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ATTAINING IMMORTALITYThe untiring efforts of Vandaniya Mausiji once again took the Samiti to the zenith of glory. The Shakha spread to various states and the savikas were striving everywhere to realise the dreams of Mausiji Mausiji’s foresight, courage, organisational abilities, intelligence and presence of mind, once again came to the fore, when internal emergency was declared in 1975. A ban was imposed on R.S.S. This affected the working of the Samiti as well. Yet, Mausiji motivated everyone to face and fight the repression with confidence and courage. The fundamental rights of the people had been curtailed. The government was using repressive tactics to stiffle the voice of the masses. Swayamsevaks and even their family members were being arrested and imprisoned on the flimsiest pretexts. Mausiji organised the sevikas at such testing time, she organised satyagrahas of the sevikas in various states, so that ban on R.S.S. would be lifted. The sevikas helped and consoled those families, which had suffered due to the police repression. Even during the emergency all the training camps, seminars and classes of the samiti were organised on a regular basis. The Sevikas developed great strength and courage, whij1 in turn, motivated their husbands and other family members to face the governments excesses with greater courage. The Sevikas never voiced their problems or difficulties, but encouraged their husbands to fight on. The work of the Samiti continued in full force during the emergency period of two years, from 1975 to 1977. Mausiji’s health had begun to decline. Yet her tours and Samiti work continued uninterrupted. A national convention of the Samiti was organised at Bhagyanagar in 1977. The convention was to be held during the pongal holidays. But unfortunately the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh was hit by a cyclone which caused an inestimable damage to the life and crops. A meeting was held to decide whether in the face of such a calamity, it would be proper to hold the convention. After much deliberation, it was decided that the convention should be held with austerity and the spare funds should be utilised for the relief work. The sevikas contributed their full might in the relief operations. The Bhagyanagar convention concluded smoothly. Vandaniya Mausiji, spoke about the seven energies of the women quoted in Bhagwad Gita. She presented her view point with the most touching, relevant and impressionable illustrations. As Mausiji took her leave from the Sevikas, little did most of the realise that they were bidding final adieu to their beloved Mausiji. Mausiji returned to Nagpur. Shri Ram Navami was celebrated in style. The summer classes were held as per the schedule, in the month of May. Mausiji conducted all her tours inspite of failing health. Everyone could see that Mausiji needed rest, yet, nobody dared tell her. They knew that restless soul of Mausiji could never be idle. She believed in doing work and still more work. The Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini meeting was held in August 1978. A detailed work schedule for the year long activities was chalked out. Mausiji insisted that more work should be done for the welfare of the rural and tribal regions. At this time, Mausiji also fulfilled her cherished desire of years. She had always wished to read and hear the Bhagwat Katha, but somehow due to other priorities, her desire remained unfulfilled. Vidarbha’s famous saint, His Holiness Shri Achutya Maharaj, fulfilled Mausiji’s desire by reciting the Bhagwat Katha at Ahalya Mandir. Mausiji was deeply gratified and contented. She also had detailed discussions on religious and national topics with Maharaj. Ramayan discourses were to be given at Bharatnagar, in the month of September. Mausiji went to stay with her daughter Vatsala, for the sake of convenience in commuting. Those who were fortunate enough ‘to listen to these last discourse series were enthralled and wished that they would go on till eternity. Little did the audience know that the Almighty had other plans for Mausiji. In these discourses, Mausiji had surpassed herself; she had become one with her Ram spiritually. The day Ramkatha concluded, Mausiji became a bit uncomfortable at midnight. She slowly dragged herself to the bathroom. She almost fainted there. The doctor was summoned at once. Mausiji had suffered from the cardiac problem. She was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Government Medical College, Nagpur. The doctor’s efforts seemed to pay dividends. Dr. Pramilatai Tople, who was than the health minister, in the Maharashtra government and a Sevika herself rushed to the hospital to see that the very best of the treatment was made available for Mausiji. When Mausiji improved slightly, she observed all the sophisticated gadgets and medicines, which were pressed into her service. She asked the doctors, "Is similar treatment available to the other needy patients or am I being given a preferential V.I.P. treatment?" Only when the doctors assured Mausiji that the same treatment was available for every needy patient, did she permit them to continue with it. The news of Mausiji’s illness spread all over the country through the radio and the newspapers. There was an unending line of the visitors outside the I.C.U. Nobody was permitted to meet Mausiji. The doctors had a tough time, explaining to the visitors that Mausiji needed rest, and they should not disturb her. All the doctors, nurses and the other staff members routinely came to wish her in the morning and touched her feet before starting with their daily duties. Although the doctors did forbid the visitors from disturbing Mausiji. they themselves, couldn’t resist the temptation of talking with Mausiji about Ramayan and other subjects. As all were about to heave a sign of relief that Mausiji’s health was improving, she suffered from another heart attack. Once again, there was tension. Inspite of Mausiji’s illness, the routine work of the Samiti was going on as usual. The training classes were being conducted at the Ahalya Mandir. The Sevikas from Kerela had come to attend them. They were very keen on meeting Mausiji. They didn’t know Hindi, and Mausiji was unfamiliar with Malyalam. Yet, the bond of affection proved to be stronger than the lingual barrier. The festival of Diwali was celebrated in the hospital. Mausiji was recouping but at a slow pace. Dr. Pramilatal Tople met the doctors again. She was happy to note the improvement in Mausiji’s health. The Sevikas were delighted with the news. They started planning the details of the nursing care which would be needed at the Ahalya Mandir. A list was compiled and a duty chart was chalked about the responsibilities which would be shouldered by the various Sevikas, Whilst, the sevikas were enthusiastically preparing to welcome their beloved Mausiji back amid them, fate had something else in mind. Little did they realise the truth behind the adage, ‘Man proposes God disposes’. Mausiji seemed cheerful and healthy as she held light hearted discussions with the Sevikas on 25 November 1978. They were planning to celebrate Rani Lakshmibai’s birthday at Rami Jhansi Square. Mausiji gave them detailed instructions. She told them to take special care to cover the puja lamp with a lantern chimney so that it won’t blow off with the breeze. But she didn’t instruct them about covering her own life’s lamp with a suitable chimney, so that it won’t extinguish. Who knew at the moment that her soul was preparing for the eternal heavenly celebrations? During the early hours of 27 November 1978 around 3 am, Mausiji felt uneasy. The doctors rushed to her bedside. Inspite of all their efforts, at 3.40 am. Mausiji left for her eternal journey. It seemed that she had accepted the heavenly invitation of celebrating the Gyaneshwar death anniversary in heaven. Mausiji herself became a celestial star in the holy morning hours. There was a feeling of shock and grief, as this sad news was broadcasted in the morning news bulletin on the radio. People rushed from everywhere to Nagpur to have one last glimpse of their beloved and dearest Mausiji. Mausiji’s body was taken to her son, Advocate Manoher’s house, Then for the last time, Mausiji entered the Ahalya Mandir, not in spirit but in body. This was a place, which was so close and dear to her heart. The walls which once echoed with the hymns and discourses of Mausiji were stealing themselves to bid a final goodbye to their beloved, who was the very soul of the Ahalya Mandir. The last journey began on 28 November 1978 at 4 pm. There was a silent and disciplined ocean of people, who had come to pay their last homage to the departed soul. This was done at ‘Shree Shaktipeeth’ which was also a creation of Muasiji and later became her memorial. Mausiji’s mortal remains were consigned to the flames. But the glow of Mausiji’s life and deeds still illuminates the hearts of her followers and others alike. The seedlings of Hindu philosophy planted by her have now taken deep roots in the hearts of the people. The revolutionary ideas of Mausiji have become well established as social norms. Samiti is progressing in leaps and bounds treading on the path paved by her. Her name would remain etched in golden letters, in the list of the social revolutionaries for posterity. For Gods work I now lay my life. You lent the strength or me to strive. Like the worship of the holy Ganges by its water Divine. |
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