Context: Prime Minister of India paid homage to eminent freedom fighter, philosopher, and social reformer Acharya Vinoba Bhave on his birth anniversary (Jayanti).
About Acharya Vinoba Bhave:
Who He Was?
- Born as Vinayak Narahari Bhave (11 September 1895 – 15 November 1982), he was an eminent Indian philosopher, educationist, scholar, and social activist.
- Revered as the spiritual successor (Maanas Putra) of Mahatma Gandhi, he was a staunch advocate of non-violence, Sarvodaya (welfare of all), and land reforms, popularly hailed as the National Teacher of India.
Early Life:
- Born in Gagode village in the Konkan region (Raigad district, Maharashtra), he was deeply influenced by his mother Rukmini Devi’s spiritual devotion and his father’s rational, scientific outlook.
- While studying in Baroda, he developed an insatiable passion for reading and contemplation, taking an early vow of lifelong celibacy (Brahmacharya).
- In March 1916, he discontinued formal college education, burned his certificates, and went to Varanasi in search of spiritual truth. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, he met him at Ahmedabad on June 7, 1916, dedicating his life to Gandhi’s constructive programs.
- Gandhi lovingly bestowed upon him the name ‘Vinoba’, honoring him in the lineage of Maharashtra’s revered saints Jnanoba and Tukoba.
Contribution to the Freedom Movement:
- Constructive Work at Wardha: In 1921, he took charge of the Wardha branch of the Satyagraha Ashram, where he founded the Gram Seva Mandal (1934) and pioneered village sanitation, basic education (Nai Talim), and Khadi spinning.
- Flag Satyagraha and Imprisonment: Actively participated in national agitations, including the Nagpur Flag Satyagraha (1923), Salt Satyagraha, and civil disobedience drives, enduring multiple imprisonments.
- First Individual Satyagrahi (1940): Handpicked by Mahatma Gandhi as the very first Satyagrahi to launch the Individual Civil Disobedience Movement against British involvement in World War II (followed by Jawaharlal Nehru as the second). Gandhi formally introduced him to the wider public through an essay titled Who is Vinoba?.
Literary Works:
- Geetai (Mother Gita): Translated the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi verse (1930–31), an enduring classic that sold millions of copies.
- Gita Pravachane (Talks on the Gita): A series of 18 lectures delivered while imprisoned in Dhule jail in 1932, subsequently translated into 24 Indian and foreign languages.
- Philosophical Treatises: Authored seminal works including Sthitaprajna-Darshan (The Steadfast Wisdom), Swarajya-Shastra (The Grammar of Anarchism/Self-Rule), Vichar-Pothi, Ishavasya-Vrutti, and compilations harmonizing the core moral teachings of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism (Dhammapada).
