Naman Madhava; Edited by Anand Aadish ; Jagriti Prakashan, F-109, Sector 27, Noida; pp 300; Price: Rs 150.00
Some months back, there was a news-item in Organiser that during the birth-centenary of Param Pujaya Shri Guruji, a collection of poems on him is proposed to be brought out and that Shri Anand Aadish has undertaken the responsibility. Since then I was eagerly awaiting for the collection. My great expecation was fulfilled on February 24, 2006.
Naman Madhava is a prized publication, which Shri Aadish has edited. It is beautifully printed and is a gripping volume. The foreword is written by Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah of the RSS.
In the beginning, the Editor gives a graphic picture of Shri Guruji'spersonality and philosophy of life as reflected in the opinions and writings of eminent Indians and popular journals. The late Shri Jainendra Kumar Jain?s? the great Hindi novelist and Gandhiwadi intellectual?word-sketch of Shri Guruji in Chapter I is very illuminating. Jainendraji effectively dispels the doubt?still clung to by the so-called secularists?that Shri Guruji was anti-Muslim. He quotes Shri Guruji, ?How could you hold the opinion that our movement was based upon hate. The word ?Hindu? does not denote ?negativism?. If we speak of its (Hindu) interests, it does not mean that we are anti-Islam or anti-Muslim… I reiterate with all the force at my command that our attitudes are never negative, that Hindu culture has a positive outlook on life. We would like to revive and reinvigorate it. It will not only benefit our country but the world also.? Here I would like to quote Amar Shaheed Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi?The first and foremost martyr to Hindu-Muslim unity. ?Our great aim is the welfare of the entire humanity and we regard that India'sprogress and advancement is its facilitator…We will be second to none in our admiration for our ancient culture and pride in our civilization. We will always sing the great achievements of our ancestors in the fields of literature, philosophy, science and spirituality? (Editorial in Pratap, 9-11-1913).
Jainendraji eloquently refers to Shri Guruji's purity of heart and broad-mindedness. He concludes: ?I have never met a person with such detachment, affection, humility, steadfastness, determination and tireless dedication to duty.?
The next part of the chapter contains Shri Guruji darshan (philosophy of life), his exposition of ?the soul of Hinduism?, the bed-rock of nationalism. Its rich content and flawless language defy description. It is more profitable and delightful to read it in its entirety instead of reading it in translated quotes.
The Chapter II contains 102 poems in Hindi, five poems in Sanskrit and three in English.
The picture of Shri Guruji that emerges before our mind'seye is of absolute divinity. Lord Krishna says in Chapter XVI of the Gita, ?Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, control of the senses, spirit of sacrifice, reading of the shastras, austerity, uprightness, non-violence, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of calumny, compassion, uncovetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness, boldness, forgiveness, purity, fortitude, absence of hatred, absence of pride. These belong to one born of a divine state.? Such is the magnetic personality of ?Madhava? before whom we bow in reverence.
After finishing Naman Madhava in one go, I felt like Arjun, ?Destroyed is my delusion and I have gained enlightenment through thy grace. My doubts are gone. (Chapter XVIII, sloka-73, Srimad Bhagvadgita)
(The writer is a former Dy. Director of Education and can be contacted at 26, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110 005.)
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