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 Tucked away in the outskirts of Madras is a compound with an entrance curiously
marked "Samratchana - Center for Self-realisation". On entering, one has the
distinct impression of being in an educational institution with plenty of young people
busily engaged in some task, moving from class to class. It has a college campus feel
until one notices devotional music filling the air. At the very center is a large Hall
where the looks of a group of people consisting of all ages, are riveted on a charismatic
figure, dressed in simple everyday attire, as he moves around touching and speaking to
them. This is Shiva Shankar Baba, the head of Samratchana, at his daily counselling
session.
Samratchana is much more than a center where vocational
training is imparted; it is really an Ashram manned and run by devotees of the Baba and
is, perhaps, an unique experiment trying to bring the people especially the youth to
spirituality. "I try to fulfill the basic needs of the people first before imparting
spiritual knowledge. How can a hungry body think about God?" This is precisely the
reason classes ranging from the traditional typewriting and tailoring to the
state-of-the-art Graphics and the latest computer courses are offered absolutely free of
cost.
 "I strongly believe that in order to attract young people, who
are so spiritually impoverished today, one has to look into their material well-being and
self-esteem building first before one can get them to even be interested in the spiritual
aspect," the jovial and amicable Baba says. This certainly explains the fact that
over 70% of his devotees are youthful, who are not only imparted basic skills but also
given a sound spiritual grounding. Everything from the Satsangs, Homams, Vedic Chanting,
and discourses, by the Baba, conducted at the Center, are designed to cater to this very
need.
That the young are at ease with the Baba is echoed by a
young devotee, who so disarmingly puts it," There are things, which I can totally
discuss with the Baba, which I could not share,
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even with my own parents". The Baba
makes a conscious effort to dissolve any boundaries that might exist between the devotee
and him, right from his approachability to his outfits. When asked why he does not wear
the gear of a spiritual head he says when an inner transformation has taken place where is
the need for an outer?
 The commitment of his devotees, to him, is extremely
touching with most of the youngsters as well as other devotees saying that they would like
nothing better than spending their leisure time working for the Baba. That the whole
center is run entirely by young volunteers is testimony to the commitment. It is the
Baba's simple philosophy translated into a practical approach, which makes it so appealing
to the young. "Change in India can come about only through the youth. During these
times everything has failed the youth, right from society to the politicians. That is why
they are so insecure. I speak in their language and try to build their
self-confidence" the Baba asserts.
'Work is Worship' seems to be the unwritten motto. From
Samratchana to the village of Vengaleri where apart from free medical facilities,
schooling and vocational training, a home for the aged, working women's hostel are
available to near by villages is ample evidence to the above statement. Resident
volunteers ably manage the facilities, since the Baba makes it a point not to take
donations. Income is generated through ventures like the Printing Press run by the
volunteers. Another noble venture is the commune at Kelambakkam where serious devotees can
reside and spend their time in contemplation and which is the venue for Workshops and
Retreats. 'Vasudeva kudumbham' - A microcosm example of the world as one family.
It is very rare that organisations such as these cater to
both the worldly and spiritual needs of the young. May their tribe increase!
Elka Sinha
For further details,
contact: smrtchna@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.xlweb.com/baba/ |
