Pundit S N Hari Prasad (29th November 1928 to 1st September 2009)

There were ordinary folk, simple people, famous people, politicians, diplomats and dignitaries at Pundit Ji,s funeral. They all came for the same purpose. To bid their farewell to a very noble soul. Pundit Ji was very well known, respected, appreciated and loved by everyone who knew him. The news of his passing away dealt a great blow to many people. A noble soul has left us but his memories and teachings will always be with us.

The Vedic Pratinidhi Sabha and Arya  Samaj of Australia  Incorporated (VPSASA) was formed by Pundit S N Hari Prasad in 1994. The formation of the VPSASA opened a new chapter in the history of Arya Samaj and gave the opportunity to the followers of the Vedic Sanatan Dharam in Australia to continue with the goal of Arya Samaj which is “Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam”, i.e. to make this world noble.

Today thanks to Pundit Ji, the VPSASA has a large membership and continues to promote the teachings of the Vedas and holds regular satsanghs and observes Hindu festivals and does charitable work.

It was with great pleasure and delight that the title of “Arya Ratna” was conferred to Pundit S N Hari Prasad at the Annual General Meeting of the VPSASA held on the 31st July 2005 for his exceptionally valuable and longstanding contribution to the cause of the Arya Samaj.

Pundit ji hailed from a prominent and pioneer Arya Samaj family in Fiji. He was born in Nadi, Fiji, on the 29th November 1928. He completed his Teachers Training Course at the Nasinu Teachers College and also furthered his studies at the University of the South Pacific. In 1973 he was promoted to Master Class One, the highest promotion in the teaching profession at that time.

He taught for 36 years in schools in various parts of Fiji holding posts of responsibility.

Pundit ji served as the Secretary of the Nadi Arya Samaj for six years and also as a delegate to the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji for many years. He was one of those who spearheaded the formation of the first organised Arya Samaj movement in Australia.

He was the founder and the first President of the Vedic Pratinidhi Sabha and Arya Samaj of Australia. Pundit Ji was a very popular and much liked Vedic Minister of Religion and a Registered Marriage Celebrant.

In December 2004, the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji at its Centenary Celebrations at Suva, Fiji, awarded Pundit Ji with a Certificate of Honour in recognition of his long and dedicated association with the Arya Samaj in Fiji.

Pundit Ji had been involved with the Arya Samaj since his childhood days. In the 1930’s he had the opportunity to meet the Arya Samaj pioneers in Fiji and later had the privilege of working with them at his uncle S C Sudhakar’s residence at Nawaka, Nadi. Among them were the late Pt Vishnu Deo, Pt J P Maharaj, Pt Ami Chand, Pt Gopendra Narayan Pathik, Thakur Kundan Singh Kush, Pt Hardayal Sharma and Dr Ram Lakhan.

It was at this time that Pundit Ji met his Guru, late Pt Gopendra Narayan Pathik who later in 1947 was one of the purohits at his wedding. Pundit Ji considered himself fortunate to have served as the deputy Head Teacher at the Swami Shradhanand Memorial School, Suva where Pt Gopendra Pathik was the Head Teacher. While teaching with Pt G N Pathik, Pundit Ji learnt to perform Yajnas and the 16 Sanskars. He was often asked to perform Yajnas on behalf of Pundit Pathik when he was committed elsewhere.

In the true spirit of the sixth principal of the Arya Samaj, which states that the prime object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the world, that is to promote physical, spiritual good of everyone, Pundit Ji rendered outstanding service to the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Hindu Society of Fiji, Fiji Council of Social Services, Fiji Teachers Union, Fiji Road Safety Council, St. John Ambulance Brigade etc. He was awarded with the Long Service Medal of the Order of St. John and in 1985 was made a serving brother of St. John by Queen Elizabeth II.

Om ya atma balda yasya vishwa upaste prashisham yasya deva |
Yasya chaya mritam yasya mrituh kasmai devaya havisha vidhema ||
Yajur Veda 25.13

Unto Him, who bestows upon us the life force and strength, and whose laws is abided by all scholars. Unto Him, under whose shelter flows the sweet nectar of Deathlessness. Unto him, do we offer our oblations in the Yajna respective of His process of creation.

God is the sole cause of creation on non-living universe in the creation. His realisation causes emancipation and His non-realisation causes the cycle of life and death. He is the only worshipable. His name is AUM.

Pundit Ji has now gone. A chapter in our lives has ended. However he has left behind a legacy. A legacy of being noble, kind, loving and doing good to all mankind. It is important to continue Pundit Ji’s legacy which we should all reflect upon and carry on.