Why Swami has name ending anand; why saffron cloth; why darshan?

Someone came back after seeing a spiritual Guru and started attacking him saying, “Why does he keep a name ending with –anand?, “Why does he wear Saffron color uniform only Why beard? Also why to call seeing him as “darshan”? Is he a God that I should do his “darshan”?

I find it so childish to accuse others or things mistakenly out of ignorance.

(1) Why keep names ending with "anand" - or similar sounding? Philosophically and the idea behind it is to get out of any caste and prejudiced barriers which our society imposes on people. When a new member is inducted, he forgoes his past name, past caste surname, and becomes "one like them". Like water with no color... So a Anand Tiwary or a Anand Gupta, both take names like Amritananda or Abhayananda. The idea is to break the barriers of prejudice like which come with caste surnames. This is why they all keep names like this. Also, there are sects like Swami Sampraday which has this practice of changing names as a tradition. Obviously it has good intentions behind it.

(2) Why wear only Saffron robes? The idea is also similar. With different colors come different visions. We all have different preferences and favorites. So I like green color and would favor a saint wearing green; you like red and would go to a saint who wears red mostly. So it is better if all those wear saffron and they come out of all this worldly game of colors and color distinctions. Also, do I need to tell about spiritual aspects of saffron color? There is a reason why Swami Vivekananda and so many Sadhus and Swamis have been wearing it for ages. All our religious things have this color essential part of it. Just like Durga ji has red, Saraswati ji has white color associated with them. It is childish to wish every Guru to wear a different color just because we would get one less point to criticize them.

(3) Why calling "darshan" to see saints? It is an innocent tradition. Just like "Satsang" and other terms. I am surprised you people either do not know or completely forget these things. Even when we say "Namaste", we mean spiritual salutation as if we were seeing God in the other person. So you would attack this also?

Anyways, Sadhus and Saints belonging to any sect or religion have been honored without giving a second thought. We should never try to "judge" Saints and what they say. Out of ignorance and driven by ego we are challenging to evaluate and judge all Saints, Sages, Sadhus and Gurus. Perhaps we shall go steps further to start "ranking" them, judging merits in their replies. Why do we want to open a Saint Rating Agency? I again think this line of thought is solely "ego driven" and we should avoid it for our own benefit. Shradha and Saburi are essential part of our religion; we should practice it.

- Rahul

Note: Views are personal and do not represent views of any organization associated with the author. [Detailed disclaimer]

Hindu Temples I have visited (Part-V)

Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi (Banaras): Blessed to have visited one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Original Temple was founded by Adi Shankaracharya but was destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who built a mosque on the ruins of this temple (which is visible in the background). Presently seen Kashi Vishwanath temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1717 and was adorned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Panjab with 820 kg gold in 19th century. Om Namah Shivay!

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi: It is performed at the Dashaswamedh ghat on the banks of Ganga every evening at 7pm. It is a wonderful ritual to observe. A lot of foreign tourists also come to witness it. Some people sit on the stairs while some watch it from the other side from the boats in the river! This is just another example of how Hinduism is so close to nature and today I think perhaps only Hindu saints are trying to save the Ganga from pollution and destruction... Jai ma Gange!

Durga Mandir, Varanasi: This is a grand temple of Durga ji which is also nearby Tulsi Manas Mandir and Sankat Mochan Mandir. Whole structure is built in red color and there is a big pond besides the temple. It is a wonderful temple to visit. Jai Ma Durga!

The famous Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple of Varanasi. It also has a temple of Lord Ram inside this temple complex. Hanuman ji is directly facing Ram, Sita and Laxman...

Shani Signapur Mandir, Shani Dham, (Maharashtra): is a unique and famous temple of Shani Dev. There are very few Shani Temples and this is one of those. Devotees offer mustard oil to the god. A unique aspect of this place is that no temple structure houses  Shani Dev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone. We visited it on the way to Shirdi. Most people plan a single visit to both Shani Signapur and Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir.

Shiva Mandir near Muzaffarpur Around the time of Maha Shivratri at big Mela is organized near this temple

Ram Mandir near Muzaffarpur: Heard that recently people donated money and constructed this beautiful temple of Lord Ram

Swami Narayan Temple, very near to Mahalakshmi Temple, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai

Trayambakeshwar Mahadev Mandir, very near to Mahalakshmi Temple, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai: Never expected such a beautiful, serene and spacious temple complex in the middle of hustles of the city. 

In the Same Series:

Hindu Temples I have visited (Part-I)

Hindu Temples I have visited (Part-II)

Hindu Temples I have visited (Part-III)

Hindu Temples I have visited (Part-IV)