Dhirendra Shastri says some people will say ‘Baba, don’t return’:Plans 21 days of meditation in Badrinath; yesterday’s remark on sevadar row

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the head pandit of Bageshwar Dham, will remain away from public contact for a month. In May, he will undertake a special 21-day spiritual practice (sadhana) in the snowy mountains of Badrinath. During this period, he will not be connected to any network, nor will he be present at the Dham, nor will he organize any discourses (katha) or divine courts (divya darbar). Dhirendra Shastri states that it is extremely important to engage in self-spiritual practice in the current times. He explained that many new paths that can lead one astray constantly emerge in life, hence it is essential to focus on self-penance and self-spiritual discipline. In a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, he elaborated on the reasons behind this ‘sadhana journey’ of his. It is noteworthy that on Sunday, he severely reprimanded his volunteers and disciples in the court. He had stated that many people are associated with the Dham not out of a spirit of service, but for other reasons. More than half of the volunteers became so because there are significant material benefits here. Some young men became disciples here for the sake of pursuing women. Children and young people are drawn to the Dham because of Balaji. Read Dainik Bhaskar’s conversation with Dhirendra Shastri Bhaskar- When and for how long are you going into unknown seclusion, and what will happen there? Dhirendra Shastri- By the inspiration of our Guru, we have received the command for spiritual practice (sadhana). This time is for self-reflection, during which we will meditate on God and work on ourselves. The true meaning of sadhana is to discipline oneself, which is why it is very essential. In the month of May, we will spend time in the mountains of Badrinath. We have taken a vow for a total of one month, during which spiritual practice will continue for approximately 21 days, and for the remaining 5 days, we will narrate the discourse (katha) of Lord Badrinath. “We will depart from here on May 5th, and our 21-day spiritual practice will commence from May 6th. During this one-month journey, we will self-reflect on how to further pave the path to attaining God. Additionally, we will consider how to broaden the work of Sanatan Dharma and what more we should do to eradicate social evils. Reporter: What changes will come after that? What do you think? Dhirendra Shastri- I don’t know yet, it hasn’t started yet, so I can’t say what changes will come, but we do know that after every spiritual practice (sadhana), many new thoughts are gained in life and self-confidence is attained. After connecting with that divine consciousness, a lot of positive energy is felt. It is already there, and we want the energy to increase so that we can guide people more and enlighten them with this energy. That’s why we are going into this sadhana. What changes will occur, we will tell after returning. Reporter: Who will manage the arrangements of the Dham? Who will look after things here for so many days? Dhirendra Shastri- Since we are already relieved from service at Bageshwar Dham, the arrangements here are managed by Balaji himself and a committee called ‘Shri Bageshwar Jan Seva Samiti’, which includes a secretary, a treasurer, and that entire team serves here. Anyway, my role here is only that of the ‘Darbar’ (court/assembly), not a very significant one. Since it’s the role of the Darbar, the Darbar will remain suspended these days, but Balaji’s Darbar will remain open, and people’s pain and suffering will be alleviated by having darshan of Balaji, performing circumambulation, and making offerings here. Reporter: You have also distanced yourself from mobile phones, what is the reason for this? Dhirendra Shastri- Nothing, currently many strange things are happening in society, in the world. Distancing myself from mobile phones means that my spiritual practice (sadhana) should not be disturbed in any way, and anyway, there won’t be any network there. Reporter: There is a state of war all over the world, can your incognito period be linked to this? Dhirendra Shastri- The incognito period cannot be linked to our spiritual practice. I don’t know how much it will affect society and the world; some people will even say, comment, ‘Baba, you are leaving, don’t come back.’ (Laughs) So there are all kinds of people in society, so it won’t affect everyone. But it is certain that we will do self-reflection so that the current global situation being created does not arise in India. Reporter: America and Iran are at war, what do you have to say about that? Dhirendra Shastri- Our saying something won’t have an effect there, but ‘Sanatan’ itself is the path to peace, and currently, America and all the representatives of powerful countries in the world should understand one thing: ‘war’ is not the way, ‘love’ is the way. War will bring destruction, love will bring light and development. So, we feel that they should sit down and find a compromise. And now, the Indian government and prominent people of India, we feel it’s the right time for India to play the role of world peace and becoming a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world teacher), by bringing everyone together on a platform of love and teaching everyone through the language of love that war should not be chosen, but love.