principles-II ; Pujya Gurudev

Wholehearted execution of the prescribed principles

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

I started acting upon my solemnly taken pledge in such a manner as if I had not to take advice from and answer to anybody. On a back look now I see that if such firmness had not been shown, my life boat would have been rocked by violent jerks and capsized and I would have missed that opportunity by which, with the help of sadhana, I have been able to do good to myself as well as to the masses. Relationship with God could not have been established with anything less than complete purity of heart and clarity and brilliance of head.

I was subjected to a second test in childhood when the non-cooperation movement of the Indian National Congress started. Gandhiji launched the satyagraha movement, called upon the true patriots to come out from the smugness of their homes, face the bullets and go to jail. I heard the inner voice that it was a historical moment that must not be missed. I got my name enrolled in the corps of satyagrahis of that region. 

I had to leave my house and go to the front to offer salt satyagraha. The officials of the government and their propagandists had spread rumours that there would be firing and the people would be sentenced to long imprisonments, including transportation for life, with a view to dissuading them from taking part in this movement. All my friends, neighbors, family members, relatives came to impress upon me that what I was contemplating to do was a suicidal act. 

The matter got further aggravated and some relatives threatened to go on fast and commit suicide. My mother, who was my guardian, was tutored to get my name struck off as a co-inheritor (along with my brothers) of valuable ancestral property and get the names of other brothers entered in my place. My brothers said that none of them would have any relation with me and I would not be allowed entry in the house. I was threatened to be kidnapped and to be compelled to live in a camp of dacoits. 
I listened to all these threats calmly. 

The question before me was: what should be given precedence, pressure of the family or the need of the times? I made my soul and God as witnesses and decided to act according to the still small voice from within. In this context the persecution of Prahlada appeared before my eyes. I also recalled the story of Dhruva, the determination of Parvati and the life stories of innumerable great men, warriors, saints, reformists and martyrs. None of the family members and relatives of these great personages had supported them. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma