Assam Banga Yogi Sammilani
Introduction
It was not easy to recover from the social catastrophe that befell on the Nath Brahman and the Yogi community. Besides, there was this disrespectful attitude of the upper caste Hindus towards the Yogis. Long-term poverty and illiteracy were major obstacles to the progress of the yogis. Western political and social change and unjust government indifference and social neglect towards the Yogi community made some educated, thoughtful and inquisitive individual’s protest. They were inspired by the ancient glory of the Nath-Yogi community’s religion, spiritual practice, yoga and Ayurvedic teachings, the literature they created, archeological monuments, etc., and devoted themselves to restoring the lost glory. The pioneers in this work were KrishnaChandra Nath Dalal, a businessman from Andul, Howrah, Bishnu Chandra Nath Bhattacharya, a social reformer from Burdwan, Manimohan Nath from Beniyapukur, Calcutta, Nathbandhu Arabinda Bandhu Nath from 24 Parganas , Acharya Dr. Radhagobinda Nath and Bharat Chandra Nath from Noakhali, Acharya Ambika Charan Nath (B. L.) and textile trader Ram Kumar Nath from Dhaka. Behind the establishment of Assam Banga Yogi Sammilani there are many events which are as exciting and thrilling on the one hand while tragic on the other.
Yogi movements
In protest of social inequality, the excellence of the Yogijati has been proved by the testimonials of the faculty of the Sanskrit College, the scriptural analysis of the scholarly society and the classical analysis of the supreme benefactor Vedic scholar Paramahansa Yogirajadev Swami Maharaj. As a result, not only did the Upanayan reform movement or the census reveal the true identity of the Yogis, but also the mass awakening and national movement among the Yogis throughout Bengal and Assam at that time took place, which later spreaded to other parts as the ‘Upanayan movement’. One by one ‘Yoga Math’, ‘Yogi Hitaishini Sabha’ came into existence and ‘Yoga Shiksha Sopan’, ‘Yogalila’, ‘Hathayoga Pradeepika’, ‘Yogisanskara Vyavastha and Agam Sanhita’, ‘Yogis of Bengal’ in English or ‘Bangiya Yogijati’ etc. were published. On another front a tragic incident took place – the duo Pandit Ramkumar Nayaratna of Sanskrit College and Krishnachandra Nath Dalal while returning from Dhaka after the Upanayan movement there, the boat they were travelling capsized in the Padma river due to stormy weather and drowned leaving an example of unparalleled sacrifice.
Establishment of Yogi Hitaishini Sabha
In February 1901 (Bang 1308) the ‘Yogi Hitaishini Sabha’ was established in the interest of the overall upliftment of the troubled Yogis. The primary objective of the Sabha was eradication of misery and illiteracy, restoration of the lost glory of the Yogis, promotion of Upanayan, proper identification of Yogis in the census, financial assistance to poor students and protest government indifference towards the community. The Yogi Hitaishini Sabha is the basis of the Assam Bengal Yogi Sammilani.
Genesis of Yogisakha
On another front, in the plight of the Nath Yogis, Shri Aurobindo Bandhu Nath devoted himself to the service of the community with unimaginable self-confidence and strong morale. He felt the need to publish a monthly magazine with the objective of connecting the community of different districts of Bengal and Assam. He started exchanging views with like-minded community people from all over East and North India for publishing a monthly magazine of their own.
First edition of Yogisakha
As a result of his efforts the 1st edition of the Yogisakha was published eventually on 1st Baishakh 1311 (Eng 1904). The day will be forever remembered in the history of the Yogi community. At the ninth annual session in 2nd Kartik of 1325 (Eng 1918) (whose convener and chief initiator was Karmaveera Arvind Bandhu Nath) the ‘Yogisakha‘ was adopted as the mouthpiece of the community on the special initiative of the permanent president of the conference, Acharya Ambika Charan Nath. The magazine is still being published uninterruptedly.
Genesis of ABYS
In the month of Falgun 1314 (Eng. 1908) a meeting was held at the house of Krishnachandra Nath in Bhabanipur for the welfare of the community. There Acharya Radha Govinda Nath proposed to unite all the Yogis of Bengal and Assam. Although Dr Radha Govinda Nath shifted to Comilla for professional reasons, he always kept in touch with his community friends in Calcutta.
Objectives of ABYS
Dr Radha Govinda Nath convened a meeting at Comilla Talpukurpar Nath Hostel inspired by some Yogi students of Comilla College, on the advice of some enthusiastic community members and previous experience. The day was 6th Kartik 1317 (Eng. 23rd October 1910). About five hundred delegates and visitors from Assam and Bengal attended the meeting. That day will forever be written in golden letters in the history of the nation. The establishment of “Assam Banga Yogi Sammilani” was announced at the meeting and the meeting was marked as the first session of the Sammilani. Acharyadev was unanimously nominated as the chairman of the meeting and the conference.
Perseverance and Sustenance
The main objective of the conference was to serve the community and social welfare with education as the top priority. Other programs that found place in the priority list were to awaken the people of the community about the correct identity of the Yogi; The spread of Nath / Yogi religion, literature and culture; adoption of Shaivism; Increase public relations; Upanayan reform; Expansion of education, encouragement of higher education and provision of scholarships; Dormitory establishment; Generating interest in industry, commerce and business amongst the young ; Establishment of permanent reserves for the use of community; Prevention of child marriage and dowry system; Formation of district and branch associations etc.
Notable Ventures
The division of this country and the subsequent dire situation have repeatedly blocked the progress of the Sammilani. Despite this, the organization has overcome most of the obstacles. It has constructed its own building in the nineties of the past century. The organization is determined to serve the community with the help and cooperation of all.
A few notable current ventures are: 1) Acharya Radha Govinda Nath Smriti Charitable Hospital – Ophthalmology and Dental Department. 2) Saraswati Pal Students ‘Hostel – Facility to accommodate remote students at very low cost. 3) Shobhana Chowdhury Dharamshala – low-cost accommodation and dormitory system. 4) Krishna Govinda Shiva Memorial Hall – There are arrangements for organizing various events and meetings. 5) Publication of Yogisakha Patrika and distribution by post among the members every month – where couple matrimonial advertisements and commercial advertisements are disseminated. 6) Scholarships – Every year scholarships are given to meritorious and poor students and special scholarships are given to very extra ordinary meritorious students. 7) Schedule of Annual Events – In addition to the Annual General Session of the organization, Founder day celebration on the birthday of Dr Radha Govinda Nath, Shivaratri and Bijoya Sammilani are also celebrated.
Bijoya Sammilani at Katwa
Recently, the ‘Bijoya Sammilani’ held in Katwa in 2019 has been celebrated in grand style. Over two thousand people of our community joined the star-studded event and enjoyed cultural programs of many artists, magic shows and discourses of Swami Kaibalyanathji Maharaj and speeches of High ranking Community members and Govt officials.
Changing with times - ABYS Website
Since 2017, the organization started helping successful economically backward students with “Special Merit Scholarships”. In addition, annual scholarships, and distinguished scholarships are also awarded. An education fund has been created for this purpose which is exemplary in the post-independence period. In addition, influenced by the activities of the organization some members of the community have taken full responsibility for the education of a few students in their individual capacities while some members have donated a huge amount to the education fund of the organization. The latest initiative of the organization is the much-awaited and needed ‘WEBSITE’, of its own through which it would be possible to introduce the organization to the world and integrate the fragmented developmental efforts of the community happening in various localities under the umbrella of this great organization . Everyone’s cooperation in fulfilling the objectives the organization is earnestly solicited.
