The
appointment of Nithyananda, a self-styled godman accused of sexual
escapades, as the 293rd pontiff of the ancient Madurai Adheenam (mutt)
has kicked up a storm. Leaders of Hindu political groups as well as
public persons expressed surprise at the choice and many wondered if the present head had followed the rules and rituals established by tradition while taking the decision.
Arjun Sampath, president of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, told TOI that an emergency meeting of religious leaders have been planned to be held in Madurai in a day or two to discuss the "alarming situation". He said the present Madurai Adheenam had set a wrong example by surprising Hindus in the region with the announcement in Bangalore on Mysore on Friday.
According to Sampath, certain rituals and rules have to be followed when heads of religious establishments are elected. Other mutt heads like that of the Thirupananthal mutt and Dharmavaram have to be consulted. He added that the choice would not have evoked so much anger if Nithyananda had cleared his name in the scandals he has been named. "This position is not for someone with Nithyananda's reputation," he said. "Bramacharyam (celibacy) throughout one's life is the main rule if one has to lead the mutt," he added. "I am trying to get in touch with the present Adheenam because his Bangalore visit has been sudden without regular security men accompanying him. Also, a coronation for a chosen head is not a proper procedure according to Saivaite principles. This is more of a comical development which needs to be reviewed," he added.
Hindu Munnani district president S Paramasivam said the choice was simply unacceptable. "We are waiting to see what the next move would be so that we can react properly to this situation," he said. The present pontiff Sri-La-Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desikar, who was appointed to the position in 1980, trained under his predecessor for four years under the principles of Saiva Siddhanta, which Nithyananda, a follower of the Vedanta tradition, has not done, he added. Vishwa Hindu Parishad district president P Somasundaram said it would be only right for Arunagirinatha Swamigal to establish before the public that he followed the rules in selection of the pontiff.
The appointment was a topic of discussion among many regular visitors to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple on Saturday. "I just hope it is a bad dream that will go away in the morning, because from what I have heard, Nithyananda's life is being made into an 'A'-rated movie. He is not fit to head this ancient mutt," said Subramanian, a teacher. Dr N Sethuraman, founder of the All-India Muvendar Munnani Kazhagam, said this appointment would not be acceptable to a person who was both spiritual and nationalistic in his outlook. "The Madurai Adheenam was a mutt that was patronised by great leaders like Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar and has an ancient tradition of over 1,500 years. It is difficult to accept someone who openly says he enjoyed dancing with young women to head it," he said. C Kathiresan, a professor, said it was not acceptable if the appointed person's character is taken into account.
Priyadarshini, a freelance writer, said she was not aware of the significance relating to the appointment of the Madurai mutt, but with the person appointed being connected to such sleaze, it will hold up the city of Madurai to ridicule, because the name of the city is connected to it.
M Namachivayam, founder of the Madurai Corporation All-Teachers Mandram, struck a contrarian tone and said this was the first time a person outside the saiva vellalar community was being appointed to the position which was welcome. "I appreciate Nithyananda's statement on his vision for the mutt," he added.
Nithyananda, a young, flamboyant sanyasi, has been in the limelight since a compact disk that showed him in a compromising position with an actress went viral a few months ago. His followers have dismissed the CD as doctored and blamed vested interests for circulating it with the intention of damaging his popularity and reputation.
Arjun Sampath, president of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, told TOI that an emergency meeting of religious leaders have been planned to be held in Madurai in a day or two to discuss the "alarming situation". He said the present Madurai Adheenam had set a wrong example by surprising Hindus in the region with the announcement in Bangalore on Mysore on Friday.
According to Sampath, certain rituals and rules have to be followed when heads of religious establishments are elected. Other mutt heads like that of the Thirupananthal mutt and Dharmavaram have to be consulted. He added that the choice would not have evoked so much anger if Nithyananda had cleared his name in the scandals he has been named. "This position is not for someone with Nithyananda's reputation," he said. "Bramacharyam (celibacy) throughout one's life is the main rule if one has to lead the mutt," he added. "I am trying to get in touch with the present Adheenam because his Bangalore visit has been sudden without regular security men accompanying him. Also, a coronation for a chosen head is not a proper procedure according to Saivaite principles. This is more of a comical development which needs to be reviewed," he added.
Hindu Munnani district president S Paramasivam said the choice was simply unacceptable. "We are waiting to see what the next move would be so that we can react properly to this situation," he said. The present pontiff Sri-La-Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desikar, who was appointed to the position in 1980, trained under his predecessor for four years under the principles of Saiva Siddhanta, which Nithyananda, a follower of the Vedanta tradition, has not done, he added. Vishwa Hindu Parishad district president P Somasundaram said it would be only right for Arunagirinatha Swamigal to establish before the public that he followed the rules in selection of the pontiff.
The appointment was a topic of discussion among many regular visitors to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple on Saturday. "I just hope it is a bad dream that will go away in the morning, because from what I have heard, Nithyananda's life is being made into an 'A'-rated movie. He is not fit to head this ancient mutt," said Subramanian, a teacher. Dr N Sethuraman, founder of the All-India Muvendar Munnani Kazhagam, said this appointment would not be acceptable to a person who was both spiritual and nationalistic in his outlook. "The Madurai Adheenam was a mutt that was patronised by great leaders like Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar and has an ancient tradition of over 1,500 years. It is difficult to accept someone who openly says he enjoyed dancing with young women to head it," he said. C Kathiresan, a professor, said it was not acceptable if the appointed person's character is taken into account.
Priyadarshini, a freelance writer, said she was not aware of the significance relating to the appointment of the Madurai mutt, but with the person appointed being connected to such sleaze, it will hold up the city of Madurai to ridicule, because the name of the city is connected to it.
M Namachivayam, founder of the Madurai Corporation All-Teachers Mandram, struck a contrarian tone and said this was the first time a person outside the saiva vellalar community was being appointed to the position which was welcome. "I appreciate Nithyananda's statement on his vision for the mutt," he added.
Nithyananda, a young, flamboyant sanyasi, has been in the limelight since a compact disk that showed him in a compromising position with an actress went viral a few months ago. His followers have dismissed the CD as doctored and blamed vested interests for circulating it with the intention of damaging his popularity and reputation.
1 comment:
i can not imagine nithyananda in madurai adeenam in shoult be imprisoned
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