Late Monday evening of 20 September 2021, the news channels flashed the death of the great saint of Bhaghambari Math in Prayagraj, UP. He was a known and reputed personality as the President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. His death or a purported suicide under suspicious circumstances has left the city in confusion, as his body was found hanging in his room. Many are alleging it to be murder, while others claim that he took his life because he was unhappy over a lot of things.

Those “lot of things” have been mentioned in his 8-page long suicide note.

• He was unhappy with a neighboring priest of the great Hanuman Temple at Prayagraj, Adya Tiwari & his son, over a property dispute

• Reports claim that some other money matters and issues of property of the departed saint were stuck during the last few years.

• He also mentioned the reason for his unhappiness being one of his disciples, Anand Giri.

Although these things have been mentioned in his suicide note, they have been sent to forensics for investigation. Before that, nobody could claim whether it is a suicide or a planned murder.

The whole population including the leaders, PM Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nitin Gadkari, and many others have been shaken by the sudden demise of the saint. He was the chief priest at the famous Hanuman Temple at Sangam, Prayagraj, and also held the top designation at the Akhara Parishad.

Picture courtesy: Amar Ujala, in the centre: the departed Mahant Narendra Giri

Whatever it is, suicide or murder, it does let out some important questions.

Why so many allegations on the renowned saints?

Why are the saints involved in so many disputes if they are believed to be above all greed and illusion?

Are the saints in our society really above “moh-maaya”?

People worship these saints after God, so much so that their reputation is greatly maintained. They are believed to be above all the illusion and greed. Then why was Mahant Narendra Giri unhappy over money issues? There are two factors which come to light here: UNHAPPINESS & MONEY.

• Why are they unhappy over petty worldly issues if they claim to be above all of them? In the Hindu scriptures and also in their propagation, they say that saints and Mahants are above from everything that is worldly. They don’t experience happiness by money or worldly relations, instead from God. Then why is their association with God so weak that they feel the emotion of unhappiness over these mere things?

• “Money is the core of all the attractions in the world”, this is what they propagate in their speeches. Then why are they themselves holding conflicts over money/property? Is there life & enlightment cheaper than money disputes?

Picture courtesy: India Today, Akhara Saint Mahant Narendra Giri at the Hanuman Temple in Prayagraj

Whatever the truth is, murder or suicide, the society needs to awaken to the reality of who they believe in, and not become a bling-follower of anyone who says he loves God. The suspicious death of such a great and acclaimed saint is an eye-opener for future practices. We need to search within ourselves where is the social fabric becoming lose.

Do we really need to blindly trust these saints who are unhappy in their life or do we need more self- awareness?

Have they shut our eyes so much that we are not able to see what is going on behind the scenes in their life? Are they themselves so perfect backstage?

Which is more important, money or self-realization? Comment down your views on it.