19-Year-Old Mahesh Rekhe Creates Historic Vedic Milestone After 200 Years; PM Modi, Yogi Laud Achievement

Varanasi witnessed an extraordinary spiritual moment when 19-year-old Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe from Maharashtra was honoured for completing the Dandakrama Parayanam, one of the rarest and most challenging forms of Vedic recitation. The young scholar successfully recited nearly 2,000 mantras from the Shukla Yajurveda (Madhyandina branch) over a continuous period of 50 days-marking the first classically pure performance of this scale in almost two centuries.

Recognising the magnitude of his accomplishment, Devavrat was felicitated with a golden bracelet worth ₹5 lakh along with a cash prize of ₹1,11,116. The honour was bestowed with the blessings of the Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, underscoring the spiritual significance of the achievement.

The felicitation ceremony included a majestic procession from Rathayatra Crossing to Mahmoorganj. More than 500 Vedic students, traditional musicians, and the thunderous sound of shankhadwani turned the streets of Varanasi into a grand Vedic festival. Devotees showered flowers as the procession passed, celebrating a moment that blended devotion, discipline, and rare scholarship.

A special blessing message from Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam was delivered during the event by Asthana Vidwan Dr. Tangirala Shivakumar Sharma, further elevating the spiritual aura of the occasion.

According to the official X handle of Sringeri Math, Dandakrama-a highly esoteric and technically demanding recitation-has been performed only three times in recorded history. Devavrat’s recital stood out for its flawless phonetic precision and completion within the historically shortest timeframe.

PM Modi Praises Devavrat’s Historic Feat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride and admiration on X after learning about the young scholar’s remarkable achievement. He said that Devavrat’s mastery of the 2,000 mantras of the Shukla Yajurveda over 50 uninterrupted days would become a profound source of inspiration for future generations.

Modi highlighted that the accomplishment held special significance as it took place on the sacred land of Kashi, a global hub of spiritual and Vedic learning. He also expressed gratitude to saints, scholars, Devavrat’s family, and supporting institutions for nurturing the young Vedic prodigy.

Yogi Adityanath Calls Devavrat a “Beacon of Spiritual Inspiration”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also commended Devavrat’s unprecedented achievement, calling it an extraordinary demonstration of discipline, memory, and dedicated sadhana. He stated that the young practitioner’s ability to memorise and flawlessly recite 2,000 Vedic mantras offers renewed inspiration to the global spiritual community.

Yogi expressed pride that this sacred practice was completed on the spiritual soil of Kashi and extended heartfelt congratulations to Devavrat, his family, teachers, saints, and all organisations whose support made this rare sadhana possible.

“May Devavrat Ji’s accomplishment serve as a guiding light for the generations to come,” he wrote, extending best wishes for the young scholar’s future endeavours.

Blessings and Recognition from Saints and Scholars

The Parayanam was conducted at Vallabharam Shaligram Sangved Vidyalaya from 2 October to 30 November, with support from various spiritual and social organisations in Varanasi. Eminent Vedic scholars and saints praised Devavrat as well as his father and guru, Vedabrahmasri Mahesh Chandrakant Rekhe, who serves as the head examiner for the Shukla Yajurveda Madhyandina Shakha under the Veda Poshaka Sabha of Sringeri Peetham.

Devavrat’s achievement-rooted in rigorous discipline, guided by his guru, and blessed by the Sringeri Shankaracharyas-has been hailed as a monumental milestone in the ongoing preservation and revival of the ancient Vedic tradition.

This rare accomplishment not only redefines modern spiritual dedication but also reaffirms India’s timeless commitment to safeguarding its sacred Vedic heritage.