The master who inspired me !

I am an ordinary individual born with a dream of reaching my highest potential in life. I still have no clear vision of what that highest potential is but have been fortunate enough to get a gist of what it can be. Thanks to my mentor and role model Professor Keshav Vishnu Belsare! He has been the single largest influence on me and is the source of constant inspiration!

Professor KV Belsare was a professor of “Philosophy” and “Logic” in Siddharth College of Arts & Science in Mumbai in 1950’s and 1960’s. He was a teacher par excellence! Students not only from his own class but from other colleges also used to overcrowd his classroom accommodating themselves wherever they found place. The students literally adored him to the extent of reverence for his simplicity, subject expertise, insights and exceptional clarity of thought.

In pre-independent India, KV Belsare, a young man then, was pulled into revolutionary activities due to his strong conviction of freedom for the country and betterment of countrymen. However, his life took a complete turn when his mentor asked him the true meaning of “revolution” and hinted saying “the real revolution is only inner revolution”. From there on, this hard-core Logician and Revolutionary took a leap of faith and underwent a complete transformation through decades of practice of meditation!

He emerged as a great philosopher, writer, public speaker, a powerful spiritual leader and guide to thousands of people in India and abroad. His discourses, books, workshops and interactions had only one single mission of helping and guiding people from all walks of life on the paths of their personal development. He grew beyond the known parameters of worldly success – position, social status, material wealth, and recognition.

There are countless instances of people got drawn to him and of people who were sent to him for mentoring and guidance. “The Mother” of Pondicherry had directed one of her followers named Mr Deshpande to KV Belsare for guidance. “The Mother” was the disciple and spiritual collaborator of the great saint and freedom fighter Shri Aurobindo. In 1960’s, Mr Deshpande shifted his base to Mumbai permanently and asked “The Mother” as to who should he look up to for guidance going forward. The Mother directed him to KV Belsare. KV Belsare and The Mother never knew each other directly.

Today, we live in a fragile world where true values, empathy, kindness, tolerance, co-existence, humanity and brotherhood seem to have been lost and replaced by superficial standards such as money, possessions, position, power, network, competition and material achievements! Globalisation and technology have made our lives dependent and complicated. Life doesn’t seem interesting without indulgence and external stimulus through gadgets and technology! One really wonders whether we are in an era of “illusion” as one observes the events happening world over, one sees only disbelief, denial of truth, denial of reality, be it conflicts and violence, corruption or behavioural degradation, climate degradation and change! As if modern education, developed society and life style have taken us far away from Nature! We seem to have lost the ability to sense the “reality” leave alone standing up for it! In such a scenario, when the so-called security of the superficial standards falls apart, you are straight away taken in the deep pit of failure, disillusionment and frustration!

So, who is the saviour? Who does one turn to? Yes, there is immense amount of information and guidance available everywhere through motivational books and other literature. Buts its easier said than done! No theory can replace a hard-core teacher, a strong leader and an experienced mentor and guide! I was very fortunate to have an exceptional mentor and guide in Professor KV Belsare.

He was not only the master of philosophy and mysticism in theory but also the master of its implementation in every aspect of his day to day life. He practiced simplicity, not only in living but also in thinking, he practiced highest integrity, giving unconditional love and support to anyone and everyone he met, he practiced surrender to the “universal energy” and being in the state of “not wanting anything”, the state of being “present” closest to the “reality”.

KV Belsare shared a deep relationship with the legendary businessman Mr Ghanashyam Das Birla. They both used to share ideas and debates on various subjects, especially on spirituality and mysticism. On one such occasion, when both were deep into conversation, Mr Birla asked, “Belsareji, you talk so fearlessly. People are scared to even speak to me!” KV Belsare’s reply to this question became his famous words later “I have nothing to take from you and nothing to give you. Why should there be any fear at all?” The best example of his state of “detachment”!

He had a fierce determination to dedicate himself to his purpose of life for which he put aside whatever came in his way! While working at Siddharth Colleage, Dr BR Ambedkar offered KV Belsare various leadership positions at large educational institutes established by him. KV Belsare refused all the offers as accepting them would have meant attaining the position of power and status but no time for the pursuit of studies and practice of meditation. His relinquishment of external sources of power itself was so powerful that it showed the way, to me and to thousands of people!

I witnessed the power of purpose, dedication, simplicity, integrity and the power of letting go of all achievements, at the end of the day. I understood that “contentment” is the most powerful state of mind, which leads to true happiness! Professor KV Belsare was my father’s father, my grandfather and I witnessed him putting all the true virtues of life into practice in his own life. Therefore, he is my constant source of inspiration!

I am aware that I have a long way to go and haven’t even taken a baby step in that direction. But I know that my mentor will always be there to guide me through the entire process of inner transformation!

– Vaijayantimala S Belsare, Mumbai.