Savarkar's contribution to the shuddhi movement

From: Savarkar.org Team ...@savarkar.org>
To: aryaputra_1...@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 3:11 PM
Subject: Savarkar's contribution to the shuddhi movement

The atmarpan divas of Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883-26 February 1966) falls on 26 February. It was on this day that Savarkar left his mortal coil in the highest tradition of Yoga by giving up food and water. Having done all his earthly duties, he embraced death in a spirit of sublime self-contentment. It is fitting to recall Savarkar's manifold and inspiring contribution to nation-building. A cause that was very close to Savarkar's heart was that of shuddhi.

The word shuddhi means purity or purification. The concept is central to traditional Hindu thought and practice. The Hindu dharmasastras lay great stress on purity with regards to behaviour. A person was deemed to be an outcaste if he violated the rules and norms of behaviour as laid down in the dharmasastras. Such a fallen person could be taken back into his caste and hence into the Hindu fold if he performed suitable penance. In this broad sense, the term shuddhi can be found in various juridicial texts and commentaries. During the last two decades of the nineteenth century, the term came to acquire a more particular meaning, namely the incorporation into Hindu Dharma of non-Hindu persons or groups by means of ceremonial action.

The importance of the shuddhi movement in Hindu consolidation, nay in the very survival of India as a Hindu nation cannot be over-emphasized. Shuddhi in its particular sense has a hoary tradition with solid scriptural basis. Maharishi Deval, Swami Ramananda, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Harihar II, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the Peshwas, Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Kashmir, Swami Dayananda, Swami Shraddhananda, Mahatma Hansraj, Vinayak Maharaj Masurkar are some of the better known proponents of the shuddhi movement. The contribution of Savarkar to the shuddhi movement is that of a philosopher, worker, leader and leader of leaders.

Savarkar stated a profound truth in his maxim "Change of religion is tantamount to change of nationality". While Savarkar was not against voluntary acceptance of any religion after due thought, he was certainly against unethical methods employed by predatory religions to increase their flock. Savarkar lamented that Hindu rulers did not realize the grave consequences of mass conversions by Islamic rulers and failed to carry out shuddhi even when they had the opportunity and strength to do so.

Along with his elder brother Babarao, Savarkar carried out a unique shuddhi movement in the hell-hole of the Andamans. Savarkar has written extensively on his shuddhi campaign in his My Transportation for Life. The Pathan warders would coerce or lure susceptible Hindu prisoners to convert to Islam. The Savarkar brothers carried out this shuddhi campaign in the face of violent assaults and an attempt on their life. In the absence of a formal shuddhi ceremony, Savarkar would ask the reclaimed prisoners to eat the tulsi leaf and chant from the Ramcharitmanas or the Gita. Savarkar's shuddhi campaign inside the four walls of the Cellular Jail had a salutary effect on the free Hindu residents of the Andamans. They started getting themselves enumerated as Hindus in the census.
During his internment in Ratnagiri, Savarkar continued his shuddhi campaign. Through speeches and writings, he mobilized public opinion in favour of shuddhi. In memory of Swami Shraddhanand who was martyred (27 December 1926) in the cause of shuddhi, Savarkar started the Shraddhanand weekly. He personally brought back several Christian and Muslims into the Hindu fold. The reversion of the Dhakras family (25 May 1926) who had converted to Christianity 15 years earlier was performed with much enthusiasm by Savarkar. In 1928, he made efforts to get their daughter married and performed her kanyadan. He traveled from Ratnagiri to Kharepatan to attend the thread ceremony of their two sons.

It was during Savarkar's stay in Ratnagiri that he met Vinayak Maharaj Masurkar of the Ramdasi tradition. Masurkar had started the Brahmacharyashram at Masur in Satara district (hence popularly known as Masurashram). It was Savarkar who told Masurkar Maharaj to bring back to the Hindu fold the hundreds of Rambhakts who had crossed over to alien religions. As a result, the Masurashram embarked on a shuddhi campaign in Portuguese-ruled Goa and brought back to the Hindu fold 7815 Gavdas who had been converted to Christianity. Coincidentally, it was on 26 February 1928 that the first batch of 1150 converted Gavdas underwent shuddhi in Tiswadi, Goa. Savarkar collected funds in Ratnagiri to assist Masurkar Maharaj in his endeavour. Savarkar was one of the very few individuals who was privy to Masurkar's plans to carry out shuddhi of the Gavdas.

As leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar relentlessly championed the cause of shuddhi, saying that shuddhi and sangathan went hand in hand. On 21 August 1955, 40 fishermen who had been converted to Christianity were brought back to Hindu Dharma by Shankaracharya Yogeshwaranandji at Dadar, Mumbai. So overjoyed was Savarkar, that he exclaimed, "May I be reborn to carry out shuddhi work, such is its importance!" In his will, Savarkar had instructed that a sum of money be given six monthly to organizations engaged in shuddhi work.

On this, the atmarpan divas of Savarkar, let us dedicate ourselves to the holy cause of shuddhi!
Thanks,
Savarkar.org Team

Why a Frenchman built a Bhavani & Shivaji museum

Why a Frenchman built a Bhavani & Shivaji museum

Francois Gautier | Monday, February 13, 2012

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_why-a-frenchman-built-a-bhavani-and-shivaji-museum_1649369

The first phase of FACT’s (fact-india.com) Shivaji Maharaj Museum of Indian History has been inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Mrs Ajit Pawar and Nitin Gadkari. The exquisite Bhavani Bharat temple is one of the only two temples in India dedicated to Mother India (the other is in Haridwar) which Sri Aurobindo and Lokmanya Tilak wanted to build in Maharashtra 100 years ago. The VIPs then inaugurated three exhibitions: a miniature painting exhibition on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; an exhibition on Hindu Tolerance Throughout the Ages; and another exhibition that proves scientifically that the famous Aryan invasion never actually happened.

Why does a Frenchman build a Bhavani Bharti temple and museum? I am proud to say I owe a debt to India, because this country has granted me so much, spiritually, professionally and even sentimentally. I was a young boy of 19, living in Paris, the city of my birth, when I heard that a caravan of cars was driving from Paris to Pondicherry. I had never thought about India, and had no interest in spirituality, but something in me pushed me to go. It took us six weeks to cross 10 countries and after many adventures, we reached Delhi.

Right from my first night here, I felt I had come home and that India was a land of vast knowledge, a truth that eludes most westerners, because some of the paradox of the still apparent poverty and filth that blinds them. I had this feeling of being home, of Mother India, in the most unlikely places, even in Srinagar. I covered Kashmir as a journalist for the largest French political daily during the worst period of unrest, from the late eighties till the Kargil War.

There was only one hotel opened for journalists in those days, the Ahdoos on the banks of the river Jhelum. Curfew was on, but at night I would step out of and walk on the bund that stops the river Jhelum from overflowing into Srinagar. One could hear gunfire and sometimes even grenades in the distance, yet I could feel the presence of the millions of saints, yogis, avatars and simple people who have prayed and meditated for thousands of years in Kashmir. It seems today like an abstract experience, but on the spot, it was so strong and vivid and I felt that this was the very reason why India should keep Kashmir. The Bhavani Bharti temple is thus an expression of my gratitude.

This museum is also a place of knowledge. People can learn something about the history of their country while viewing the nearly 20 exhibitions FACT has made, and come out from this place being a little more knowledgeable about the history of this great civilization that is India. It is a tragedy that the Indian education system today produces so many brilliant youth, who are just good for export, as they are not made to learn about their own history. It’s also very sad that most history books describe Shivaji Maharaj as a petty chieftain, or Sri Aurobindo as an extremist.
Some may ask why Pune and dedicate it to Shivaji Maharaj? I came to Pune seven years ago, knowing about Shivaji Maharaj, having researched him for my books and being a long standing admirer. I asked my driver to take me to the main museum here, which is called Kelkar. I was surprised and shocked to find that there was not a single exhibit on Shivaji! That day, the idea of a Museum of Indian History, dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj started taking shape in my mind. Pune is also the ideal place, as Marathas have a stronger national fibre than in other states and I felt the museum will be better protected here.

This is a difficult project. Whoever has never attempted to raise money for a museum should give it a try... I have met hundreds of potential donors, but when I say I want to build a Museum of true Indian History, it wipes off the smile of their faces and they say they have to consult their board, or that they only give to health and education! But is it not time that the History of India, which has been mostly written by the British, or by historians employed by the British, like Max Mueller, be exhibited as it happened?

This is a Rs20 crore project and we need your support. Please pass along the message to your friends. FACT is a registered Trust and has US and Indian tax exemption, as well as FCRA.
Bhavani Bharti temple & Shivaji Maharaj Complex, Shinde Road, off Marathwada Institute, Wadgaon, Pune 47. Open from 9am to 7pm. Entrance free. Aarti in temple morning and evening

— The author is the editor in chief of the Paris-based La Revue de l’Inde and the author of The Guru of Joy

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things
were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and
wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.
It seemed that, as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took
her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a
high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots,
in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee
beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes,
she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a
bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled
the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked,
"Tell me, what you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the young woman replied. The mother brought
her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they
were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling
off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to
sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The
daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went
in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the
boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid
interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became
hardened! The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in
the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" the mother asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on
your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong but, with pain
and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg
that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a
fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, or a financial hardship, does
my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a
stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean
actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.
When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better
and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and
trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you
handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
**