Did Ma Lakshmanrao have a premonition of what was
coming to him? In his letter to Dr S. Tattvawadi while the latter
was at Keshav Srishti he says: "There may not be a second opportunity;
therefore I am addressing this letter to all of you. If senior adhikaris
permit it may be read out at some programme during the shibir. It
is for you to decide whether it would be correct to do so. I leave
it to you to do whatever you like with the letter and spirit of what
I have written." We however reproduce below the letter (in English)
as it is.
We have assembled here on the premises of Keshav Srishti.
Keshav Srishti is a very significant expression, specially for us.
We have to make it all the more significant in its true sense for
the world by our performance. After the time-honoured directions for
the mankind along the precepts of the Vedas, the rishis, Maharshi
Vyasa, Buddha Mahavira, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Adi Shankaracharya
and Swami Vivekananda Parampoojaneeya Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar has
been able to translate those precepts into practice and that is what
we have to prove by our performance. Keshav Srishti is the focal point
from where we have to reach the message to the world. Keshav buried
himself in the universal soil to spring up in off-shoots to create
as if a new world. It is Keshav's Srishti (creation).
Can each one of us follow him and help his creations
grow. This magnificient complex is brought up with this idea. It is
now a concern not only of the Sangh or Bharat but of everyone who
calls himself a Hindu to maintain, embellish and develop it in content
and spirit. Our esteemed adhikaris, namely, Shri Guruji, Shri Balasaheb,
Ma Eknathji Ranade, Bhaurao, Madhavrao, Yadavraoji and a host of others
like revered Varnekarji, Madhav Banhattiji, Bapurao Varadpande, Vinayakrao
Phatak whom we had the privilege to know personally and the whole
of our generation of swayamsevaks followed them and have achieved
the present states. Can we assure that we will sustain it dedicatedly.
May God grant us the strength to usher in the principled change of
a cherished value-based way of human life. The Sarsanghchalak and
his team of adhikaris are with us by Providence to guide us in future
so what we can say Vernekarji has described the same in Sanskrit.
Now about my personal submission, I request the adhikaris and all
of you will kindly excuse me.
A swayamsevak is supposed to have nothing personal. Everything
that he possesses is society's. But still while wandering along the
vast expanse of the world one develops certain contacts which have
a personal aspect. Incidentally I had the privilege of moving around
the world for organisational work and I am fortunate that I came in
contact with so many of you giving me what guided me through life.
I would like to express my gratitutde for the same may be pardoned
for any wrong committed even inadvertantly. I would also like to request
you to continue the close ties of love and affection in future. I
so keenly wanted to be a part of the shibir as an active swayamsevak.
But Providence has something else in its plan for the future. Fifteen
days back I had a severe attack of fever and that has made me so weak
that I almost lost my strength of speech. I had to be operated upon
for feeding through my stomach.
This is a clear indication by the Almighty that now this
body may not last long. This is a common phenomenon for all mortals
and I am not worried about it. As the poet Govind has said lqanj eh
gks.kkj vkuk ej.kkus tx.kkj o"kZ=k; ee nsg f>trls R;krqu eh lqV.kkj
vkrk lqanj eh gks.kkj The loss of the body is sure to brighten me
up. I only seek your kind permission to leave. Almighty God has given
this body 82 long years to work. Fortunately I had the opportunity
as a swayamsevak to work for the cherished goal of Keshav Srishti.
My generation has made its contribution. Now this body is decaying
and I had better shed it in time. Let me refer to what saint Tukaram
said vkEgh tkrks vkiqY;k xkok vkeqpk jke&jke /;kuk Al vida. Sant Jnaneshwar
thought he had completed his life's mission at the age of 21 and got
permission from his guru and elder brother to leave the world and
enter samadhi. Shankaracharya did the same at the age of 32. Swami
Vivekananda did it at the age of 39. Please bless me with all your
love and affection and allow me to depart peacefully.
