Apropos our 1st article https://kreately.in/reconversion-ghar-wapsi-religious-and-social-references-part-1/  on the Title of Ghar Wapsi / Reconversion, We have narrated the Social and Religious sanction under Sanatan belief system. Here we have covered the process of reconversion in this article.

One who wants to convert to Hinduism can approach Arya Samaj Temple (existing at several places in India), make a written application along with an affidavit stating that he/she is agreeing for the conversion based on his/her free will, along with proof of age and residence signed by the applicant along with 2 witnesses.

The Shuddhi Karma (purification ceremony) involves conducting a “homam” (a typical Hindu ritual done in front of fire) involving chanting of certain Hymns from the Vedas by the applicant, as guided by a priest. It may take about one to one-and-a-half hours to complete the ceremony. After the purification ceremony, a Certificate of Conversion to Hinduism is issued to the applicant. It is said that the conversion certificate issued by Arya Samaj is legally valid based on Indian Government Order dated March 19, 1985. Arya Samaj promotes casteless society. As the original Ved has no mention of Caste rather four Varna based on your profession. It was a mutative/ Changeable system of Social order by Karm (Profession) not rigid system by Janm (Birth).

ISKCON – Reconversion Method – Hinduism allows conversion.

Process: – ISKCON does not indulge in religious conversion but only believes in transformation of people’s hearts. One can belong to any religion or any nationality and can still practice Krishna Consciousness. People do not have to convert to Hinduism to practice Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON follows the Hindu Philosophy of Dvaita Vedānta non-duality propounded by 13th-century scholar Madhvacharya. Bhagwat Puran is followed by ISKCON to preach about Krishna Consciousness. A conservative estimate, Today ISKCON has over 1 million active preachers outside India to promote the Hindu Philosophy of Dvaita Vedānta. And it is recorded as one of most influential organizations in many a developed society today.

Agniveer: – Gharwapsi .

Process: -They conduct a purification ritual i.e. a havan to purify your inner soul by invoking God Agni and to make yourself feel peaceful and comfortable in seeking the path towards righteousness.  Take Yogypawita – Januye followed by Prasadam.

Critics do ask for the caste insinuation of a re-converted Sanatani. Agniveer follows Vedic System of Varna not caste System. One is free to choose his Varna. The Gotra of the presiding priest becomes the Gotra of the reconverted Sanatani. The Gotra follows a casteless society as well.

Sudhi Wadani practices in Indonesia

 A very elaborate and ritual centric process followed in Indonesia and became a subject matter of discussion after Indonesian princess chose to reconvert to Sanatani faith.

The Princess went through a ‘Sudhi Wadani ritual’ on July 17, 2017, in Bali. This ritual is an initiation into Hinduism.  

One has to take an oath to swear to the principles of Bali Hinduism and sign the certificates (the official record of our conversion).

It is preceded by a series of rituals which sanctify various life-changing transitions of the person’s life. The ritual related to birth, three months, six months and year birthdays, tooth filing  all these and other events, which the non-believer has missed out is performed to complete his initialization into complete Bali Hindu.

Some of the practices as named are the first ritual (Melukat) for a newborn, followed by Sanggah Surya shrine, Taman Gembal, the Nelu Bulanin, the Wetonan. This is quite an elaborate process of reconversion to its original fold.

VHP:- In 1964, in association with Hindu clerics, the RSS set up the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP—World Council of Hindus), a movement responsible for grouping the heads of various Hindu sects in order to lend this hitherto unorganized religion a sort of centralized structure

Process: – VHP conduct purification ritual through invoking God Agni and performing a havan. The process is simple and is administered by a Hindu Priest. The reconvert makes a solemn pledge to follow the Hindu method of life. A Name change followed by a Prasad completes the reconversion process.

Birsa Munda Reconversion into original Belief:- At the age of 10 in order to get admission into a Missionary School, Birsa Munda was blackmailed to become Birsa David.  In a few years, the alert mind of Birsa Munda perceived the religious perversion and sinister design of church in the Tribal belt of Bihar and Orissa. He could see the rampant conversion and religious exploitation being committed on to the innocent tribal.

In 1895, at 20 years of age, Birsa Munda realized, if the tribal society had to be saved, Missionary church shackles had to be broken. At Chalakkad village in Tamar, He renounced Christianity and exhorted his tribesmen to do the same. It was a clarion call. Tribal society cutting across the region responded with alacrity and reconversion to Tribal faith spread at an electrifying speed.

Process: – Birsa Munda reconversion process was extremely simple. A public oath, Change in name ceremony invoking Santhal Tradition followed by a feast was the process that completed the reconversion process. There was no involvement of priesthood and elaborate ritual in the entire process.

RSS activity in reconverting Tribal: – The RSS had been silently working among the Tribal belt of India to facilitate the reconversion of Tribal families into Original fold.

Process: – The purification ceremony involved having their heads marked with sandalwood paste and their feet washed by priests.   A shuddhikaran or cleansing, the newly returned Hindus were presented with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, often described as the closest thing to a canonical Hindu text, and the Hanuman Chalisa, another book of religious hymns.

One can acknowledge the two conclusions. One there is religious sanction to reconvert. And another process has been as simple and as myriad as Sanatan belief is.

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