19-Year-Old Maharashtra Teen Makes History by Reciting 2,000 Vedic Mantras After 12 Years of Preparation

A 19-year-old teen from Maharashtra has made history by memorizing and reciting 2,000 sacred verses from the Shukla Yajurveda in a specialized Vedic style known as 'Dandkarma Parayanam'.

Devvrat Mahesh Rekhe performed this extraordinary feat at Sangveda Vidyalaya near Ramghat in Varanasi. The teenager completed the continuous recitation over 50 days without any interruption, earning accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

In Hindu Vedic tradition, various chanting styles called Parayanas or Vikrutis exist, each with precise rules regarding mantra pronunciation, sequence, pauses, and rhythm. The Dandkarma Parayanam ranks among the eight vikrutis in the Vedas and is considered one of the most challenging spiritual disciplines. According to scholars, this complex recitation style has only been performed three times in recorded history.

Rekhe began his Vedic education at a very young age and dedicated over a decade to preparing for this accomplishment. "For this, we have given nearly 12 years," he explained to NDTV. "And Dandkarma is a text that takes 1.5 years to complete. Everyone must work hard for it. Whether it was 15 hours, 18 hours, whenever time was available, we worked accordingly. And it was accomplished."

His guru, Nilesh Kedar, described the achievement as reviving a nearly extinct tradition. The teen's inspiration reportedly came from his late mother, who wished for him to complete this difficult recitation at Kashi as an offering to Bhagwan Vishwanath.

"It is a difficult discipline, and the highest test of memory, the ultimate test, has occurred here," said Kedar. He added that Rekhe has become an exemplary figure for youth, demonstrating that Vedic traditions can still inspire new generations.

"All the scholars of Bharat praised him and said that they had never seen a child who could recite 2,000 mantras flawlessly from memory without looking at a book," Kedar stated.

UP Chief Minister Adityanath honored Devvrat during the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, calling him a "new beacon of inspiration for the spiritual world." In a social media post, Adityanath expressed pride that the Vedic ritual was completed in the holy city of Kashi.

In recognition of his accomplishment, Rekhe received a golden bracelet valued at Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1,11,116, with blessings from the Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Sringeri Sharada Peetham. A grand procession through Varanasi featured over 500 Vedic students, musicians, and devotees celebrating this rare achievement.

When asked about his purpose, Rekhe said, "For Sanatan Dharma, our purpose in doing this Parayan is that the world may be blessed, Sanatan Dharma may progress, and our nation Bharat may become Vishwaguru. This is the prayer we offered at the feet of Vishwanath."

Prime Minister Modi, who represents Varanasi in Parliament, also congratulated the young Vedic practitioner, saying, "Learning about the achievement of 19-year-old Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe ji has filled my heart with joy. This success of his is going to serve as an inspiration for our coming generations."

"As the Member of Parliament from Kashi, I take pride in the fact that this wonderful sadhana was accomplished on this sacred land. My salutations to his family, saints, sages, scholars, and all those institutions across the country that provided him support in this penance," the PM added.