Morari Bapu

Morari Bapu is an Indian spiritual leader and preacher from Gujarat. He is an exponent of Ramcharitmanas with more than 900 Kathas recited over the last sixty years.[1] Bapu's core message is Truth-Love-Compassion (Satya-Prem-Karuna) and encouraging awareness about Sanatan Dharma Scriptures.[2][3]

Saint

Morari Bapu
Born
Morari Bapu

(1946-03-02) 2 March 1946
Talgajarda, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndian
Occupation(s)Reciter, Ram Charit Manas Kathakar
SpouseNarmadaben Hariyani
Children4
Websitechitrakutdhamtalgajarda.org

Early life

Morari Bapu was born on 2 March 1946 (Maha Shivratri according to Hindu calendar) in Talgajarda village near Mahuva, Gujarat, to Prabhudas Bapu Hariyani and Savitri Ben Hariyani, in a family of six brothers and two sisters.[4][5] His family followed Nimbarka Sampradaya, a Hindu Vaishnava tradition.[6] Both the Ramcharitmanas and Bhagavad Gita were deeply embedded into Bapu's life from childhood.[7] Tribhuvandas Bapu, grandfather and Guru of Morari Bapu, taught him the deeper meanings of Goswami Tulsidas Ji's Ramcharitmanas and initiated him on to the path of recitation of the sacred text i.e. narration of Katha. Bapu recited the Ramcharitmanas Chaupais (Stanzas/Couplets) whilst walking to and from school and thus began his journey of oration.

After completing secondary education, Bapu joined the Shahpur Teacher's Training College in Junagadh. In 1966, Bapu started teaching at a primary school in Mahuva.[6]

Lineage
Nimbarkiya Lineage

Pujya Dhyanswami Bapa, the first from Bapu's lineage of Saints (Sadhu Parampara) followed the Nimbark tradition.[8] Pujya Dhyanswami Bapa's disciple, Jeevandas Bapa decided to devote his life to service of humanity, however, on guidance from Pujya Dhyanswami Bapa, he got married and this formed Bapu's ancestral origin.[8] Tribhuvandas Bapu's younger brother, Vishnu Devanand Giri Ji, was the 6th Mahamandaleshwar of Kailash Ashram, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Uttarakhand (India).

Career

When Bapu was 14 years old, he began reciting Ram Katha under the guidance and encouragement of his grandfather and spiritual mentor, Tribhuvandas Bapu.[4] Initially, he would recite verses from the Ramcharitmanas to a small group of people while sitting under a Banyan tree in his village.[6] As time went on, he began to recite at the Lord Ram Temple in both his village, Talgajarda, and the nearby town of Mahuva.[9][7]

Every Ram Katha has a different subject which is announced on the first day of Katha and the chosen stanza (Chaupai) would be elaborated on during the nine days. The four-hour discourses (Kathas) generally start on a Saturday and end on the following Sunday; and usually begin in the morning, ending around midday. Kathas based in Gujarat tend to be in Gujarati, and in the rest of India and abroad, in Hindi.

Bapu's Ram Kathas are broadcast live on the Aastha TV network[10][11][12] and the Chitrakutdham Talgajarda YouTube channel.[12][13] The largest gathering at one of Bapu's Ram Kathas to date has been 1.2 million people over the course of 9 days in Nathdwara, Rajasthan (India).[14] He gave his first discourse abroad in Nairobi, Kenya in 1976.[4][7][15][16]

Bapu's first 9-day Katha outside of Talgajarda, was in 1966 at Ramfaldas Maharaj ji's ashram at Ganthila village, Gujarat. He gave his first discourse abroad The first overseas Katha was at in Nairobi, Kenya in 1976.[17]

The recitation of the Ramcharitmanas by Bapu has evolved from a 30-day discourse in his hometown of Talgajarda to a widely recognized practice that has taken him to various parts of the world. The initial discourse was held in the presence of three individuals from the village.

Bapu has traversed major areas and pilgrimages in India including Mahuva, Jungadh, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Haridwar.[7] Some overseas Kathas would include Jerusalem, China, Amazon Rainforest and Cambodia.[7][18] Other unique Kathas include Bapu's recitations on board a cruise ship and on board a flight.[19]

Bapu has also narrated upon the 19 verses of the reverend Gopi Geet, as Manas Gopi Geet.[3]

Bapu does not charge for his recitations of Ram Katha. His performances are open to everyone without any financial or other restrictions, regardless of age, gender, caste, creed, or social status.[7][3]

Spiritual views and Teachings

Morari Bapu's overall ethos of Katha is universal peace by reciting nine-day discourses, spreading the message of Truth (Satya), Love (Prem) and Compassion (Karuna) and relating the Ramcharitmanas scripture to everyday lives, embedding spirituality rather than religion.[20][21][22]

According to Bapu, one example in Sanatan Dharma is Lord Ram as “Truth”, Lord Krishna as “Love” and Lord Shiva as “Compassion”. Bapu's Kathas are to form a bridge between education and spirituality in the community.[23]

Bapu's line of thought is “not to improve, but to accept all”.[7] Bapu does not see those who listen or attend the Ram Kathas as his followers. Instead, he sees them as "flowers".[3]

Bapu supports environment-related causes.[24] Cows should be nurtured and worshipped and not harmed.[25][26][27] Bapu, who believes in ‘Pravahi Parampara’ (flowing tradition), has been speaking for progressive norms in the 21st century and feels there should be no stagnancy in religious beliefs.[28]

Bapu says that the Ramcharitmanas is meant for the welfare and development of every living being.[20]

Morari Bapu has faith in the Five Elements (Panchtatva) philosophy.[29] As per him, the five cardinal elements of Sanatan Dharma are – Lord Ganesh, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga (representing all goddesses).[29] And all philosophy is contained amongst the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Bhagvad Gita and the Ramayana.

Bapu celebrates and espouses the importance of Sanatan Dharma festivals like Diwali,[30] Janmashtami, Ram Navami,[31] Shravan Maas & Navratri[32] and encourages vegetarianism[33] and keeping the Holy Basil Plant (Tulsi) in homes.[34][35]

Morari Bapu himself follows the tradition of Bhiksha, a very sacred ritual in the Sanatan Dharma of accepting food as alms without any personal choices and eating whatever is served.[36]

Philanthropy

Bapu has reached the "last-man" by actively contributing to various possible social causes based upon need of the hour.

  • Medical Aid/Support: Bapu believes in Humanitarian Aid (Manav Seva) and has recited many Kathas to support Medical facilities in India:[37][38]
  • Manas Dharam was conducted for Kidney patients - Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKRDC) and Dr H.L. Trivedi Institute of Transplantation Sciences (ITS), Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 2015.[39]
  • Manas Cancer was conducted for “Fight for Cancer” - Gujarat Cancer Society, Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 2012. (Approx 3 crores INR raised and donated).[40]
  • Manas Seva Yagna was conducted for "cost-free hospital" - Shree Lallubhai Sheth Arogya Mandir in Savarkundla, Gujarat in 2017.[41]
  • Manas Ram Janam ke Hetu Aneka was conducted for “Treatment for Cancer Patients” - Nargis Dutt Foundation, Mumbai in 2018.[42]
  • Indian Army: Bapu has recited Ram Kathas in support of Army martyrs.[43] Bapu has also made a donation for all the soldiers martyred during the Galwan Valley encounter in 2020.[44]
  • Manas Shaheed, Surat in 2017, was conducted for the Indian army to raise funds for veterans and their families, to support the families of deceased army personnel in the conflict which also raised awareness across the globe.[45]
  • Bapu announced an aid of 1 lakh INR to the family of each Central Reserve Police Force personnel killed in the 2019 Pulwama attack.[46][47]
  • Sex Workers (Prostitutes): In the December month of 2018, Morari Bapu had organised the Ram Katha among sex workers in Ayodhya and he pledged ₹3 crore for the welfare of sex workers.[48]
  • In the last, he distributed ₹6.92 crore (69.2 million) for welfare of the sex workers in which he added ₹11 lakh (1.1 million) of his own.[49][50]
  • Morari Bapu was the first spiritual leader to meet sex workers in the Mumbai.[49]
  • Transgenders: In December 2016, Manas Kinnar was held in Mumbai for transgenders, to get communities to accept and acknowledge them for who they are.[51]
  • For this work, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, an Indian LGBT activist, had said, "No spiritual or religious leader in the world has ever done this kind of a community event for us and for that, I'm grateful to him".[51]
  • Dalits: In October 2019, Manas Harijan was held in Delhi for Dalit Community.[52][53][54]
  • Cows: Bapu has advocated for the care of cows and the establishment of gaushalas.[55][56][27] Upon desire by The President of India to Bapu, "Gir" cattle were sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan.[57]
  • Nature: Time and again, Bapu appeals for mass tree plantation drives. Bapu supports sanitation campaigns and encourages avoiding the single use of plastic bags to preserve nature.[35] Bapu also recited a katha for the construction of public toilets in Bardoli in 2005.[58]
  • Temples: Morari Bapu supported the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya.[3] In the TV show, Aap Ki Adalat, he appealed to the Hon. Supreme Court of India not to delay the judgement regarding the temple. In this same episode, he said that nobody can question the patriotism of Narendra Modi.[19] When the Supreme Court announced the verdict, Morari Bapu welcomed it as fair and balanced.[59] In July 2020, during his discourse at Pithoria Dham located near his village, Morari Bapu announced ₹5 crore INR (US$700,000) donation for the construction of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and urged his Flowers (Katha listeners) to contribute as well.[60] Bapu ended up becoming the highest donor contributing around ₹19 crore INR (US$2.5 million) with his flowers.[61]
  • Natural Disasters (Floods, Cyclone, Nuclear Leak, Drought, Earthquake): Bapu has generously contributed and encouraged others to provide aid and support at times of tragedy in India and abroad.[62] A few examples of where Bapu facilitated aid are Gujarat floods,[63] Uttarakhand floods (Ram katha has contributed around 10 crore INR to Uttarakhand floods and re-construction of the Kedarnath temple in 2014).[64]
  • COVID-19 Pandemic: During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bapu conducted a Hari Katha for a period of 61 days without any live audience in attendance.[65] This was done as a way to uplift spirits during a difficult time when many people were confined to their homes.
  • Art and Culture: Bapu has hosted distinguished writers and poets from all over India to discuss literary and scholarly developments during a programme like Asmita Parva as part of the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations that take place every year. Bapu has also hosted scholars of the most ancient language, Sanskrit, as well as other artists. Bapu invites well-known Indian musicians and singers to perform during the evening festivities.[66][67]
  • Prisoners: On humanitarian grounds Bapu visited jails in Buxar,[68] Sabarmati[69] and many more, to keep the prisoners positive in spirit.

References
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