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Right from the dawn of history, Bharath has produced great saints and sages, great beings who made the supreme discovery—that the God they sought for many years was no different from their own selves. Each generation has been blessed by these enlightened souls who spread only goodness throughout India and had the power to grant a divine boon—the boon of perfect wisdom. Shri Guruji Paramapoojaniya Madhava Sadasiva Golwalkar—the second All-Bharath Chief of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) belonged to this sacred and glorious tradition. Through his selfless life and example, he gave us all the following message: “When the Mysterious Unity between the soul and the Divine becomes clear, you will realise that you are none other than God. You will see all your actions as His actions; all your features as His features; all your breaths as His breaths”. He taught us all that the priceless gift of noetic intelligence can be brought to bear upon each of the chief centres of consciousness in the human constitution. Individuals who cherish this privilege enough to conduct a series of experiments with truth in daily living, will assuredly gain a greater awareness of the dignity of being human. The orbit of the sacred is revolutionary; it is radically subversive to the status quo of one’s previous somnambulistic existence. This is the vision of a perfect being; this is the vision Guruji Golwalkar gave to Bharath and to every Indian.

On February 19th 2006 falls the birth Centenary of Shri. Guruji Golwalkar. He succeeded Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the great founder of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS), who passed away on 21st June 1940. From 1940, till his Mahanirvana on June 5 1973, Shri Guruji as the Chief of the RSS for 33 years, converted it into a mighty national force for the protection, preservation, consolidation and advancement of Sanathana Dharma. He was a man of great vision, unsurpassed courage and unrivalled judgement. He had a clear, definite and clairvoyant vision of a renascent India of the future. With unshakable faith in his mission, he came to the firm conclusion that it was impossible for Bharath to become strong and confident enough to realise its destiny unless every walk and dimension of life was informed and animated with the pure ideology of Sanathana Dharma—the bedrock of the RSS. When this great Sanathana Dharma was getting threatened by the rising forces of militant Islam and Government sheltered Christianity soon after the First World War, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar who was a staunch supporter of the Congress and a fighter for India’s freedom, realised the urgent national need to start a national level cultural organization to re-establish the glory of Sanathana Dharma.

When the Khilafat Movement was at its height under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi after 1920, Mahatma Gandhi made some disparaging remarks about the Hindus by stating that “an average Hindu is a coward and an average Muslim is a bully”. Khilafat Movement stood for Pan-Islamism. This encouraged several Muslims in different parts of India to start an anti-Hindu rebellion in 1923. They slaughtered cows, attacked Hindu processions, molested Hindu women and desecrated Hindu temples. It was against this dark and horrendous background that Dr. Hedgewar thought of creating a new organization to strengthen the hands of Hindus. He was not interested in merely training an army of “Yes” men. It was his dream that an organization should be created consisting of lakhs and lakhs of self-sacrificing and self-inspired young men willing to lead a disciplined life in the cause of the country.

The great RSS was born on the sacred day of Vijayadasami in 1925. About 15 to 20 young men gathered in Doctor’s house on that day. Chief among them were Bhuji Kawra, Anna Sohni, Viswanath Rao Kelkar, Balaji Huddar and Bapurao Bhedi. Dr. Hedgewar declared to the gathering “We are inaugurating the SANGH today. All of us must train ourselves physically, intellectually and in every way so as to be capable of achieving our cherished goal”. His mission was to charge our people with the true spirit of national character and cohesion. All those habits, superstitions and tendencies which had divided, disrupted and devitalized our nation during the last several centuries had to be eradicated on a war-footing. Sublime and life sustaining values had to be nurtured and cultivated. This was a gigantic task of character-moulding, man-making and nation building. This called for a mighty national organization. The answer was the RSS. In order to sustain and stabilise this vision the “SHAKHA” technique was evolved by Dr. Hedgewar. The name of the Sangh, its flag, its prayer, its pledge, its morning hymn, its exposition of thought, the several aspects of its methodology---each one of these conveyed and proclaimed one message: the message of unadulterated devotion to national integrity and national identity. And finally, a child of this motherland nurtured in this soul-stirring philosophy was born—the “SWAYAM SEVAK“. The responsibility of presenting before the people of India this glorious mission and vision carrying the living message of what Bharath stands for, and how it proposes to achieve its goal of all-round national regeneration devolved on all “Swayamsevaks”. Dr. Hedgewar transformed himself into a model SWYAM SEVAK. His Shakha model became the most effulgent and enlivening model and thousands of Swayamsevaks were inspired by his example during his lifetime to follow him with undivided devotion and dedication.

Madhava Sadisva Golwalkar was born in Nagpur on February 19, 1906. His father was Sadasiva Rao and mother Lakshmibai. He was called lovingly as Madhu by his parents. His mother-tongue was Maratti. As his father was posted in Hindi speaking areas, Golwalkar became very proficient in Hindi right from his childhood days. At the same time he also developed his mastery in English as well. As a school student he was known for his extraordinary memory. In 1924, after completing his Intermediate college education, he went to Benaras Hindu University to do his BSc. He was quite thrilled to see the mighty Library of Benaras Hindu University.. When he was not attending his classes, he was in the library. He became a voracious reader filled with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He took his MSc Degree in Zoology in I Class from Benaras Hindu University.

In 1929 Shri Guruji left for Madras to do research work in the Government Aquarium. He had to return to Nagpur that very year on the retirement of his father for want of funds to pursue his research. In August 1931, Golwalkar became a Lecturer in Zoology at Benaras Hindu University. He became a very popular teacher. He got the name of SHRI GURUJI from his beloved students from Benaras Hindu University who held him in very high regard. Throughout his later life he came to be known as Shri Guruji. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya noticed the extraordinary talents of Shri Guruji and predicted a very great future for him. Through Shri. Bhaiyyaji Dani, a Swayamsevak from Nagpur, Shri Guruji came into contact with Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of RSS. Shri Guruji was appointed as Palak of the Shakha in Benaras. In February 1933, on the expiry of his teaching term, he returned to Nagpur. He then pursued his legal studies and took his BL Degree in 1935. He started associating himself actively with the RSS.

After closely watching the extraordinary work and intellectual versatility of Shri Guruji in Nagpur, Dr. Hedgewar started entrusting him with more and more responsible tasks. In 1934 Shri Guruji discharged the duties of ‘Sarvadhikari’ of Sangh Siksha Varga in Akhola, with tremendous verve, skill and dedication. When his mother brought up before him his marriage proposal and said that if he did not marry, their Golwalkar family lineage would become extinct, Shri Guruji replied with humility and reverence: “In the present situation it is necessary that, for the welfare of the society, if the family lineages of not only me, but several others like me are terminated, I will not in the least be worried”.

Right from 1929, Shri Guruji’s power of discrimination was truly sparkling and awake. In a letter to his friend Telang on March 20 1929: “I have no desire to attune myself to a mundane human life. What I want is to stretch this string of life to create a still purer tune. While doing so, mental strain cannot be avoided. This means that it does not matter if one has to live apart from the common world. The important thing is that the string of life must not be out of tune with that heavenly music……….Now I shall not go to the Himalayas, rather Himalayas shall come to me; its serene silence will dwell within me. Now it is not necessary to go anywhere for attaining that serenity”.

On the one hand the pathetic plight of the Hindu Society and of an enslaved nation tortured him. On the other, he was tormented and pulled by his inborn spiritual thirst for self-realization. In 1936, Shri Guruji quietly left for Sargachi Ashram in search of a spiritual guide. Shri Guruji involved himself actively in the service of Swami Akhantananda. It was Swami Akhantananda who gave the final verdict: “It seems Golwalkar would work in association with Dr. Hedgewar”. Swamiji also gave his personal belongings like ‘kamandal’, etc. to Shri Guruji. Swami Akhantananda passed away in February 1937. On his return to Nagpur, Shri Guruji’s life took a new and revolutionary turn. From 1938 onwards, Shri Guruji identified the work of RSS as the sole mission of his life. Shri Guruji declared: “Like spirituality, organisation of the nation has also been my inclination from early days. I believe that I would be in a better position to achieve it successfully by being a part of the SANGH. Hence, I have dedicated myself to the activities of SANGH. From the point of view of the insight and practical approach of Swami Vivekananda, my decision is appropriate.

‘The discipline nurtured in the Sangh is the spontaneous self-restraint of a cultured people. It is a discipline wherein each one feels that he has a higher duty to the nation. He responds to that higher call in a well-ordered, coordinated manner'  Shri Guruji 

Just as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa identified and understood the inherent and potential spiritual genius of Vivekananda even as a very young man, Dr Hedgewar correctly and exactly assessed the powerhouse that was latent in Shri Guruji. An important meeting of Sangh workers took place at Sindi in February 1939 where Dr Hedgewar and his other senior prominent co-workers were present. The meeting lasted for ten days to have a detailed discussion on many subjects like the progress of Sangh work, the Shakha system of work, the commands used therein, the prayer and so on in order to take some final decisions on the basis of consensus. These changes were considered necessary for the purpose of giving a uniform pattern and form to the daily programmes of the Shakha throughout the country. At this meeting Shri Appaji Joshi who was considered the Chief Lieutenant of Dr Hedgewar and another important Lieutenant Shri Balasaheb Deoras were present. Shri Guruji was also invited as a new colleague. It was at this meeting that Dr Hedgewar had the opportunity of closely watching the personality, character, attitude and aptitude of Shri Guruji. Several far reaching decisions were taken on the future of the Sangh at Sindi and Shri Guruji played a stellar role in laying a solid foundation for the future. It will not be too much to say that Dr Hedgewar came under the magnetic spell of Shri Guruji.  

After the Sindi meeting Dr Hedgewar sent Shri Guruji to start the Sangh work in Calcutta. Shri Guruji toured all over Calcutta for nearly a month, tirelessly propagating the ideals of the Sangh among the people. Without much money for transportation or other expenses, single-handedly Shri Guruji walked from place to place, covering a distance of almost 25 to 30 miles everyday. As a result of his determination, the first Sangh Shakha in Calcutta came into existence on Varsha Pratipada Day (The Hindu New Year Day) in 1939. But soon thereafter he was called by Dr Hedgewar to return to Nagpur to serve as 'Sarvadhikari' of a historic training camp which was to take place in Nagpur.

In the light of Shri Guruji's leadership qualities displayed as 'Sarvadhikari' of the Nagpur Training Camp, he was appointed as 'Sarkaryawaha' (Secretary-General of the Sangh) for a short period of ten months. During this period the work was expanding quite fast in Vidharba, Madya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Hundreds of Shakhas were set up in these areas. Even in distant places like Punjab, Delhi, Karachi, Calcutta, Lucknow, etc work was initiated by dynamic Sangh workers. The Sangh was soon assuming an all-Bharath proportion and character. The total number of Swayamsevaks had crossed a figure of 1 lakh volunteers. Dr Hedgewar was constantly on the move exhorting and inspiring the Swayamsevaks.

The II World War started on 3 September 1939. Dr Hedgewar had gone to Rajgir in Bihar for taking rest and treatment. From there he sent a circular letter calling upon all Sangh workers to speed up the Sangh's strength by converting three per cent of the total population in the urban areas and one per cent of the total population in the rural areas into young Swayamsevaks. Shri Guruji took immediate action to translate Dr Hedgewar's dream into a reality. Unfortunately Dr Hedgewar passed away on 21 June 1940. Even before his passing away, he had clearly indicated his mind to Appaji Joshi that Shri Guruji will be his successor. Soon after Dr Hedgewar's death, at a function to pay homage to his hallowed memory, it was officially announced that Shri Guruji will be the Sarsanghchalak of the RS. At that very function, Dr Hedgewar's aged uncle Shri Abaji Hedgewar in his speech said: 'Indeed, our Doctorji has not left us at all; we still see him in the form of Madhava Rao Golwalkar. Now onwards, every directive from him is to be obeyed as if it was from Doctorji himself'.

Soon after accepting his new responsibility as 'Sarsanghchalak' of the RSS, Shri Guruji stated: 'He who cannot go down to a great man like Dr Hedgewarji can achieve nothing in his life. I feel very proud to offer my worship to such a great soul. Worship with sandal paste and flowers is of a low order. The real worship is try to become like the object of worship itself. 'Shivo Bhutvo Shivam Yajet', to worship Shiva is to become Shiva himself. Doctorji has entrusted to me the onerous responsibility of the 'Sarsanghchalak'. But this is verily going to a Vikramaditya throne. Even if a rustic boy sits on it, he will dispense only an even handed justice. Today an ordinary individual like me is destined to sit on it. But Doctorji will inspire even a person like me to say the right things. Our great leader's hallowed merit will make me do only the right things. Now let us set ourselves to the task with full faith and confidence and take it forward with redoubled vigour and enthusiasm'.

From that day in 1940 till his passing away on 6 June 1973, Shri Guruji was the supreme commander of the RSS and converted it into a mighty and powerful organisation for national rejuvenation and national reconstruction based on our timeless 'Sanathana Dharma'.

The period from 1940 to 1947 was a time of cataclysmic world events and great national events. The widespread escalation of the II World War in Europe and elsewhere, the Quit India Movement and the imprisonment of Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders, the total suppression of the Quit India Movement by the strong arm tactics of the Government of India, these events had convinced Shri Guruji that unless the Sangh was converted into a strong national organisation, the nation's backbone could never be straightened or strengthened. A large portion of the country remained untouched by the Sangh. The Government of India was keeping a close watch on the activities of the Sangh. Shri Guruji showed great statesmanship by carefully complying with Government regulations and restrictions by adopting an elastic policy. At the same time he took very effective steps to increase the number of 'Shakhas' in those areas where 'Shakhas' were already functioning. He also took vigorous action to brig in new areas and new States within the orbit of activities of the 'Sangh'. He was able to do this by undertaking extensive tours throughout the country starting from 1941. To begin with, there were only a few notable full-time 'Pracharaks' (teachers), like Babasaheb Apte and Dadarao Paramarth. Shri Guruji came out with the plan of sending 'pracharaks' exclusively on a full-time basis to all parts of the country. Wherever Shri Guruji went, he carried his highly emotional appeal which touched the heart-strings of the young and dynamic 'Swayamsevaks' in all parts of India. Shri Guruji endeavoured to bring home to them the fact that the Sangh was not a leisure-time activity, but something which demanded more and more of their time and energy. In a historic speech in the history of the RSS on 'Varsha Pratipada Day' in 1942, Shri Guruji declared: 'It is our great good fortune that we are born in these dangerous times which we must view as most auspicious. The golden moment that arrives in the history of a nation after centuries, is coming our way. If we sleep at such a crucial hour no one would be more unfortunate than us. He only achieves immortal fame who stands up foursquare in the face of adversities. Let us therefore face the present adversity with serenity and determination. Even after 17 long years of strenuous efforts, our work has remained far too limited. The Sangh stands by the Truth and so it will certainly succeed and redeem its pledge'.

This appeal went home. Hundreds of young 'Swayamsevaks' came forward from many places to work full time. There were many who gave up their jobs, ideas of marriage, family relationships, etc and took the decisive plunge inspired by the soul-stirring message of Shri Guruji. Some householders too expressed their willingness to devote full-time to Sangh work. One such worker was Shri Bhaiyaji Dani who went to Madhya Bharath as 'pracharak'. From June 1942, 'pracharaks' began to be sent to various provinces, and the work acquired a new momentum and dimension.

When the Quit India Movement came in August 1942, Shri Guruji had the courage to declare that the RSS was a cultural, non-political organisation. If any of the 'Swayamsevaks' participated in the Quit India Movement, it was done in their personal capacity. This was made clear to everyone. Shri Guruji felt that the most important thing for the Sangh was to set up a wide network of 'Shakhas' and increase its organisational power. Only through such an approach it would be possible for us to awaken and build up the disciplined might of our people in order to achieve the larger objective of enhancing the glory of Bharath.

Shri Guruji worked day and night and toured the country several times to broaden and widen the base of the RSS and by the beginning of 1947 the RSS had become a strong national organisation. It is not therefore surprising that RSS was able to play a very important role in helping millions of Hindu refugees to move from the newly created State of Pakistan to India safely at the time of partition. The first Government of independent India relied heavily upon the RSS and its 'Swayamsevaks' to deal with the problem of law and order and refugee rehabilitation in the disturbed months after independence. The outstanding leadership provided by Shri Guruji in those stirring days and troubled times is indeed a glorious chapter in Indian history.

To be continued.....

V Sundaram

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