Kashinath Yashwant Bhandarkar
True Follower of Brahmo Principles
(30th October 1902 – 13th June 1987) Kashinath Yashwant Bhandarkar, grandson of Vasudeo Gopal Bhandarkar (who in turn was brother of Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar), was born on 30th October 1902. He had an elder brother and four younger sisters. His third youngest sister Vasundhara Sharma was a well known and active member of the Pune Prarthana Samaj. His schooling was in INDORE where his father was the Chief Justice of the Holkar State. His College education was in the Elphinstone College in Bombay. He was B.A., L.L.B. His initial career was in the Bombay Presidency in British India with postings in various small towns in the old Bombay Presidency. His hard & honest work was appreciated by the British and they posted him to the Law Department in New Delhi in 1938. After that his entire career was in Delhi where he rose to become the Law Secretary. From 1938 to 1947 he worked for the British and after that for Independent India. His Minister at independence was Dr.B. R. Ambedkar. A key part of his personality was simple living and he never liked to talk about his career. He was married to Shantabai Kamat, the elder sister of Shri. R. D. Kamat (erstwhile President of Bombay Prarthana Samaj), who was pillar of strength for him till her death in 1966. He died in 1987.
Religious Life of K. Y. Bhandarkar:
K. Y. Bhandarkar was a devout follower of the Brahmo Samaj in Delhi and the Prarthana Samaj in Pune and Mumbai. At home also he and his family held bhajan & a short prayer daily at 8 PM.
K. Y. Bhandarkar was leading light in the Delhi Brahmo Samaj and till the Samaj building was constructed the annual utsavs, Bhadrotsav Maghotsav were held in the lawns of his government bungalow. He used to conduct upasana in both Hindi and English. Most members in Delhi were from Bengal or Punjab, and after Independence there were Sindhis. Various Brahmo missionaries used to visit Delhi. Two of them Dr. Subbukrisnaayya from Andhra Pradesh & Nanibhuhan Dasguptaji from Kolkata used to stay at his residence.
After retirement he settled in Pune and till his death he was an active member of the Pune Prarthana Samaj and worked as President during the period 1979 to 1987. In Pune he used to conduct upaasna in Marathi. Througout his stay in Pune he used to regularly visit Samaj members and conduct family prayer at their residences. His personal philosophy was based on the principles of the Brahmo Samaj. He was very strict in following and adhering to a moral code of conduct based on truthful living. He abhorred any self praise & lived a very simple life.
– Gopal Kashinath Bhandarkar
I am thankful to Shri. G. K. Bhandarkar for unveiling the inspiring life sketch of Revered K. Y. Bhandarkar for the generations of modern times.
Simple ,and beautiful life sketch of my grandfather he was the one who influenced me in my childhood he used to conduct a sangeet upasana on every Sunday for all the children from our family and extended families.also answered all our questions however silly they may be . This helped to understand Brahmo path of life and helped me follow this path
I came to know from Dr. Sushama Joag’s post that 14th of June was the death anniversary of Shree KY Bhandarkar. Shree Bhandarkar was based in Delhi as the Secretary, Ministry of Law in the 1950s. During that period the Brahmos of Delhi had decided to establish a Brahmo Samaj there. The Brahmo Samaj Delhi was registered as a society on 25/07/55. Mr. KY Bhandarkar’s name is listed in the Memorandum of Association. Besides him Mr. RD Kamat’s name appears as a member of the Managing Committee. Mr. SK Bhandarkar is also on the list.
KASHINATH Y. BHANDARKAR
Today, June 13, is the 34th death anniversary of Revered Sh. K Y Bhandarkar. I would like to share my thoughts on this occasion.
Mr. Kashinath Y. Bhandarkar, known as ‘Baba’ to many, was born in 1902. From a very young age itself, he was deeply influenced by his parents – his father was among the leading personalities of the Indore Brahmo Samaj & his grand-uncle, Sir R. G. Bhandarkar, was one of the pioneers of Prarthana Samaj.
He completed his Law Degree in 1928 from Mumbai, erstwhile Bombay, and thereafter worked in the Legal Department of Bombay Presidency. Acknowledging his efficiency & honesty the British honoured him with “Order of the British Empire (OBE).” On account of his quiet and unassuming nature, the bestowal of this honour was known only to his family and very few close associates. In 1950 he became Law Secretary.
He was very active in the Delhi Brahmo Samaj and often the annual Brahmo Samaj Utsavs were held in his Lutyen’s Delhi bungalow. For many years, in his house, Bhajans were held daily.
He had strong views against DOWRY and did not accept it, in any form, for any of his sons’ weddings. He was a man of impeccable integrity, highly principled and truly believed in and practiced ‘simple living and high thinking.’ He was very regular in his habits. Out of respect, when one would try to touch his feet, it was he who would more often succeed in bowing and touching others’ feet, even of those much younger to him. His simplicity and humility were truly reflected in ending his letters with the words “Your humble servant.”
He would often come to the Mandir early and before the ‘mandali’ arrived would sing Bhajans alone, without any instruments. He interspersed his sermons with quotes of many saints and from several scriptures. As Acharya, he conducted various religious ceremonies – Baptisms, Marriages and Shraadhs, according to Brahmo principles.
By nature, he was very helpful and accommodative. Many Brahmo and non-Brahmo families were privileged to stay in the palatial residential premises that were allotted to him in Delhi and experience his hospitality. Our association with his family goes back to the time prior to my birth! After the upheaval of the partition in 1947, he accommodated our family in his bungalow in Delhi, till we were allotted Govt quarters. In all his activities, he had the unstinted support of his wife.
In his unassuming and silent manner, he generously contributed to several charitable causes, particularly those run by the Samaj.
Post retirement, he settled in Pune, where he was closely associated with the activities of the Prarthana Samaj. His home in Pune is most appropriately named ‘Hari Kripa.’
Many of us can emulate and learn from his life, particularly in these trying times.
SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI
Written & Read by Mohindru Mirchandani on Zoom during Bombay Brahmo Samaj Prayers.
June 13, 2021