Sane Guruji's early life was marked by poverty, but despite these challenges, he pursued education and became a teacher. Sane Guruji worked as a teacher until the age of thirty. At this point, he decided to leave his job and dedicate his life to the service of the nation. Sane Guruji actively participated in the Indian independence movement. Initially, he was inspired by Gandhi's ideologies. However, he later gravitated towards socialist ideals. His activism led to multiple imprisonments during the British Raj.
Literary Pursuits
Sane Guruji was a prolific writer who produced a vast body of work. His literary output included stories, novels, articles, essays, letters, and poems. Much of his writing was done while he was imprisoned. His works often reflected his themes of love, affection, goodness, and social awakening. ‘Shyamchi Aai’, ‘Dhadpadnari Mule', ‘Bharatiya Sanskriti' etc. are some of his famous works. Sane Guruji's writing style was simple and accessible to the common reader. He considered his writings to be a form of public service rather than literary service, focusing more on the content rather than the style.
Social and Political Activism
Sane Guruji was deeply committed to social justice and equality. He actively fought against social inequality, caste discrimination, and untouchability. He worked for the rights of farmers and mill workers, participating in numerous agitations. A significant achievement was his effort to secure entry for Harijans into the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. His political views centered on the ‘common working man,’ and he was influenced by Marxist principles.
Concept of 'Antarbharti'
Sane Guruji conceptualized the idea of ‘Antarbharti’ as a way to connect all Indian languages. He envisioned it as a way to facilitate an exchange of ideas, literature, and culture among different linguistic groups, promoting national unity.
Later Life and Death
In the post-independence period, Sane Guruji was disillusioned with the state of affairs. He was deeply affected by the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. These circumstances contributed to his decision to take his own life. Vinoba Bhave called him ‘Amrutacha Putra’ (Son of Immortality).
Sane Guruji was a humanist who desired a world filled with happiness, prosperity, knowledge, and love. He was committed to upholding moral values, especially in the context of the modern era. He viewed himself as a humble servant of life, and his writings and thoughts were a prayer for a better world. Sane Guruji’s life was a journey from a teacher to a freedom fighter, writer, and social reformer. He was deeply moved by the plight of the common man, and dedicated his life to serving humanity and promoting social justice. His writings and activism continue to inspire people even today. His life was marked by both immense contribution and deep personal tragedy.