संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं
सं वो मनांसि जानताम्
देवा भागं यथा पूर्वे
सञ्जानाना उपासते ||
समानो मन्त्र: समिति: समानी
समानं मन: सहचित्तमेषाम्
समानं मन्त्रमभिमन्त्रये व:
समानेन वो हविषा जुहोमि ||
समानी व आकूति: समाना हृदयानि व: |
समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा व: सुसहासति ||
May you move in harmony, speak in one voice, and let your minds be in agreement, just as the ancient gods shared their portion of sacrifice.
May our purpose be the same; may we all be of one mind. For such unity to form, I offer a common prayer.
May our intentions and aspirations be alike so that a common objective unifies us all.
Rigveda 10.191.2–4
This is recited as (one of) the invocation mantras at the start of Sangh meetings. These three Shlokas nicely summarise the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) for us.
The move in harmony starts
Today, Vijayadashami 2024 CE marks the beginning of the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). On this day in 1925 CE, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (Doctorji), a medical doctor, founded the RSS in Nagpur, Maharashtra. While the organisation was established on Vijayadashami, it took seven more months (until April 17, 1926) of further discussion and consideration of three different names, including Jaripataka Mandal and Bharatodharak Mandal. Out of 25 members, 20 approved the name Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
This stands as a beautiful exposition of the Sangh’s transparent and democratic functioning. Although Doctorji initiated the organisation, all 25 members (including him) voted and spoke in one voice to finalise its name.
The Sangh has been a harmony in motion from the start and will always be.
Minds in agreement
There is a lovely anecdote that Sunil Ambekar narrates in his book The RSS Roadmaps for the 21st Century about a Q&A session at the third-year RSS training camp, Tritiya Varsh Sangha Shiksha Varg, with Poojaneeya Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. A young undergraduate Swayamsevak posed a question to the Sarsanghchalak: What is the process for becoming the Sarsanghchalak? What are the criteria?
“Mohan-Ji candidly explained the consultative process—how the main functionaries confer with each other and then cohere on a decision. He then added that any Swayamsevak could become a Sarsangachalak while describing the comprehensive discussions that are held regarding the personal qualities of those who can shoulder such a responsibility.”
The decision to change the RSS uniform, or Sangh Ganavesh, was first discussed in the zonal in-charge meetings, known as Vibhag Pracharak Baitaks. A zone typically consists of two or three states in India. The matter then progressed to the ‘Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal Baitak’, the highest decision-making body within the RSS structure. After several rounds of discussion, no consensus was reached, so it was decided to pause the decision until consensus was achieved. Mohan Bhagwat allowed five years for consensus to be reached on this issue. Finally, after five years, an agreement was reached, and the organisation’s general secretary, or sarkaryavah, publicly announced the decision.
In the Sangh, decisions are only made when minds meet.
One purpose
The Sangh’s purpose is “man-making”—a movement for national reconstruction nurtured by the people. Simply put, the Sangh’s ideal is to elevate the nation to the pinnacle of glory by uniting society and ensuring the protection of Hindu Dharma.
The Sangh’s working method is straightforward. Members gather for an hour each day under the Shakha umbrella. Expansion occurs through personal contact, known as Samparka.
What is the Shakha?
A saffron flag (Bhagwa Dhwaj) is raised in the centre of an open playground, where people of all ages engage in activities such as games, yoga (Surya Namaskar), exercises, patriotic singing, and discussions on current events and history. The hour concludes with attendees standing in orderly lines before the flag, saluting it, and reciting or singing the prayer “Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoome” (My salutations to you, loving motherland).
Anyone who attends a Shakha becomes a Swayamsevak. There is no form to fill out or subscription to pay.
The Shakha is where the man-making process takes place.
A common objective unifies us all
The Sangh’s pratijna (pledge) focuses on the comprehensive development (sarvangeena unnati) of the country. Many Sangh Parivar organisations operate across various spheres of life, facilitating this holistic growth. Whether in college campuses, factories, on the borders of Bharat, or in ensuring consumer rights, Sangh Parivar groups work towards the betterment of lawyers, teachers, women, and the differently abled, contributing to the development of all aspects of society.
A remarkable example of bravery was displayed by the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, led by Lakshmibai Kelkar (Mausiji) during the Partition. It is almost unimaginable to think of a woman—an indomitable figure—sitting in Karachi amidst the horrors perpetrated by the Muslim League goondas who were massacring Sikhs and Hindus, and abducting and raping women. Despite this, Mausiji led efforts to rescue as many Sikh and Hindu brothers and sisters as possible, repatriating them safely to India. The extraordinary work done by Mausiji and her small team of sevikas, a band of lionesses, is beyond measure.
While many are familiar with the dedicated work of Swayamsevaks during times of calamity across the nation, fewer remember that a group of Swayamsevaks was awarded the Anna Medal for Gallantry in 1995. Five Swayamsevaks from the Virudhunagar district were honoured during the Republic Day celebrations that year by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa. At the time, the district was witnessing a spate of temple vandalism and vigraha desecration. In response, the Swayamsevaks formed night patrol units to prevent further vandalism and apprehend the culprits. These five brave Swayamsevaks captured an armed vandal without regard for their own safety.
One objective that unites all Swayamsevaks is the sarvangeena unnati of Bharat.
Our intentions and aspirations
Today, the RSS embarks on its journey into its centenary year. This year, the organisation’s leadership has tasked Swayamsevaks with spreading awareness and implementing the Pancha Parivartan strategy, aimed at bringing about five key societal transformations:
- Inculcating familial values
- Promoting communal harmony
- Protecting the environment
- Reinvigorating self-pride: Emphasising the power of Swa in Swadeshi, Swadharma, etc.
- Spreading awareness of the duties of a responsible citizen
The Sangh firmly believes that once every citizen begins thinking and acting on these five principles, the day when Bharat becomes a Vishwaguru will not be far off. During this centenary year, the Sangh and its Swayamsevaks will work tirelessly towards achieving these five transformations.
May our intentions and aspirations align so that a common objective unifies us all.
The RSS is a widely misunderstood organisation. Many people are unaware of its activities beyond the misinformation and falsehoods propagated by mainstream media, often controlled by those who shape narratives. It is vital that we openly discuss the RSS and take its messages and contributions to every corner of Bharat. The Sangh does not engage in public relations or self-promotion. For the Swayamsevaks, taking action is far more important than merely talking about their work.
Here is a subhashitani that Dr Hedgewar had engraved on his walking stick-
नाभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने |
विक्रमार्जितराजस्य स्वयमेव मृगेन्द्रता ||
Being a lion isn’t an appointment. There is no coronation ceremony or a crown.
The grit, courage and ability earn the lion its nobility.
The following Kural by Saint Thiruvalluvar fits the RSS very well-
பெருமை யுடையவர் ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றின்
அருமை உடைய செயல்.
Perumai Udayavar Aatruvaar Aatrin
Arumai Udaya Seyal
(Tirukkural, Greatness, 975)
Those that are great have the puissance to employ adequate means and achieve things that are impossible for others – The Kural or The Maxims of Thiruvalluvar by VVS Aiyar.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
References
- Sunil Ambekar, The RSS Roadmaps for the 21st Century, 1st Edition (2019). Roopa Publications India Ltd., New Delhi
- Ranga Hari, The Incomparable Guru Golwalkar, 1st Edition (2018), Prabhat Publications, New Delhi
- R Vanniyarajan, டாக்டர் ஹெட்கேவார் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு (translated from the Hindi original by Nana H. Palkar), 2nd Edition (2024), Vijayabharatam Prasuram
- rss.org
Raja Baradwaj is a marketing communications professional who is currently working with a leading technology multi-national company. He is an avid reader, a history buff, cricket player, writer, Sanskrit & Dharma Sastra student. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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