Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj (1907-1982) Commemoration

Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj was born in 1907 AD (Samvat 1964 Vikrami) on the second day of Shukla Paksha, in the month of Shravan in Bhatni village of Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, as the son of Smt. Shivrani Devi and Shri Ramnidhi Ojha. His surname was Harinarayan Ojha. Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj received education in various disciplines such as Sanskrit, Grammar, Philosophy, Bhagwat, Nyayashastra, and Vedanta. Swami Ji was married to Mahadevi at the age of 16, but after a few years, detached from worldly illusions, he embarked on the path of public welfare and spirituality in search of knowledge. In 1926 AD, after leaving home and wandering on the banks of the Ganges, he prayed at the feet of Swami Shri Brahmananda Saraswati for initiation into Sanyasa Deeksha. He was instructed to study in Narwar, Madhya Pradesh, and thereafter, taking Naishthik Brahmacharyavrata, he became Harihara Chaitanya from Padati Harinarayan. Upon reaching Narwar, he received teachings from Shaddarshanacharya Swami Shri Vishweshwarashram Ji within thirteen months. After attaining knowledge, while living in solitude on the banks of the Ganges, he underwent severe penance and meditated in the cave of Rishikesh Himalayas.

After emerging from deep self-realization through meditative contemplation (Samadhi), he continued to travel and disseminate knowledge. He propagated truths, aimed at the destruction of unrighteousness, fostering goodwill among living beings, and ensuring the welfare of the world. Paramhansa Harihara Chaitanya acquired the name Karpatri because he ate food without using a dish in his hand, becoming popular as Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj.

In 1931-32, at the age of 24, after receiving profound knowledge from Swami Shri Brahmanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj in Kashi, he came to be known as Hariharanand Saraswati and became a complete saint, famous as “Paramhans Paribrajakacharya 1008 Baba Hariharanand Saraswati Shri Karpatri Ji Maharaj.” In 1932, by traveling all over India to promote religion, he awakened spiritual consciousness by extensively interacting with teachers, scholars, and religious enthusiasts. In the same year, during the Haridwar Kumbh, in Haridwar-Rishikesh, he exchanged scholarly thoughts with Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya.

Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj not only imparted knowledge to society through his religious journeys but also authored books and published various magazines. His main texts include Sankirtan Mimamsa and Varnashrama Maryada, Samanvaya Samrajya Sanrakshan, Sri Bhagvatatva, Marxism and Ramarajya, Ved ka Swaroop and Pramanya (Form of Vedas and their evidences), Veda Pramanya Mimamsa, Ahmartha and Paramartha Saar, Bhakti Rasarnava, Veda Swaroop Vimarsh, Chaturvarnya Sanskriti Vimarsh, Vichara Piyush, Vedarthparijat, Ramayan Mimamsa, etc. He received honors for many of these works, including five thousand rupees from the Government of Uttar Pradesh for his work on Bhakti Rasarnava Granth and another five thousand rupees from the Hanuman Trust, Calcutta, for his work in Ramayana Mimamsa Granth. In recognition of his erudition, he was conferred with the degree of D.Litt in 1978 by Shri Sampurnanand Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi.

In 1940, he founded the ‘Dharma Sangh’ and raised awareness among followers of Vedic Sanatan through extensive pilgrimages on foot. After establishing Shri Dharmasangh Shiksha Mandal, Kashi, he also set up Sanskrit schools at various locations under it. He also established the ‘Ramrajya Parishad’ and nominated several candidates on its ticket for the elections of 1951 and 1957. Until the end of his life, devoid of attachment, egoism, and karma-attachment, he zealously continued to promote Vedic religious culture. He passed away on February 7, 1982, merging with the great universe. The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp in honor of Karpatri Maharaj.