The word Nantin, in the Uttarakhand parlance, connotes a child, and baba means a saint. Thus, Nantin baba means a child saint. A very young sadhu was first noticed roaming in the area extending from Bhowali to Gethia, near Nainital.
Soon he became well known for his innocent childlike activities. He would, many a times, suddenly refuse to eat the food offered to him by a household and would run away like child. On other occasions, he would insist for food at odd hours. One of his devotees once saw him rolling his body in the mud in the forest like an animal and bursting with joy. He never made any ashram and preferred to stay in natural caves in desolate forests from Bhowali to Bageshwer in kumaon area of Uttarakhand.
His items of utility remained scattered in these cave. Occasionally, he would visit and stay for short periods in a separate room of a household devotees, particularly, during the two Navratries. During the nine days period, he would keep his devotees under most strict discipline in terms of taking food and spending time in devotion. He used to say that the nine days fast and devotion is for washing off the mind of the accumulated dirt of the world. He was also well known for curing very difficult diseases by prescribing or giving medicines prepared from traditional herbs found in the hills. He knew the process of making gold from mercury by some alchemic procedure. As a proof of the fact that this had happened, one may visit the yagya- shala of the Birla Mandir, New Delhi. One may still find a marble slab, fixed on a wall near the Havan Kund, wherein it was inscribed that Nantin baba had made gold in that place in presence of Sri Jugal Kishore Birla Ji and others.
Adi Shankara early 8th century CE is a widely studied and influential Hindu philosopher and theologian from India who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. His works in Sanskrit discuss the unity of the ātman and Nirguna Brahman “brahman without attributes”.He wrote copious commentaries on the Vedic canon (Brahma Sutras, Principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita) in support of his thesis. His works elaborate on ideas found in the Upanishads. Shankara’s publications critiqued of rituals-oriented Mīmāṃsā school of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. He also explained the key difference between Hinduism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism, stating that Hinduism asserts “Atman (Soul, Self) exists”, while Buddhism asserts that there is “no Soul, no Self”.
Shankara travelled across the Indian subcontinent to propagate his philosophy through discourses and debates with other thinkers. He established the importance of monastic life as sanctioned in the Upanishads and Brahma Sutra, in a time when the Mīmāṃsā school established strict ritualism and ridiculed monasticism. He is reputed to have founded four mathas (“monasteries”), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta of which he is known as the greatest revivalist.
Note: Advaita Vedanta – Advaita Vedanta is the oldest extant sub-school of Vedanta, an ancient Hindu tradition of scriptural exegesis and religious practice,and the best-known school of advaita, the nonduality of Atman and Brahman or the Absolute. It gives “a unifying interpretation of the whole body of Upanishads”, providing scriptural authority for the postulation of the nonduality of Atman and Brahman. Advaita (not-two in Sanskrit) refers to the recognition that the true Self, Atman, which is pure consciousness, is the same as the highest Reality, Brahman, which is also pure consciousness. Followers seek liberation/release by acquiring vidyā (knowledge) of the identity of Atman and Brahman. Attaining this liberation takes a long preparation and training under the guidance of a guru. Advaita thought can also be found in non-orthodox Indian religious traditions, such as the tantric Nath tradition.
The principal, though not the first, exponent of the Advaita Vedanta-interpretation was Shankara Bhagavadpada in the 8th century, who systematised the works of preceding philosophers.Its teachings have influenced various sects of Hinduism.
The key source texts for all schools of Vedānta are the Prasthanatrayi, the canonical texts consisting of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras, of which they give a philosophical interpretation and elucidation.
Jyotirmath: Jyotirmath, also known as Joshimath is a city and a municipal board in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located at a height of 6150 feet, it is gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centres like Badrinath. It is home to one of the four cardinal pīthas established by Adi Shankara.
Jyotirmath is the uttarāmnāya matha or northern monastery, one of the four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankara, the others being those at Shringeri, Puri and Dwaraka. Their heads are titled “Shankaracharya”. According to the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, this matha is in charge of the Atharvaveda.Jyotirmath is close to the pilgrimage town of Badrinath. This place can be a base station for travellers going to Guru Gobind Ghat or the Valley of Flowers National Park.
Shankaracharya Math:
This is the math established by Adi Shankaracharya in North India. The Math is having temple of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi. It has a sacred cave where Adi Shankaracharya supposedly undertook tapasya
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Uttarakhand is a state in northern India. It is home to a number of saints and social reformers who have made significant contributions to the state and the country.
Adi Shankaracharya was a Hindu philosopher and theologian who lived in the 8th century. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Hinduism. He is also known as Shankaracharya or Shankara.
Shankaracharya was born in Kaladi, Kerala, India. He was a child prodigy and is said to have mastered the Vedas by the age of eight. He traveled extensively throughout India, debating with scholars of different faiths. He is credited with establishing four monastic orders, or mathas, in the four corners of India.
Shankaracharya’s teachings are based on the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic philosophy that teaches that Brahman, the ultimate reality, is the only thing that exists. The individual soul, or atman, is not separate from Brahman, but is one with it.
Shankaracharya’s teachings have had a profound impact on Hinduism. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the religion.
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Guru of the Sikh faith. He was born in 1666 and died in 1708. He is considered to be the founder of the Khalsa Panth.
Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna, Bihar, India. He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikh faith. Guru Gobind Singh was a brilliant military strategist and a gifted poet. He is also known as the “Lion of the Punjab.”
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699. The Khalsa Panth is a community of Sikhs who have taken the five Ks, or five vows. The five Ks are: kes (uncut hair), kangha (a wooden comb), kirpan (a sword), kara (a steel bracelet), and kachera (shorts).
Guru Gobind Singh was a great warrior and a fierce defender of the Sikh faith. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Sikh history.
Kabir-2/”>Kabir Das was a 15th-century Indian poet and saint. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Bhakti Movement. He is also known as Kabir.
Kabir Das was born in a Muslim family in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a self-taught poet and is said to have composed over 5000 verses. Kabir Das’s poetry is characterized by its simplicity and its focus on the importance of love and devotion.
Kabir Das was a controversial figure in his time. He was critical of both Hinduism and Islam, and he is said to have been excommunicated from both religions. However, his poetry has had a lasting impact on Indian culture.
Mirabai was a 16th-century Indian poet and saint. She is considered to be one of the most important figures in Bhakti movement. She is also known as Mirabai.
Mirabai was born in a Rajput family in Mewar, Rajasthan, India. She was married to a prince, but she fell in love with Krishna, a Hindu deity. Mirabai’s love for Krishna was unconventional, and she was often criticized for it. However, she remained devoted to Krishna throughout her life.
Mirabai’s poetry is characterized by its passion and its focus on the importance of love and devotion. Her poetry has had a lasting impact on Indian culture.
Ramanand was a 14th-century Indian saint and teacher. He is considered to be the founder of the Ramanandi sect of Hinduism.
Ramanand was born in a Brahmin family in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a disciple of Ramanujacharya, a Hindu philosopher. Ramanand is credited with spreading the Bhakti movement in northern India.
Ramanand’s teachings are based on the Bhakti philosophy. Bhakti is a devotional path to God. Ramanand taught that God is accessible to all people, regardless of caste or social status. He also taught that love and devotion are the most important means of achieving union with God.
Ramanand’s teachings had a profound impact on Hinduism. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the religion.
Sahajao Bai was a 16th-century Indian saint and poet. She is considered to be one of the most important figures in Bhakti movement. She is also known as Sahajo Bai.
Sahajao Bai was born in a Brahmin family in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India. She was married to a wealthy merchant, but she renounced her worldly life to devote herself
Here are some frequently asked questions about saints and social reformers of Uttarakhand, along with short answers:
Who are some of the most famous saints and social reformers of Uttarakhand?
Some of the most famous saints and social reformers of Uttarakhand include Guru Gobind Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa.
What were some of the major contributions of these saints and social reformers?
Guru Gobind Singh was a 17th-century Sikh guru who founded the Khalsa Panth. He is also known for his writings and teachings on Sikhism. Mahatma Gandhi was a 20th-century Indian lawyer and anti-colonial nationalist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India. She is known for her work with the poor and sick.
What are some of the challenges facing saints and social reformers in Uttarakhand today?
Some of the challenges facing saints and social reformers in Uttarakhand today include POVERTY, illiteracy, and social inequality.
What are some of the ways in which saints and social reformers are working to address these challenges?
Saints and social reformers in Uttarakhand are working to address these challenges through a variety of means, including Education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.
What are some of the successes that saints and social reformers have achieved in Uttarakhand?
Saints and social reformers in Uttarakhand have achieved a number of successes, including the establishment of schools and hospitals, the provision of food and shelter to the poor, and the promotion of education and Literacy.
What are some of the challenges that saints and social reformers face in the future?
Some of the challenges that saints and social reformers face in the future include the continued Growth of poverty and inequality, the spread of religious extremism, and the impact of Climate change.
What are some of the ways in which saints and social reformers can overcome these challenges?
Saints and social reformers can overcome these challenges by working together to promote peace, Justice, and Equality. They can also work to educate people about the importance of these values.
Who was the founder of the Arya Samaj? (A) Swami Dayanand Saraswati (B) Mahatma Gandhi (C) Jawaharlal Nehru (D) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Who was the first Chief Minister of Uttarakhand? (A) Narayan Dutt Tiwari (B) Bhagat Singh Koshiyari (C) Vijay Bahuguna (D) Harish Rawat
Which of the following is not a river in Uttarakhand? (A) Ganga (B) Yamuna (C) Brahmaputra (D) Alaknanda
Which of the following is not a mountain range in Uttarakhand? (A) Himalayas (B) Vindhyas (C) Aravalli (D) Kumaon Himalayas
Which of the following is not a national park in Uttarakhand? (A) Jim Corbett National Park (B) Nanda Devi National Park (C) Rajaji National Park (D) Kanha National Park
Which of the following is not a wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand? (A) Corbett Tiger Reserve (B) Rajaji Tiger Reserve (C) Dudhwa National Park (D) Nainital National Park
Which of the following is not a district in Uttarakhand? (A) Dehradun (B) Haridwar (C) Nainital (D) Agra
Which of the following is not a city in Uttarakhand? (A) Dehradun (B) Haridwar (C) Nainital (D) Kanpur
Which of the following is not a festival in Uttarakhand? (A) Holi (B) Diwali (C) Dussehra (D) Kumbh Mela
Which of the following is not a dish from Uttarakhand? (A) Thukpa (B) Momos (C) Pakoras (D) Biryani