THE DYNAMIC TRADITION OF GREAT ANCESTORS

[Brijesh Pandya]

THE DYNAMIC TRADITION OF GREAT ANCESTORS

It is said that there is no point in tracking the
source of river & the ancestry of a 'Rishi' the visionary; as these may
be insignificant. But it is also true, that a common man may find
source of inspiration in the ancestry of a sage, however insignificant
it may be. It also satisfies the inquisitiveness & enables him to
interpret the sage's life in a better way. In this we notice the
prudence of the omnipotent God & the way He works.

It is great wonder as to how a powerful thought, the
pure devotion to God and spiritual philosophy get manifested in one
single individual! How is it that a person, the very embodiment of
purity and penance could be born only in the family of Athavales' of
pen, in this 20th century? God's realm has it's own laws, the coming up
of Pandurang among the Athavales' can be explained in the light of
sacred linage of God centered ancestors.

The great-grand father of Rev.Pandurang Shastriji bore
the same name 'Pandurang'. He was a God centered holy & truthful. His
son Parshuram Panth led his life honestly as a stamp vendor. He added
glory to his father in personal behavior. He once stood a surety for
someone. This resulted in the total sacrifice of his personal
possessions. He stuck to his promise till he breath the last.

Rev. Pandurang Shastri's grandfather Laxman Rao use
to go to the colony of harijans, who were treated as untouchables, to
teach 'Manache Shlok'(a sacred text in Marathi). This incident
naturally brings out the memories of the devotional saint, Narsinh
Mehta. Dynamic ancestors, exhibited courage of visiting the residence
of harijans while their offspring Pandurang Shastri- Rev. Dadaji took
harijans closer to him self & lovingly mixed them in swadhyay family.
How can we describe the lustrous person Pandurang who gave concrete
shape to his thought. 'Bhakti (devotion) is a social force'; a
religious reformer or a revolutionary philosopher.

Dadaji's mind was carefully cultivated by his father
Shri Vaijnathji, who in turn was shaped by his father Laxman Rao. In
fact, everyone in the Athavale family had shown a preference for
righteousness over riches, service over selfishness. The ever
manifested energy & brilliance in their activity, no wonder that Rev.
Pandurang Shastri popularly known as Rev. Dadaji born in such family
was adored world over.