(i.e. Redemption for larger 'good' thro' Light Energy)

Swami Vijnananand, the first thinker of 'New Way' Trusts and founder of 'Manashakti' Research Centre, Varsoli, near Lonavla left his worldly abode, through 'Prakash Samadhi' on 18 November, 1993. He was 75. A common man, ignorant of Swamiji's `New Way' philosophy, was naturally confused; and more so, after reading various newspaper reports and versions of their own; not necessarily depicting a correct picture.

The Correct position in the context of his 'Prakash Samadhi' is, therefore, summarised below :

Swami Vijnananand, after adopting Sanyas in 1963, spent all his life entirely for the cause of social good. After completing his accomplished task, through his deep study and long standing research related to human 'mind', he had already declared his intention of departing from physical body thro 'samadhi'. Since then, he had also resigned and relieved himself formally from the responsibility of 'New Way Ashram' Trust in March, 1993. Yet, he continued to devote his time to study, meditation and isolation, till his last.

The main intention of his samadhi, as clarified in his writings elsewhere, especially 'Manashakti' - 1993 Diwali issue, was to vindicate total sacrifice as a protest against general corruption, injustice etc. ultimately to bring about upliftment of the nation and strengthening of 'social good'. Thereby he would also maintain a state of mental and intellectual equanimity even at the moment of his socalled death, a state most essential to be rightly and justly called 'Samadhi'. Accordingly he acted. It was not a suicide. Swamiji had clarified this by defining the term. To put in his own words: ' Suicide means death brought upon oneself, as a result of frustration and one's inability to achieve happiness aspired; whereas 'Samadhi' means death or departure from bodily frame, when one does not desire even for happiness, i.e. when one reaches a state of complete unwantedness '.

On this background and when the noble intention was crystal clear, the medium through which death was attained, is immaterial and it should be rightly and justly called 'Samadhi' (Redemption), and not a mere death, least of suicide. To quote Swamiji's words, ' If I hang myself, it should be called 'pranayam Samadhi', If I jump from a height, it should be called 'Prakash Samadhi'. If one brings death through suffocation, it should be called 'Bhoo Samadhi' and so on '.

Consequently, Swamiji had aptly remarked that the medium of 'Samadhi' should be beyond the limits of man-made laws, otherwise not a single social reform would have taken place, if observance of such a law was to prevail upon Universal or Natural justice.

Another noteworthy area of Swamiji's research was jealousy thought pollution and its 8 adverse effects, especially on promising and ambitious personalities, including political leaders. In the larger and ultimate interest of society, Swamiji conducted experiments to purify some important vulnerable places e.g. New Administrative Bldg., opp. Mantralaya, Varsha Bunglow etc. in Mumbai.

In his article : "Jato Re Mulano" (Good Bye! children) in Manashakti Diwali, 93 issue, Swami Vijnananand, having completed his avowed task, has given his time table, though flexible, about his departure from this worldly abode. There, he has taken a review of his life and social work, and has expressed gratitude to all those who came in his contact, including those who helped him in his public work, as well as those who could not agree with him, as negation also helps indirectly, he believed. Lastly, he has expressed his anxiety through an appeal to pursue the most cherished pre-natal sanskar (thought radiation) project, which would go a long way to mould the incoming generation since beginning, in the interest of Nation and Humanity. (This Project is already in progress for the benefit of incoming generation).