*MIRACLE WITNESSED*

 *MIRACLE WITNESSED*

*This interesting scene was in Supreme Court of India where the Bench was hearing the issue of Shree Ram Janma Bhoomi!*

*There were counsels representing both the sides and each side had their own witnesses to provide the Court with evidences!*

*While Shri Parasaran was putting forth the justifications for Ayodhya as Shree Rama Janma Bhoomi, the Honourable Judge intervened:*

 

*He asked “You quote from the Vedas and Scriptures for proving that Shree Rama existed, and other relevant issues! Is there any evidence in the Scriptures that specify the place of birth of Shri Rama?”*

*An old gentleman rose from the group of witnesses.  He was one of the Pragyasakshi (Chief Witness) and his parents had named him Giridhar!*

*He said “Honourable Sir, I request you to refer to Rig Veda!”*

*He specified the chapter and shloka (verse) and said, “There it is mentioned in Rig Veda, Gaiminiya Samhita!  These shlokas specify the directions and distances from a specific point on the banks of River Sarayu, to reach the birth place of Shri Rama.  If one follows those directions, one reaches a specific spot in Ayodhya!”*

*The bench ordered for immediate verification, and it was done to realise that Shri Giridhar was very precise and right!*

*There it was glaring at them from Rig Veda! And this person was quoting the shloka (verse) verbatim from memory!*

*The bench remarked, “This is a Miracle we have witnessed today.!”*

*But the witness who was christened Giridhar was very calm and serene, as if it is a chore in the office on a normal working day!*

*To understand the wonder expressed by the Judge, one has to go back in Indian History, which needs overhauling at the earilest!*

*The year was 1950.  Month January. 14th day of the month. In the village Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh! The Mishra couple  - Pandit Rajdev Mishra and Shachidevi (It is nice to note that that child became a main Sakshi later in life, to reclaim Shree Ram Janma Bhoomi) – were waiting for the birth of their child!*

*A very hale and healthy child was born that day and they named him Giridhar!*

*Giridhar Mishra was fine, till a cruel hand af fate played with him when he was 2 months old!  That changed the life of the parents and the child!*

*Imagine a child who was eager to acquire and improve his knowledge, but just could not read or write!  Pandit Rajdev would sit besides the child, and recite shlokas from the Vedas, explaining each word in each shloka! He was delighted to find that Giridhar had a great grasp, memory and retaining capacity, and could memorise every single word taught to him orally!*

*After imparting whatever knowledge he could, Rajdev admitted his son to one of the Mutts of Ramanand Sampradaya!*

*He was taken in as a disciple, and he was given a new name - RAMABHADRA!*

*And the child got a Guru ji who could teach him and encourage him to expand his knowledge beyond the limits of any normal human being!*

*Ramabhadra, in his zeal to explore the universe of knowledge, learnt and mastered 22 languages, including a few ancient ones! He could not read or write, and had to depend on his memory and its retention power!*

*He learnt the Scriptures and modern verses, too!  He became a fan of Sant Tulsidas and explored the world of Rama Charit Manas!*

*Just Imagine! Somebody would read these epics and Scriptures, and he would store them in his memory for further understanding and analysis!  He excelled in his work, often dictating to people, and getting the feedback orally!*

*At the age of 38, in 1988, he was crowned JAGADGURU RAMABHADRA ACHARYA, one of the four Jagadgurus of Ramananda Ashram!*

*You must have guessed by this time, why he could not read or write.  Yes. HE LOST HIS EYESIGHT COMPLETELY, WHEN HE WAS TWO MONTHS OLD!*

*It is really staggering to learn about his achievements!*

*The blind Jagadguru, in addition to mastering 22 languages, is also famous as a Spiritual Leader, Educator, Sanskrit Scholar, Polyglot, Poet, Author, Textual commentator, Philosopher, Composer, Singer, Playwright and Story Teller (Katha Vachak - Artist)!*

*He has authored more than 100 books, such as Gita Ramayanam,  Shri Bhargava Raghaviyam,  Arundhati, Ashtavakra, Kaka Vidura among others!*

*He composed Shri Sitarama Suprabhatam!*

*As a poet, he produced 28 famous sets of poems (Sanskrit and Hindi) including four epics!*

*Authored 19 famous commentaries on various Scriptures, the popular ones being on Rama Charit Manas by Sant Tulsidas!*

*Composer of 5 Music Albums!*

*And 9 very popular discourses!*

*Founder of Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya University for the Handicapped!*

*Lifelong Chancellor of Tulsi Peeth (named after Sant Tulsidas)!*

*He was decorated with PADMA VIBHUSHAN in 2015!*

*I was filled with amazement as I was collecting information about him! A child who became blind, and fought his way up, to reach the pinnacle of knowledge and education, and its propagation!* 

*What a marvellous example to inspire one and all! I felt very very small and insignificant!  I am sharing this with you all as it amazed me no end!*

*There is a niggling thought, though! How many of us were aware of this great blind man?*

*While Helen Keller was propagated for her achievements as a blind person, and lessons are taught on her,  Jagadguru Ramabhadra Acharya is a non entity in our education system That's how we are!*

*No wonder the Judge remarked “I witnessed a Miracle in my Court!