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Prior to starting of
Sangha, one Mr. Jawadekar, a learned newspaper editor and an advocate from
Dhulia city, came to stay in P.P.Doctorjee’s home at Nagpur, for a few days.
He hoped to raise some funds for his nationalist newspaper, in Nagpur. Mr.
Jawadekar was hardly prepared for what he saw in P.P.Doctorjee’s home.
It was a home full of life. At all times during the day and at night, young
boys and men would come there in groups, sit at a corner and engage in
discussions. Everyday, in the afternoon, the co-editor of the daily
newspaper, “Maharashtra” would come, and brief P.P.Doctorjee about the
important news – national and international. P.P.Doctorjee’s home was open to
all – including the elements, such as Sun, blistering cold winds, as well as
rain. It was clean, but it also was a living monument to the utter, direst
poverty. Nonetheless no one seemed to be bothered, and the activities as well
as the merry humor pervaded the atmosphere. With nothing of material wealth,
P.P.Doctorjee was indeed a very happy and a jolly man.
Mr. Jawadekar was so happy with all of this that he decided to extend his
stay by a few more days. To inform his family, he had to write a letter. He
requested P.P.Doctorjee to give him some paper, pen and ink. P.P.Doctorjee
himself began the search for these items. Every room was cleaned out. It
became apparent that these items were missing. With a smile, P.P.Doctorjee
told this to Mr. Jawadekar, and apologized.
Mr. Jawadekar was stunned at this unthinkable fact. Here was a great national
hero and yet he chose to live so simply that he even lacked simple writing
materials! Truly, it can be said, that the truly great people achieve their
greatness through their own application, drive and effort, and not through
equipment (or Luke) available to them. (Kriyaa siddhi sattwe Bhawati Mahataam
Na upakaranai hi)
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