Maha Swami and Guruji Golwalkar lived and showed the way to others to be the worthy sons and daughters of this soil in fulfilling the divine purpose of this nation in the world arena. The birth anniversary of Maha Swami and the death anniversary of Sri Guruji fall in the month of Vaisaka. It would be apt to compare their lives to make ours sublime. The anecdotes from the life of these two great men will provide us insights for public life.
Preparation
Swaminathan, a 13-year-old boy educated in a Christian Missionary run school, took the reins of the ancient orthodox mutt in 1907. It might be a least expected event in worldly sense. But undoubtedly a greater divine plan.
Madhav Rao graduated and took up teaching at the Benares Hindu University, chose the path of renunciation under the auspices of a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Akhandananda who sent him back foreseeing a greater mission for him. Madhav took up the stewardship of RSS in 1940 when he was just 34 on the request of its founder Dr. Hedgewar.
While a boy educated in modern system was chosen by divine to become a spiritual giant, a renunciate was chosen to become a role model for social service and national reconstruction. Al though their age difference was 12 years, they both started their divine mission when the nation was undergoing a transition phase.
Social Condition
When Maha Swami took over as the Jagadguru, the Hindu society was in transition and turmoil. The traditional arts, sciences and professions were neglected. The people started pursuing modern education to suit the colonial system then prevalent to achieve the social status. The study of Vedas and other scriptures became unpopular even among Brahmins and they aspired to win favours from the ruling British by acquiring modern skills.
The divine village centric society gradually started emerging as an ‘asuric’ urban centric one leading to social imbalances based on money. Village was a self-sufficient unit collectively owned by the people of the village. As the new system emerged lands were acquired by individuals who did service to British as an investment. This approach resulted in striving towards selfish gains rather than for shared common goals.
The ancient monarchy and panchayat systems were replaced by the pseudo democratic system. The world wars, emergence of communism and i ts popularity etc. gave rise to the disgusting atheist movement. Although atheism is not new to our Sanatana Dharma, the new socio-political movement was a big blow to our social fabric which was predominantly based on religious values particularly in Tamil Nadu. This was a grave concern to the socially conscious and Sadhus alike.
Even as a teenager, Maha Swami skilfully handled this situation by his compassion and saintly grace. He parallelly mastered the scriptures under the tutelage of experts of the respective fields. He stood as a rock during those difficult times. He understood that the challenges are also a part of divine plan and acted accordingly. He supported social causes despite being a renunciate.
Maha Swami adopted Khadi robes himself and extended moral support to freedom struggle and swadeshi movement. He met great men from all walks of life irrespective of their ideologies. Dalit Leader MC. Raja met him. After the conversation, the wife of MC. Raja collected the sands from where the swami sat in her over garment. This shows the influence he had even on the downtrodden. He influenced even foreigners like Paul Brunton who visited India for spiritual quest.
While Maha Swami’s work was progressing in this direction, RSS was formed in 1925. Earlier Hindu Maha Sabha was formed as Congress was deviating from Indian ethos. HMS confined itself to Hindus. Sri. Hedgewar founded RSS with a global vision. He believed Hindu consolidation and work should help the progress of the Indian nation which in turn would make the nation to play the leading role in global progress. However, RSS came to be known as an Anti-Muslim organization in the back drop of strained Hindu-Muslim interactions of yesteryears. Sri. Golwalkar became the chief of RSS in this situation. He had to face numerous challenges including the power mongering Congress, anarchic Muslims backed up by British, the global instability due to second world war and its aftermath. When country got freedom, it was unfortunate that it was partitioned. Instead of analysing the cause and playing blame game, he took great care in rehabilitation of refugees from Pakistan after partition. This munificence of Guruji is still inadequately appraised.
The Goal and the Path
In the footsteps of Adi Shankara, Maha Swami aspired for Hindu resurgence. In his opinion, Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma is a nameless religion. He opined that a single religion was spread across whole world which split into different schools and religions over a long period of time.
The core principles remain intact in Bharat even to this day. The roots of this universal religion are the sacred Vedas. He considered as his life goal to reestablish the Hindu society where Brahmins learn and propagate Vedas while others cooperate in this divine mission and live with peace and harmony. Guruji approached this same goal but a little differently. He believed humankind is stuck in ideological warfare and depriving itself of progress and peace. He considered Bharatiya society will emerge as a global leader to reestablish peace among warring factions. He believed that Hindu consolidation and strength would make this happen sooner or later. Unfortunately, Congress misconceived RSS as its opponent. However, Guruji took Congress along whenever he got the opportunity without any vendetta.
Personal Safety
During one of the Chaturmasyas, Maha Swami stayed in Tiruvayyaru. Kaveri got flooded. The authorities insisted on his transit to a safe place. But Maha Swami refused to oblige and finished the Vrata as per scriptural injunction.
Congress instigated violence against Swayam Sevaks in 1948 after Gandhi’s assassination through anti-social elements. Guruji was offered police protection by government but he declined stating that he had offered himself for the society and society was free to take away his life as and when it wants. The bureaucracy was awestruck with this reply.
They both had a resolve to follow the principles in their lives and did not care for their lives as such.
Handling Opposition
The neo-atheists of Tamil Nadu and few other theists were highly critical about Maha Swami for decades. However, he never dishonoured them. Once he remarked to a Japanese scholar that South Indian studies would not be complete if he does not meet any atheist leader. When Pope visited Eucharist conference in 1964, a few had planned to show black flags as a mark of protest. They sought support from Maha Swami. He declined support and advised them that there are only two sects: Theists and Atheists. He added that Christians might differ in their practices, but they are our own as they are still theists.
In 1957, Communists came to power in Kerala. Many could not tolerate this and wanted to bring them down by mass protest movement. Guruji was approached for support as a natural ally. However, Guruji declined stating that in democracy people are the only one to elect or reject a political party and mass protests are undemocratic. Although Congress was highly critical of him, when it split in 1969, Guruji was concerned so much that he remarked that the Congress flags flying across the country in every nook and corner denote the unity of the nation. He said a split in the congress indicates a threat to the nation.
Hedgewar Memorial
In 1962, RSS had erected a memorial for its founder Dr. Hedgewar. Although RSS was in close ties with numerous Hindu sages, Guruji invited Maha Swami for inauguration. He might have thought that Maha Swami was one of the few who understood the vision of Hedgewar in forming RSS. Perhaps he too was aware that Maha Swami would not make it as he did not use any vehicle for travel but only walked. Maha Swami gave his blessings and Mantra Akshata. The inauguration was done by Guruji by honouring those rice grains and reading the benedictory message received from Maha Swami for that occasion. This shows the reverence and respect which Guruji had for Maha Swami.
Sahasram Vada Ekam Maa Likha
An ancient adage says ‘Sahasram Vada Ekam Maa Likha’. Maha Swami and Guruji were fluent in multiple languages. Maha Swami never wrote anything. He spoke to people as and when he met them and imparted the desired values. Although Guruji had written a few newspaper articles and letters, he preferred verbal communication.
National Integration
Maha Swami had suggested the need for cooperation and collaboration among Asians even a few months before independence. In his Independence Day message, he has recommended the path of Bhagavad Gita for the free India. When constitution was written, he influenced the constituent assembly through different channels to make provisions for varied worship practices to ensure freedom of religion. Sardar Patel was surprised to know the deep insights of Maha Swami.
Independent India was forced to witness the tragic partition. Guruji managed the critical situation so well through Swayam Sevaks effectively. RSS volunteers aided the forces in safe transit of people across the borders even at the cost of their lives and earned the laurels even from uniformed services.
When constitution was in formation stages, Guruji had to face the unjustified ban. Vidyarthi Parishad was formed. An opinion poll was done to name our nation as Bharat and make Vande Mataram as our national song on par with Jana Gana Mana. Guruji was instrumental in achieving these mile stones.
Democracy
Maha Swami and Guruji believed that nationalism was implicit in Bharat and was not a force fit after independence. Congress and other political parties disturbed this nationalistic spirit by enacting laws to suit their personal fancies and to achieve their selfish goals. Although they both were deeply concerned they advocated patience to their followers. They believed that these things can be changed by people gradually through democratic means. They both reiterated that a short cut will cut as short.
Uniting Hindus
Tamil Nadu Divine Forum was formed in mid 60s to bring the Mutt heads of different sects under one umbrella. Sri. Bhaktavatsalam, the then CM of TN attended the inaugural function in Madras. Maha Swami not only blessed the occasion but also took efforts for its formation. It is unfortunate that it became defunct now.
Around the same time Vishwa Hindu Parishad was formed by Swami Chinmayananda and a few other monks. Guruji played a pivotal role in it. He deputed Shiva Ram Shankar Apte for its first conference held in 1965. He had warned that VHP should not attempt reforming Hindu society commensurate to the challenges of the modern scientific age during the conference.
Nation First
During 1971 elections, political parties engaged in character assassination and personality politics. Guruji could not tolerate this and wrote to his friend that people who are concerned with national interests should act in unison swiftly to stop polluting the national main stream.
When a few leaders met Maha Swami in Satara during his stay there in 1981, he reiterated the significance of the word Dharma and to work responsibly for social wellbeing. His counsels would serve as guidelines for years to come.
Media
We live in the information age. Even during the times of Maha Swami and Guruji, newspapers and television were popular, and their interviews were sought numerous times. But both gave very few interviews. Their very lives serve as inspiration even now and help us refine and rededicate ourselves to the cause of the society and our nation.
Meeting Gandhi
Around 1920, Gandhi and Maha Swami met in Palakkad. The conversation was quite long, but it was never documented. Neither of them revealed the interactions later.
During partition Guruji met Gandhi and
retorted that we Indians are making true the British statement that Indians will fight for power among themselves. Gandhi agreed. He recounted this conversation during his evening prayers. Guruji too recollected this incident during Gandhi’s centenary.
Universal Acceptance
Maha Swami composed Maitrim Bhajata as his message for UN to be sung by M.S.Subbulakshmi in 1966. His powerful words brought the warring countries like US-Russia, Arabia-Israel to the negotiation table over a period.
History shows that Guruji’s message was not well received by his contemporaries and leaders with political ambitions. However, Guruji was charismatic even to opponents. For instance, Congress voluntarily passed the condolence resolution on his demise in 1973.
Conclusion
Maha Swami and Guruji lived fulfilling lives. As the saying goes the greatest victories are least noisy. Let us strive to walk in their footsteps and dedicate our lives to the cause of Bharath and Sanatana Dharma. This will be the fitting tribute to these two great souls.