Shat-Shat Naman!
(19 February 1906 – 5 June 1973)
Shri Guruji, the second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was was born on 19 February 1906. ‘Guruji’ was not his original name. This name was used out of regard, by his students in Banaras Hindu University where he taught. He is better known by this name even today throughout the Sangh and the nation. His name was Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar. His father’s name was Sadashivrao and his mother was Lakshmibai. They lived in Nagpur.
From August 1931, Madhavrao began teaching at Banaras Hindu University. During this period, many of his hidden talents came to light. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya noticed his talent as well as his deep affection for the students, and grew fond of him. It was through a Swayamsevak from Nagpur, Shri Bhaiyyaji Dani, who was sent there as a student by Doctorji, (Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of RSS) that Shri Guruji came into contact with the Sangh. He also became the Palak (guardian) of that Shakha. Meanwhile, having seen Shri Guruji from closer quarters, Doctorji tried to maintain contact with him. Recognizing his extraordinary working capacity and intellectual talents, he started delegating greater responsibilities to him. In 1934, Shri Guruji ably discharged the duties of Sarvadhikari (officer-in-charge) of Sangh Shiksha Varga (Officer’s training camp) in Akola.
In Nagpur, Shri Guruji’s, life took an altogether new turn. In Doctorji, he saw a personality intensely motivated and dedicated to the nation. Shri Guruji was also closely observing Doctorji, who had put his heart and soul into this work. From 1938 onwards, Shri Guruji identified the work of Sangh as the sole mission of his life. In the close company of Doctorji, he focussed his entire attention on the activities of Sangh. This also relieved Doctorji of his worries.
Under Sri Guruji’s inspiring, fearless and indomitable leadership, RSS grew by leaps and bounds. In town after town, the Sangh Pracharak would arrive with a few letters of introduction to local leaders, whether belonging to Congress, Hindu Mahasabha, Arya Samaj or whatever. He would put up himself in the local bhavan of any of these organizations or in a temple or with any well-wisher. His job, often as teacher, would bring him in touch with many students and teachers. Any existing local Hindu volunteer organization would promptly merge with the new RSS shakha. With help from local well-wishers and guidance from his seniors in the RSS, the shakha would grow into a social magnet, attracting promising young men and local VIPs alike, regardless of their cast, class or sect. Soon it would be the strongest organization in town.
Before long it would produce energetic young men to carry the message of Sangh to other towns and even villages. At a time when RSS was growing like wildfire, Sri Guruji said: “if I were to spend just one day in each shakha, even a life-time would not suffice to cover the whole country”. In 1973 in Nagpur he participated in the evening Sangh Prarthana on 5th June and there after breathed his last at around 09.00 PM. For 33 years he toured the country, guided swayamsevaks, met dignitaries, social and religious leaders, politicians, thinkers old and young and wrote thousands of letters giving guidance in varied fields of life. We pay our tribute to Guruji on his punyatithi.