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DIGVIJAI NATH, MAHANT
Hindu Mahasabha, (Uttar
Pradesh-Gorakhpur-1967) b. at Udaipur (Mewar), Vaisakh Purnima, 1815
Saka, corresponding to year 1894; ed. at Gorakhpur; at the age of 4 years,
both his parents having died, he was dedicated by his uncle to Mahatma
Phoolnathji Maharaj of Shri Gorakshnath cult and was brought up at Gorakhpur
on behalf of the Gorakshnath Temple;
initiated into the Gorakshnath Sampradaya in 1932; organised the Akhil
Bharat-varshiya Avdhut Bhesh Barahpanth Yogi Mahasabha; Participated in
non-Cooperation movement in 1921 while a student at St. Andrews College,
Gorakhpur and joined the Indian National Congress in 1921; joined the Hindu
Mahasabha in 1937; arrested in Chaurichaura case in 1921 after having taken
active part in it and was released later; organised boycott of the Simon
Commission in 1928; opposed Gandhiji’s programme of boycotting the
census operations in 1931; opposed the Communal Award in 1932; took active
part in Delhi Shiv Mandir Satyagraha in 1939 and Hyderabad Satyagraha
against the Nizam; in 1942 arrested under the Suspicion of being in contact
with the Japanese and the Germans and other revolutionaries and was detained
in prison; opposed the C.R. Formula and Cripps Mission proposal in 1945;
arrested in Direct Action Movement against the U.P. Govt. on 1st August,
1947; suspected of complicity in Gandhiji’s murder in 1948, imprisoned for 9
months; worked as Office Secretary, General Secretary and Vice-President in
the All India Hindu Mahasabha and presided over its Annual Session at
Gwalior in 1961.
Social activities:
As an educationist, he has established
a number of educational institutions in Gorakhpur district, including
Maharana Pratap Inter College, Maharana Pratap Degree College, Maharana
Pratap Mahila Degree College, Maharana Pratap Engineering Institute,
Gorakshnath Higher Secondary School, Gorakshnath Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya
and Darshan Shastra Mahavidyalaya, Shishu-Vihar for children; responsible
for the establishment at the Gorakhpur University, as a Founder-member and
Vice-President of its Foundation Society.
Favourite pastime and recreation:
Religious, cultural,
educational and political activities, particularly discussing problems of
Hindus and Akhand Hindustan.
Special interests:
Spread of education.
Books published:
‘Yoga Rahasya’, ‘Nath Yoga’,
‘Philosophy of Gorakhnath’ and ‘Discourses on Hindu Spiritual Culture.
Travels abroad:
Nepal.
Permanent address:
Shri Guru Gorakhnath Mandir, Gorakhpur.U.P.
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