Brahmachariji

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 3

He had been married at the age of 13 a little after the death of his father. He had therefore acquired the sense of responsibility. When he noticed the aged farmers undertaking hard labor like animals, his delicate sense made him cry at times. He felt that it would be easier to handle the family responsibility, if he could study. He was therefore thinking to go back to school and was praying to God to enable him to resume the study. He was, however, hesitating to talk about it to his elder brother.
Meanwhile a guest from a nearby village came to their place. As he asked why he was not going to school, Gordhan replied that he was keen to do so. Thereupon the guest asked Narsinhbhäi to send him to school. Accordingly he was readmitted to the school in the 5" grade, which was then known as English first grade. Since he did well in English test, he was promoted to the 6th grade. That time he had to stay in Petläd boarding, where Motibhäi Amin was in charge. Under his inspiration Gordhan undertook hard work and passed 6 and 7th grades within a year. The period lost by leaving the school was thus made good.
While prosecuting the study his attention was drawn to the character-molding activities. The boarding life provided the facilities for reading and contemplating. Motivated by the ideals Motibhäi had accepted the life of a teacher instead of pursuing other profitable avocations. He freely used to talk to the students about the experience that he had gone through in molding his life and give them appropriate guidance. Moreover, he used to make right use of every moment and stay concentrated in the work. Straightforward, devout and truthful nature of Gordhan could make much progress in the presence of such an inspiring guide. Like Benjamin Franklin he prepared the time schedule for his activities and strictly adhered to it. He developed the habit of concentration to such an extent that he could do everything on time as planned.
He prepared a list of good and bad habits and continually endeavored to develop the former and drop the latter. He willingly observed fasts for the sake of economy and the amount so saved was spent for paying for the tours or for buying the required school stationery. He did earn scholarships and cash awards, but that he used for extending help to other poor students. He was thus putting into practice Geetä's message of "Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam' (Performing the activities efficiently constitutes Yog.)
During that time he also came in contact with Karunäshankar, who was known as an ideal teacher in Charotar area as well as in the teaching realm in general. Under his influence Gordhan came across the revolutionary writings of poet-thinker Känt. That helped in developing his notions and he was attracted towards the literary field. That led him to composing poems etc.
After passing Matriculation (Secondary School) examination he joined Baroda Arts College for further study. There his punctuality and concentration in work had good impact upon others. He had realized that the time is invaluable. He considered the college life as the sacred period for gaining knowledge and did not waste even a minute. He therefore read and contemplated a lot while attending to regular college study. After passing the Intermediate (Sophomore) examination he once came to Petläd Boarding and saw the old friends there. Bhikhäbhai Patel was foremost among them.
They had the dream of setting up an autonomous university. Since their Boarding life they had developed the concept of social service and of Indian independence. The political leaders of that time aspired to get independence by constitutional means. These youngsters, however, wanted to realize their dream by spreading education. As such, they wanted to get prepared for setting up the appropriate educational facilities. Since English language had the preeminence that time, they decided to join Wilson College at Bombay in order to gain sound knowledge of English. That was costly, yet Gordhanbhäi and Bhikhäbhäi spent two years there while undergoing lot of difficulties. In 1914 Gordhanbhai earned B.A. degree with English as the major. By that time he had gained so much command over English that his articles used to appear even in Times of India. His article on Joint Family System was rated outstanding.
While returning from Bombay when the train arrived at Baroda, his mentor Motibhäi Amin and others had been to the Station in order to see him. Gordhanbhai was talking to them while standing at the door of his compartment. Meanwhile someone closed the door and the thumb of Gordhanbhai was ruptured. He did not say anything to that person and quietly bore the pain. The hurting was, however, serious and he had to be taken to a dispensary for treatment.