Swadhyay Parivar
Encyclopedia
The Swadhyay Parivar is a group of people in a family setting who study the Vedic scriptures and carry out various activities of self development (swadhyaya literally means study of self for a spiritual quest) in a devotional way. Shastri Pandurang Athavale
worked throughout his life, going hut to hut and heart to heart, bringing thoughts of Geeta and unexpectational love, meeting the people of all walks of life to share proper understanding of Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita
, Vedas and the Upanishads. He treated fellow humans as brothers and sisters and motivated them to understand the relationship that one has with others due to presence of indwelling God in each and every one of them. His followers go house to house with an outlook of divinity in all and the message of Bhagavad Gita to develop brotherly relations by. For his efforts he was awarded the Templeton Prize
in 1997, the Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Community Leadership and India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan
in 1999 .
, India
. The movement's aim is to better the human condition by fostering an understanding of Vedic
scriptures. The largest community of followers is located in the state of Gujarat.
The Swadhyay Movement
(self-study) movement started in Mumbai after, Athavale was influenced when he was invited in 1954 to the Second World Religious Conference in Japan
. Here he expounded on the Vedas
and the Bhagavad Gita
and linked them to modern life. He discussed the idea of an in-dwelling God and contended that the ego is a gift from God and thus, rather than being removed, should be sublimed with God.
When Athavale was speaking on the Gita and its application to modern life, he was asked whether there was a single village in India practising the ideals of the Gita. Athavale could not answer this question. This made him determined to return to India to rejuvenate the ancient concept of Swadhyay. At the conference, Athavale met Arthur Holly Compton, the 1927 winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics. Impressed by Athavale, Compton invited the young man to the United States
and suggested that the concepts of the Gita could solve their problems Athavale politely declined and suggested that he would rather put the ideas to use in India before the West, and hence started The Swadhyay Movement
.
). The concept of devotion has two important aspects in Swadhyay: one of self-exploration, with a view to becoming closer to God (Bhav Bhakti
), and an active and creative principle of devotion to promote communal good (kruti bhakti). Athavale taught that a series of practical steps and programs facilitates the awareness that God is in-dwelling.
Per Athavale, "In human society, there are many kinds of barriers such as caste, color, status, religion etc. that separate man from man. What is the way to unite the human race in spite of these barriers? The differences do exist from person to person. But there is a common factor which binds all of us. Our Creator is one and our Operator is one. This is the only factor which can unite the human race in spite of multitude of differences. Today, crude hedonism and materialism are on the ascent. As a result of these isms, modern man is becoming heartless. Human life without noble feelings and higher sentiments is dry, dull and mechanical. The consciousness of God within will promote self-respect and respect for the whole of humanity and creation. The essence of devotion is an understanding of nearness of God. In conclusion, I would like to assert that Devotion to God is a force for the individual, a force for social harmony and a force for international unity."
Athavale introduced educational institutions, developed wealth redistribution measures and social welfare projects. Athavale has shown that individual transformation eventually can lead to wider social change. Devotion, he says, can be turned into a social force. "Since God is with us and within us, he is a partner in all our transactions. Naturally, he has his share..." God's part of our wealth, Athavale suggests, can be redistributed among the poor and needy.
Athavale also presented the idea of Yogeshwar Krishi (divine farming) to the farming community. In this social experiment, a Swadhyayee gives a piece of land for use for a season as God's farm. Thereafter each person subsequently, one day a month, works/devotes their efficiency for its cultivation. Seen as God's plot, the income thus generated is called "impersonal wealth" and belongs to no one but God. The wealth is consecrated in the local temple (called Amritalayam) and later disbursed to those in need as prasad or divinely blessed food. Swadhyay emphasizes "graceful giving" where "the help to the needy family's house is taken in the middle of the night so that others may not know that the family concerned has received help from the community."
The Purpose of these project is neither social nor economical. The real intention was, is, and will continue to be to bring a man closer to another man by bridging the gap between two hearts (Emotional Connection). Projects success lies into the inner transformation and integral development of self on the base of Bhakti. This is a revolution. As explained by Dadaji, a revolution of "An integral philosophy which satisfies the total personality". Dadaji has revealed a revolution in all five facets of human existence: Adhyatmik-Spiritual
bhavnik- Emotinal
Arthik-Economical
Rajakiya-Political
Samajik-Political
Athavale has also set up a range of educational institutions. In the Bal Sanskar Kendras, children are instilled with a love of Indian culture and values through stories and tales, and in the Tatvajnana Vidyapeeth (philosophical university) at Thane
students are taught Indian and western philosophy, comparative religion, logic, Sanskrit
, Vedic rites and rituals. Athavale has also taught Sanskrit in the form of verses to illiterate villagers and trained many people of all castes in the Vedic thoughts.
Pandurang Shastri Athavale
Shastri Pandurang Vaijnath Athavale , also known as Dada-ji , which literally translates as elder brother in Marathi, was an Indian philosopher, spiritual leader, social reformer and Hinduism reformist, who founded the Swadhyay Movement and the Swadhyay Parivar organization in 1954, a...
worked throughout his life, going hut to hut and heart to heart, bringing thoughts of Geeta and unexpectational love, meeting the people of all walks of life to share proper understanding of Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
, Vedas and the Upanishads. He treated fellow humans as brothers and sisters and motivated them to understand the relationship that one has with others due to presence of indwelling God in each and every one of them. His followers go house to house with an outlook of divinity in all and the message of Bhagavad Gita to develop brotherly relations by. For his efforts he was awarded the Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
in 1997, the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
for Community Leadership and India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1999 .
History
In his early twenties, Athavale began to deliver discourses on the Bhagavad Gita in MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The movement's aim is to better the human condition by fostering an understanding of Vedic
Vedic
Vedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...
scriptures. The largest community of followers is located in the state of Gujarat.
The Swadhyay Movement
Swadhyay Movement
Swadhyay, a Sanskrit word, means self-study, but it is more than what it connotes. Lord Krishna mentioned Swadhyay as one of the divine attributes one should have it and one of the four Yagna . Also, it is an austerity of speech...
(self-study) movement started in Mumbai after, Athavale was influenced when he was invited in 1954 to the Second World Religious Conference in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Here he expounded on the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
and the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
and linked them to modern life. He discussed the idea of an in-dwelling God and contended that the ego is a gift from God and thus, rather than being removed, should be sublimed with God.
When Athavale was speaking on the Gita and its application to modern life, he was asked whether there was a single village in India practising the ideals of the Gita. Athavale could not answer this question. This made him determined to return to India to rejuvenate the ancient concept of Swadhyay. At the conference, Athavale met Arthur Holly Compton, the 1927 winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics. Impressed by Athavale, Compton invited the young man to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and suggested that the concepts of the Gita could solve their problems Athavale politely declined and suggested that he would rather put the ideas to use in India before the West, and hence started The Swadhyay Movement
Swadhyay Movement
Swadhyay, a Sanskrit word, means self-study, but it is more than what it connotes. Lord Krishna mentioned Swadhyay as one of the divine attributes one should have it and one of the four Yagna . Also, it is an austerity of speech...
.
Overview
Swadhyay literally means the study, knowledge, and discovery of the self. According to proponents, it is a "journey to work out a unity in a multiverse of cultures and world views, of harmonizing the self with a network of relationships, of creating and maintaining vital connections between self, society, and God, of knowing and enriching human action with sacredness." The understanding of an in-dwelling God imbibed into Swadhyayees (practitioners of Swadhyay) by Athavale is claimed to motivate them towards true expression of devotion (BhaktiBhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
). The concept of devotion has two important aspects in Swadhyay: one of self-exploration, with a view to becoming closer to God (Bhav Bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
), and an active and creative principle of devotion to promote communal good (kruti bhakti). Athavale taught that a series of practical steps and programs facilitates the awareness that God is in-dwelling.
Per Athavale, "In human society, there are many kinds of barriers such as caste, color, status, religion etc. that separate man from man. What is the way to unite the human race in spite of these barriers? The differences do exist from person to person. But there is a common factor which binds all of us. Our Creator is one and our Operator is one. This is the only factor which can unite the human race in spite of multitude of differences. Today, crude hedonism and materialism are on the ascent. As a result of these isms, modern man is becoming heartless. Human life without noble feelings and higher sentiments is dry, dull and mechanical. The consciousness of God within will promote self-respect and respect for the whole of humanity and creation. The essence of devotion is an understanding of nearness of God. In conclusion, I would like to assert that Devotion to God is a force for the individual, a force for social harmony and a force for international unity."
Athavale introduced educational institutions, developed wealth redistribution measures and social welfare projects. Athavale has shown that individual transformation eventually can lead to wider social change. Devotion, he says, can be turned into a social force. "Since God is with us and within us, he is a partner in all our transactions. Naturally, he has his share..." God's part of our wealth, Athavale suggests, can be redistributed among the poor and needy.
Athavale also presented the idea of Yogeshwar Krishi (divine farming) to the farming community. In this social experiment, a Swadhyayee gives a piece of land for use for a season as God's farm. Thereafter each person subsequently, one day a month, works/devotes their efficiency for its cultivation. Seen as God's plot, the income thus generated is called "impersonal wealth" and belongs to no one but God. The wealth is consecrated in the local temple (called Amritalayam) and later disbursed to those in need as prasad or divinely blessed food. Swadhyay emphasizes "graceful giving" where "the help to the needy family's house is taken in the middle of the night so that others may not know that the family concerned has received help from the community."
The Purpose of these project is neither social nor economical. The real intention was, is, and will continue to be to bring a man closer to another man by bridging the gap between two hearts (Emotional Connection). Projects success lies into the inner transformation and integral development of self on the base of Bhakti. This is a revolution. As explained by Dadaji, a revolution of "An integral philosophy which satisfies the total personality". Dadaji has revealed a revolution in all five facets of human existence: Adhyatmik-Spiritual
bhavnik- Emotinal
Arthik-Economical
Rajakiya-Political
Samajik-Political
Activities
Swadhyay says its activities differ from social development projects due to the incorporation of bhakti, or devotion to God, in its work. Swadhyay teaches that no human being is superior or inferior to any other. As each individual make a progress in integration of self, he/she strives to create universal brother hood under the divine Father hood.Athavale has also set up a range of educational institutions. In the Bal Sanskar Kendras, children are instilled with a love of Indian culture and values through stories and tales, and in the Tatvajnana Vidyapeeth (philosophical university) at Thane
Thane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
students are taught Indian and western philosophy, comparative religion, logic, Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, Vedic rites and rituals. Athavale has also taught Sanskrit in the form of verses to illiterate villagers and trained many people of all castes in the Vedic thoughts.
Reference and Notes
- Swadhyay Movement Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, by Mary Pat Fisher. Published by I.B.Tauris, 1996. ISBN 1860641482, Page 109.
- Swadhyaya: A Movement Experience in India - August 2003 Visions of Development: Faith-based Initiatives, by Wendy Tyndale. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006. ISBN 0754656233. Page 1.
- Self-Development and Social Transformations?: The Vision and Practice of the Self-Study Mobilization of Swadhyaya, by Ananta Kumar Giri. Lexington Books. 2008. ISBN 0739111981.
- Role of the swadhyaya parivar in socioeconomic changes among the tribals of Khedasan: A case study, by Vimal P Shah. Gujarat Institute of Development Research, 1998. ISBN 8185820538.
- Vital Connections: Self, Society, God : Perspectives on Swadhyaya, by Raj Krishan Srivastava. 1998; Weatherhill, ISBN 0834804085.