Social Awareness - Somanandanath
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Social Awareness

Social work is not charity, it’s shared humanity in action

This eternal truth was passed down by the sages. My revered spiritual guide, Shrimat Vasudev Paramhansa, also taught that the divine resides within every being.
To find the Mother (the Divine), one must first purify and honor the temple of one’s own body — only then can true devotion be realized. He always believed in serving humanity — in spreading awareness through education, ensuring access to proper healthcare, and uplifting lives through small, sincere acts of compassion. Following this very path of selfless service, Somananda Nath continues to dedicate himself to society through humble yet powerful initiatives.

For years, he has stood beside ordinary people in countless ways. At times, he has fed hungry children, bringing smiles to innocent faces. At other times, he has provided essential learning materials to primary school students, nurturing the seeds of education. During the Durga Puja season, he has distributed new clothes to those in need, helping everyone share in the spirit of the festival. Through each small act of kindness, Somananda Nath walks the path of service — steady, sincere, and guided by the light of compassion. Now, he is preparing to take another step forward — launching a new initiative to ensure that the people in rural areas have access to proper healthcare services. To make this noble effort successful, your support and participation are essential.

“Service to all living beings is the true worship; He resides within the heart—what is the use of searching for Him outside?” Such words are repeatedly emphasized by the head of our Matri Mission. Our Gurudev too has said, “The object of worship of my life, my supreme Gurudev, Nath Yogi Sadhak Srimat Vasudev Paramahansa, also regarded service to living beings as paramount. For the service of distressed people, he even traveled abroad. Collecting funds from various foreign organizations, he helped the people of our country to the best of his ability. In Siliguri, North Bengal, he established free medical services. For many years he brought leading doctors to provide free treatment to villagers. I have chosen to follow this very path.”

We, the members of the Baglamukhi Matri Mission, always strive to serve ordinary people to the best of our capacity.

This service may take place on the appearance anniversary of our Gurudev or in areas adjacent to sacred seats (pithas). For many long years, for the welfare of common devotees, the head of our Baglamukhi Matri Mission has been continuously performing sacred fire rituals (homa). Recently, yesterday marked the eighth lunar day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight of the month of Agrahayan, as well as the appearance day of Shri Shri Mahakal Bhairav. Our Shrinath informed us, “On this auspicious day, I wish to serve the living Shivas of this sacred place by offering them some winter clothing.” Immediately, following Gurudev’s instruction, we made all the arrangements. Together with devotees and disciples, we organized this program in the area adjoining the Shakti Peetha Kankalitala.

Shrinath himself handed over this small winter service to ascetics, devotees, and common people. In addition, our revered sadhak Vasudev repeatedly expressed in his letters his wish to help children with disabilities. Keeping our father’s ideals in mind, we too tried to serve some helpless people to the best of our ability. We believe that Mahakal has been pleased by this, and we pray that he bestows those blessings upon all the devotees of our Matri Mission. You too should engage in service to living beings and remain well yourselves. By Mother’s grace, we pray for the welfare of all.

Why have we been serving at the Holy Feet of the Mother for all these years? In my view, the sole reason should be to serve ordinary, distressed people to the best of one’s strength and ability. It is to protect those harmed by occult practices (Tantra) through appropriate remedies, and to serve those in need of daily essentials. What is the point of being human if we cannot stand by our fellow human beings? We have learned from our ancestors that serving the masses is the highest calling. A noble son of my lineage (the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family), Santosh Roy Choudhury, was so compassionate that he later became known as “Shivdev”—meaning, he who helps everyone in the form of Shiva is truly a god. There are many other such noble souls in our family who dedicated their lives to serving the common people.

Furthermore, in August 1982, a message was sent to devotees from far-off America (Voorhees, USA) regarding the collection of funds for the service of the distressed. Discussions were also held on how foreign organizations could assist in serving the physically challenged. Keeping this noble initiative in mind, I too am moving forward in the service of the many. I believe my worship will only be truly successful when I can dedicate myself to the service of all.

Yesterday, while serving the saints and devotees to the best of my ability, a devotee came to me and said, “Maharaj, a child has come; will you give him a garment?” I immediately rushed out and saw the child looking at me with a pure, innocent smile. For a moment, I felt as though my Deity had granted me this opportunity. I joyfully gave him the gift and prayed to the Mother in my heart, “Protect him from all dangers, and every time I come to You, let me serve him to the best of my capacity.” I urge you all to serve the people; I pray that by the Mother’s grace, everyone finds well-being.

(I asked my disciple to capture a small portion of that pure, joyful smile from yesterday. However, as it is not advisable to show a child’s face on social media, the face has been kept slightly blurred.)

The entire universe is filled with the essence of Shiva. From every single object to the entire realm of living beings, everything is created, sustained, and dissolved according to His divine will. And this very Shiva resides within the human heart, within the soul of every living creature. Only by serving them can we truly serve the Divine. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have received the opportunity to serve these living beings, who are the very embodiments of Shiva.

Human life is fleeting. Therefore, in this brief life, my constant desire is to serve the Divine. It is my firm belief that this service will only find its true meaning when I can see Him in all living beings.

We need money to sustain our daily lives, and I need it too, but never in excess. My Guru’s teaching is to always remain devoted to spreading the Divine Mother’s name and, above all, to serving all creatures. I follow my Guru’s instructions to the letter.

For a long time, I have been performing Homa (sacred fire rituals) at various Sati Peethas along with devotees. The Mother guides me to different sacred places—sometimes to Yogadya, sometimes to Kankalitala, Tripura Sundari, Kashi, or Kamakhya. By Her command, I go to do Her work. Every time I visit Yogadya, the Mother gives me the opportunity to serve the beings there. It feels as though all the creatures there know me, as they come forward the moment I arrive.

My Paramguru, the great sage Shrimat Basudev Paramahansa, used to say, “Serve those in distress. If you, being human, do not think of other humans, then you need not think of me either.” Thus, to honor my Gurudev’s command, I organize modest service camps in various places.

Just yesterday, I arranged Prasad (sacred food offerings) for hundreds of devotees at the Yogadya Sati Peetha. Seeing the sheer joy and festivity among everyone—from the devotees and sadhus to the temple staff—made me feel that the Mother might continue to grant me such beautiful opportunities to serve.

I consider it my life’s greatest reward when devotees, after having the Prasad, come up to me and say, “Gurudev, we had a wonderful meal.” It brings me immense peace knowing the Mother is repeatedly giving me the chance to serve them. She exists within everyone; my Mother resides in the heart of every living being, and She reveals this truth time and again.

Yesterday, people traveled from far and wide to partake in this Prasad. I spent some time with them, listened to their stories, and shared a deep spiritual joy with everyone. In this act of service, my two disciples, Abhedananda Nath and Arjunananda Nath, helped me tremendously. I was also deeply supported by the Mother’s devotee Saheb, the Sebayats (temple attendants) of the Yogadya temple—especially those I see frequently, like Krishna-bhai and Kaka—and countless other beautiful souls.

To be entirely honest, I have nothing material to give anyone. What can I give? What am I even capable of giving? But yes, I can inspire people to chant the Mother’s name, guide them along Her path, show them the way to realize the Supreme Reality (Brahman), and, above all, bring a small smile and a moment of joy to their faces. I pray the Mother always blesses me so that I can continue to serve the people of all of India, one by one, just like this.

I pray for everyone’s well-being through the Mother’s grace. I urge you all: serve living beings, offer food to the hungry, and share a little of your time with them. You will see that the sorrows of life will fade away, and you will find boundless joy and the divine nectar of the Mother.