Sahaj Samvad: Swami Vivekananda's Gujarati Friends!

This history also travels from where to where, mysterious and interesting! If not, where is Dakshineshwar, Bengal? Where Kutch and Mumbai? And where Chicago? We are all familiar with Swami Vivekananda's glittering career, but his fellow associates, friends, well-wishers, critics, royalty, shining gems of the West, revolutionaries… The list makes me think 'Outstanding, Gujarat!' Found while writing a documentary novel. Even after the discussion with Swami Nikhileshwarananda, there was much to be gained. Gunavantaraya Acharya- the author of our Sagarakathas was born in Jetalsar. In British times it was called 'Camp'. For Kathiawadi it was 'Kamp'. The big story of this small village was hinted at by Gunavantray in one of his columns, after which he searched for it and reached to Mr. Nathuram Sharma, a Hindu Pandit of Big Gaja of Anand Ashram in Beelkha and Nanabhai Bhatt, the thinker-founder of Gharshala in Bhavnagar. Hargovind Das Ajramar Pandya, a friend of Shrimann's, was Assistant Station Master at Jetalsar when Swami Vivekananda stopped at this station on his way from Junagadh to Porbandar and Pandyaji suggested after an all-night conversation that he should go to the World Dharma Conference in Chicago. Once there will be influence and the West will welcome you. Then the people of Hindustan will also show great respect. When this Hargobind Das later became active in Gharshala with Nanabhai Bhatt, everyone called him 'Motabhai'. Another such Gujarati character played a role in Swamiji's life. It is imaged by Lallubhai Bhansali. He is referred to as 'Lallubhai' in Vivekananda's letters. He was the paternal grandfather of Bhanumati, the devoted wife of Pandit Shyamji Krishnavarma. Ramdas, a brother of Bhanumati. He also became a barrister. As Ramdas and Shyamji were studying together in Mumbai, Shyamji's movement kept them there. Shyamji is the son of a very poor father, Karsandas Bhansali. He progressed due to his devotion to his studies. When Mathuradas, a Bhatia householder in Bhuj, visited him, he got an idea of ​​the young man's power and took him to Mumbai for further studies. Studied at Wilson High School, Elphinstone High School, Vishwanath Shastri's Sanskrit Pathshala, befriended Ramdas. Khabildas asked his son about Shyamji and married his daughter Bhanumathi. Vivekananda met Ramdas in Mumbai. Narottam Gokuldas (another Bhatia householder associated with the shipping industry) stayed there. When Vivekananda came to Mumbai for the third time, when Haridas Babu's brother of Khandwa introduced Ramdas in Mumbai, it was remembered that the reference to these dignitaries came out when Shyamji Krishnavarma and Harvilas Sharda met in Ajmer. Ramdas and his father Swami Dayananda were influenced by Saraswati. Vivekananda enjoyed the hospitality of Ramdas's sister Bhanumati in Ajmer. Ramdas studied at Cambridge. At the Bala Hills, Xavildas entertained him. He was 24 years older than Swami. hard life After doing a normal job, he started a sea-based business. Developed a business of exporting goods from Jamnagar to Dhaka. Bought a ship 'Galileo'. Manchester cloth sold in Mumbai market. Once both were sitting comfortably. So asked, 'Swami, what is the next plan?' 'Going to the Chicago Dharma Conference.' On hearing this, Bhagivaldas was happy, but Swami was serious. There were many problems. Economically also true. foreign country Black-white discrimination. Hatred of India. Common misconceptions about Hinduism. Dress different. Lifestyle is different. To go or not to go? Just as the station master sowed the seed of Chicago in Jetalsar, this Kutchi Bhatia Sadgrihasth contributed. Until he himself was willing to go with them! One more addition to this historical journey of Swami Vivekananda was the valuable contribution of Gujaratis by Parsi Gujarati Jamshedji Nasarwanji Tatano. This famous businessman born in Navsari was with Swami in the Canadian Pacific Airline's 'Empress of India' ship and after discussing the spirit of industry, he urged Swami to take charge of setting up ashrams, institutes, training camps on a large scale in scientific style. Colombo, Malaysia, Vancouver, Canada and Chicago. He was with Xavildas on the train journey from Chicago to Boston. In Vishwa Dharma Parishad it was said that 'you will not get admission if you have not registered'. Boston was cheaper to live in than Chicago so both stayed there. Then it came to know that the conference will be held after six months. After staying together for such a long time, Xavildas left for London. Swami said, My Gujarati relatives! I will miss you. How complete strangers helped him at the Chicago Conference are different incidents, but it is worth noting that the most important of the letters he wrote to from here was to Haridas Biharidas Desai, Diwan of Junagadh. Difficulties faced in Chicago and elsewhere, various lectures, what the future could be in India and the organization of youth dedicated to it, education in remote villages.. these ideas were expressed in it. He considered Haridas as his elder brother. The bridge between Gujarat and Vivekananda has been historic.

Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).