Rameshbhai, widely respected for his Bhagawat Parayana discourses, is staying as a guest of the Pankhania family. He gave an exclusive interview to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at the Pankhania family's residence, "Hillfield," in Harrow. Vraj Pankhania, a prominent businessman, fondly known as Vajubhai, shares a longstanding relationship with Rameshbhai Oza.
During the interview, Oza reflected on his 40-year-long connection with London and the UK, offering insights into his spiritual teachings. He also touched on the impact of globalisation and commercialisation on human life. CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar met Rameshbhai Oza and Vajubhai Pankhania on this occasion.
Interview:
Question: You have had a long-standing connection with London and Britain, since your first visit in 1983. How has that relationship evolved over the last 40 years?
Answer: Over the past four decades, India and the world have transformed significantly due to liberalisation and the rise of new technologies. When I first visited in 1983, it was a big deal just to make an international phone call to inform that I had reached safely. Today, we can easily connect through video calls. Back then, people cherished collections of records of Katha at home, but now anyone can listen to it live from anywhere in the world. Whether I am reciting Katha in India or the UK, a global audience can tune in and this is one of the incredible gifts of modern technology.
However, there’s a flip side. People seemed more free in the past, while many find themselves trapped in the material world today. I am particularly concerned about the younger generation. People of all ages now live under constant stress, racing against time, and this constant rush has burdened their lives.
Question: How do you view materialism and spirituality? Are they actually opposite concepts?
Answer: Materialism and spirituality are not opposing forces. The body and soul are interconnected, and life exists only when united. Without either, life ceases. Therefore, life's physical and spiritual aspects need to evolve together. Spiritual growth is just as significant as physical growth, and maintaining a balance between the two is crucial. Without this balance, a person risks losing their sense of wholeness.
Question: As you mentioned, men are becoming increasingly self-centred and disconnected from the society due to liberalisation. What is the solution to this according to you?
Answer: During the first Satsang at the temple in Crowley, the trustees proudly announced that the temple was finally debt-free. I remarked to the devotees that while the temple may be debt-free, humans are not. Our scriptures teach us that we are indebted to sages, gods, and ancestors, and we must consciously strive to repay these debts.
In business, one may be a sole proprietor, but in life, we are always in partnership. Soorya Dev, Vayu Dev, Varuna Dev, and the gods all play a role in our existence, representing our debt to the divine forces. Moreover, community plays a vital part in shaping who we are. My education, growth, and development are the result of contributions from my family, friends, teachers, and the government of my nation. Each has invested in my life, and in return, I owe them a deep sense of gratitude.
When people remember this, they move away from self-centeredness. Life is a partnership, and everyone contributing must receive their share. Therefore, our duty is to support our families, community, our nation and humanity.
Consciousness evolves through stages. It starts with the self, where a person is focused on "mine." As consciousness grows, it shifts to "ours," extending to the family. Eventually, it broadens to include society, and in its most developed stage, it reaches the divine, where one's consciousness aligns with God.
Question: Your inspiration of Bhagawat Katha Parayana came from your uncle Jivarajbhai. Do explain, how did this happen?
Answer: My grandmother, who was both devout and well-educated, played a significant role in shaping my spiritual upbringing. She conducted adult education classes and instilled in us a deep sense of devotion. Growing up in a village Brahmin family, I developed an early interest in rituals. My uncle introduced me to the practice of daily recitation of a chapter from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. From a young age, I accompanied him to Kathas, observing how he conducted kathas.
When my grandmother passed away at the age of 13, I performed a seven-day event in her memory, reciting the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. We set up a tent in our courtyard and even formed a committee of children to organise the event, bringing us great joy and accomplishment.
After this event, my father and uncle decided to send me to Tattvajyoti Pathashala, where I studied Sanskrit. Later, I continued my regular education, moving to Mumbai with my family and graduating there. I delivered my first independent katha in Mumbai at the age of 18 while studying commerce, and from that point on, I dedicated my life to this spiritual path.
Question: In today's era of commercial and private education, why did you want to start a Gurukal like the Sandipani Vidyaniketan?
Answer: My connection with Porbandar began in the 1980s through Tulsi Bhai, a local figure with whom I often performed Navratri rituals. Around 1984, he introduced me to a group managing a Sanskrit school in Babda and asked me to take over its operations. At the time, the school was in dire conditions—Brahmin boys would beg for food in the village, and teachers would often sacrifice their meals to ensure the students could eat. Some nights, they would only drink water to satisfy their hunger.
A year prior, in 1983, I had travelled to Britain for the first time. While there, I had the opportunity to collect donations but initially refused, believing I had no right to them. However, a person advised me to accept offerings and use them for good deeds. These two experiences—the school’s struggles and the advice—inspired the establishment the Vidyapith. Whatever donations I received went directly into improving the Vidyapith.
What began as the Babda Pathshala eventually grew into Sandipani Vidyapeeth in Porbandar, officially founded in 1992. We named the school "Sandipani" in honour of Sudama and Krishna’s guru, Rishi Sandipani. The vision for Sandipani was to blend the traditional values of a Rishikul and Gurukul, providing both Sanskrit and modern education. Today, we are educating over 4,500 boys and girls.
Question: You frequently mention the four paths: Yagya, Gyan, Bhakti, and Karma. What is their significance?
Answer: In the Gita, God emphasises that yagya, knowledge, and penance are essential for the purification of the soul and should never be abandoned. The concept of Yagya is far broader than simply offering Aahuti (sacrifice) into a fire. The entire universe operates as a yagya. Rain, for example, is a form of yagya, as it arises from the interaction of elements. Yagya represents the union of the Soma (essence) and Agni (fire) principles. The earth, which contains the fire element, receives rain, symbolising the soma element, to sustain life. Even a farmer farming a field is participating in a yagya. Rain nurtures crops, feeds animals, and contributes to the life cycle. This is the essence of yagya – the cycle sustaining all creation.
Similarly, Katha imparts wisdom and insight. Along with Yagya, Karma and Tap are also essential things, and for the truth, one must do sacrifice. There are four steps of religion – truth, austerity, mercy and holiness.
Question: How long have you been in touch with Vajubhai, your current host?
Answer: My relationship with Vajubhai spans decades. He had previously organised a Katha at Wembley Arena and invited me. London and Leicester have a longstanding tradition of Katha, spanning over 40 years, and I have been warmly embraced by many dedicated devotees with love and respect.
I want to express my concern and grief regarding something else. Individuals entering religious leadership must be well-educated and knowledgeable. Anyone who takes on the role of a preacher should have been mentored by a guru and undergone proper study.
Another issue we face is that many are drawn to religion without considering whether their actions genuinely serve their purpose. We must reflect on whether we are nurturing the essence of religion or merely exploiting it for personal gain.
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Tranquility of the ‘Hillfield’ Residence
Nestled in Harrow-on-the-Hill, Hillfield offers a serene escape from the bustling pace of London. This peaceful home belongs to Vrajbhai Pankhania, affectionately known as Vajubhai, who lives here with his wife Jyotsnaben, their sons Kamalbhai and Sunilbhai, and their extended family. In an era where families are increasingly drifting apart, the unity of the Pankhania family stands as an inspiration. Their home frequently hosts guests, including the revered Rameshbhai Oza, who Jyotsnaben and Vajubhai warmly welcomed. On a recent visit, guests, including women from Leicester, gathered to pay their respects to Rameshbhai Oza.
