A Novel Chapter in Spiritual Journalism
"Akhand Jyoti is the chiming of morning bells at the time of spiritual awakening. Each and every edition of it brings new inspirations, guiding light and intellectual stimulation to the readers. Let us leave alone those who are dead, and those who have lost their eminence. All other people enthusiastically accept this guiding light."
— Param Poojya Gurudev Apnon Se Apni Baat (Akhand Jyoti – Hindi, Nov. 1968, p. 64)
"You must start a new chapter of spiritual journalism, Acharyaji" said Hanuman Prasad Poddar, popularly known by the name Bhaiji, to Param Pujya Gurudev. Hanuman Prasad Poddar was the first editor of the religious-spiritual magazine Kalyan and was the founder of Gita Press Gorakhpur. He was much-admired by religious and spiritual people in the whole country. Warm glow of his actions had spread wide, both in India as well as abroad. He was not only journalist, author, publisher and editor rolled into one; he was also a diligent soldier who fought bravely during India's freedom struggle. He spent a lot of time in the company of eminent people like Maharshi Aurobindo, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Pandit Jhabarmal Sharma, Lokmanya Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Mahamana Malviyaji, Mahatma Gandhi, Jamnalal Bajaj, Veer Savarkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahadev Desai, and Krishnaraj Jaju and earned their love and respect.
In the first edition of Kalyan, along with other authors, an article written by Mahatma Gandhi was also published. When he took this first edition to Mahatma Gandhi, he told him: "Always keep two points in mind, first, never print any advertisements in Kalyan and second, never publish a review of any author's book." Explaining the reason behind this insistence, Gandhiji told him, "Those who will give advertisement will try to impose their line of thinking which may not be right from a spiritual point of view. And regarding review of books, this can unnecessarily alienate some intellectual authors at some point or the other." Both these suggestions were religiously followed by Bhaiji. During his first meeting with Param Poojya Gurudev he offered the same advice, and so the same policy was adopted for Akhand Jyoti as well.
Author of more than 35,000 pages of literature, Bhaiji also played a leading role in serving the needy and he remained an active freedom fighter. In 1936, when floods ravaged Gorakhpur, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru planned to visit the affected area for inspection. The British Collector at Gorakhpur warned all people that no one should offer one's car to Nehruji; and if anyone dared, he would be dealt with severely. But Bhaiji made his car available to Nehruji without any fear. Before independence, British Government offered to confer on him titles like Rai Sahab and Rai Bahadur, but he refused to accept them. Post independence, on suggestions of Dr. Sampoornanand, Kanhaiyalal Munshi and others, the then Home Minister Pundit Govind Vallabh Pant proposed to confer upon Bhaiji the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna, which also Bhaiji politely refused to accept.
Bhaiji was a Karmayogi and a great devotee of God. In Param Poojya Gurudev, too, he sensed the same quality of emotions. This is why he not only expressed great happiness at the publication of Akhand Jyoti, but also when he visited Vrindavan the second time, he insisted on meeting Gurudev. In this meeting he said, "Please do something new in the field of spiritual journalism, Acharya Ji." The two great men exchanged their thoughts on this point in great detail. Bhaiji told Gurudev: "Through Kalyan magazine we have spread faith, belief, devotion and God's glory among readers. We have published writings from old scriptures and religious texts in the same old style. But intellectualism is increasing in the society. Post-independence doors to outside world have opened up for everyone, so winds from west have begun to blow through the whole country. Earlier there were only a few British and rest all were Indian. But after British have left, English and English mindset has cast their influence on everyone. Western culture and civilization have dealt a strong blow to faith and belief; the tactful arguments of the intellect have inflicted serious injuries upon sentiments."
Poojya Gurudev listened to Bhaiji's thoughts very attentively and said: "Your concerns are well-founded. With the changing times, the spiritual journalism also must get transformed. Arrows of arguments will have to be countered with arguments alone. Discretionary wisdom has to descend to refine the intellect." Listening to this Bhaiji replied, "What you say is absolutely true, but we cannot do this at this time, only you have the right qualification and capability to do this. I have tried my level best. I have attempted to publicize and spread God's name and faith to the extent possible. But I am beginning to realize that my work is nearing its end." Saying this Bhaiji turned sentimental.
Seeing tears in the eyes of this great devotee of God, Param Poojya Gurudev also was filled with emotions. His eyes too turned wet with tears and with a broken voice he replied: "You have done a great service, you have delivered Gita to each and every household. In each and every home Bhagavat and Ramcharitmanas printed by Gita Press are read regularly now. Kalyan magazine published by you each month delivers the message of devotion towards God to every home. Now it is my turn. My role is to correct distortions that have crept into human thinking and intellect. So I am spreading Gayatri to each and every home. Thoughts that can guide human lives in the right direction, I am trying to spread through arguments, facts and evidences using Akhand Jyoti as the medium. There is resistance and opposition to my devoted effort. But when God Himself is assisting me why should I fear?" After a pause Gurudev said: "You have instilled faith in spiritual journalism, I shall introduce rational arguments."
Bhaiji was very pleased to hear this. He said: "I have complete confidence in you." But Poojya Gurudev continued giving him further assurance: "Till I have the last drop of blood in me, the last bit of prāna, and till the last moment of life, I shall continue to serve India and Indian Culture. Spiritual Journalism would continue to attain new dimensions through me."
The following incident is of 1936. Mahatma Gandhi was touring the country on his campaign for removal of untouchability. During his stay in an Orissa town, a group of pundits (learned in scriptures) came to him for a discussion on the matter. Their point was that untouchability had the sanction of scriptures. Gandhiji accorded the visitors due respect and said: "Learned Sirs, I have not studied scriptures. Hence, I readily accept defeat. But I do believe that all the scriptures of the world combined cannot falsify the principle of the equality and fraternity of mankind. Humanity outweighs your scriptures. It is to this dharma that I subscribe, and I will remain unmoved in this belief till death." The pundit delegation felt ashamed by Gandhiji's irrefutable conviction and returned without giving an answer.
From the very beginning, Chanakya constantly strived to make his country, religion and its culture more and more glorious. When Alexander attacked India, he was teaching in Takshashila. He advised Chandragupta, a student of his, to enrol himself in the army of Alexander so as to learn the foreign art of artillery and fighting techniques. On the other hand Padmanand, the then ruler of Magadha, was callous and used to torture the masses. Therefore, Chanakya diplomatically managed to make Chandragupta the King of Magadha. Though Chanakya was a great scholar, he lived in a hut throughout his life and remained a celibate. In fact, the whole kingdom was ruled as per his instructions and guidance. But he never craved for money or formal position. The life of Chanakya was an epitome of discipline and true scholarship.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston Churchill
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." — George Bernard Shaw
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." — Paulo Coelho