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have spoiled the image of Gujarat. They did not lay stress on
the Godhara massacre, but on the riots that broke out as a result
of it, and showed the world in exaggerative terms, and it has
harmed the interests of Gujarat.” He said, “These channels will
prove very harmful for the Indian culture.” Shastriji exhorted
the Hindus to awaken in a very patient manner.

It is difficult to describe all that he has worked for, all that literature
he has created, all that history he has discovered, all that
archaeological discovery he gave to Gujarat. It was no difficult
proposition for him to maintain a car at home; his family, his
children were all in America. Had he wished, God gave him
everything to lead a comfortable life, but Shastriji lived like a lotus
in water; no greed – no avarice ever touched him. We can see in
him the aspects of his life that are firmed up in him.

He said that the Hindus were tolerant and would remain
so in the future too. But tolerance did not mean that they would
not protect themselves and safeguard their own interests.
Looking at the spreading threat of terrorism, it has become
inevitable for the Hindus to be aware, else the coming days may
spell doom for them.

We have heard much about our ancient saints and seers
that they were like this and that. As soon as we hear of the term
‘rishi’ (sage), an image comes to our mind of an individual with
a long beard, long hair, sitting in solitude in the forest; but the
reality is far from it. All the rishis that we have had in the ancient
time, were all scientists. They have explored learning in one or
the other aspect and have contributed something or the other
to the society. The entire rishi tradition has followed this ideal.

There are two people in the modern times, whom I
continuously remember, who led the life of a rishi. One was
Pandit Satavalekar, and the other was Shastriji. Look at the
qualities of both of them. Satavalekarji gave up this mortal body
at the age of 103 years. When we were celebrating the centenary
birth anniversary of Satvalekarji, the Param Pujya Guruji was
scheduled to attend the ceremony as the chairman. Pandit
Satavalekar delivered a speech in that programme. At that time,