Who was Vinoba Bhave ?

Vinoba Bhave was a spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi who all through his life advocated non-violence and human rights. He constantly fought against evil through non-violent measures and instilled in people a religious and spiritual outlook towards life.

He started travelling the length of the country, learning regional languages along with knowledge of scriptures and Sanskrit.

The incident put the nation’s spotlight on Bhave who until then enjoyed an obscure religious and social work career. He introduced several programmes for the welfare of the people including his famous Bhoodan-Gramdan movement, through which he collected more than thousand acres of land.

He ended up in the holy city of Banaras, where he came across a piece on Mahatma Gandhi, specifically about a speech he gave at the Banaras Hindu University.

The course of his life was altered after he read it. He burned his entire school and college certificate on his way to Mumbai in 1916, to appear for the intermediate examination.

Bhave was a deeply learned and brilliantly endowed scholar and thus, is still considered as the National Teacher of India.

He started corresponding with Gandhi, who being impressed with the 20-year-old Vinoba invited him to Kochrab Ashram in Ahmedabad.

Bhave’s life was one of commitment where he yearned for the highest level of spirituality through human faith, love and respect. He committedly served people all through his life.

Vinoba met Gandhi on June 7, 1916 and took resident at the Ashram. He dutifully participated in all the activities at the ashram, leading an austere and sparse life.

Vinoba Bhave was born as Vinayaka (Vinoba) Rao Bhave on September 11, 1895 in Raigad, Maharashtra, to Narahari Shambhu Rao and Rukmini Devi.

He eventually dedicated his life towards various programs designed by Gandhi like the Khadi Andolan, teaching, etc. The name Vinoba (a traditional Marathi epithet signifying great respect) was conferred upon him by Mama Phadke, another member of the Ashram.

He belonged to a Chitpavan Brahmin family and was the eldest of the five children born to the couple. His father was a trained weaver, while his mother a religious woman. She inspired and influenced the mind and life of young Bhave.

Vinoba was attracted towards the principles and ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and he considered Gandhi his guru, from both political and spiritual point of view. He followed Gandhi’s leadership without question.

Academically brilliant, Bhave was well-read in the writings of Maharashtra's saints and philosophers and showed a deep-inclination towards mathematics.

Over the years, the bond between Vinoba and Gandhi grew stronger and his involvement in constructive programs for the society kept increasing.

Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a nonviolence activist, freedom activist, social reformer and spiritual teacher. An avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba upheld his doctrines of non-violence and equality.

An avid reader, he kept himself updated with the latest happenings and events. Gandhi’s speech at the inaugural ceremony of Benaras Hindu University caught the attention of young Bhave who became an ardent follower of Gandhi.

Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a nonviolence activist, freedom activist, social reformer and spiritual teacher. An avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba upheld his doctrines of non-violence and equality.

In a letter to Vinoba, Gandhi wrote, “I do not know in what terms to praise you. Your love and your character fascinate me and so does your self-examination.

I am not fit to measure your worth. I accept your own estimate and assume the position of a father to you”. Vinoba spent a better part of his life in the ashrams set up by the leader carrying out the various programs designed by Gandhi. On April 8, 1921, Vinoba went to Wardha to take charge of a Gandhi-ashram there under the directives from Gandhi.

He dedicated his life to serve the poor and the downtrodden, and stood up for their rights.

During his stay at Wardha, Bhave also brought out a monthly in Marathi, named, `Maharashtra Dharma'. The monthly comprised of his essays on the Upanishads. His political ideologies were directed towards principles of peaceful non-cooperation in order to attain freedom.

Most of his adult life he led an ascetic style of existence centered on spiritual beliefs of right and wrong.

He took part in all the political programs designed by Gandhi and even went to participating in the same. He believed in Gandhi’s social beliefs like equality among Indians and various religions.

He is best known for his 'Bhoodan Movement' (Gift of the Land). Vinoba once said, "All revolutions are spiritual at the source.