Subhashitam

dharmam sharanam gachchaami
धर्मम् शरणम् गच्छामि
I surrender myself to Dharma (Righteous ness).

Amrita - Vachan

There are some, who sacrifice their lives in a flash of martyrdom. True, that is also glorious and inspiring. But to burn oneself every moment of one's life in order to light up countless other hearts is a *tapasya* (Penance) of the highest order.

- Param Pujaniya Guru-ji

Festivals

Shiva Ratri
Maha Shivaratri, occurs on the 14th night after the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. On this day, Hindus offer special prayer God Shiva.

According to the Puranas, during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. Lord Shiva drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. Hindus celebrate this event in which Shiva saved the world, as Maha Shivaratri.

All through Maha Shivratri the devotees keep severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", and stay aware overnight to offer services to God Shiva.

Madhav Golwalkar(Guruji)

Madhav Golwalkar was born on February 19, 1906 at Ramtek near Nagpur, Maharashtra, and was the only surviving son among the nine children of his parents. He was the son of Sadashivrao, a schoolteacher and Lakshmibai. He was a child prodigy with extra ordinary memory. Having graduated from the Hislop college of Nagpur, he joined the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) of Varanasi for his Master's Degree in Science. Later for a couple of years he served at BHU as a professor and it was then that he earned from his students the affectionate nickname of 'Guruji', a reverential attribute which stuck to him permanently in the years that followed.

In the meantime, Bhaiyyaji Dani, a student at BHU and a close associate of then RSS sarsanghachalak K. B. Hedgewar, started an RSS shakha. That is where Golwalkar joined the RSS.

Doctorji was deeply impressed by Golwalkar and started seeing him as his successor. Hedgewar persuaded Guruji to take a more active role in the Sangh. In 1939, Shri Guruji was appointed as the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Sangh. After the demise of Dr Hedgewar in June 1940 and as per his wishes Guruji succeeded him as sarsanghachalak.

In response to the call given by Guru in 1942, thousands of youth all over the country vowed to dedicate themselves entirely for the Sangh work, on a wholesome basis. Thus, Sangh Shakhas sprouted even in remote corners of the country. Sangh activities thus grew apace.

Guruji steered the organization for 33 years (1940-1973) as its guide and philosopher.