M V R Sastry's Devudunnadu Jagratha, the 25th book is a clarion call to liberate Hindu temples

The 25th book by Sri M.V.R. Sastry, Be Careful! God is Watching You! Delves into the profound significance of Lord Balaji and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Describing Lord Govinda as the "Mayavi" who governs the world, including TTD, the book serves as a warning to those who seek to deceive and challenge the divine.

The book’s first copy was presented to Dr. M.V. Soundararajan, the 89-year-old visionary, Convenor of the Temple Protection Movement, and Editor-in-Chief of VAK magazine at Chilkur Balaji Temple.

According to Sri Sastry, the Almighty Govinda guided him in every word he wrote, often experiencing divine intervention during its creation. Sri Sastry shares, "I wrote with great difficulty, but I don’t claim it as my talent. This divine experience was guided by the Mayavi, Lord Govinda."

The book addresses the challenges faced by Hindu temples, particularly the TTD, and extends its relevance to other temples in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. For over 75 years, Hindu temples have been under government control, leading to their deterioration due to mismanagement.

Dr. Soundararajan, a hereditary trustee of Chilkur Balaji Temple, foresaw these issues decades ago and warned about the impending decline in the temple system. He sought to rally Hindu leaders and communities, but his efforts were largely ignored.

The Abolition of Hereditary Priesthood

One of the most damaging reforms was the abolition of hereditary priesthood, which devastated temples, particularly in villages, and destroyed the livelihoods of countless priests. Temples were abandoned, and the Hindu community failed to unite against this government intervention.

Hindu organizations of the time lacked the courage and determination to resist these attacks. There was little effort to organize or raise funds for legal battles to protect temples. This inaction allowed the courts to approve damaging reforms, worsening the plight of temples.

Sri Sastry laments the complacency of the Hindu community during this period, comparing their struggle to a fallen elephant needing to rise on its own. He calls for today’s society to unite and liberate temples from government control, urging immediate action for a Hindu revival.

Hope for the Future

The book highlights that while the current government has shown some improvement compared to the 2014–19 regime, the situation in temples remains dire. Janasena leader Pawan Kalyan, currently serving as Deputy Chief Minister, emerges as a beacon of hope. His commitment to Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma has been evident through his bold advocacy for the rights of Hindus.

Additionally, implementing the unfulfilled intentions of late Sri P.V.R.K. Prasad could create a positive spiritual environment in Tirumala. Sri Sastry emphasizes the need for unwavering efforts to resolve the Tirumala issue within the constraints of the current system.

The book underscores the urgency for collective action to protect the sanctity of temples and preserve Hindu heritage. As Sri Sastry warns, "Now is the time to awaken. God is watching!"  (Dr C S Rangarajan, Chief Priest, Chilkur Lord Balaji Temple)