Shri Sant Gadgebaba Mahavidyalaya - Kapashi

Overview

Great saint, the name by which our college is being run was born on 23rd February, 1876 at Shengaon of Amravati District in a washer man’s family. His father’s name was Zingraji Janorkar and Sakhubai was his mother. Being from a well to do family, his father got addicted to drinking wine, lost his all property and died early. After that, Debu (his baptized name) and mother faced starvation and hardship. After his marriage, instead of getting involved in his married life he inclined towards spiritual life. On looking at plight, misery and precariousness of human life he became self-reflective. On 1st February 1905, he left his house and wandered in search of knowledge in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra wearing rags and holding an earthen pot (Gadge) for food and water. During his wandering, he never touched bread without doing any work for it. He worked for wretched people, tolerated harassment, malignance and slander of the society. Though himself being illiterate, he was a great teacher through his experiences and observations. He disseminated education through singing hymns of gods. The ten commandments of his philosophy can be summarized as follows: “God is not in any icon or holy place. It is virtually standing before you in the form of miserable person. Serve him lovingly, try to provide Education for the poor, Medicines for the sick, Employment for the jobless. Provide food for hungry ones, water for thirsty ones, clothing for naked ones, shelter for homeless ones. Protection for beasts, birds and dumb animals. Marriage opportunities for poor youths, courage for unhappy and frustrated ones. To serve people is to serve god. This is the real religion and this is the devotion and worship for god\".