Gorakshapeethadhiswar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday commemorated the 55th death anniversary of Yugpurush Brahmaleen Mahant Digvijaynathji Maharaj, paying homage to his enduring contributions to society and Sanatan Dharma.

He said that Mahant Digvijaynathji Maharaj fought tirelessly for the values and ideals of Indianness throughout his life.

Speaking on the occasion of Ashwin Krishna Tritiya during a weekly tribute ceremony, which also marked the 10th death anniversary of Rashtrasant Brahmaleen Mahant Avedyanath Maharaj, Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the deep impact of these two revered saints on the cultural and spiritual landscape of eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly Gorakhpur.

Reflecting on Mahant Digvijaynath’s life, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted his relentless fight for the values and ideals of Indianness, stating that his teachings laid the foundation for rebuilding a cultured society rooted in Indian traditions.

“Yugpurush Brahmaleen Mahant Digvijaynathji Maharaj transformed Gorakshapeeth into a spiritual centre while upholding the principles of Sanatan Dharma. His thoughts and deeds continue to inspire us even today,” the chief minister said.

He further praised the contributions of both Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avedyanath, stating that their lives were entirely dedicated to the service of the nation and the promotion of religious values.

He mentioned that the two saints did not view religion merely as a form of worship but embraced the holistic concept of religion as described in Indian wisdom, which emphasises both worldly prosperity and spiritual salvation.

“These two great saints guided society through their profound understanding of religion’s dual purpose — material well-being and ultimate liberation. Their legacy continues to serve as a guiding light for all of us,” Chief Minister Yogi added, honouring the lasting influence of their spiritual teachings on the region and beyond.

The chief minister emphasised Mahant Digvijaynath’s pivotal role in establishing educational institutions for public welfare. He reflected on Mahant Digvijaynath’s foresight in founding the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad in 1932, with the goal of building a civilised and capable society through education, rather than seeking personal gain.

He recalled how, after India’s independence, Mahant Digvijaynath made a significant contribution to Gorakhpur’s educational landscape by donating the property of MP Balika Degree College, an institution under the Shiksha Parishad, to establish a university. At the time, the then state government required Rs 50 lakh in cash or property to create a university, and Mahant Digvijaynath’s donation — now valued at approximately Rs 500 crore — was instrumental in making Gorakhpur an educational hub in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Mahant Digvijaynath’s contributions to technical education, such as the founding of MP Polytechnic in 1956 and an Ayurveda College in the 1960s for medical education, were also praised. Chief Minister Yogi credited Mahant Avedyanath with carrying forward these projects and expanding their impact.

Reflecting on the legacy of both revered saints, Chief Minister Yogi stated, “Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avedyanath tirelessly worked for the strengthening of Sanatan Dharma without stopping. To unite the Hindu society, they never cared about the governments during the campaigns to eradicate untouchability. Their efforts were never for personal fame but were always dedicated to the nation, Sanatan Dharma and society.”

He further emphasised that all work rooted in Sanatan Dharma is inherently aligned with public welfare, underscoring that the strength of Sanatan Dharma lies in service, not oppression.

The chief minister lauded the enduring strength of Sanatan Dharma, emphasising its role in the welfare of all living and non-living beings. He reflected how Sanatan Dharma has withstood adversities, invasions and challenges throughout history, thriving in both good and bad circumstances.

“Sanatan Dharma’s greatness lies in its ability to face invaders with resilience and bid them farewell with goodwill,: the chief minister said.

He added that while various threats like Naxalism, terrorism and separatism have emerged, they ultimately fail in India, as seen during the global pandemic.

Referring to the recent pandemic, Chief Minister Yogi remarked, “When the world was struggling with COVID-19, India forged ahead rapidly, thanks to our way of life — our diet, lifestyle, and worship practices — which made us resilient in the face of all challenges.”

The chief minister said that the revered saints of Gorakshapeeth, Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avedyanath, achieved the sadhana and resolutions. “When selfless saints take a resolution, it is bound to be fulfilled,” he added, highlighting the fulfillment of their vision with the establishment of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

He recalled Mahant Digvijaynath’s divine foresight in 1949, when he envisioned the Ram temple long before it became a reality.

Speaking of Mahant Digvijaynath’s legacy, Chief Minister Yogi noted that although he was born in the brave land of Mewar, he chose Gorakhpur as his karmabhoomi, dedicating his life to spiritual and societal uplift. He emphasised that fulfilling one’s responsibilities with honesty in any field is a true tribute to the departed mahants.

Concluding the address, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to action, urging people to honour the ‘panch pran’ (five vows) set out for a developed India, with the most important being the discharge of civic duties responsibly.

The programme was also addressed by former MP Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti from Vashistha Ashram, Ayodhya Dham, Jagadguru Anantanand Dwaracharya Kashi Peethadheeshwar Swami Dr Ram Kamal Das Vedanti, Vice-Chancellor of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University Prof Poonam Tandon, president of Maharana Pratap Education Council Prof Uday Pratap Singh.

Meanwhile, in the programme, the students of Maharana Pratap Balika Inter College Ramdattapur gave a soulful presentation of Saraswati Vandana, Guru Vandana and Shraddhanjali Geet. Vedic Mangalacharan was rendered by Dr Rangnath Tripathi, Goraksha Ashtak Paath by Gaurav Tiwari and Aditya Pandey, Digvijay Strot Paath by Dr Abhishek Pandey while the programme was conducted by Dr Shri Bhagwan Singh and the vote of thanks was proposed by Rajesh Mohan Sarkar, vice-president of Maharana Pratap Education Council.

During the event, the book ‘Rog Nidan, Evam Pathology’ by Acharya Dr. Gopikrishna S. of Guru Gorakshanath Institute of Medical Sciences (Ayurveda College) was released by the guests present on the stage. The gathering concluded with the singing of Vande Mataram by the students of Maharana Pratap Balika Inter College Ramdattapur.

On this occasion, Mahant Suresh Das of Digambar Akhara Ayodhya, Yogi Chetainath from Haridwar, Yogi Rajnath from Fatehabad, Haryana, Yogi Kamalchandra from Ujjain Madhya Ayodhya Dham, Yogi Bhayankarnath from Karnataka, Yogi Sheelnath from Buxar, Yogi Mukeshnath from Maharashtra, chief priest of Gorakhnath temple Yogi Kamalnath, Mahant Ravindradas of Kalibari and others were present.