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April 21, 2000

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SAMRATCHANA - The Center for self-realisation

Temples

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, 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:smrtchnaWebsite: xlweb.com/baba/