The Reluctant Academic: Professor Fakir Mohan Dās

Abstract

The article "The Reluctant Academic: Professor Fakir Mohan Das" by Madhavananda Das offers a personal and insightful biography of Fakir Mohan Das (1932-2018), a revered yet unassuming scholar of Gauḍīya Vaishnavism from Odisha. Despite his impressive academic credentials, including multiple doctorates, Fakir Mohan Das consistently prioritized his devotional service, embodying the ideal of a "reluctant academic" whose heart was always with bhajan (devotional practice). The article highlights his profound scriptural knowledge, particularly of the Bhāgavatam and his unique ability to connect with devotees. It details his early life, including his miraculous birth on Janmashtami and his strong inclination towards renunciation from a young age, defying his parents' attempts to bind him to household life.

Further, the article elaborates on his significant contributions to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava community, such as his diligent service in various Mathas, his role in discovering and publishing rare books, and his close association with prominent spiritual figures like Ananta Vasudev and Haridas Das. Notably, it emphasizes his crucial role in the reappearance of Sri Sri Radha Madhava deities, ancestors of Bhaktivinode Thakur, and his discovery of the original vastra-puṣpa-samādhi of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Puri. The narrative paints a picture of a saintly scholar whose life was a testament to selfless devotion and intellectual rigor, driven by a deep love for the Vaishnava tradition.