A Hindu lion has departed
THE recent death of nationally respected Pundit Madan Maharaj, 76, of Phoenix, created a loss which cannot be adequately measured by words.
Pundit Maharaj was a great Hindu leader, a passionate community worker and a loving family man.
He was a go-to person and a man for all seasons.
He was innovative, bold and decisive, and spoke truth to power. He was a Hindu lion, not lamb.
As a prominent and progressive priest, he toiled tirelessly with a rare sense of vision and mission.
In 1981, Punditji founded the powerful Northcroft Hindu Dharma Sabha.
The Sabha’s temple and hall stand today large and proud, as a living monument to Punditji’s sterling and stellar achievements.
He turned scars into stars.
In order to raise the priesthood into a pillar of Hindu society, Punditji initiated the South African Hindu Dharma Purohit (Priests) Council. He trained aspirant priests free of charge and helped many become marriage officers.
He also organised workshops for priests.
He urged priests to end discrimination against Hindu women, particularly widows, in terms of participation and conducting Hindu rites and rituals.
When a temple priest in Phoenix refused to allow three widows to perform certain prayers, Punditji invited them to the Northcroft Hindu Dharma Sabha temple hall, and together with seven priests, he garlanded the three women on stage, and let them pray.
Since 1981, Punditji, along with the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, led the battle for fireworks for Hindus.
Punditji was at the front line in the epic battle against Ahmed Deedat, who denigrated Hinduism.
When Pastor Lucas Famidimou of
Nigeria was converting gullible Hindus with false claims of healing, Punditji challenged him to a public debate, which the pastor ducked.
He launched a mass petition campaign and, with the assistance of the Department of Home Affairs, got the pastor deported.
Punditji played a leading role in bringing 104 Hindu families who had converted to Christianity back to their Hindu spiritual home and roots. This was the first time in the world, outside India, that a mass Hindu homecoming ceremony was held. Punditji also organised a national conference of Hindu organisations to bring about Hindu solidarity and strength.
He consistently advocated that Diwali should be celebrated together by all linguistic groups during the common Amavas period.
Punditji held the first Hindu Day celebration on the first Sunday of May in 1999 at the Northcroft Hindu Dharma Sabha hall.
It was of international magnitude. Sadhu Rangarajan of India was the guest of honour, and Sona Nayan of Mauritius rendered bhajans.
This unique Hindu Day celebration grew fast and wide, with world-famous Anup Jalota of India singing bhajans at the Harinagar Hindu Dharma Sabha’s Haribhai Naran Cultural Centre in Shallcross on Sunday, May 1, 2011.
The former Consul-General of India, His Excellency Shree Anil Sharan, graced the grand Hindu Day celebration.
Along with the late community leader Toney Balraj, Punditji organised a mass inter-faith “Road Prayer” at the Rydalvale grounds to prevent further deaths through numerous accidents in the area. Former KZN premier Sbu Ndebele once gave the keynote address.
Pundit Maharaj leaves behind a legacy which instils pride in ancestry and hope for posterity.
A poet wrote, “the deeds of the just smell sweet and blossom in the dust”.
Punditji is gone, but not forgotten. The mighty sandalwood tree has been cut, but its fragrance will linger on.
May his great soul attain Moksha (salvation) and enjoy eternal peace and bliss in the bosom of the Almighty.