REFORMATION THROUGH 

RAM NAAM 

Case Studies of Tribal Bhils of Jhabua and Convicts of Indore Central Jail

Book written by Dr. Gautam Chatterjee

Article - Ram Naam Reforming 'Criminal' Minds of Jhabua Bhils


About the Book

'Negative instinct' of mankind is as old as our civilization. In order to tackle this human aberration many socio-psychological techniques were evolved. In order to ensure co-existence and harmonious living the concept of Law and Order came into vogue. Punishment of crime was enforced to have a deterrent effect on the society. In the last millennium these 'criminal' activities were diagnosed as 'disease' of the society. To cure the ailing society many tools were evolved enveloping socio-psycho-economic norms. However, desired results could not be achived.

On the other hand, traditional people or Tribals were termed as 'criminal and were shunted out to seclusion by the upper section of the society. So-called reformative efforts from 'above' could not undo their instincts and negative impulsiveness. Thus socio-anthropologically speaking, we have created a core class and named them 'criminal' who posed a perennial danger to the socalled society of ours.

However, some philanthropists intervened and employed the 'spiritual tool' of Ram Naam to usher in reformatiaon amongst those who live a life of negativism and neglect.

Tribal Bhils of Jhabua District of Madhya Pradesh and Many more convicts serving sentences in Indore Central Jail became the subject of reformation through Ram Naam - the sound or nada philosophy propounded by Swamiji Satyanandji Maharaj. This spiritual experimentation is yielding phenomenal result and curing many an ill of the society which were otherwise remained a subject of great societal neglect.

The book delves deep into the subject of spiritual reformation through field study undertaken in the Jhabua District and Indore Central Jail. It takes the hind view of the socio-economic situation. It also gauges the psychological changes as narrated by scores of people who are experiencing reformation.

The book elaborates the internal journey of sacred sound - Ram Naam  and looks at sociologically how that is influencing the lifestyle of people who once remained a threat to the society. This work also highlights how Ram Naam is effacing the layers of superstition and effecting de-addiction among the Bhils.

 The book looks at the case studies from the perspective of anthropology and analyses the depth of spiritual reformation dethroning the societal concept that Bhils have 'criminal minds', who are for ages subjected to the abject poverty and social denunciation. The book also concludes through various case studies that 'hard core murder convicts' can be reformed throughly and even there are cases where convicts who cultivated Ram Naam could escape gallows in a very mystic manner.



"My little experience with Ram Naam, its power and effect makes me declare with force and confidence that it is a panacea for all such ills. The moment, people were initiated into 'Ram Mantra', many took the vow, not to consume alcohol, not to eat meat, not to go for adultery and not to gamble. In no case, they were asked to do so. This change came of its own from within. In many homes, even serving of alcohol has also been stopped. Their love for Ram Naam makes them chant it most of the time even while at work. They claim that Ram Naam is a man-making machine! They are in the process of becoming good, and perfect human beings."

Dr. Viswamitraji Maharaj, Sri Ram Sharnam, New Delhi

 

"In attempting to explain some of those facets of life which are inexplicable Dr Gautam Chatterjee has made an interesting compilation. Devotion brings reformation with the magic of phonetic resonance. This is an essay contemporising a legacy--an ancient heritage."

Shriti Nath, Editor, Discover India

'Reformation Through Ram Naam is a work that tenaciously seeks to establish that the 'stigma' attached to behavious of the Bhils of Jhabua has its roots in the mindsets of the 'outside' world. Dr. Gautam Chatterjee has the right credentials for undertaking such an onerous task, summoning all the responsibility that it demands. The book does not treat criminal behaviour in isolation but puts it in the context of the social environment in which the person finds himself. Without trivializing the issue Dr. Chatterjee shows why biases and preconceived notions have a damning effect on communities and through his thesis offered a socially relevant therapy for its cure and herein lies the essence of this book. It hightlights the benefits of reformation in jails and through interview records the admission of hardened criminals that a spiritual approach to reformation is perhaps the one thing truly changes one prone to deviant behaviour. This is amply proved by the facts that convicts have now found recognition as painters and singers. In such, spiritualism has succeeded in channeling energy towards cultivated and civilized action. An unusual and difficult subject that has been sensitively handled by a dedicated and humane scholar.

Ananda Mazumdar, Coordinating Editor, The Hindustan Times

About the Author

 

Dr. Gautam Chatterjee (b.1958) is an established writer who has written persussively on different aspects of India enveloping Social History, Culture, Religion and Indology. 

 

A frequent contributor to prestigious magazines and newspapers, he has written 10 books and created 2 Educational Games. Academically he has worked in the field of reformation of juvenile convicts. His Ph.D. thesis was on Child Criminals and the Raj--Reformation in British Jail. Reformation Through Ram Naam is an academic extension of his research through the 'spiritual tool' of remormation i.e. Ram Naam, which is working out a revolution silently and steadily in the Jhabua District of Madhya Pradesh and also in Indore Central Jail where scores of convicts are undergoing life-imprionment.

 

On the score of Hinduism he has written 'Sacred Hindu Symbols', 'Thousand Names of Visnu' and 'My pilgrimage to the Ram Naam Dham' leaving apart hundreds of articles for the national and international readers.  

 


 

First Published in India 2000

Copyright ©  Dr. Gautam Chatterjee

 

All rights reserved, No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.

 

ISBN 81-87872-01-2

Rs. 300

US$ 30


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