Anuj Gautam, Sagar: When Navratri and Dussehra are in full swing across the country, and Ram’s victory is being celebrated, there is a person in Sagar district of Bundelkhand who worships Ravana more than Ram. Subodh Shukla, a 47-year-old unique personality who chants slogans of “Jai Lankesh” and “Jai Ravana Jai Brahmin”, is trying to spread awareness against Ravana Dahan on the day of Dussehra.
Beginning of devotion to Ravana
Subodh Shukla lives in Ravi Shankar ward of Sagar and has earlier served as a home guard in Indore. Later, he was transferred to Jain Tribal Welfare Department, Khandwa, where he worked among the tribal community. The tribals here worship Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, due to which Subodh Shukla’s attachment towards Ravana increased. During this time he started studying Ravana Samhita and Ravana Stuti and became a devotee of Ravana.
Subodh Shukla tells that the tribals of Khandwa believed that Ravana was a Dravidian Brahmin of the south and was like a god for them. This belief of the tribals inspired Subodh Shukla towards devotion to Ravana. He claims that the society has deviated him from his basic values, and because of this experience he considers Ravana as his idol.
Awareness against Ravana Dahan
Subodh Shukla is vocal against burning Ravana. He believes that the burning of Ravana is a symbol of the exploitation of the Brahmin society. He says that the number of Brahmins in the Lok Sabha and Assembly is not in proportion to their population, and in protest against this he has also formed an organization named “Jai Lankesh” or “Rashtriya Ravana Sena”. Through this organization they are trying to unite the Brahmins.
Subodh Shukla believes that Ravana has been misrepresented and celebrates it as “Pari Nirman Diwas” by placing pictures of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad on the day of Dussehra.
Confluence of Ravana and Shiva Bhakti
His devotion towards Ravana is not limited to faith alone. Like Ravana, Subodh Shukla is also a devotee of Lord Shiva and regularly performs Shiva Tandav. They believe that Ravana, who was a great devotee of Mahakaal, should be understood as an ideal Brahmin and scholar and not just a demon.
This unique perspective of Subodh Shukla makes him unique in the society, where he considers Ravana to be revered and is trying to present him as an ideal of Brahmin society.
Tags: Amazing news, Bundelkhand news, Local18, Madhyapradesh news, Sagar news
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 9, 2024, 13:08 IST
