Vinoba Bhave

Vinoba Bhave remained a Brahmachari all through his life. He had vowed for celibacy right in his adolescence and thus remained single all through.

Bhave spent the last days of his life at Brahma Vidya Mandir ashram in Paunar, Maharashtra. He breathed his last on November 15, 1982 after refusing food and medicine by accepting ‘Samadhi Maran’ / ‘Santhara’ as followed in Jainism.

Then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who was visiting Moscow to attend the funeral of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, cut short her visit to be at the funeral of Bhave.

Vinoba Bhave was born as Vinayaka (Vinoba) Rao Bhave on September 11, 1895 in Raigad, Maharashtra, to Narahari Shambhu Rao and Rukmini Devi.

He belonged to a Chitpavan Brahmin family and was the eldest of the five children born to the couple. His father was a trained weaver, while his mother a religious woman. She inspired and influenced the mind and life of young Bhave.

Academically brilliant, Bhave was well-read in the writings of Maharashtra's saints and philosophers and showed a deep-inclination towards mathematics.

An avid reader, he kept himself updated with the latest happenings and events. Gandhi’s speech at the inaugural ceremony of Benaras Hindu University caught the attention of young Bhave who became an ardent follower of Gandhi.

In 1916, with an aim to pursue further studies, Bhave journeyed to Bombay (now Mumbai) to appear for intermediate examinations. However, while on his way he put his school and college certificates to fire and took the fateful decision to reach Benaras in order to study ancient Sanskrit texts.

Abandoning his studies, Bhave settled at Gandhi’s ashram, where he indulged in teaching, studying and spinning. He also worked towards improving the quality of life of the people of the community.

Bhave actively participated in Gandhi’s constructive programmes by spreading awareness about the use of Khadi, settling up village industries, starting a new education system and upgrading the knowledge of people in sanitation and hygiene.

In 1921, he moved to Wardha where he took charge of the Ashram. Two years later, he published a monthly Marathi paper, Maharashtra Dharma, which contained essays on the Upanishads. The popularity of the newspaper grew and within a short span of time, it became a monthly and later a weekly. The newspaper lasted for three years. In 1925, upon Gandhi’s suggestion, Bhave moved to Vaikom, Kerala to oversee the entry of the Harijans to the temple.

During the decades of 1920s and 1930s, Bhave was arrested multiple times. However, he took his tenure in jail as a time for learning and writing. He scripted ‘Ishavasyavritti’ and ‘Sthitaprajna Darshan’ in addition to ‘Gitai’ and ‘Swarajya Shastra’. Also, he educated fellow prisoners about Bhagwad Gita. These speeches were later published in a book, ‘Talks on the Gita’ and translated in many languages.

Though Bhave actively participated in civil disobedience movement against the British, he was neither known publically nor was famous. It was in 1940 that Bhave came into prominence when Gandhi chose him to be the first individual Satyagrahi (an individual standing up for truth instead of collective action) against British rule.

Bhave gave his life working on the path led by Gandhi, advocating non-violence and human rights all through. A learned scholar and a spiritual visionary, he continuously worked for creating a just and equitable society. Though Bhave worked all his life, he first came into prominence by being the first individual satyagarhi. In his lifetime, he initiated various movements for the betterment of the people but one such movement that gained considerable attention was Bhoodan-Gramdan. Through it, he helped millions of landless and helpless people to cultivate and prosper. He walked on foot for ten years, spreading the message of Bhoodan and in turn helping homeless. It is said that Bhave obtained more than 1000 villages through donation.