Shri Swami ji. The room is very small and too simple. It has a small plank bed for lying, a stool and a chair.

During this span of 40 years, I have always seen Swami ji living with simplicity and facing many challenges, hardship and opposition of many people on many fronts, but all these problems could not shatter Swami ji's confidence. Swami ji uses to say - "The more struggle, the more is the achievement". Swami ji is so magnanimous and kind-hearted, that he even wishes no harm but good sense to prevail for his opponents. Several times I have heard him saying - "Our Gurudev would say, that the day would come when some opponents would turn friends". It has come true. This I have also experienced, that people, who were initially vehemently criticizing Swami ji and opposing the activities of the Ashram earlier, have completely changed their thinking. Now, they are highly appreciating Swami ji and the activities of the Ashram as well. Swami ji never cares about such criticism or appreciation. In spite of facing all sorts of problems, Swami ji remained invincible, firm, devoted and dedicated to his mission of realizing the wishes / vision of his Gurudev for the welfare of mankind.

One of the most important qualities of Swami ji is his innocent nature and credulity. Swami ji is credulous. Though some unscrupulous people have taken undue advantage of his innocent and credulous nature, even then he has not changed his attitude towards them in life. Swami ji is of the firm opinion, that whosoever cheats him, the Divine Mother Herself will take account of their karmas. There is no escape from that Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent Divine Mother.

Such real great Saints are very few, who are so much committed to their Guru and to human welfare. I, time and again, prostrate to such a great Saint and wish to receive his Blessings during rest of my life.

I pray for a good health and long life for this great and problemproof Mystic Saint for the sake of the welfare of all Beings.

Munnesh Kumar Agnihotri, Hari Om.