A Fountain
Of Inspiration
Then began Guru's untiring and countrywide
tours with meticulously planned itinerary. During the tours, as a wandering
mendicant, he would spend each night in a different city or village, ceaselessly
participating in camps, rallies, meetings, discussions, training- camps,
'baithaks' (structured organizational meetings) and contacts, inspiring
thousands of youths, educating them about the significance of Sangh work
and instilling in them a missionary zeal for whole hearted involvement
in the task of national rejuvenation. In the meantime, Guru had to protect
the growing organization from the hostile British rulers. He skillfully
managed each such crisis.
In response to the call given by Guru
in 1942, thousands of youths all over the country vowed to dedicate themselves
entirely for the Sangh work, on a wholesome basis. Thus Sangh Shakhas sprouted
even in remote corners of the country. Sangh activities thus grew apace.
During tours Guru was very particular
about keeping to the time-schedules, totally unmindful ofvagaries of weather,
floods, winds, heat or cold. Nothing came in the way of his predetermined
programs. Never for a moment did he feel 'superior' as the Sarsanghchalak
of such a vast organization. If no conveyance were available, he would
walk the whole distance without a murmur. Once rains began to pour right
at the time of the Prarthana (Sangh prayer). The Swayam- sevaks were naturally
upset. One of them made him bold, opened an umbrella and tried to hold
it over Guru. Without disturbing his posture of prayer, Guru closed the
umbrella with his left hand and completed the prayer in the torrential
rain. While talking to the Karyakartas soon thereafter he said: "If we
are scared of even inclement weather, how can we achieve our goal? Those
ready to do anything for the cause of the country should pay least heed
to the needs of their body. How could we become eligible for worship of
the nation, unless we overcome the nature?"
The basic endeavor of the Sangh is:
to bring a person to the Sanghasthan, observe him closely, inform him about
the Sangh work, instruct him in the Sangh thoughts, persuade him, and finally
make that person commit himself to the Sangh ideology and patriotism through
the daily and periodic programs of the Sangh. Other Sangh activities like
games, 'baithaks', discussion-sessions, physical exercise, patriotic songs,
Prarthana, etc., are supplementary aids to the above process. Individuals
should mix and mingle with one another on the basis- of their shared national
outlook and become one with the strong bond of brotherhood and discipline.
Only then could the problems faced by the country be solved. This was the
essence of fcthe teachings of Guru. |