Sayings of Doctor Hedgewar- Pathey in English

PATHEY (English)

Pathey is a unique collection of inspiring thoughts of Param

Pujyaneeya Doctor Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889-1940). The thoughts
will inspire the reader’s heart & mind to understand the invaluable
principles of organisation for the protection and welfare of Hindu society
and nation. Doctorji’s life was dedicated in putting his thoughts into practice
through Sangh work that he started in 1925.
The Preface
‘Pathey’ means ‘Tiffin’ i.e. the food which we carry with us to be eaten
later. But this Tiffin is not merely for satisfying hunger but also for feeding
the mind and intelligence. These are the sacred sayings (‘Amrutvachans’)
of Param Pujyaneeya Doctor Hedgewar, teaching lessons of dedication to
goal, faith, hard work, perseverance, art of organisation, etc.
This small booklet is easy to keep in pocket. Similarly, it is easy to
read and keep in mind. These words are not ordinary. They are the
essence- the thought, philosophy and also deeds of P. P. Doctorji’s life.
This is a treasure-chest of precious jewels of principles. This is a Sun’s
plate which constantly gives food. This is a quiver filled with arrows which
are Ram- Baan. Every single thought of this booklet has the capacity to
destroy demons like lethargy, dejection, selfishness, shyness, narrow-
mindedness, indecisiveness, inactiveness etc. The form of this booklet is-
open any page, read a small saying, and get to work with a new light in the
head. We are sure that this activity will be liked by everyone.

PUBLISHER
Vijay Inamdar, Karyawah, Bharat Bharati Bal
Pustakmala Prakashan, Nagpur- Maharashtra
COMPILATION: Bhaiyaji Sahasrabuddhe (alias P. G. Sahasrabuddhe)
 EDITION: First: 1989 (Chaitra Shukla 1, Shaka 1911)
Second: March 1997
Third: April 2004 (In Marathi- all 3)
TRANSLATION: From original Marathi into English in 2012. English
publication of Pathey is done on 1 July 2015 by Vishwa Niketan, New
Delhi. Translation of that 2015 English publication is same as this, with a
few minor changes.
OUR HINDU NATION
1. The Sangh wants to put in reality the words “Hindusthan of Hindus”.
Hindusthan is a country of Hindus. Like other nations of other people (eg.
Germany of Germans), this is a nation of Hindu people.
[Here it may be remembered that once a reporter asked the then RSS
chief Golwalkar Guruji in the 1960s in English: "Is India only for Hindus?" to
which Golwalkar Guruji replied: "ONLY INDIA is for Hindus". ]
2. Only a piece of land cannot be called ‘Nation’. A nation is created where
people of one thought, one culture and one tradition live together since
ancient times. Because of exactly the above reasons, ‘Hindusthan’ is the
name given to our country and this is a country of the Hindus.
3. Expecting help from others and pleading for it is a clear sign of weakness.
This clearly reflects in behavior. So, Sangh swayamsewaks should
fearlessly proclaim, “Hindusthan of Hindus”. Remove all narrow-
mindedness. We do not say that others should not live here. But they
should be aware that they are living in Hindusthan of Hindus. (Like others
would realize if they were living there- that they are living in France of
French people, or Germany of Germans, or Spain of Spanish people).
Others cannot infringe on rights of Hindus here.
4. Seeing the Saffron Flag (Bhagwa Dhwaj), the entire history of the nation
along with its tradition and culture comes before our eyes. The mind rises
and special motivation comes in it. Only this Saffron Flag (Bhagwa Dhwaj)
we consider as our Guru, as a symbol of our Tatva i.e. principle. Sangh has
regarded the most sacred Bhagwa Dhwaj as the Guru instead of any
particular individual. The reason for this being that an individual may be a
great person but he cannot remain consistent in his life style nor can he be
perfect in all respects. Consequently, instead of making our position
awkward by accepting any individual person, we have adopted an
 inspirational symbol of victory and strength Bhagwa Dhwaj as our guru. It
represents our history, tradition and supreme sacrifices made for our
nation. It is the embodiment of all basic elements of our nationhood.
5. Bhagwa Dhwaj is not Sangh’s own creation. Nor, it has any intention of
creating a separate flag. Sangh has only accepted the Bhagwa Dhwaj,
which for thousands of years has been the flag of our Rashtra
Dharma. Bhagwa Dhwaj has a long history and tradition and it is an
embodiment of Hindu culture.
6. There are excellent scriptures in our religion. Very inspiring valour-filled
history is behind us. But we do not think on it in the right way. When we see
a thoughtful and working person, we put him in the line of divine people.
We assume him as divine, and tell ourselves that it is impossible for man to
inculcate God’s virtues. With such an imaginary idea, we do not try to
imitate and acquire the divine virtues.
7. If we keep Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as our ideal, we will remember his
heroics for the cause of defending Hindudom. The samarthya i.e. power of
Shivaji is as much as that of the Saffron Flag. The history we remember
looking at the saffron flag, and the motivation we get from it, the same is
got from Shivaji Maharaj’s life. Shivaji lifted the saffron flag which was truly
in the dust, re-established Hindu Pad-padshahi and rejuvenated the dying
Hindutva. So, if you want to keep a man as ideal, then keep Shivaji as the
one.
8. Happiness of Hindus is the happiness of my family and me. The problems
faced by Hindu society are our problems and its humiliation is our
humiliation. Such feeling of belonging should be in every Hindu. This is the
basis of Hindu Dharma.
The cause of our decline/problems/plight
9. Only one meaning is revealed from names
like Bharatkhand, Bharatvarsha, Aryavarta, etc. But we are taken aback by
the mere thought of the meaning of the words. Our situation is like that of a
parrot in a cage. We have suffered from a loss of intelligence. We are
eager to embrace as brothers those who have vowed to destroy our
culture. All this is a result of our weakness of mind.
10. We have forgotten the truth that our society was once very
powerful. This is why all movements in the country are run on the feeling of
weakness. Strength, enthusiasm is not present.
11. Mental weakness is the biggest weakness. This is the biggest
shortcoming of our society. If we keep in mind our strength and unite, then
our work will be very high. Then, no work will appear impossible. The truth
is that we have a lot of strength, but despite this we have forgotten our own
strength.
12. The first thing that I will tell is that selfishness and inactiveness have
to be abandoned immediately. Since we are very pessimistic about matters
of welfare of the society, our minds have become very weak. ‘It won’t
matter even if the society is burnt to ashes. What have I got to do with it?
So, as long as my self-interest is not harmed, everything is ok’ - such
thoughts on the society (indifference) seem to have penetrated the society
very deep. That is the reason why our society is weak today.
13. Until faults like weakness, selfishness, indifference to society, etc
remain as they are, we will not be able to call ourselves as ‘good people’
i.e. sajjan. And until we become sajjan, God will consider us as weak and
only help in our destruction. But, when we really become sajjan and prove
that we are ready to sacrifice everything for welfare of the country, religion
and society, then God will definitely help us.
14. In today’s situation we cannot expect God’s help. God will turn his
back on us thinking ‘This Hindu society has selfish weak and sinning
people everywhere’. And if God does indeed come to us, he will come
against us, not for us. Because God will always want to
finish durjan people.
15. Those who always do their duty keeping thoughts of religion, nation,
society and public welfare, are real ‘sajjan’. Are such ‘Tyaagi’ (people who
do sacrifice) and dutiful people present in the Hindu society in sufficient
numbers? If even half the people in the Hindu society were filled with such
noble thoughts, no one in this world would have dared to launch vicious
attacks on our society. God himself would have taken an avatar to defend
religion.
Sangh’s aims
16. The Sangh doesn’t want to exist anyhow like any organisation for
centuries. The Sangh has a burning desire that Hindutva’s flames spread
rapidly throughout the country.
17. Keep in mind that the Sangh is not a gym or a military school. Sangh is
a national and unbreakable organisation of the Hindus. It should be
stronger than steel.
18. The Sangh wants to make the Hindu society so strong that no one in
the world will dare to attack our society. If our strength is invincible, only
then will such a situation arise in the world.
19. For what goal have we taken oath/vow? The Sangh wishes that our
sacred Hindu religion and dear Hindu culture always stay alive in the world
with pride.
20. The Sangh has deliberately chosen its area of work and hence it does
not interfere in any other issue. We must move ahead on our pre-
determined path keeping our goal in mind. We must think 24 hours about
how we can give every moment of our life for this great work and learn how
to do work like this. We must be filled with thoughts of how our organisation
will grow every moment.
21. We must have unbreakable devotion to the Sangh’s great work. We
have to create fearlessness and enthusiasm in the whole Hindu society.
We have to ignite self-confidence and self-pride in the society by creating
social strength.
22. We have resolved to dedicate our whole life for the purpose of making
the entire Hindu society stand on its own feet in a united manner.
23. Today, injustice, immorality and atrocities have become the order of the
day in this world. Until they end, we cannot get the right of salvation
(Moksha). Why don’t we realize this simple fact?
24. In reality, this strength is as sacred and blessed as spiritual strength.
We don’t have to become strong to indulge in violence but to end the
violence and atrocities of the world once and for all.
25. Really, weak people only are the ones who violate world peace,
because by their weakness they inspire atrocious people to commit
atrocities. If we are weak then the sin of destroying peace of the whole
world comes on our head. We must always strive that we do not get the sin
of violating peace in the world’s human race. (Which we will get if we are
weak).
26. For peace and order to prevail in the world, balance is needed. A place
where weak and strong come together, peace and order is ruined. Two
tigers don’t trouble each other. But it needn’t even be mentioned as to what
happens where a tiger and a sheep come together. Peace and harmony
can dwell only between those with equal strength.
27. The Sangh has taken birth for uniting our society and making it strong.
Sangh’s shakhas are doing the task of strengthening the Hindu society all
over India. There should not be a single village in India, where there is
no shakha of the Sangh.
28. Accumulating strength for the protection of our country and our religion
is the aim of the Sangh.
29. Sangh gives considerable importance to samskaras. A person’s actions
are guided by his thoughts, and a gathering of those who have similarity of
thought and action contribute to a creative environment. Let us build
throughout this country a pure and respectable, devoted to the cause,
hopeful, inspiring and refreshing environment. Wherever Swayamsewaks
go they should carry the spirit of such an environment.

God’s work
30. There is absolutely no fault or sin in the goal that we have kept in our
mind. We have vowed to defend our religion and our nation. What sin can
be there in this?
31. Our step has never gone back. Then how can it go back in today’s
situation which is conducive for work? We must go ahead with double
enthusiasm and we will. I do not have the slightest doubt about our ultimate
victory. Our work will increase with tremendous speed from now onwards.
32. The whole world is going ahead with tremendous speed. How can only
we afford to stay behind? Do not fear just because situation (time) is
difficult. Do not step backward. Let our foot fall forward only. The person
who does work overcoming difficult situations becomes successful in the
end and only his name spreads in the world. What is the reason for us to
have any fear? We have God’s hands for us because our work is God’s
work. We have the blessings of God and saints with us.
33. Let us all remember that it is impossible to gain anything without doing
hard work and sacrifice (Swartha-tyag). I have used the word Swartha-
tyag (Sacrificing self-interest), but the work we are doing has the interest
(Benefit) of the Hindu society, so personal benefit also comes in it. Then
what other benefit is left? If Sangh work is for our own benefit, then how
can the efforts needed for it be termed as sacrifice (Swartha-tyag)? In
reality, it is not Swartha-tyag. Equate your self-interest with the interest of
the Hindu nation- that’s enough!
34. Every organ of our body and our mind is filled with only one feeling- we
must serve our Hindu society. There is no space for any other thought in
our inner mind. Then why will God’s blessings not be with us? Today the
situation is so favorable to us that wherever our workers go, they become
successful. Since our goal is extremely pure (sacred) and for benefit of the
society our work has become God’s work and it is exactly for this reason
that we will definitely become successful.
35. I fully believe that our Sangh has become fit for gaining the mercy and
blessings of God and will remain so. Because God knows the feelings in
our inner mind, in our heart. Out inner mind is clean and pure. It does not
have an iota of sin.
36. We are sure that we have the blessings of God. Our work is not of
attack but of peace and organisation. We must do this sacred work for
Hindu religion and Hindu culture and defend our culture and improve it.
Only then can we and our society survive /excel in this improved world.
37. Have completed and unshakeable faith in Sangh’s philosophy. We are
determined to work for the protection of our nation, our dharma and our
culture. As it is the true path we need not worry or fear about any dangers.
Dangers do not just present themselves. In fact they are God’s blessings in
disguise. They convey His wishes to us not only to strengthen ourselves
and succeed fighting through disasters but also show us a better future
direction.

Sangh belongs to everyone

38. We do not do our work hiding and in secrecy. Now our work has come
in front of our society and the society is watching our work’s growth with
concern. Our enemies, as well as our friends, have spread around us. We
will definitely make our friends come closer to us, but we have no reason to
hate even those who maintain a feeling of enmity towards us. We must
really pity them. If we work with utmost devotion from the bottom of our
heart, then they will definitely have to stay away from our path. They will
not be able to sustain our tremendous strength.
39. We have the feeling of belonging, togetherness for all Hindus. We must
throw aside petty feelings of personal insult or personal pride and approach
constituents of the society with affectionate and polite behavior. Which
stone-hearted Hindu will not be ready to listen to your soft and sweet talk?
40. Our behavior towards every Hindu who loves this nation must be of
brotherly love. The question is not how people behave or what they talk. If
our behavior is fully free from any fault, then all our Hindu brothers will get
attracted towards us.
41. Since our work is for the entire Hindu society, we should never neglect
or oppress any member of the society. We must behave with equal
affection to all Hindu brothers, without any feeling of inferiority or
superiority. To be contemptuous to anyone considering him as inferior will
amount to sin.
42. Elderly people have a very important position in this Sangh work. They
can also take major responsibility in the Sangh. If elderly people become
ready to utilize their prestige and practical skill for Sangh work then the
youth section can work with more enthusiasm and motivation. The youth
force is filled with enthusiasm by the guidance of elderly people and the
Sangh work steps ahead rapidly in the right direction. Hence no one should
pessimistic about the Sangh work. Everyone must get to work with
enthusiasm.
43. It is very wrong to think that only a person of a particular age or
particular capacity is useful for Sangh work and if not, then he is useless. In
the field of Sangh work, everyone is needed. Everyone has work. Because
Sangh work is not the work of an individual but the work of everyone.
44. This mammoth work is not doable by one person or some few people.
For this work are needed organized efforts of lakhs and crores of people
filled with one same goal in mind. This is my request to you- let the net of
this organisation of dedicated, focused and strong youth spread to every
nook and corner of India. Then our work will not be difficult at all. On the
contrary we will see a beautiful picture of a new Yuga filled with hope and
enthusiasm everywhere.
45. These shakhas must run from all parts of India. It is only because of
such an organisation that our weakness will disappear and our society will
become effective. This work is not of one or two individuals but of the entire
Hindu society.
46. If you say that we will remain outside and watch from a distance, then it
is of no use. Isn’t the Sangh of Hindus? Then all Hindus must come in it.
This Sangh is of all of us. No caste has any superiority, no individual has
any superiority. No one’s place has any superiority.
47. Sangh is not just for Swayamsewaks. It is also for those who are out of
it. It is therefore our duty to show these people the right path to revive the
glory of our nation and that path is only of organisation.
48. Sangh work cannot be achieved by just completing its programs or
simply presenting yourself on the organisation. We need to unite the entire
Hindu society from the oceans to the Himalayas. In fact the most important
field of work is the Hindu society outside of the Sangh.
Importance of the Sangh work
49. We must never forget that the organisation of the Sangh is a living
organisation and it must continuously keep growing. Our goal can be
achieved only if the organisation grows continuously and rapidly, otherwise
not.
50. We have no other goal in front of our eyes than to make society strong
and invincible by creating organisation. After achieving this, all other things
will be done automatically. All political, social and economic questions
plaguing us today will be solved easily.
51. Even today our Hindu society is not less in numbers. It is a fifth of the
world population (20 % it was at P P Doctorji’s time. Now it is around one-
sixth, 16 % or so). When this mammoth society unites, then no one will
dare to cast an evil look on our society. Be sure that our strength will be
invincible in this whole world.
52. All atrocities committed on us till today, and being committed now have
only one answer. We must become amazingly strong. This strength we can
create only by way of organisation. There is no other way that we can
create this strength.
53. Until we remain devoid of strength, by the laws of nature, those who are
strong will keep having the desire of attacking us. What will be gained by
merely breaking our finger in the name of strong attackers? It will make no
difference to the situation.
54. “Jeevo Jeevasya Jeevanam” (‘Life is the life of life’) means weak
people fall as the prey of strong ones. This means, there is no respectful
place for weak people in this world. They have to live as slaves of those
with strength. ‘Constant insult and hard laborious work’- such is their life.
55. No matter how great our religion and culture, until we develop the
strength needed for their protection, they will not be fit to get the respect of
the world.
56. We always think in respect of the nation. We have named our
organisation as Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh so that these thoughts
remain in our mind 24 hours. ‘Does the organisation do any work?’ those
who doubt this, I will tell them that organisation is the only power in the
world by which all national problems are solved.
57. If one doesn’t have strength, then no matter how much one shouts, no
one will care about it. Because they know that a weakling cannot do
anything to us.
58. Suppose there is a rich man. He can do whatever he wants at any time.
If he wants to build a mansion, then he does not need to think ‘I will earn
money, become rich and then build a mansion’. If he wants to build a
beautiful garden after building the mansion, then also he doesn’t have to
wait for it. Same is the situation of a strong and accomplished nation.
Strength only is the decisive answer to all questions.
59. Organisation is the main strength of a country. If any questions have to
be solved in this world, they are solved only on the basis of strength and
capability (Samarthya). The country which does not have strength does not
have any of its wish come true. But a strong nation can do anything it wants
according to its wish.
60. Organisation has immense strength and capacity. But this must be
realized by every constituent of the organisation. We form organisation
because we recognize that it is superior to all other movements.
61. Everyone has problems. Everyone has his family. If we keep telling
these problems then we will become others’ prey. If we consider Sangh
work as more important than everything else, and do Sangh work, only
then will our grandchildren remain Hindu.
[After P P Doctorji said this, Hindu religion was destroyed in West
Pakistan i.e. India’s then North West Frontier Province where the
Hindu population has come down from 20 % in 1947 to 1 %, also in
East Pakistan where the Hindu population has come down to 8.6 % in
2011 or so from 34 % in 1901 & 29 % in 1947 and in Kashmir. In
divided India the Hindu % has reduced from 85% in 1951 to 79.8% in
2011. In United India (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh together), the
Hindu population has reduced from 79 % in 1881 to 66 % in 2011,
while the Muslim population has gone up from 19 % to 32 % in the
same period. No power on earth can prevent Hindus from becoming a
minority in United India by 2047, or at least 2061, partition is the only
thing which prevented Hindus from becoming a minority in India].
Determination and efforts
62. There is a famous sentence in the Geeta which says that ‘We should
do our work without bothering about the fruit’. (Karmanyevadhikaraste ma
faleshu kadachana) We should always remember this sentence in our
mind. We have the right (and duty) to do work. The result or fruits of it is not
in our hands. That is why the test of any individual is not decided by the
success or failure of the work done by him but by his intention, i.e. his inner
heart.
63. People say that today’s situation is extremely horrendous and
unfavorable. But I say, a situation as favorable as the one today never
came in the past. This is the time to put soul in our efforts- make larger-
than-life efforts. There was never such a favorable situation (for doing
work) in the past, and it is not certain if it will ever come in the future.
64. You begin your work and do it with persistence. Thinking that ‘We will
do it later’ is only deceiving ourselves. It is not correct to rely on future in
any way. Who can tell how the wheel of circumstances/ situations will turn
in future? How can we know at what time the mountain of dangers will fall
on us? The moment to do work is always now. The one who relies on
tomorrow bites the dust. That is why I give the message- start the work
today itself.
65. You know very well how to mix with the society and behave with the
people. We know how to behave in school or college, how to attract the
minds of folks at home and neighbors, how to influence our friends or
relatives with virtues, etc still why doesn’t our work increase rapidly? There
is only one reason and that is-laziness i.e. lethargy in us. Destroy the
laziness (lethargy) and you yourself will see what drastic change it made in
you.
66. Apart from going to the place of shakha i.e. Sanghasthan, we are
unable to do other special work only because of laziness i.e. lethargy. If we
give up laziness and really focus our energy on our work then we can see
astonishing progress. Once laziness (lethargy) is gone, work becomes very
easy.
67. The reality is that we have the capacity to do everything. Let alone a
minor thing like adding 5-10 swayamsewaks, we can demolish a big
mountain- raze to ground. The task of getting swayamsewaks can be done
even by an ordinary small boy. The main point is only this- we must give up
laziness. Only it is our real enemy.
68. For regaining the past glory of our country, who else but we can
sacrifice everything and do hard work. Who else but you can please the
Goddess of Fortune (Bhagyalakshmi) of India? This has to be done only by
you. Do you think it will be done by running a few shakhas in which one-two
thousand swayamsewaks work? Can you hope or expect others to come
and get glory for our country? Then what is the use of your existence?
69. Many people say that this work is very difficult. There are infinite
problems in the way. I say, they may be there. We must be aware right
from the beginning that our path is full of thorns. Who had hoped anyway
our path is filled with roses? Regaining lost glory of the country is not
merely talking bluff and bluster nor is it a thing available in the market for 4
pennies. It is an extremely priceless thing. Full price has to be paid for it. It
can’t be got for even a paisa less.
70. Since this is our house, we cannot avoid our responsibility at any cost.
Hoping that foreigners who do not have love for this country, or no feeling
of devotion will help us is totally futile and inappropriate.
71. No matter how much others shout “This work is difficult”, don’t sing this
cry-song yourself. We have to do such a distinct, phenomenal work that the
whole world will be left gasping with astonishment. Do you not know with
how few people the Sangh work began?
72. The Sangh does not want that a reflection of even an iota of the faults
which have proved very damaging for our society be seen in any
swayamsewak of the Sangh. The Sangh will always try that its
swayamsewaks are free from the society’s faults and virtues necessary for
Sangh life are inculcated in them.
73. Inactiveness is a very big fault of the Hindu society. But Sangh
swayamsewaks must be so active that there should not be the slightest
trace of inactiveness in the Sangh’s atmosphere. If we have a burning
desire for our work and strong determination then we can easily get rid of
the ghost of inactiveness.
74. No matter how many lectures we give or listen, until we work like what
is talked we should not expect our goal to be achieved even by mistake.
75. We know that we have to become strong and we also know the only
way of accumulating strength. But merely knowing the way and having a
desire will not make us strong. We must continuously work in that direction.
If the idea of organisation is put into practice, only then can we become
strong. Power (Samarthya) is in action, not merely in words. We must do
action for this.
76. Just as a person has to face numerous problems in his life, the Sangh’s
life too has no dearth of problems and dangers. But it is necessary that the
Sangh’s step must always go forward no matter how many dangers arise.
77. Always remember that the reason of our progress is our specific goal.
The Sangh has always kept only one goal in its mind right since its
inception. Our thoughts are related on the goal. We have become very
dedicated to our work.
78. If all people get to work then our work will increase rapidly. Because the
situation is very favorable (for work). Such a favorable situation was never
present in the past. So we must make use of this golden opportunity.
79. We must always think- how much work do we do and in what quantity
and at what speed? Is our extent and speed sufficient, looking at the work
we have to do and our ultimate goal?
80. Works are not done by merely having a desire. Even the Almighty had
to take avatar and get work done through human power only.
81. We know how the world works. The shopkeeper is not ready to give a
thing costing Rs 100/- even for Rs 99/-. Every thing has to be given its full
price. That is why we must keep working until sufficient strength is
developed in our society. It will not be enough to have only physical
strength. We must also have strength of thoughts along with it. At any given
time, the first need of strength is in the form of thoughts. Hence the
swayamsewaks must first destroy their mental weakness with efforts, and
like themselves, create mental strength in other people also.
82. If the world has to be shown “Hindusthan is a country of Hindus” then
the Sangh work has to be done considering it as our own work. And it is our
duty to fill our lives thoughts and actions which are necessary for the
success of this Sangh work.
83. “When National work arises, call me. I will be ready to jump anywhere”-
there is a group of people saying this in our society. Then, I feel like asking,
“But who will come to call you?” That moment of calling comes close only
by doing hard work continuously with efforts. That moment is not going to
come to us by us waiting for it in our homes. We will keep sitting in our
homes waiting for the final moment of emergency, while others should keep
working! Is this behavior appropriate?
84. Many people say “What’s in it? Everything will be all right when the time
comes”. But do people think like this about their personal lives? When a
difficult situation comes on him, no one sits still leaving everything to God.
They try their utmost doing everything possible to get out of the situation.
But when the question arises of benefit of nation/religion/society going
beyond personal interest, then such people do the drama of faith in God.
‘Selfishness is at the root of such fake thinkers’- will it be wrong to say this?
85. Many people say “We do snan (bath), sandhya, puja, etc so God will
definitely give us success”. But I ask such people “Can you give a single
example of 100 rupees walking to you on its own by doing jap, puja?” It
never happens. Always work has to be done. One must never expect work
to be done without efforts- we will have to do unlimited efforts. But while
doing our work, we should always remember God and keep the feeling of
dedicating our work at the feet of God.
86. A man cannot even manage his small family without efforts. Then is it a
sign of wisdom to expect that the vast life process of the nation will
continue running on its own without our efforts? For the nation’s life
process to run smoothly are needed great efforts. How can one get
success without efforts?
87. There is a saying in English: “God helps those who help themselves”.
But I do not understand why God should rush to our help? Why should he
show mercy on us? What efforts are we doing for our development /
improvement that God should rush to our help?
Importance of Shakha
88. We must not be addicted to anything other than our work and our duty.
What luxuries should Sangh swayamsewaks expect having taken oath of
serving the nation and the society? (This does not mean that
swayamsewaks should become one-dimensional ignoring everything else.
They should be practical, but not addicted to luxury). Our work is our
everything. They should devote themselves to this work so as to see our
goal accomplished with their eyes if possible. I am fully confident that no
swayamsewak will fail in his duty.
89. All of us must think day and night that- How can I get new friends and
how can I add them to the Sangh? We must feel an intense desire for this
work. We must be restless. By no other thing should our mind be satisfied.
(This does not mean we should not take happiness in other things or deny
ourselves happiness of life. But we should be truly happy when we add
friends to the Sangh).
90. We must take care that once people from outside enter the Sangh, they
do not move out again. We must have solved problems of leaking tank in
our childhood. We would have had to think in how much time the tank will
fill if the inlet pipe and outlet pipe are both simultaneously left open. But
such a situation must never arise on a Sangh swayamsewak. He should
never be forced to solve such a problem. The Sangh’s tank must always go
on filling.
91. We must take care that for no reason should a Sangh swayamsewak sit
still i.e. remain active. If a swayamsewak is absent one day, we must go to
his house and inquire or else he will not come the next day also. On the
third day he is ashamed to come to the Sangh, and on the fourth he is
afraid, and from the fifth he starts avoiding and dilly-dallying. Hence no
swayamsewak should be allowed to remain absent.
92. If you maintain purity and alertness in your behavior then the intensity
of swayamsewaks will automatically increase. If different shakhas run in
different parts of the same village, then there is a chance of group-
affection. You must manage it with skill.
93. By increasing Upashakhas swayamsewaks are correctly grouped and
the karyawah gets direct contact with them. If there is only one shakha then
we cannot pay attention on the increased Sankhya i.e. number of
swayamsewaks, and even if the Sangh expands, the strength does not
increase. If the Shakha karyawah works with this aim, only then the goal
which the Sangh has kept in mind will succeed.
94. Our karyakrams i.e. programs today are based on resources. Some
people consider these karyakrams i.e. programs themselves as the
Sangh’s goals. But this is their mistake. This false idea must be removed
by us with our deeds. We want to create uniformity and discipline in our
country.
95. Our first duty is to organize and unite people who are favorable to
achieving our goal. Hence we must make aware all those of Hindu blood
about our social decline and motive them for national work. When 5-10
such Hindus come together, an efficient leader should be named from
among them. In this way work can begin in cities or in villages- anywhere.
Until the web of Sangh’s organisation does not spread throughout the
country like this, we cannot say that our society has become organized.
96. A Shakha should be established at a place that is prominent and where
people can easily get together. All energy and effort should be
concentrated to build such a Shakha. All energetic youth should join this
Shakha. If you start Shakhas at various places simultaneously it would be
difficult for you to concentrate fully on any of them. In the absence of
peoples’ concentration at one place it will not be possible to create an
impact of organisation. But if one Shakha can be operated properly and
become an ideal Shakha it will be possible to establish many more Shakha
from this one in future.

Expectation from workers

97. In the Sangh’s concepts, one swayamsewak having misunderstandings
about another Sangh swayamsewak does not come anywhere. This must
never happen, no matter what the reason.
98. Since all of us are parts of the same organisation, we can never be
angry with one another- no matter what the reason. ‘Being angry’ (or
dissident) –this word itself does not come anywhere in the Sangh’s
dictionary. None of us has to serve our self-interest through the Sangh, but
serve the whole Hindu society with a pure heart. It is our very important
task to ensure that no hurdles/ problems come in the way of this divine
work. All responsible individuals must always behave with each other with
utmost love and respect. This is the basic concept in the Sangh’s
organisation.
99. Discipline is the foundation of our organisation. It is on this foundation
only that we have to raise this massive building. If, by no matter whose
fault, the foundation remains weak on any side, then that side of the
building crumbles and separates from the main building and as a result,
becomes the cause of the destruction of the whole building.
100. Come on, let all of us together get to work with tremendous
enthusiasm. If every swayamsewak gives honest efforts continuously, then
leave aside 5-10, he can add any number of new friends to the Sangh.
Every one must take a resolve in his mind- that I will add at least 10 new
swayamsewaks to the Sangh this year. I do not have the slightest doubt
that you will be able to fulfill your resolve. But you must get to work from
this moment.
101. Why do we talk to each other in the Sangh? Not merely because we
have to talk something. But because we have to understand each other’s
thoughts and achieve progress in our work. We talk that much- which is
needed to achieve this.
102. The rate of work must be increased by hundreds of times today. Let
people criticize you, if your inner-heart and conscience is clean, then you
shouldn’t worry about others’ praise or criticism.
103. The Sangh has always said repeatedly, leave aside the false pride
that we are doing sacrifice for the service of this Hindu nation. Spend your
life filled with love for the society and duty, and the whole Hindu society will
automatically get attracted to you.
104. If we feel that we do work, then we must review what work we have
done every month or everyday. We must constantly take a review of the
work done by us. If we merely remain proud of being a Sangh
swayamsewak and take happiness thinking that the Sangh has done this
much work in the last few years, and become inactive, then this is not just
insanity but also harmful for our work.
105. We must recognize our responsibility being aware of the enormity of
our work. We must never be satisfied easily by less work. No matter how
much work we do, it is inadequate. Until now, work has not been done up
to the right extent. The reason for this is only that we have many faults in
us. We must get rid of them as soon as possible. If not we, then who will
remove our faults?
106. The Sangh aims to create workers who have the thought
of samajsewa (i.e. service to society) in enough numbers in the society. If
we really want to do work then we must think about it with self-motivation.
We can do work only if we think like this. We cannot do much work by
merely being ‘order-followers’.
107. You should be ‘One with the Sangh’. Not just that, but you should also
make other people like this. We all must think- ‘How will the Sangh grow
quickly’ and work as hard and enthusiastically as possible for it. We should
be focused on our work. Then victory will definitely be yours.
108. Water which has once come in must never get out. Confidence must
be created in us that those who have once entered the Sangh, will never
ever go away from it.
109. If the Sangh’s organisation is only in words or only attractive from
outside, then it is of no use. Such a thing can never succeed. It will always
be a hollow mountain. If there is solidity, only then will the work survive. So
try to create solidity, spark, and enthusiasm in your work.
110. Adhikari i.e. office-bearer must think on how to behave and how to
prepare swayamsewaks. All swayamsewaks must be completely
embedded in the organisation and everyone must feel ‘I am the Sangh’.
Every individual must see only one goal. They must be focused on the
Sangh’s goal.
111. It is my firm belief that the real success of life lies in mixing
principles and practical behavior in life. If we get rid of all feelings of
personal selfishness (i.e. self-interest), then we can beautifully mix
principles and practical behavior in our life. It is only the feeling of ‘self-
interest’ that creates a mountain of problems in the way of our fulfillment of
our duty.
112. It is not enough to merely increase the Sankhya (i.e. numbers).
Swayamsewaks must have wisdom also in addition to devotion to duty, i.e.
duty accomplishment. All work must be done by putting steps in the right
way. We must be able to prepare every swayamsewak. What does he do
everyday? How is his attitude being developed? Does he bring his friends
to the Sangh or not? If you pay attention to such small things with care,
then is it impossible to achieve growth? Does the Sangh swayamsewak
agree with the Sangh work or not? If he does agree, does he do work or
not? If he does, then how much work? We must see all this.
113. Now I just wish to say this to you-Do come to Shakha regularly
shedding all fears about future. Learn about all aspects of Sangh work and
make all efforts to be good in performing them. Acquire the capability of
conducting one or two Shakhas independently without the help of any other
person.
114. From the Himalayas to the great Oceans, the whole of Bharatvarsha is
our vast field of work. Consequently, our vision too should be equally great.
We should have this feeling that the whole of Bharatvarsha is our home.
We should first decide what work and to what extent we can do it and
accordingly we should organize our life. Then do that work with full
dedication.
Dear Swayamsewak Brothers
115. Swayamsewak Bandhus (Brothers)! Bring the thought of our Oath to
mind! Remember the extremely sacred vow that you have taken. You have
resolved to make the Hindu nation self-reliant and fearless. You call
yourselves as real nationalists, but what is the level of your preparation with
respect to your goal and your vow- have you thought about this?
116. A Sangh swayamsewak must be able to bring into his behavior all
things which are embedded in his heart. Every swayamsewak’s behavior
must have an excellent mix of principles and practicality. The one who
knows all these things at the same time will never have any shortcoming
left in his behavior.
117. Are we following our oath with honesty, selflessness and giving body,
mind, money (tan, man, dhan)? What pains are we taking to make our
dearest Hindu society invincible and prosperous (with glory)? What special
work do we do? Ask your own mind. Has even a little restlessness,
dissatisfaction or burning desire been created in our mind for the
achievement of our goal?
118. Should you feel it difficult to bring 5 new swayamsewaks in the Sangh
in 1 year? Is only this your capacity (yogyata)? Think about this honestly.
Do not do false self-criticism.
119. The Sangh’s movement is not of the Bahujan Samaj but of those
people in the society who consider themselves as intelligent, goal-oriented
and responsible. So, every swayamsewak of the Sangh must be fit to be a
worker (karyakarta) and a leader. But is the reality like this? All of us must
turn our vision to ourselves and do a little introspection, so that we can
immediately know where we are standing.
120. A member of the RSS becomes attracted by the pure principles, and
forgets his business and personal matters. After understanding the Sangh
ideology well, he automatically moves away from things other than the
Sangh. The heart of the Sangh’s success lies in this.
121. The more you ‘become one’ (i.e. mix or devote yourself) with the
Sangh, the more the work will move forward. So, take a determination to
become like this.
122. You must pay attention to the fact that the swayamsewaks must never
develop faith or devotion to merely individuals. Sangh swayamsewaks must
definitely have faith and love for each other, but this must be for the work,
not for the individual. It is harmful for the organisation if love and devotion is
created only for the individual. This damaging thing must never occur. We
must pay attention to it. Swayamsewak must be devoted to the Sangh
(Sangh-nishtha) and not to individual (Vyakti-nishtha), shakha (Shakha-
nishtha) or place (Sthan-nishtha).
123. Without wasting even a single moment of his life, a Sangh
swayamsewak must strive every moment to achieve the noble goal the
Sangh has kept in front of us. If our Sankhya does not increase, then the
work which we desire will not be done. We have to do national work. Not
the work of any individual. Since we are constituents of this National
organisation, we must show growth which will befit the name of our
organisation.
124. For doing faultless work, along with clean character, attractiveness
and wisdom must also be acquired by the swayamsewak. The Sangh work
prospers only by the tri-union of clean character, attractiveness and
wisdom. If a person is of excellent character but lacks wisdom, even then
the Sangh work is not done. For running the Sangh, people have to be
brought together and the swayamsewaks must know how to do that.
125. Sangh swayamsewak can do only that work which will benefit the
organisation. This does not mean that the swayamsewak cannot do any
personal work. But he should do only those personal things which are not
related to the Sangh. He should freely do those things which will not create
dark spots on the Sangh. But the goal of the Sangh must always be in front
of his eyes.
126. Every one must take care while walking, talking that no action of his
will even slightly cause damage to the goal or work of the Sangh, in any
way.
127. We must never unknowingly develop a feeling that ‘I am greater than
others because I am clean’. We must never feel that we are any great
person. And I am sure that none of you are like this- none of you feels that
he is any great person.
128. If you always make an analysis of your life and your things alone in
private, you will be able to see your faults. The one who cannot see such
faults and thinks that he is faultless can never see any improvement in
himself. It is possible only for the one who can see faults to make
improvements in his character.
129. You should always do self-analysis and remove the faults in you and
try to inculcate in you virtues which will greatly help our work and attract
others towards you.
130. A swayamsewak, whether young in age or old, is a responsible
constituent of the nation. It is not that other constituents of the nation do not
have any responsibility. But we have entered the Sangh after taking
responsibility with resolve, so our responsibility is more.
131. We must do the things which need to be done daily, with an eye on
our goal. Everyone must think how his character should be like. There
should be no shortcoming in our character. Ordinary people tend to neglect
the work done by people in any movement and instead look at the
character. Hence you should be so clean that no one can find any fault in
your character or your daily behavior.
132. Our character should be so high, that people will think, “He has no
fault or shortcoming, so we should make friends with him and protect him;
so great a man he is”.
133. There is no reason to think that people do not look at us. People
carefully observe our movement and our behavior. Hence it is not enough
to have good behavior only in private and personal life, but you must be
great even in public character.
134. A Sangh swayamsewak must first rise ahead of selfishness. He
should become a human (i.e. have humanist behavior) giving up other
behavior. We have to first become human. After thoughts of selfishness
evaporate, it is not difficult to have humanist nature. ‘My life, all my powers
are for my nation and religion’- this feeling must be drilled in our mind.
135. We should do so much for the protection of Hindu Dharma as to
ensure that even after we are no more this awakening of Hindus remain
intact. This great heritage of ours must not fall into the hands of the
unworthy. We should carry on protecting it with extreme care.
136. Resolve this in your mind that ‘I shall not forget Sangh as long as I
live’.
137. Nothing should lure you away from the Sangh path. No such
opportunity should ever arise when you have to say that you were once a
Swayamsewak for example some five years back. We shall remain
Swayamsewaks as long as we live.
138. The one who has no other concern than for his country of origin and
his compatriots for him no work is more important than to work for his
Hindu Dharma, no other ambition greater than to spread it throughout the
world wherever there are Hindus. Such a Swayamsewak can never suffer
any setbacks, fear or worries no matter where he is.
139. Ten or twenty as many Swayamsewaks you plan to bring to Sangh,
start searching for them now. Be watchful though that even those ten
Swayamsewaks should be firm, faithful and capable persons. They should
prove to be valuable gain to Sangh.
140. Every Swayamsewak should carry out the orders of his Adhikari and
accordingly an Adhikari of his senior. At the same time it is also important
that right from the juniors to seniors all should display mutual respect.
141. We all belong to Sangh and have different roles to play in it. It means
Sangh is complete in its form all due to us. The relationship between us
and Sangh is similar to the one between the body and its various organs.
When all parts of the body grow at the same time then alone the body feels
good and strong.
142. Every swayamsewak must make himself fully aware about what he
must do so that the goal of the Sangh is fulfilled. All of you must have this
feeling that ‘I and everything that belongs to me is for the Sangh that
means for the country’. Every swayamsewak must have feeling of
patriotism running through his veins. It is no use to have a swayamsewak
as a ‘Temporary patriot’. If the attitude of all the swayamsewaks becomes
‘One with the Sangh’ (i.e. Sanghamay) like this, then we can achieve our
goal quickly.
143. We must continue our Sangh work the way it is going with speed.
There is no reason to change our style of work listening to any other’s
directions. Continue to do your work with confidence, determination,
perseverance and without fearing anyone in the world and be sure that God
will definitely give us success.
144. All of us must always keep in mind that strength lies in all of us getting
together at one place everyday. This strength (Samarthya) will remain in us
only until we meet at one place everyday and discuss our thoughts with
each other opening our hearts.
145. If any worker swayamsewak is lost from our shakha due to any reason
(like transfer of place, etc), it is necessary for more than one swayamsewak
to come ahead with the feeling “I will do better work than he” and take the
responsibility. And creating such an environment in the Sangh by which
such swayamsewaks will come ahead to take responsibility- this only is the
work of swayamsewaks.
146. Since the Sangh has never had any hatred for foreigners or people of
other religions and merely worked for uniting the Hindu society, the word
‘communal’ can never be applied to it.
147. We have to convince our people that principles have to be
implemented in behavior. We have to show the people by actual example
that the style of work of the Sangh itself will help us in achieving our goal.
148. A Sangh swayamsewak must be able to correctly bring in his behavior
the things which are embedded in his heart. Every swayamsewak’s
behavior must have an excellent mix of principles and practicality.
149. There is no use in crying that ‘Work cannot be done’. If you decide, ‘I
will do work’ then it is always done. The real reason is that every person
does not feel the same responsibility about the nation as he feels for his
house’s estate.
150. Naa Bhay det Kaahuko
Naa Bhay Jaanat Aap
Aise Nar ko Dekhkar
Jagat Darave Aap!
(Doesn’t give fear to anyone, and doesn’t know what fear is. Seeing such a
man, the world will be afraid)
Like this saying, we must do our Sangh work fearlessly and patiently,
and not allow people’s irritable anger to affect us.
151. We must never be dejected. Our work is God’s work. We must be sure
that He will definitely get it done.
152. As rapidly as our work is being done, the dangers in our way are also
increasing. A mountain of difficulties (which is very difficult to climb) is
being made in our way by our people as well as others. But we have to
walk on our way only facing all those dangers.
153. It is all right if at a particular place, work done is less or not at all, but
we must take care that the situation will not deteriorate and enemies of the
Sangh will not be created.
154. The work of the Sangh has not been undertaken by us for one village
or province but we want that our entire country becomes united as quickly
as possible. And our aim is to make the Hindu society capable of self-
defense and prosperous, powerful.
155. This is the time of emergency of the Hindu society. If this society
remains disorganized and disunited then its existence will end in future,
and there will be no trace of Hindu culture left.
(After P.P. Doctorji wrote this, Hindu society’s existence ended in
Afghanistan, where even less than 50 years ago the Hindu population in
Kandhahar was 1,50,000- 1 lakh fifty thousand while the Sikhs numbered
25,000. It also virtually ended in West Pakistan, East Pakistan and Kashmir
province in India).
156. All of us have taken a very big responsibility of national work on our
heads. It is our resolve that we will prove the Sangh’s noble goal by
actually following it with truth in practice.

In addition, the translator reminds some additional points which are also
principles of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh:
157. No desire for post
No matter at what position one is, if, at any time, one is asked by
superiors or anyone else to leave all positions and work as just an ordinary
functionary, one should be ready to do so. The only position one has then
is- Swayamsewak in a sayam shakha, or prabhat shakha, and one's duty
should then be to voluntarily strengthen his shakha. This is for people at
any post- like Chief Minister, Prime Minister, General Secretary, etc. Far
from being annoyed at being denied any position, like Chief Minister, an
individual should be thankful that he is not being asked to become just a
functionary.
Also, any individual should look at his/her position as responsibility
and not as power. As an ordinary swayamsewak, your responsibility is
simply to attend the shakha regularly and punctually. As
a mukhyashikshak, responsibility increases to managing the whole shakha.
As the position increases, responsibility increases. Therefore, if any
individual is relieved of responsibility, he should take it as 'freedom from
responsibility' and be truly happy that now his job has been limited to just
an ordinary worker, and additional voluntary work to strengthen the
organization.
158. Imagine oneself on death-bed

Every individual should imagine himself on his death-bed. If a question is

asked to him by anyone- "Did you in your life, ever earn money through
wrong means?"- He should be able to give an answer, with a clean
conscience, "NO. I never earned a paisa in my life through unfair
means." Similarly, other such questions like- "Did you, out of jealousy, ever
try to stall anyone else hoping to get his position?" etc, must all be
answered as "No" with a clean conscience.
159. In case of issues with individuals
If someone has an issue or problem with anyone, then he should inform his
superior (superior of the one with whom he has some problem) in private
and leave the matter, or if necessary, inform the super-superior. Under no
circumstances must he speak against him in public, or to his equals or sub
ordinates. Bad-mouthing of fellow workers or office-bearers must never be
done, and genuine concerns, if any, must be told to superiors in private.
160. Welcome criticism
Every individual must welcome criticism of himself. He should view criticism
as an opportunity to know his shortcoming and a chance to remove it by
overcoming it. Every individual should try to remove his imperfections and
be open-minded until the very end of his life. If someone points out
imperfections even when the individual is very old, he should still change
and try to become as perfect as possible. Also, those who criticize must do
so constructively for the purpose of removing the visible shortcoming and
not for the purpose of personal attacks. Overall aim in the minds of all-
those who criticize and those who are criticized must always be progress
and perfection.
(To read Pathey in Hindi open patheyinhindi.blogspot.in
मराठी पाथेयासाठी उघडा http://www.patheyinmarathi.blogspot.in/ )