M. S. Golwalkar 'Guru' is a name familiar to all. Guru was the second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His full name was Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. His was an impressive personality: dignified gait; a long flowing beard reaching down to his chest; curly locks of hair touching the shoulders; a face luminous with innate intellect and learning. His was an inspiring presence. It aroused instant reverence. Whoever saw him spontaneously folded their hands and bowed their heads. Such was Guru. He instilled patriotism in the hearts of millions of youths of the country. He explained to them the Hindu way of life and philosophy in simple words. Like a true friend, he shared in the joys and sorrows of his countrymen. He molded them into effective instruments for the worship of Bharat Mata as her worthy children. He demonstrated that strength derives from organization. He traveled untiringly through the length and breadth of the country almost a hundred times during the 33 years of his glorious tenure as Sarsanghchalak, kindling in the society the immortal flame of enduring love for the Motherland. He had scaled the highest levels of spirituality through his intense austerity and perseverance. By constant study and reflection he had become a veritable treasure of knowledge. He was a voracious reader even as a boy. He avidly read whatever books he could lay his hands on, from childhood through youth. Several are the disciplines in which he had acquired commendable mastery - History, Art, Religion, Culture, Sciences, Sociology and Economics, to name a few; and he dedicated all his stupendous intellectual faculties to the service of the country. He vastly expanded the network of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Page 1 of 15 M. S. Golwalkar multipledirections, and inspired and guided thousands of efficient dedicated workers spread throughout the country. On 19th February 1906 a child was born in Nagpur to Sadashiv Golwalkar and Lakshmibai. The Golwalkar family originally hailed from Gulwalli village in the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. Lakshmibai was endearingly called as 'Tai and Sadashivarao as 'Bhauji by all acquaintances. In the beginning, Sadashivarao served as a clerk in the Posts and Telegraphs Department. Later, he took up the job of a school teacher. The boy was named Madhav at birth. It is customary in Maharashtra to append the father's name and the family name after a person's surname. Thus Madhav became Madhavrao Sadashivarao Golwalkar. Madhav had an elder brother named Amrut. Madhav was fondly called 'Madhu' in the family circle. Mother Lakshmibai was a devout lady. Amrut was gentle by nature. Madhu was rather mischievous, but always good in studies as well as in sports. He was agile, though not particularly well built. When Bhauji sat for worship, little Madhu too sat beside him, and quickly learnt the Mantras by heart. Endowed with a stupendous memory, he could recall whatever he once heard with ease and precision. After hearing a story he could narrate it to others with further elaboration added to it. Naturally a large circle of friends would always surround him. He had an unsuitable thirst to learn and understand everything that came his way with alacrity and enthusiasm. It was Madhu's practice to complete reading his class textbooks in the house itself, and utilize his time in the school to study other general books. However, he never lagged behind in his school studies. In fact, he was always the first to reply to any question asked by the teachers. Bhauji was from time to time transferred from one place to another. The new places provided fresh opportunities for Madhu to enlarge his friends' circle. Marathi of course was his mother tongue. But he soon acquired familiarity with Sanskrit, Hindi and English too. He wrote letters to his friends in English. He was seldom alone; while walking he was invariably accompanied by a group of friends. Page 2 of 15 M. S. Golwalkar He never forgot his friends even after leaving that place. He maintained his intimate contact with them through letters. Madhu completed Middle School and High School education creditably. The physical culture instructor in High School was particularly fond of him, as he excelled in physical exercises also. He continued to train Madhu even after he completed matriculation, as Madhu always strove to attain a high level of proficiency in whatever he attempted. Bhauji's desire was that Madhav should become a doctor. As preparatory to it, Madhav joined the course of First Year Science in Ferguson College, Pune, in June 1922. But that was not to be. On account of a new rule to admit only the residents of that province in the Pune College Madhav returned to Nagpur and secured admission in the Hislop College. He stayed in the house of his maternal uncle and pursued his studies. Madhavrao was a brilliant student in his college days. Once, during the course of a class-lecture, the teacher, Prof. Gardener, wrongly quoted a verse from the Bible. Madhavrao promptly pointed it out, "Sir, what you said is not accurate. The line reads thus." The surprised teacher, who had taught the Bible for years, sent for a copy of the text. It was found that what Madhavrao had recalled was the correct version. The learned professor was all praise for the talent and memory of his young student. On another occasion, while lecturing on a particular plant, the professor of botany said, "This plant is not available in this region." Madhavrao kept silent for the time being. But on the very next day, he displayed his keen observation by producing in the class the said plant, which he had brought from beneath an old bridge in the city. In 1924 he passed his Intermediate Science in First Class. Later, Madhavrao joined Banaras Hindu University for his B.Sc. course. On arrival in Kashi, Madhavrao immersed himself in books with an irrepressible passion to know and understand almost everything. He gained proficiency in Sanskrit in order to delve deep into the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. He read and re-read texts of Vedanta for the Page 3 of 15 M. S. Golwalkar sake of his friends who gathered around him every day for discussion. He studied extraneous subjects like Sociology, Economics etc., to be able to assist his University mates. Alongside, he practiced Yogasanas and swimming, and also learnt to play flute and sitar. He would be so engrossed in study that once, when he was stung by a scorpion, he continued his reading saying, 'It has stung my leg and not my head.' When attacked by fever he would say, 'Fever is there for itself, and I am here for myself' and continue his study. His room was full of books. He was always reading: when not reading he would be engaged in discussions with friends. Swimming in the morning; exercises in the evening. Whenever he went back to his home for short duration, his parents felt inwardly happy to see the glowing face of their son. He had indeed blossomed into a sprightly youth. Madhavrao completed his B-Sc. in 1926, but he did not feel like leaving Kashi; so deep had been its influence on his mind. Under the pretext of pursuing his post-graduation in zoology, he managed to remain there for a further period of two years. During that period he applied himself to a deep study of literature of Ramakrishna Paramahmsa and Vivekananda. He also became a member of a Theosophy Center, which had just then been started in Kashi. This proved to be a turning point in his life, in so far as his attitude, outlook and lifestyle were concerned. It also brought about a complete change in his mode of dress. A white, loose kurta and a slack pyjama became his attire - as was common among theosophists. Madhavrao liked the dress. He completed his M.S. also with distinction in 1928. He had to leave Kashi thereafter, though reluctantly. Madhavrao went to Madras for doing his Ph.D. in the science of fishery. All the while his father had desired that Madhav should become a 'Doctor'. Now he was going to be one, perhaps - though a doctor of a different sort. It was a hard life in Madras. He had to meet all his expenses out of a monthly allowance of Rs.50. He did all the daily chores by himself in his room. The local language was totally unfamiliar to him; and he had no acquaintances. He utilized this opportunity; in a way this served to help him to brush up his English further, as he had to rely on it most of the time. He made full use of the enforced solitude for his contemplative pursuits. The patriotic instinct, which had sprouted in his heart at Kashi, blossomed forth during his stay in Madras, and reinforced his resolve to do anything for the sake of the country. He had Page 4 of 15 M. S. Golwalkar clarity in his thought, purposiveness in action, firm faith in mental and physical powers, and a fearless disposition developed through his intellectual integrity. Once he was having breakfast in a hotel with his friends, amidst conversation. There ensued a discussion about the sturdiness of the glass-pane on the table where they were sitting. Some one remarked, "How can such a delicate glass-top withstand rough handling?" "It is not so easy to break it," remarked the hotel owner rather challengingly. "Suppose I break it with a single blow?" countered Madhavrao. "If you do that, all of you can have a free breakfast here from me, "answered the owner, provoked further.