Shankaracharya vs Sai Baba: Devotees seethe with anger as Sai Baba’s cult is challenged

New Delhi: A complaint has been lodged against Swami Swaroopanand in Shirdi for instigating religious feelings. Expressing his disapproval on construction of Sai Baba temples claiming it to be merely a way of money making by his devotees, Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand addressed Sai Baba as ‘non-vegetarian and a robber’, describing his worship as a conspiracy to divide Hindus. In his new attack on Sai Baba, upholding his previous statement on Tuesday, raised questions on Sai baba`s watchwords ‘Sab ka malik ek hai’ (There is one god for everyone). According to Dwarakapeeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand, Sai Baba is neither god nor godman. He further describes a godman is one who is full of virtue but Sai was a non-vegetarian, used to circumcise people and belonged to community of robbers. However, as per Pandit Manish Sharma, an astrologer from Ujjain that teacher - student relation is a part of ancient tradition of Hinduism. It is believed that without the grace of Guru or godman, one cannot seek the blessings of gods- goddesses. The literal meaning of guru is - the person who leads from darkness to light. Anyone can be a guru and can also be non-vegetarian. Shankaracharya has also argued against the incarnation of Sai and insisted on the fact that in the ancient scripture does not speak about anyone else other than the incarnation of Buddha and Kalki. Swaroopanand argued that only incarnation of someone and godman is said to be worshipped. Sanatan Dharma considers 24 incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Kaliyuga only describes the incarnation of Buddha and Kalki. Therefore, Sai cannot be an incarnation. In an interview given to ABP news, he said that Muslims visiting Sai temple is spreading off misinformation. About one billion Hindus are misled. Constructing Sai temples across the country would divert attention from Ram temple movement in Ayodya. Ram Mandir project is very big and creating a similar temple of Combodia`s Angkor Wat requires big funds. Some of the foreign organizations do not want the Hindu community to unite, He added. He challenged Sai devotees not to woo Sanathan Dharam devotees. He advised people to worship god not human, saying what will be the fate of Hinduism if the statue of Mariyam is worshipped. In accordance with the assumptions of Hindu Sanatan Dharma that God's descent to earth (birth) is called avatar. As per Hindu believe god is present everywhere, still does makes its present felt when needed. In various ancient texts there are different numbers of different incarnations. Somewhere its eight, ten, sixteen and twenty-four embodiment but ten incarnations is most recognized.