Odyssey of the Enlightened — 35: Blessing & Assurance — 3
Lokdevata — Gramdevata (Deity of the Village)
Kanhaiya said — "We also very much want the other villagers to pay attention to this temple. They might not come and offer their prayers but it will be nice if they could at least repair the raised platform or even build a small roof over the platform." Shriram asked what was meant by a small roof. He replied that he was referring to a small temple to be built for the deity. He said, 'Just like us, our deities are also poor.' Shriram said, 'Do not think like that. The feet of the deity are installed here. There are fifty-one Peeths (temples) of Shakti. Let us call this Charan Peeth of Gramdevata. Every one should visit this place.'
Immediately a program was chalked out. It was decided to conduct Akhand Ramayan on Margashirsh Poornima. All the villagers were to be invited to the program and they would seek help from them. A temple-like roof was to be built on the raised platform after repairing the existing platform. When the estimate of expenditure was made, it came out to be eighty rupees. In 1930–32, one could repair a structure and also build a small temple with that amount! It was expected that each household would contribute four annas (twenty-five paise). Shriram's brigade began their work of collecting donations for the purpose.
The villagers were surprised to hear about a Ramayan Recital for the installation of a deity in the dalit quarters. The elderly villagers even raised the question of the program being against religious tradition since it was encouraging so-called sacred religious activities among the dalits. Shriram had anticipated these questions and doubts. He had clearly explained his young brigade about the answers to be given to such questions. He had taught the volunteers to cite the examples of devotees like Shabari, Kevat, monkeys and bears of Rama's era. Accordingly, the volunteers would say: 'Everyone has the right of service and devotion. Inspiring people for Puja-path is a sacred task and not antireligious. Lord Ram got Rameshwaram Jyotirlingam worshipped by monkeys and bears. Lord Krishna started the tradition of worshipping Mount Govardhan and he had pushed cowherds into the forefront to do it.'
In addition to their effective arguments, the youth influenced the elders with their service-oriented activities. The villagers accepted the fact that these youth had devotedly helped the village in times of need. They not only acknowledged their efforts but also held them in high esteem. Whichever house these people visited, they made sure that they received the minimum donation. Seth Jadavchand was a person who was most hostile towards the dalits. He gave five rupees as donation.
Auspicious Beginning by Taiji
The day of Margashirsh Poornima arrived. The Choudhary of the dalit community suggested that Taiji be made the main representative during the puja. Everybody else supported the proposal and hence Taiji sat to do the puja. Pundit Dayashankar began the recital. Since some participants were uneducated, a procedure of chanting the main verses and its repetition by others was adopted. In this way, the 24-hour long recital of Ramayan was completed. It was essential to include the uneducated to participate in the recital. If a minimum educational qualification was specified then nobody in the dalit community would have been eligible. On the first day after the full moon, the village deity was offered prayers and the recital was completed along with havan. The donations totaled to an amount of Rupees one hundred and five — adequate for the repair of the platform and building the temple. This amount was handed over to Shriram, who in turn gave it to Chowdhary Shibu, who also laid the first stone for the construction.
Social Welfare Activities
Sainik newspaper of Agra was going through rough times. After the release of employees in 1932, the newspaper issues were coming out but they lacked the intensity present earlier. Based on Taiji's permission, Shriram had assumed the role of a wandering monk. He used to keep going to Agra, Awalkheda and Mathura time and again. He even went as far as Gwalior, Meerut and other places.
After the Pune Pact, there was a wave of ever-increasing tolerance and affection towards the dalits and congressmen began to frequent dalit quarters without any hesitation. Arya Samaj was already famous for its principles of equality across the divisions of caste and creeds. Thanks to the Pune Pact and the efforts of Gandhiji and others, the dalit community was saved from being severed from the Hindu community.
An Arya Samaj enthusiast named Anand Prakash came to Shriram in Awalkheda. This person knew Shriram only as a young idealist of about twenty to twenty-one years who possessed the determination to achieve what he believed in. After meeting Shriram, he first asked, 'I have heard that you take a lot of interest in social reformation activities.' Shriram corrected him saying, 'I take interest in social service and not in social reformation.' Anand Prakash tried to continue the conversation and asked, 'What type of activities have you been involved in till now?' Shriram humbly replied, 'I have not done anything. Whatever the Lord made me do, I have done. I have not kept a separate account of those activities.'
Anand Prakash felt that Shriram was trying to put him off. But at the same time, Shriram's voice echoed humility and sincerity. He said, 'You have installed the local deity of the dalits as the village deity in an effort to obliterate the boundaries separating them and the mainstream population. That is good. But, will it not result in spreading ignorance?' 'What kind of ignorance?' questioned Shriram. Prakash ventured to clarify and said, 'According to scriptures, there is only one Absolute God. He is formless. Are we not creating a problem by installing God in various forms?'
Shriram said, 'Anandji, I have not done a deep study of the Vedas but I have heard from those who have in-depth knowledge that there is a reference to at least fifty Gods in the Vedas. In addition to that Rama, Krishna and Buddha are also worshipped as divine incarnations.' The debate continued respectfully. Shriram did not want to prolong the argument and said, 'It is not our work to indulge in arguments related to fundamental principles. We are volunteers. Please tell me how we can work together and take this work forward?'
The Initiative of the Reformer
Anand Prakash's excitement was also abating. He said, 'I have come here to meet you after hearing the news about Charan Peeth. It has resulted in increased interaction with the dalits in their own residential area. This is a step towards reaching out to our brothers who had hitherto been neglected and segregated. Swami Dayanand also advocated embracing all the people irrespective of their caste and creed. I have come to you with a proposal.' He asked, 'Don't you think that there are no proper means for dalits to earn their livelihood?' Shriram asked, 'What is the plan you have in mind?' Anand Prakash said, 'You make the plan and I will help in arranging for the resources.'
They met again in the evening and Shriram said that they should start 'Karagha Udyog' (weaving loom). This would give employment to eight to ten people in spinning and weaving work. Gandhiji's Khadi Movement had not caught momentum then. About Rupees seven hundred were required to start a weaving loom project. Anand Prakash promised to provide half the amount through Arya Samaj, while Shriram and others would strive to raise the other part as a token of collective participation in the project.
"Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace." — Nelson Mandela
"Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace." — Nelson Mandela
"Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit." — Nelson Mandela