The establishment of Bharat Sadhu Samaj
Bharat Sadhu Samaj Ki Sthapana
Loka Sangrha ka Saptam Charan
The establishment of Bharat Sadhu Samaj during the 7th phase of People’s movement.
From the biography of Gurudev compiled by Smt Ratan Ben Fojedar
Book -I Yogeshwar Guru Gangeshwar.
One of the main reasons for India to be called a world teacher—JagadGuru is because of its character building training. It has remained a leader in the field and shall remain so in the future also.
India has always been ahead of many countries and some did not even exist when India was shining on the horizon in this sphere.
Manu Maharaj very proudly proclaimed –”People of the world should obtain character building education from India”.
This statement may create doubts now as these days all countries have excellent educational institutions. How can their teachers be compared with ours? We must understand that in the past when these countries were still backward they must have been getting their education from India. In today’s atomic age this claim seems a bit far fetched, but nevertheless if we reflect on this we can get our answers.
Manu Maharaj must have surely had his reasons to give this advice. He says take education from `Agra Janma’ ( Brahmins). In the context Brahmin here means the one who knows Brahma—The Vedas and whose body is for the purpose of penance while still alive and once life has ceased attains salvation –mukti. Only such a person has the real authority to teach.
The truth is that the one who dwells in the senses and is merged with worldly matters is sure to have likes and dislikes and attachments. He cannot escape from them. These attachments act like a curtain as they conceal the truth of sattva. If such a person requests for a favour it may seem selfish even though that may not be his intent. This is not surprising as even the association of the bad is considered as a grave sin in our culture. On the other hand those who are above all this, even their speech s sure to make an impact as such a person has no selfish agenda. There is no one who is his `own’ and even if there is then `everyone’ is his own. The behavior of such a person and his way of life has an impact on others and whatever he says would be worthwhile and will surely leave an impact.
This path of righteousness will surely elevate our life and can never be a source of a downfall for anyone.
The word character has another meaning also. The other meaning is –` the one who abides by the culture of sacrifice’. There are only two kinds of culture. One that is predominantly selfish and the other of sacrifice.
The end result of the first of indulgence is unhappiness –Ashanti. The reason for this is that indulgences only increase day by day and just add fuel to fire. Such an indulgent person can never attain peace—shanti. To satisfy his own cravings he will have to necessarily put someone else into inconvenience and discomfort and will force the other to accommodate to his wishes. This will create bad feelings amongst the two leaving the other in a spot. He can never get peace. In the Geeta Bhagwan has described the repercussions of attachments.
Dhyayanti Vishyaann, Puse
And
Buddhi Nash Pranashayanti
This explains the cause and effect. The end result will be total loss –SARVA–NASH. In the end the person will be forced to adapt the path of sacrifice ( TYAAG PRADHAAN SANSKRITI ).
Sacrifice can lead to immortality and sometimes even liberation –Mukti. The Shrutis have declared this—
Tyaage Neke Amritava Manushu
The SADHU SAMAJ of our country has been following this path of sacrifice since ages. They break the ties with the world and take the path of sacrifice. They set an example by the way they conduct their lives and set an example for the others to follow. The world can achieve stability as such a path is good for everyone.
Each person should follow this path during the entire course of his life so that he does not go astray from the goal of seeking liberation —the ultimate purpose of human life.
Such is a broad definition of `character’ and the sadhus and saints are embodiment of these exemplary characteristics.
Actually nowadays character building education is limited to Do’s and Dont’s of life.( The Yam and Niyamas) and these are easy to adapt . If the world has the outlook of oneness then the do’s and dont’s will not have to be taught as these traits are a bi-product of a culture that advocates unity in diversity!
In a nutshell it can be said that we should not do anything to others what we would not like others to do to us.
If there is anyone who can teach this and show us the path of character building it is indeed the Sant Sadhu Samaj.
Any teaching holds good and can make an impact only when the teacher himself follows the dictates of the teachings. Such people are called Acharyas as they have adopted ( Acharan ) these principles .
They follow the dharma shastras and by their teachings—(Updesh ) encourage and motivate others. Our Sant Samaj has been doing this from the beginning.
THE FORMATION OF THE SADHU SAMAJ
BHARAT SADHU SAMAJ KI STHAPANA
After the Independence of India it became necessary to mold the thinking of the people who were likely to be impressed by the changing times and be susceptible to all kinds of indulgences. The country should be led by revered saints in character building and we should get co-operation from them and at the same time from ministers of the country so that they can know the true state of people.
To accomplish this goal Gurudev had several conversations and discussions in the past with Shri Gulzarilal Nanda. Now was the time to realize this and give form to this vision.
Sant Tukdoji, Swami Shukdevanandji, disciple of Sadanandji , Swami Akhanadanandji and other enthusiastic saints had great enthusiasm for the formation of the Sadhu Samaj. The idea now started catching up with others.
Shri Swami Sarvanandji (Chote Maharaj as fondly remembered)
They were called to Delhi in this context when He was in Calcutta giving lectures at Daga Dharmashala and Loha Ghat. The devotees were not happy to let Swamiji go thereby cutting short the pravachans in Calcutta.
Considering the importance of the matter Gurudev Himself took over the satsangs from Swami Sarvanandji and postponed His satsangs at Loha Ghat. Gurudev spoke at Daga Dharmashala and advised Swami Sarvanandji to proceed to Delhi immediately. Gurudev even had satsangs at Amar Bhavan in the evenings, even though this meant straining Himself in this old age but since it was very necessary that Swami Sarvanandji go to Delhi, Gurudev in his compassion took over the charge of pravachans.
For a great person like Gurudev, discomfort of any kind was trivial as compared to the important goal of Samaj Seva. The people of Calcutta were only to happy to avail of this opportunity.
On the 17th of February Shri Swami Sarvanandji arrived in Delhi and on 18th February 1953 the `Bharat Sadhu Samaj’ was founded.
At the Birla Mandir in Delhi there was a huge gathering and on 19th February Swamiji met the President of India along with a few leading members of the Sadhu Samaj. They had several brief but important discussions.
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