The Struggle of My Life

Description

Sahajanand Saraswati (1889–1950) was a man of many parts. Monk, scholar, freedom fighter, and leader of the peasant movement, he made an impact in all these spheres. His autobiography, Mera Jeevan Sangharsh (‘The Struggle of My Life’), gives an account of his life and his attempts to reform the ills besetting his country, in religion and in politics. In doing so, it sheds light on a number of significant periods in the history of India.
The Struggle of My Life chronicles the remarkable life of a man who lived in remarkable times.

About the Editor
Ramchandra Pradhan is a well-known activist and Gandhian scholar. He is currently with the Institute of Gandhian Studies, Wardha, Maharashtra.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction: The Life and Legacy of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
Preface by Swami Sahajanand
I

My Birth and Childhood * My Birthplace and My Family *
Economic Condition * My Education Begins * Sacred Thread Ceremony and Gurumantra

II
In Ghazipur Hindi Middle School * My English Education in the Mission School * My First Attempt at Sannyasa * My Marriage and the Death of My Wife

III
Post-Sannyasa Period * Yoga and Our Wanderings as Pilgrims * Experiences of Extreme Hunger and Other Incidents * Our Defiance and Some Strange Incidents * Food after Fifty-two Hours * In Mane Village across Narmada * Towards Onkareshwar * Darshan of Mahakal * We Got Our Special Bhiksha * Gurudom and its Ills * Towards Mathura * The Story of My Companion * Haridwar and Rishikesh * My New Engagement with Studies * Pilgrimage to Badrinath * Our Agnipariksha and its Success * From Kedarnath to Badrinath * Back to Rishikesh * Towards Kashi Again

IV The Study of Shastras * My Nature, Obstacles, and Madhukari * My Trial by Fire * In the State of Academic Anomie * Towards Becoming a Dandi Swami * My Gurudev * Astrology and Rituals * My Visit to Mithila * Durga Saptshati and Phuta Ganesh * Towards Gujarat and Journey Back to Kashi * My Illness * In the Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha

V
Why did I Plunge into Social Work? * My Reply to Opponents * My Research and the Books * My Entry into Politics

VI
My Dialogue with Gandhiji * Some Reminiscences of the Nagpur Congress * Non-cooperation Movement at Buxar * My Himalayan Blunder * The Ahmedabad Congress * My First Jail Journey at Ghazipur * Hunger Strike in Benares Jail * In Faizabad Jail * I Came to Understand the Message of the Gita * In Lucknow Jail * Some Special Experiences in Lucknow Jail * Hydrotherapy * My Conclusions * Out of the Jail * Gandhiji In and Out of Jail * My Untouchability Fad * The Question of Purohiti * Shri Sitaram Ashram: A Symbol of Revolution * A Sad and Painful Event * Lokasangraha

VII
The Foundation of the Western Patna Kisan Sabha * Resting at Bulundshahar * My Differences and Animosity with Sir Ganesh Dutt * Dissolution of the Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha * The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha * Bihar Visit of Vallabhbhai Patel * Freedom Struggle During 1930 * Once Again in Bankipur Jail * In Hazaribagh Central Jail * Out of Jail: Indifference to Politics * The United Party and the Fake Kisan Sabha * Exposure of the Fake Kisan Sabha and the Emergence of the Real Kisan Sabha Once Again * The Pathetic Story of the Peasants of Gaya District * Tenancy Bill, Peasant Movement, and Other Developments * The First Kisan Conference and Thereafter * My Dialogue and Differences with Gandhiji * Three Tragic Incidents that Left a Permanent Imprint on My Mind * My Confrontation with the Government: Imposition of Section 144 for the First Time against Me * Socialist Friends in the Kisan Sabha

VIII
The Zamindari System Must Go * The Issue of Religion * All India Kisan Sabha and Kisan Bulletin * Sugar Mill of Bihta * Election to the Central Assembly * Bihar: The Benami Suba * Peasants’ Demand: The Faizpur Programmes * Bihar Congress Peasants Enquiry Committee * The Assembly Elections * Masrakh Conference and the Congress Ministry * My Visit to Kashmir * The Provincial Kisan Conferences * Peasant Demonstrations * Misunderstanding About My Slogan ‘Lath Hamara Zindabad’ * Bakast Andolan in Badahiya and Rewada * Struggles in Majhiyawan and Other Places * Lessons Learnt from these Struggles * Comilla, Haripura, Gaya, and Palasa * My Tour in Different Provinces * Tripuri Congress and Thereafter * Anti-compromise Conferences * Unity and Cooperation among the Left Forces * Conclusions

IX
Historical Background * My Two Years in Jail * Writing of the Gita and Other Books * Charkha, Not Political Teachings * Myself and the Ordinary Prisoners * Majornath * Political Pandagiri * Why I am Not in Any Political Party * Misdeeds of the Political Parties * My Daily Routine in Jail * The German Attack on the Soviet Union * The Menace of Fascism * John Strachey’s Book * The Mindset of My Opponents * Opposition in the Kisan Sabha * Dumraon Struggle

Swami’s Life in Brief: A Chronological Account
Glossary
Index
About the Translator and Editor