Shri Guruji Anecdotes

Shri Guruji or Madhav, as he was called, in his young days was known to be a bright student. He was a avid reader and had an exceptional memory. He was also good at Mallakhamb (Indian gymnastics) and field hockey. Complete concentration in whatever he did was the key to his excellence in various fields. There is an incident while he was a science student at the prestigious Benares Hindu University. One day a scorpion stung him on his foot. He just made a cut near the sting, let the toxic blood flow out, cleaned the wound and applied some anti-septic. Then he went back to his books. His friends were quite surprised that Madhav could focus on reading when the sting would be hurting. When the friends asked himhe replied, The scorpion has stung me in my foot, not the head. So whats the problem?

When Shri Guruji came in contact with Sangh and Doctorji, he dedicated himself to the cause of organizing the Hindus. After Doctorji passed away in 1940, he became the Sarsanghchalak of RSS. That was the time of tremendous turmoil in India. There was the Quit India movement against the British colonial rule and at the same time pressure was mounting from the Muslim League for a separate Muslim country called Pakistan. They started riots in many parts of the country. Shri Guruji had opposed the idea of partition; the dismembering of the Motherland. Unfortunately, the partition of India was accepted by the then leaders. This resulted in unprecedented displacement of Hinduand Muslim populations. Hindus from Sindh and Punjab had to leave behind their property and flee. They had to face horrendous atrocities even on their way to India.

Just the week before partition Shri Guruji was touring Sindh and Punjab, boosting the morale of the Hindus and motivating thousands of swayamsevaks to be the protective shield of the Hindus.Many swayamsevaks sacrificed their lives for the safety and honor of Hindu men and women. Shri Guruji himself risked his life to be with the traumatized people. The journey was by road or railway, devastated by heavy rains. Shri Guruji traveled by any available means, in a passenger train, a goods train or a truck. Once,while going from Jalandhar to Ludhiana, the train stopped at Chadehu bridge. The bridge was damaged and the railway track hanging dangerously. Right under the bridge the flooded river flowed furiously. Everyone in the group thought that it was very risky to cross the track. But Shri Guruji did not stop for a moment. With a firm and sure foot he stepped on the track, quickened the pace and went across. Everybody was stunned. Then of course, everyone followed. Shri Gurujis personal assistant, Dr. Abaji Thatte, later said, The mere memory of that journey is enough to send a shiver down the spine.

Shri Guruji was a loving guide to thousands of swayamsevaks. He remembered their names even after many years, visited them in distress, kept in contact through letters and built a bond with all of the family members. He cared more for others than he cared for his own health and comforts. In 1970, Shri Guruji was diagnosed with Cancer. Two swayamsevaks from Tamil Nadu went to the Tata Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, to visit Shri Guruji. He was operated on just five days before this visit. After chatting with them for a while, Shri Guruji told one of them, In the front room, there is a patient from Chennai (Madras). He may be returning back to his home in a few days. I think some swayamsevaks would know him. You should meet him. Even in the midst of his own serious health condition, Shri Gurujis caring awareness about other patients deeply impressed those visiting swayamsevaks.

They did go to meet the patient in the nearby room. That patient turned out to be a relative of one of the swayamsevaks from Chennai. The patient was highly praising Shri Gurujis spontaneously caring and affectionate interactions with other patients in the hospital. He was also so happy to know that Shri Guruji had suggested those two swayamsevaks to go and meet him.