Upanayan samskara (sacred thread ceremony) of the 29
girls accommodated in the hostel at Devi Ahalya Mandir,
Nagpur, was a simple but significant function. The
section of the press who came in time could watch this
novel function and gave it wide coverage. Shri Balasaheb
Deoras was also invited. He always accepted invitations
to Ahalya Mandir. Deoras attended the function till the
conclusion and blessed the girls. His presence meant
social sanction for such functions. Some days back the
Shankaracharya had made a controversial statement about
the fight of women to study the Vedas, raising a storm
all over the country. The press asked for Balasaheb's
comments on it. He sharply retorted: "I am attending
this function. You can draw your own conclusion. No
further comments." Dr Swarnlata Bhishikar, a senior
office-bearer of the Jnana Prabodhini at Pune conducted
the function-modified according to the exigencies of the
times but retaining the original spirit. Earlier she had
come to Ahalya Mandir to explain the significance of the
Upanayan samskara which she was going to conduct. A
consecrated necklace with Aum forming part of it would be
given to them and they were required to recite Gayatri
mantra 11 times. In the morning a regular yajna was
performed. Every mantra was explained in Hindi so that
the girls could understand its importance. Panchadiksha
was also administered. It included proper diet, regular
prayer, diligent study, restraint in daily life (balanced
personality), service of elders, the society and the
nation. Dr Bhishikar emphasised that theirs was the
right age to imbibe good samskaras. Balasaheb not only
sat through the function attentively but also sought
clarification about several aspects. An affair to
remember.
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