Seers are packed off to religious maths to perform their "divine duties" at an early age, when they are just 8, 10 or 16 years old. But question is, can boys at such young age truly understand the concept of vairagya, or renunciation, which is the basis of sanyasa? The tradition has it that one chooses the "Sanyashrama" as the last stage of his life, when he is nearing death. However, one can attain vairagya seven at a younger age, after seeing the pain and suffering around him. But it definitely cannot be imposed on someone, as renunciation is a state of mind which develops naturally from within. If a system tries to force someone, in this case a young child, to attain this state, then it will obviously fail. In Udupi, there is a tradition of 'Balashrama', where young boys are made seers. The Shiroor Math seer, who died two days ago under mysterious circumstances, too was made a seer and peetadhipathi, the head of a math, when he was eight years old. He was talented and artistic, but, since he was so young, lacked maturity. If only he had a better guide at that tender age, things could have been different.
Isn't this practice of giving deekshe (making one a sanyasi) to children cruel? Everyone involved in this heartless process knows and understands this. But for these grownups, the stakes are too high. For, the math means power, large numbers of devotees, huge assets and limitless cash. For anyone who has seen the math politics and its goings from close quarters, assuming the office of a seer would be abomination. No grownup would agree to become a sanyasi and that is why a child who hardly knows anything is made one. The system has degenerated to such an extent that it is disgusting. On the way to becoming a Sanyasi, one has to perform a ritual called 'Atma Shraddha', which is conducting one's own last rites. From that moment onwards, an individual would leave his earlier life behind and start the life of a sanyasi. His family too should accept this fact, and consider him dead.
Everyone knows the system is flawed and this system is not right. But very less people have the courage to oppose this and so it continues. Every Math has disciples. They do not see if it is right or wrong but they just want a Peetadhipathi. As they have not developed the thinking capacity on all these, the practice continues. I feel this system where there is involvement of money, Balashrama and Matadhipatya have no relatioship with the real Hindu Dharma.
There would naturally be a question as to how to set things right. I feel change should come from within the system. The disciples should realise the mistake. They should think on how situation may worsen in the future days. They need to consider this as a crisis and think about it.
It is belief that Shastras motivate 'Vairagya.' In Udupi knowing 'Madhwa Shastras,' is very important. Some system (like classes or training) should be developed to teach Shastras. While learning if anybody is attracted towards 'Vairagya,' then such person should be identified. Such candidates should be selected and they should be made seers of the Mutt. However I strongly believe that a person should be made Peetadhipathi only after 50 years. Even if a person decides to become a seer at 30 or 40 years, there are more possibilities of being distracted. Mind is very impulsive. Today the world is more pleasure seeking. When eyes see these pleasures the mind is influenced. Maths should not select the Peetadhipathi from the family.
If a person wants to become a seer at 30 or 40 years of age, he should be asked to learn shastra and be with the Peetadhipathi for 10 years to truly understand the life of a seer. If his decision does not change even after being with Swamiji for many years then he can be appointed as seer. But I feel inducting a person to the Mutt after he has crossed the age of 50 is always good. Madhwacharya had given Sanyasadeekshe based on his 'Antara Dristi,' (inner eye) to those who had 'Bhakti,' and 'Vairagya.' He had given Sanyasa to eight desciples and gave them 'Upasya Moorthi,' (Deity). He did not start the Asta Mutts. It was later development. However even in the present practice of Bala Sanyasa, there are many who have followed the true and good 'sanyasis,' and the wise seers. It was because of personal maturity and not because of the system. - Lakshmisha Tolpadi, scholar and thinker in philosophy, religion studies and literature Lakshmivara Teertha was made seer as his predecessor (who too was made Peetadhipathi at a younger age) had quit the post after feeling that he could no longer continue as seer. Even after having seen a seer who was made Peetadhipathi at young age quitting the Math, Lakshmivara Teertha was made Peetadhipathi at 8.
The writer is a scholar and thinker in philosophy, religion studies and literature
(As told to Gururaj A. Paniyadi)
