| Great Leaders |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
M.S.GOLWALKAR |
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| Declining
Health It is not as if Guru, who had accepted the 'parivrajaka-vrata' (life-style of mendicants) for the national rejuvenation, had no bodily ailments. The malady that began with pain due to a clot in the chest was treated by a number of therapies. But pain did not subside. Guru, however, went ahead with his itinerary unhindered. In 1969, the attending experts identified his affliction as cancer. It was a great shock for the people all over the country. They performed poojas, prayers and homas for his speedy recovery. Guru maintained his calm and poise. He gathered all information about cancer with equanimity and quietly underwent the dreaded operation. The operation, no doubt, was declared to be successful. But he knew that his days were coming to a close sooner than expected. Knowing his approaching end, he hastened tocomplete the tasks on hand. "Treatment during tours, and travel while you treat" - that was how he conducted himself during the rest of his life. There were endless treatments and medicines. He finished every item of the work he wanted to complete. Finally, on 3 April 1973, he wrote three letters as his testament and kept them with instructions to be opened after his demise: the first addressed to all the Swayamsevak brethren, the second about his successor, and the third relating to his posthumous rites. |
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