![]() The movement refuses any support or assistance from the state or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), relying entirely on volunteer activity of its members. His followers call him as "Dada" (elder brother). This initiative began Athavale's Swadhyaya movement in 1958. He began preaching these principles from Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita in his community, particularly in the downtrodden segments of society he called Agri, Bagri, and Sagri. ![]() He believed that the foundation and values for such a search were in the ancient texts of Hinduism. He sought another way for liberating oneself spiritually, economically and socially. He rejected charity handouts, arguing that this creates a dependent relationship, attacks human dignity and robs the recipient's sense of self-worth. He argued that both liberal welfare centric approach and socialism were incapable of bridging gap between rich and needy. In the 1940s, while he was in his early twenties, Athavale began to deliver discourses on the Bhagavad Gita in Mumbai, India. Pandurang Shastri Athavale was born in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family in colonial India. The movement members treat all men and women in the organization as a Parivara (family). Community members participate in Bhavabhakti (emotional devotion to the divine), Krutibhakti (actional devotion by voluntary service to the divine in all of god's creation), and Bhaktipheri (devotional travel to meet, work and help the well-being of the community partners). Prayers are performed in the Smarta tradition's Panchayatana puja format, attributed to Adi Shankara. Deity Surya is recognized in the form of sunlight. Its temples typically highlight the deities Yogeshwara Krishna, Parvati, Ganesha and Shiva in a Vriksha Mandir ("temple of trees") setting. ![]() ![]() It encourages voluntary self-study, self-knowledge, community discourses and action with a responsibility to the god in oneself and others. The movement focuses on the Upanishadic mahāvākyas (great teachings) related with Vedic belief that god is within oneself, every human being, all living beings and all of god's creation. Founded by Pandurang Shastri Athavale (1920-2003), the movement emphasizes self-study ( swadhyaya), selfless devotion ( bhakti) and application of Indian scriptures such as the Upanishads and Bhagavad gita for spiritual, social and economic liberation. The Swadhyaya Movement or Swadhyaya Parivara started in mid 20th-century in the western states of India, particularly Maharashtra and Gujarat. ![]()
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