"Nar Seva Narayana Seva"

"The best way to serve God is service to Mankind"

"Only through God's grace may we obtain those three rarest advantages - human birth, the longing for liberation and guidance of an illumined teacher."

Ultimate purpose of one's life is to seek Supreme Brahman in one's Self. Towards this goal, it is indeed important that we begin with above three rarest advantages. Nevertheless, there are those who somehow manage to obtain human birth together with physical and mental strength and at yet fails, through delusion, to realise his own highest good.

Our body, which is unreal, and has to perish, must be utilized properly towards the benefit of our Self and also to the human society. "Paropakararatham Idham Shareeram": the body must be used to the benefit of needy people. Generally, we tend to spend the entire life satisfying the needs of the body and its organs. Our scriptures say that sense objects are fearful than the poison of the cobra, which is fatal only when taken. But these sense objects, on mere sight, can cause death.

The longing for Self development, or improving ourselves, is present in moderate degree amongst many of us. But with the grace of Guru, it grows intense. It is the Guru who directs us to the path of salvation. Without the blessings and guidance of the Guru, our efforts to improve ourselves will be extremely difficult.

It is this concept that dominates the minds of people who are involved with Shankara Charitable Trust, in serving the people of the Garhwal in the Himalayas. With the blessings of JagadGuru Shankaracharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, the Trust members have dedicated themselves to the service of people in various ways, and in the process of improving themselves. The underlying principle of the Trust is "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithath" - meaning, if you protect Dharma, it will protect you. And, "Nar Seva Narayana Seva" - The best way to serve God is to serve mankind.

His Holiness, Shankaracharya Swami, Shri Jayendra Saraswati, of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, on his Vijaya Yatra, during October' 86, had stayed at a village called Rathura, near the holy land of Rudraprayag. Rathura is about 150 kms from Rishikesh. The inhabitants of Rathura brought to His notice, the rampant prevalence of TB disease in the area and the high incidence of infant mortality during birth, with almost no medical help available to them. At His instructions, on the land donated by the local villagers a hospital was built on a hill side in Rathura, near the river Alaknanda. Since the, an OPD service is being rendered to around 40 villages with special emphasis on Tuberculosis. The service is, needless to add, being rendered irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Patients from far away villages and towns come to this hospital for treatment and they believe that it is a Siddha Sthal where all their physical ailments will vanish, with the blessings of the Acharyas.

One of the villagers, a man with one hand, donated his land for the purpose. That was his only source of wealth. Since then, he is actively involved in the voluntary activities of service to the cause. Such is the dedication of the villagers of Rathura.

Due to the poor state of health facilities in the region, the Shankara Charitable Trust, under the instructions and blessings of the Acharyas, made detailed plans to diversify it's activities in serving the people of Garhwal in a dedicated and sustained way. Plans were made to build a complex at Rathura, which will strive for development of the local people in different areas. The complex as named as "UTTAR KANCHI" and the Trust intensified it's efforts during the past few years.

A Plan was immediately finalized to build a 30 bedded hospital, with all medical facilities, viz., X-ray unit, sputum test equipment, laboratory test units, specialist doctors, ambulance, operation theatre, generator, etc. With intensive efforts, the first phase of the hospital, with 20 beds, was completed and dedicated to the local people on March 30, 1997. The Commissioner of Garhwal, Shri Subash Kumar, inaugurated the Kamakoti Shankara Hospital. On this occasion, a major eye camp was conducted by senior surgeons of the Shankara Eye Society, from Combatore, under the leadership of Dr. R. V. Ramani, and their Chief patron and Philanthropist, Sh. G. V. Eshwar, wherein Eye transplants were performed for the very first time in Garhwal, in addition to several highly sophisticated micro surgeries. Exemplary skill and dedication was shown by the team of doctors from Coimbatore in serving the people of Garhwal under their Bharat Vision programme before their visit to Kathmandu in Nepal and Madhubani in Bihar.

Effort to start the second phase of the hospital also has to be planned. It is our appeal to you to come forward and encourage our efforts in any way you can. The hospital will also have to be equipped with ambulance, additional X-ray units, pathology unit, operation theatre equipment, etc.

Vijaya Ganapathi Temple

At Uttar Kanchi, Shankaracharya has also installed a Vijaya Ganapathi Temple, built by Stapathi from South India. This sacred temple is attracting thousands of yatris going to Badrinath and Kedarnath. The beautiful temple also has Kamakshi, Dakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu statue on the sides. Kumbabhisehkam of Shri Vijaya Ganapathy, which was installed before the construction of the hospital, was performed in June, 1996.

Shankara Bal Vidyalaya In 1987, a Shankara Bal Mandir was established and is being run by a local sub-committee. The school building will be renovated shortly and the entire system rejuvenated to impart quality education to the local children. If you are interested in helping education of poor children, you must support the project in any way you can.

Kamakshi Yatri Niwas

With the new building constructed for the hospital, the old building has been now converted as Yatri Niwas. Around 20 beds are available in the building with several other amenities. It will be a great experience for yatris going to Badrinath, to stay at this peaceful ashram, situated on the banks of Alaknanda and receive the blessings of Vijaya Ganapathi. A nominal rate is being charged to take care of the running of the hospital.

All the above four activities in Rathura are gaining appreciation of the local people and the Government. The dedicated service and efforts of the Trust will be successful only with the generous contribution and support from all like minded people. Every individual has a moral duty towards society to assist the poor and the downtrodden to alleviate their suffering. Service to mankind is higher than service to God.

Priceless smile of an old lady who was treated at the hospital

This project is one of the leading ones of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, and will further propagate the Glory of this Great Kanchi Mutt in the Dev Bhumi of Garhwal in Himalayas in the years to come.

You can contact Mr. K. S. Shankar, Managing Trustee of the Shankara Charitable Trust at aparna@del2.vsnl.net.in.
His Postal Mail address is:
Shankara Charitable Trust,
BE-45,Janakpuri,
New Delhi 110 058