tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22394149240128122882024-03-06T01:00:02.122-08:00FAMOUS INDIAN PERSONALITIESmuralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-22986053150784247072008-01-03T01:40:00.000-08:002008-01-03T02:58:00.802-08:00FAMOUS PERSONALITIES OF ANDHRAMadapati Hanumanta Rao was born on 1885, at Pokkunur village, in Nandigama taluk, Krishna district. He was a great poet and politician and social worker. He completed his metriculation in first class from Madras University. He was practiced 24 years as advocate, in Hyderabad. He was started Andhra Mahasabha in 1930. He was close associate with Nilagiri and Telugu Patrika Journals. He was translated so many stories and novels from Marathi and Bengali to Telugu. He wrote so many essayes in Telugu, Kannada, Urdu and Hindi languages. Usmania University awarded Doctor of Literature to him for his service of literature. He was the first mayor of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. He was first chair person of A.P. Sasana Mandali, in 1958. The Indian government awarded him as 'Padmabhushana'. His wife Srimati Manikyamba was also active participant of Andhra Mahasabha. He worked for 'Samaikya Andhra'.<br /><br /><br />Gidugu venkata Sitapathi was born january 28, 1885, in Bhimunipatnam, in Visakapatnam district. He was completed his B.A. degree from Madras Christian College. Sri vedam Venkataraya sasthri was his guide. He was worked as a teacher some years in Parlakimidi high school. He was participated in Andhra Udyamam. In 1936 he entered to Telugu cine Industry through Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. He worked very short period in Telugu Industry. He wrote so many essayes and novels. In 1948 The Telugu Basha Samithi was started through this VignanaSarvaswam Telugu journal. Gidugu was founder and editor for this. He served nearly 50 years to Telugu literature development.<br /><br /><br />Sri Adiraju Veerabhadra Rao was born in 1887, in Dendukur village, Madhira taluk, Kammam district. He was serviced as secretary for Andhra Jana sangham in 1921. He wrote so many historical stories, Greek Mythological stories. His greatest book was Kakateeyandhra Darsini.<br /><br /><br />Mamidipudi Venkata Rangaiah was born in january 1889, in Purini village in Kovur taluk, Nellore district. He was completed his B.A. in 1907, from Madras Pacheyappa College as University first. He was inspired by Bipin Chandra Pal. He was worked nearly 14 years as a tutor in Vijayanagaram college. In that period Gandhiji was came to Vijayanagaram. Srimathi and Sri Mamidipudi met Gandhiji . He was worked as principal Nellore V.R.College. He was editor to Educational India nearly 30 years. He wrote so many text books and defination of constitution. He was chief editor for Vignana Sarvaswa, Sangraha Vignana Kosha journals. He continued his writings from 1908. <br /><br /><br />Gannavarapu Subbaramaiah was born March 15, 1890, in Soollurpet taluk, Nellore district. He knows tamil, kannada, malayalam, hindi, gujarati, bengali languages. He was very well trained in book-keeping, shorthand and typewriting. At 1912 he associated with Veturi Prabhakara Sasthri and Vedam Venkataraya Sasthri. In that period he worked in Madras Prachya Likhita Pustaka Bhandagar. In that period for writers to see their essayes in Bharati journal was very great. For the Bharathi journal Subbaramaiah was the editor. He served nearly 70 years to Indian journalism.<br /><br /><br />Nelaturi Venkata Rmanaiah was born in 1891 in Nelatur village, in Nellore district. He was well known as Hampi Venkata Ramanaiah or Vijayanagaram Venkata Ramanaiah. He was a great historian. He worked as a history tutor in Madras Christian College. In 1930, the first doctorate awarded by Madras University for the thesis of Origin of the South Indian Temples, written by Subbaramaiah. The famous books of the Subbaramaiah are Origin of the City of Vijayanagar, further source of Vijayanagara History, Complie and Vijayanagar, Early Muslim Expansion in South India, Velugoti vari Vamsavali, Raghunathabhyudayam etc.He was written so many essayes about history.muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-81676211317045368572007-12-24T13:11:00.000-08:002007-12-24T13:25:09.604-08:00SHIVAJI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://harshad.files.wordpress.com/2006/04/Shivaji_Maharaj.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://harshad.files.wordpress.com/2006/04/Shivaji_Maharaj.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Introduction</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The hero who escaped from the prison of the Mughal Emperor himself, to become the ruler of a kingdom devoted to Dharma and the service of the people. As a boy he dedicated himself to Hindu Dharma. He matched cunning against cunning, courage against courage; he was one of the wisest rulers as he was one of the greatest generals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A small boy is seated on the throne, of curse, on a small throne bound hand and the village Patel. He had dishonored a helpless widow; it was he is duty to protect such persons. Indeed he was a wicked Patel. In his limitless pride he did not even think that a small boy would have the courage to hold an inquiry. Yet the young prince subjected this Patel, who proudly sported a thick moustache, to a proper judicial trial. It was clear that the Patel had done wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a stern and majestic tone the young prince announced the judgement: both the hands and the feet of the Patel were to be cut off. All present were stunned at the firm devotion of the prince to justice. Not only were they wondering struck but also pleased beyond measure. The townsfolk began to say to one another: Ah! Look! How devoted to justice our young prince is He is not in the least afraid of the wicked people. He metes out fit punishment to all that do wrong. He is kind and loving towards the poor, the downfallen and the wretched. He is ever determined to help them and to protect them. What is more, he regards all women as mothers. Surely when he grows up into manhood, not only will he save our land but also will uphold our Dharma. Therefore let us all stand by him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don’t you wish to know who this young prince was? He was none other than Shivaji. At the time of this incident he was just fourteen. His small kingdom comprised the few small villages that skirted the township of Poona. His father was Shivaji who served as general under the Sultan of Bijapur. The father knew only too well the nature of his son. He felt joyous when he thought of the fearless lion-like disposition of his son, which would never let him, bow down to any foreigner. How the father became aware of this fearless nature of his son is itself and interesting story.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a certain occasion Shahaji took his son to the court of the Sultan of Bijapur. Shivaji was then not even twelve years of age. Shahaji touched the ground thrice and saluted the Sultan. He asked his son to do the same thing. But…Shivaji only retreated a few steps. He stood erect with his head unbent. His dazzling eyes seemed to carry with them his determination that he would not bow down to a foreign ruler. He walked back from the court with a lion-like gait and bearing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Till then no one had dared to behave in that manner at the court of the Sultan of Bijapur. All were wonder-struck at the boldness of the young boy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Did such acts of the son enrage Shahaji? They did not. On the contrary he was mightily pleased at heart. He had not been fortunate enough to be an independent ruler. He sent his son to Poona, blessing him that at least he might become an independent ruler.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You may ask. How did Shivaji acquire all these noble virtues courage, heroism, love for the motherland and love of Dharma? Even when he was a little child his mother Jijabai used to tell him stories of heroes, of saints and sages who appear in the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha and the Puranas. As Shivaji listened to these tales of heroism and Dharmic deeds, he grew more and more eager to be like Rama or Krishna, Bheema or Arjuna. He was further blessed in that he had for his teacher and guides such a great man as Dadaji Kondadev was. He was also inspired by the memories of the glorious empire of the Vijayanagara Kings in Karnataka.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Fortress Of Fortresses - For The Goddess Of Independence</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was born in the fort of Shivneri in 1630. Strangely enough, his task of building up an independent kingdom too was to be accomplished with the help of forts only. Even at the young age of sixteen he captured one of the forts. It was the fort of Toranagadh. Torana! What a beautiful name, full of meaning and significance! It was as though he had woven an auspicious garland for independence. The saffron colored sacred banner, the Banner of the Lord, ‘Bhagavajhenda’, fluttered on the fort. Shivaji ordered his soldiers to strengthen the fort, this first fort that was to lead to independence. When the ground was being dug in the fort, the diggers saw hidden treasures. Was that the first gift of the goddess of Fortune to the Goddess of Independence? Strangely, the poor diggers who came by so much wealth were not in the least move by thoughts of greed. The carried the entire treasure to Shivaji handed it over to him. They knew it was wealth granted for the struggle for independence. It belonged to the lord and they were not to touch it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After Toranagadh Shivaji began to capture one fort after another. The news that Shivaji was capturing forts reached the Sultan of Bijapur. In order to crush Shivaji the Sultan hit upon a treacherous plan. He got Shahaji captured by deceitful means; then Shahaji was brought to the Sultan’s presence and was thrown into prison. A rumor spread that Shahaji would be tortured and executed. This news was like a thunderbolt to Shivaji who was rejoicing in the birth of an era of independence. His other Jijabai was heart-broken. She felt as if the God of Death himself was about t snatch her sacred ‘mangalya’ (The symbol of a life-long partnership with the husband). On the heels of this news came tow other bits of frightening news: one, that Fateh Khan, the valiant Sardar of Bijapur, was proceeding against Shivaji with a large army; another, that Farrad Khan yet another valiant general was attacking Sambhaji, the elder brother of Shivaji, It was clear the Sultan was posing these threats only to see that Shivaji gave up fighting and surrendered to him. If he did not surrender, if the continued to fight, his father’s life would be in danger. Shivaji was worried, not knowing what he should do. At this juncture his fourteen year-old wife, Sayibai, said to him; "why do you worry yourself over this? See that your father is freed. See to it also that you retain this state of independence. Destroy your enemies." She was a worthy wife of hero like Shivaji, wasn’t she?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji came to a decision. The commander of Purandaragadh was in the employ of the Sultan of Bijapur; Shivaji won his heart with soft-spoken, friendly words. He stationed a small army there. The soldiers of Shivaji fought against Fateh Khan who attacked the fort. This was the first test of the battle for independence. So valiant were the men of Shivaji that Fateh Khan had to retreat and run away. Elsewhere Sambhaji to broke the back of the attack of Farrad Khan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All this was victory. But how was he to save his father? Shivaji was deeply trouble by this thought. Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, a plan occurred to him. His intellect was as sharp as his arms were supple. Shahjehan was the Emperor in Delhi at that time. So he wrote to Emperor: "My father is kept captive by the Sultan of Bijapur. As soon as he is released my father and I will willingly serve you. We are very eager". The Sultan of Bijapur came to know of this. He knew well that the Emperor of Delhi was waiting for an opportunity to attack him. He feared what would happen to him if the Emperor decided to attack him. So with all due honor the released Shahaji. With his valor and his diplomacy, Shivaji thus overcame the first great danger to freedom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was twenty-eight. By then Kondana, Purandara, Kalyan, Raigadh and other forts numbering forty flows the flag of freedom. It was also at this time that on the West Coast the English, the Portuguese and other foreigners set foot. Shivaji was apprehensive that some day these foreign armies might occupy the whole land. Intent on containing them he began building fortresses by the sea. He began to equip himself with warships and trained the navy. Shivaji was the first among those who in their farsighted vision saw the lurking dangers of foreign domination, and acted to check such aggression.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Terror Of The Enemies</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sultan Adilshah saw how Shivaji’s dream of Swaraj would come true, and felt both anxious and helpless. Every day he received news of some fort or the other falling into Shivaji’s hands! The Sultan had a foster mother, by name Uliya Begum. She hated Shivaji like poison. One day she herself held a Durbar. The far-famed heroes of Bijapur all attended it. At that Durbar Uliya Begum threw out the challenge to all present: "if there is one amongst you who can capture and bring Shivaji captive here, let him accept this token gift of ‘pan’." So saying she held out the silver platter in which was place the ceremonial ‘pan’ and betel-nut offering. A sever-foot tall robust general stood up and accepted the gift. The general was Afzal Khan. He was a Pathan general who was as brave as he was cruel and deceitful. The Sultan sent a strong force of 25,000 soldiers to help him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Afzal Khan first proceeded to destroy Bhavani of Tuljapur, the family deity worshipped by Shivaji. His axe broke. The idol of the Goddess Bhavani of Tuljapur to pieces. The Khan desecrated this idol and another in Pandharpur. Shivaji was being informed of all these happenings daily. The Khan knew that as long as Shivaji was safely behind his fortresses and was in the jungle areas, it was difficult to defeat him. He hopped that Shivaji would come into the open plains and offer battle if he indulged in such desecration of temple, slaughter of cows and the molestation of women. Then it would be easier for him to defeat Shivaji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was not slow to understand this scheme; he knew that the Khan would overpower him if the came down from the forts and offered battle. So he made up his mind to proceed to the new fort of Pratapgadh which he had built in the forest of Javali. He then planed to attract the Khan to this place and fight him there. Just at this time he had a dream’ in this dream Goddess Bhavani appeared to them and blessed him saying that he would be victorious.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Afzal Khan wanted to make Shivaji come down from the fort of Pratapgadh and meet him on the plains. Towards this end he sent a representative of his with secret instructions. He met Shivaji and politely informed him that Afzal Khan was a great of his father and that he did not intend any harm and Shivaji should come down to meet him. In reply, Shivaji sent a flattering letter through his own representative. He wrote, ‘You are like an uncle to me. You must forgive all my crimes. You should come to Pratapgadh and uplift me and take me to the Sultan of Bijapur." The humble and pleading tone of Shivaji’s letter deceived the Khan. And the representative sent by Shivaji praised the courage of the Khan and made fun of Shivaji’s cowardice. So the Khan was very much pleased.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Khan arrived at the forest of Javali with all his forces. He stationed himself right at the foot of Pratapgadh. It was decided that Shivaji and Afzal Khan should meet as friends. It was also agreed that as Shivaji was a little terrified, Afzal Khan alone should meet Shivaji and the body guards of both should remain at some distance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the night before this meeting. Who could sleep on such a night? Netaji, Tanaji, Kanoji and other trusted lieutenants of Shivaji came down from the fort and with their battalions, hid in the forest; they stood ready for action. They had been instructed that they should fall upon the enemy ranks and destroy them the moment they heard the booming cannon on the fort. The day dawned. As usual Shivaji bathed, and worshipped Lord Shiva. He put on a metallic helmet to protect the head and a metallic cost to protect he chest. In the scabbard at his waist were the dagger ‘Bhavani’ and a sharp knife. Meditating on Goddess Bhavani he went down from the fort, to meet Afzal Khan. They were to meet halfway down the hill; the place was hidden from view from the came of Afzal Khan. In the shamiana the Khan waited for Shivaji. He rose as soon as he saw Shivaji. Their eyes met for short while. Pretending to offer him the customary embrace of friendship, the Khan invited Shivaji. He stretched both his powerful and long arms in an act of embrace of friendship, the Khan invited Shivaji. He stretched both his powerful and long arms in an act of embrace. It seemed as though it was an embrace of death itself. But whose embrace of death itself. But whose death? Shivaji too came forward and embraced him. At once the Khan drew out his sharp knife and biting his lips in anger thrust it into the side of Shivaji. Shivaji’s steel vesture with a grating noise, Quickly Shivaji released himself from the hold of the Khan and dragging out his own sharp knife thrust it deep into the entrails of the Khan. The Khan tried to run away. But Shivaji flung his sword at him and at one stroke the head of the khan fell down severed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji stuck the severed head of the Khan on his sword and ran up the fort. Simultaneously the cannon also boomed as if it I would cut opens the skies. The Khan’s soldiers were rejoicing, forgetful of the situation in the thought that the Khan would have caught Shivaji. Suddenly the soldiers of ‘Shivaji punched upon them like leopards. Godess Tulaja Bhavani was now fully avenged. The Khan’s forces were completely destroyed. Shivaji was all-victorious. He sent Jijabai a gift. Can you guess what gift was? The head of Afzal Khan!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji fame as the slayer of Afzal Khan spread everywhere in our own country and abroad. A dark and dismal gloom descended on the Sultan of Bijapur. But Shivaji did not grow careless in the joy of victory. Taking advantages of this temp of victory he proceeded to other places and annexed quite a few forts of the Sultan of Bijapur.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sultan of Bijapur again chose another general and sent him to attack Shivaji with a force seventy thousand strong. The general, Siddi Jauhar, tried hard to capture Shivaji who was then in Panhalgadh. Even the English came to his assistance with their artillery. The attack gathered more and more strength. Shivaji hoped that the attack would lose its force and strength as soon as the monsoon set in. But in this Shivaji was disappointed. At the same time, in answer to a request from the Sultan of Bijapur, the Badshah of Delhi sent his uncle Shaista Khan with an army, a hundred thousand strong, to attack Shivaji. All thought that the hopes of Swaraj and the survival were completely blotted out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During this period of great danger Shivaji’s mother Jijabai took charge of the administration in the place of her son and managed the affairs ably. In the meanwhile Shivaji came to the decision that he should few himself from this encirclements. But how? For Siddi Jauhar guarded the fort from below. Shivaji thought of the less dangerous mode of escape. He sent to Siddi Jauhar through his envoy a letter offering to surrender. He had appealed earnestly that he would surrender unconditionally the next day and that he should be given pardon. The moment news of this surrender reached the soldiers of Jauhar they spent the whole night in great merriment. They hardly knew that such letters from Shivaji were sweet only to deceive. It was night of pouring rain, and terrible thunder and lightning. Just at that moment Shivaji and 800 of his men got down the fort and proceeded stealthily towards Vishagadh. The soldiers posted to watch the enemies were no doubt in their tents, by they were lost in merriment thinking of the surrender of Shivaji. Even the slightest suspicion would have resulted in utter destruction. Hence Shivaji’s men were anxious at every step. But Bhavani’s blessings wee with this mall battalion. They were able to Escape unnoticed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The group of Mavali soldiers carrying Shivaji in a palanquin ran faster and faster. As they ran the whole area was lit up with a large streak of lightning. One of the spies of Siddi Jauhar noticed the party and he ran to inform Siddi Jauhar of this escape. On hearing this Jauhar was thunder-struck. Still he did not lose heart. He sent for his son-in-law Siddi Masood. He was entrusted with the cavalry and was sent in hot pursuit of Shivaji. Shivaji too felt that it would be difficult to escape from this case. But once again he thought of plan. He sat in another palanquin and traveled in a different direction. There was a man in the army who was like Shivaji. These man put on the clothes of Shivaji and sat in the first Shivaji’s soldiers, captured him and proceeded to Siddi Jauhar. But when the captive was questioned it was found that he was a ‘Shivaji’ by name and was just a barber of Panhalgadh! All were put to shame.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So Siddi Masood again took up the chase. By that time Shivaji and his soldiers had already covered twenty-five miles and were now near the valley of Gajapur. Vishalgadh was a few miles from there. Five thousands soldiers of Masood raced towards the group. Shivaji had a brave lieutenant, a man strong like Bheema. He was Baji Prabhu Deshpande. He asked Shivaji to proceed to Vishalgadh taking half the force with him. With the remaining half he was their face the mighty battle on of Siddi Masood. It was a sight to see Baji Prabhu wielding two swords in both his hands.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In that narrow valley Baji Prabhu began cutting down the Pathan soldiers who rolled in again and again like waves. In the battle he too was wounded all over the body and blood was flowing out. In spite of this he gave battle till the evening. Many of his soldiers too fell in this battle. Finally Baji Prabhu fell a victim to an enemy’s sword that severely wounded him. At the same time Shivaji had overpowered the soldiers who were attacking Vishalgadh, and climbing up the fort let the cannon resound in Victory. As Baji Prabhu lay dying he heard this sound. He died in peace, happy that his efforts for his master had not been in vain. The valley was made scatted by the blood of this martyr. From hence this valley came to be known as Pavan Khindi or the Sacred Valley.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The news that Shivaji escaped from Panhalgadh and reached his capital fell on the ears of the Sultan of Bijapur. He felt like one who was struck by a thousand thunderbolts at once. He could not summon again the courage to attack Shivaji. But Shivaji had the other danger from Shaista Khan to attend to. How was he to free himself from this? For this Shivaji chose the month sacred to the Muslims when they observe Ramzan. It was a time when the community would fast all day and then eat sumptuously and be fast asleep at night. The day also was the anniversary of the coronation of Aurangzeb. Need it be said that on that day there would be all the revelry and merriment of a great feast? On that day Shivaji came down from Raigadh with an army of two thousand soldiers. He stationed himself at a distance of some two miles from Poona. Shaista Khan was then camping in the Lal Mahal at Poona, Where Shivaji had been brought up as a boy. In and around Poona a hundred thousand soldiers of the Moghul Emperor were stationed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A childhood friend of Shivaji by name Babaji moved towards the Moghul camp with a small force of soldiers. Behind him proceeded Shivaji with another small troop. Babaji entered the city, chatting and shouting. The sentries stopped him and his men. But without a moment´s hesitation, Babaji said, "We too, are the Khan´s men-, we just went out to keep watch and are now coming back." He and his men disregarded the sentries and quietly entered the city. Shivaji´s soldiers followed them. Shivaji went directly towards the gates at the rear of the Lal Mahal. From there he went to the Kitchen and cut down all who were there. From there he proceeded to the place where Shaista Khan was sleeping. He had to pull down a small wall that obstructed his entry. A servant heard the wall collapse and went to inform the Khan of what was happening. But the Khan was so sleepy ´ that he drove the servant away saying that it must be some rat in the kitchen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji and his men rushed in. By that time the entire Lal Mahal was never be rating with shouts which announced that the enemy had broken in. The wives of Shaista Khan hid him behind a curtain. Shivaji burst in and flung his sword. Three fingers of the Khan, one as it were for the three syllables of the name of Shivaji, were chopped off by this throw.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Khan jumped down from the window. By then the Moghul army had surrounded the Lal Michel. In this utter confusion Shivaji and his men shouted, "Catch the enemy, cut him into piece ´ s!" They opened the doors of the Lal Mahal and went away. They´ escaped and raced to Simhaoadh on the horses that were waiting for them in readiness, This incident convinced Shivaji´s enemies that he was not just a mountain rat´ but some sort of a fiend or demon, of superhuman powers. Aurangzeb was put to unbearable shame and even transferred Shaista Khan to Ben gal as a punishment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To build up such a vast kingdom independently and to rule it with an army and a navy, Shivaji needed lots of money. Where could he hope to obtain so much wealth for the purpose? He decided to extract this money from Aurangzeb himself who was enjoying the wealth of this country. In those days Surat was known to be almost the city of Kubera, the God of Wealth. So he attacked Surat on one occasion and then emptied the city of its great wealth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In The Clutches Of The Moghul Emperor</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was the limit of Aurangzeb´s patience and he was in a great fit of rage. But he checked himself from leading an army against Shivaji. He had known well how sharp the tearing nails of this $mountain rat´ were. So he thought of a plan. He decided that he should send a ´Lion´ to overpower this lion. He chose for task the King, Raja Jayasimha. (Incidentally, ´Simha´ means a lion.) Jayasimha was a great warrior and a hero. He was also a clever general. What a shame that a man like him should he be subservient to a foreigner who was ruling the land! Jayasimha proceeded south with his large army. He won over the Sultan of Bijapur to his side. The battle against Shivaji began. All of a sudden Shivaji wrote a letter to Jayasimha informing him that he would agree to a friendly compromise. What was more, he met Jayasimha and told him that he would remain loyal to the Badshah at Delhi.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was a lion that had grown up independently in the mountain ranges of Sahyadri. How then did he all of a sudden agree to bow down to the Badshah? All were baffled. Many thought -that there lay behind this some secret plan. It is possible that Shivaji had planned to go to Delhi on the pretext of serving the Badshah as a dependent and then to put an end to the life of Aurangzeb in a direct encounter. This was perhaps a venture of greater heroism and sharper strategy than ever before in his life. Accordingly, Shivaji proceeded to meet the Emperor, Aurangzeb. His son Sambhaji also accompanied him. At home, in the land of freedom, all were filled with great anxiety. As the proceeded, the Hindu community welcomed him and With great respect Dowed down to him. Shivaji reached Agra in order to meet Aurangzeb. The latter too was equally tactful. He never let Shivaji approach him. He bid him stay at a distance in the court. This ´was a great disappointment to Shivaji´s hopes. Aurangzeb also acted in a manner ´ that insulted Shivaji. Aurangzeb did not , keep the promise that he would treat him with respect. Naturally Shivaji was greatly enraged. Ignoring Aurangzeb he left the court.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was now in great danger. For Aurangzeb was not such a fool as to let an enemy who had come within his reach escape easily. He ordered Shivaji to be imprisoned and to be executed also.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of the gravity of the situation Shivaji did not lose heart. At this critical hour his intellect and his courage shone more brightly. Suddenly Shivaji ´took ill.´ He soon grew worse´. Shivaji begged of Aurangzeb that his Maratha soldiers might be allowed to return. Aurangzeb felt relieved ´and permitted them to go. Shivaji began distributing sweets to the Fakirs, mendicants and ascetics of the town hoping that his ill ness may be cured. He began sending gifts ´also to the wealthy in the town. Aurangzeb permitted all these. Even, such a very clever man as Aurangzeb had no doubts. No Vaidya or Hakim could improve Shivaji´s ´condition´. The day of Shivaji´s execution had been fixed. On the previous day * Shivaji´s ´illness´ grew very serious, and he lost ´consciousness´.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As usual the baskets that would carry the sweets were brought in. Shivaji who was lying on his ´sickbed´ suddenly jumped into one of the baskets and so did his son Sambhaji. Immediately the servants put on the lids and carried the baskets away.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sentries who had been examining the baskets were convinced by long custom that they contained nothing but sweets. Even on that day the chief of the sentries, Polad Khan, examined a few of the baskets. They contained merely sweets. Luckily the Khan did not chance upon the baskets in which Shivaji and Sambhaji were hidden. That was by the grace of Goddess Bhavani, coupled with the forgetfulness of the Khan. He must have meant ´Let him live´ when he said, ´Let the baskets go.´</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inside the prison where Shivaji had been lying a little while before, a friend of Shivaji by name Hiroji lay down. He put on the royal ring, which Shivaji had given him. He lay down, with his hand, which showed this ring thrust out. The rest of the body had been covered with the blanket. Madari, an innocent looking lad, was massaging the limbs. Polad Khan used to peep in now´. and again just to find out how´ ". Shivaji fared. T W day came to a close and it was nightfall. The ´Shivaji´ who was lying there all the time got up_ He made up the blankets and the pillows to look like a man on the couch. Putting on his usual clothes, he came out and announced to the sentries that the condition of Shivaji was very serious and that it was a matter of a few hours for Shivaji. He said he- was going to bring some medicine. So saying he went out. Madari too quietly followed him. Both went away never to return. Inside, on the couch, lay the huddled imitation of Shivaji. Outside the prison the sentries stood with swords drawn.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day dawned. That was the day appointed for the execution of Shivaji. Polad Khan came in. There was a strange silence. He grew suspicious. As he stepped in the saw ´Shivaji´ asleep. For a moment this sight put some comfort into his heart. But there was no movement. Thinking that Shivaji, might have died the Khan came near and pulled back the blanket. He was shocked to see just the bare bed and the pillows! Shivaji had disappeared. You can imagine the feelings of Polad Khan, and more important still, of Aurangzeb. They must have felt the agony of being stung at once by a thousand scorpions. Aurangzeb at once ordered his army to capture Shivaji and the army set out in all directions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By this time Shivaji and Sambhaji had already mounted the horses that were kept in readiness for them and proceeded south. They dashed away at great speed. On the way they were sheltered comfortably in the Maths established by Swami Samarth Ramdas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like a holy man in the robes of a ´sanyasi´, Shivaji finally reached Raigadh. For a while even his mother Jijabai could hot recognize her son. But when she understood who it - was, what a shock of recognition! Who can describe the ecstasy, at such a moment, of a mother who had born such a noble son?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the news of Shivaji´s escape from Agra reached the ears of his enemies in the south, they were all speechless and helpless. Not just that Shivaji´s fame spread all over India. Shivaji had thrown dust into the eyes of the greatest schemer and politician like Aurangzeb and had escaped from the latter´s capital where all the twenty-four hours of the day sentries stood with drawn swords. He had evaded the gaze of the Moghul soldiery for a distance of a thousand miles. The world had never before heard of such daring and cleverness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji The Emperor -The Protector Of The Land And Its Dharma</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji established an independent empire that was a source of inspiration to all the Hindus. Yet he had not been crowned in accordance with the rites of the Shastras. Many, therefore, did not feel that he was truly the - King. So a great pundit from Kashi came down south to remedy this shortcoming in the life of Shivaji. This great pundit, Gagabhatta, crowned Shivaji King by name, in accordance with the rites of the Shastras. This great event took place in 1674. Shivaji was then 44 years of age. The towering fort of Raigadh became the capital. After touching his mother´s feet and obtaining her blessings, Shivaji sat on a golden throne on the fort. Gagabhatta held over his head the golden umbrella, The symbol of Kingship, and proclaimed that Shivaji had become the Chatrapati. Women offered ´arati´. Sages and saints blessed him. The people assembled shouted in great joy "Victory to Shivaji Maharaj!" The cannons over the forts resounded. The Sultan of Bijapur and the English acknowledged Shivaji as an independent King and sent him gifts. Samarth Ramdas sang in praise of this great event: "The land and its Dharma have been uplifted. A kingdom of bliss has arisen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji did not just content himself with establishing an independent kingdom by defeating his enemies. He also undertook reforms to make his people happy and contented. To him the people were the gods and he would let no one harm them. His soldiers had to go far to defeat the enemies. To these soldiers he had laid down a firm rule: "No harm should come to the people whom you meet on the way. Their standing crops should not be touched." Shivaji would always mete out severe punishment to those who disobeyed his orders. Shivaji was all affection for the poor farmers of villages. They were all, at that time, groaning under the injustice of wealthy Zamindars. Shivaji took over the land of such Zamindars and distributed them among the tillers of the soil.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Untouchability too was rampant, among the Hindus at that time as it is today. Society had branded some amongst its own members untouchables and had kept them at, a distance from the others. Shivaji loved them also. He invited them to join his army and promoted them, to high positions and offices in it. They too served Shivaji and looked up to him with great devotion. They struggled hard for the establishment of Swaraj. Many of them gave up their lives too fighting. Shivaji set an example to all Hindus that they belonging to the same faith should not hate one another.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was also greatly interested in the education of the people. Sanskrit language had lost its glorious position. Everywhere Persian was being held up to esteem. Shivaji saw to it that Sanskrit words were substituted for Persian words.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes, Hindus who had been forced to become Muslims wished to go back. But the Hindus refused to take back such converts. Shivaji felt that this- was not right. So he reconverted all those who wished to return to their old faith. He also cast aside the foolish belief that it was sinful to undertake a journey on the seas. He undertook expeditions on the sea and established forts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was very angry with people who were corrupt or who worked against their country. He hated those who betrayed the land. He would have punished even his own son if the son had turned against his country. Shivaji was an embodiment of justice. He never showed any special favors to his relatives. He always encouraged those who were virtuous and meritorious. This enabled those who were virtuous to progress and occupy high places. There was no scope for selfish contrivers in his kingdom. In this manner Shivaji revolutionized every department. of life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the thrilling tale of how Shivaji won Swaraj. As we read it don´t we feel that we too should follow the example of Shivaji? Why is this so? It is because Shivaji underwent all hardships for the sake of his country, for the sake of its Dharma. He did not care for his own life and quite often entered the very jaws of death. Till his last breath he lived for his country and for the Dharma of the Hindus. It is nearly three hundred years since he died but the memory of this great man lights up the torch of inspiration.</span><br /><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-48913249096798276612007-12-20T15:20:00.000-08:002007-12-20T17:29:56.542-08:00TELUGU FAMOUS PERSONALITIES<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GU4KLO_fOM4tHp5JLYpC8Woz6DbOUwckRY_JlGrYUkOEUyX36OfAG0WLD0aCMRyCULwS5e1rdFlTWFfNx5XvdNslWpMMgJ15cn0NE3GnJU42dVY0D9XOhHJwwd2urnGYiJkyqh-Adtn/s1600-h/abburi_varada.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GU4KLO_fOM4tHp5JLYpC8Woz6DbOUwckRY_JlGrYUkOEUyX36OfAG0WLD0aCMRyCULwS5e1rdFlTWFfNx5XvdNslWpMMgJ15cn0NE3GnJU42dVY0D9XOhHJwwd2urnGYiJkyqh-Adtn/s320/abburi_varada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146199293450358498" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Abburi Varada Raajesvara raavu, (1923-1993)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Abburi Varada Rajeswara Rao]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prominent poet, critic and educator. On the editorial staff of several literary magazines. Taught for some time at Univ. Wisconsin, Madison.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKmHOu6sG9U2MDGxTXOoOfL3ZvlxeZllZUzF4JCCfajUZFyYFqFazne9Y9JZEyOa5IdY3D7TQUaunif8rLItMlpDiOWUV7OAwzdM74g31N6zrJ1CTdx8UD458agtWfdD4nRlhiiuCKWKJ/s1600-h/adibhatla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKmHOu6sG9U2MDGxTXOoOfL3ZvlxeZllZUzF4JCCfajUZFyYFqFazne9Y9JZEyOa5IdY3D7TQUaunif8rLItMlpDiOWUV7OAwzdM74g31N6zrJ1CTdx8UD458agtWfdD4nRlhiiuCKWKJ/s320/adibhatla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146199649932644082" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Harikathaa Pitaamaha,</span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ajjaada Aadibhatla Naaraayana Daasu (1864-1945)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Ajjada Adibhatla Narayana Dasu]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The foremost modern exponent of the literary and performing arts genre "harikatha." Great musician and scholar of Telugu, Sanskrit and Persian. Principal of Maharaja Music College, Viziyanagaram.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qLUBQQl1Hu3k7dU3t4OnsdKewP87Tug6y3z-gOk4RVRsDxn3V2KrdGlI1jeIfLn74prjcWhYCxsGbxwpFYF5qB8Z8BApLWpX9pxsTfNdZ553fbaNuC9le8QTLyjaZdpCxKSTg9dI1Dgz/s1600-h/ajanta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qLUBQQl1Hu3k7dU3t4OnsdKewP87Tug6y3z-gOk4RVRsDxn3V2KrdGlI1jeIfLn74prjcWhYCxsGbxwpFYF5qB8Z8BApLWpX9pxsTfNdZ553fbaNuC9le8QTLyjaZdpCxKSTg9dI1Dgz/s320/ajanta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146200118084079362" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1922-)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Ajanta -Penumarti Viswanatha Sastry]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent poet and editor. Made a very big impact on modern Telugu poetry even though he wrote only a few verses in all his life in a highly individualistic tone.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_7-CoWnQMaYi8vE-MMlslmgIl_skcKF8OITnPC6PhANN3fHcwwJZRRDgSU99xCLSbPkPa46c6hbmoS1M0O4sAipxlX9hSXqXBR1wBhh6k6lTaC5dGG-M6lnRL-pFl8W9xZWEbbg6f0sx/s1600-h/akkiraju.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_7-CoWnQMaYi8vE-MMlslmgIl_skcKF8OITnPC6PhANN3fHcwwJZRRDgSU99xCLSbPkPa46c6hbmoS1M0O4sAipxlX9hSXqXBR1wBhh6k6lTaC5dGG-M6lnRL-pFl8W9xZWEbbg6f0sx/s320/akkiraju.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146200530400939794" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1889-1942)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Akkiraju Unakantam]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent scholar of Telugu, Sanskrit, English, etc. Writer. Influenced early Telugu literary criticism.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v0OuVYWPvCHn-832mjWYMONIIyfU34Lxl4jvt2WjkeSxuwwwgRSLaZJLl8lRHUEwqyotpFmAPvHk_xtZ8y9nBQAZB-8LMr-2nrOLdgujl1uTPSnd99M0Nb9UaDvMUT6svH_52-OcH9SO/s1600-h/annamacarya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v0OuVYWPvCHn-832mjWYMONIIyfU34Lxl4jvt2WjkeSxuwwwgRSLaZJLl8lRHUEwqyotpFmAPvHk_xtZ8y9nBQAZB-8LMr-2nrOLdgujl1uTPSnd99M0Nb9UaDvMUT6svH_52-OcH9SO/s320/annamacarya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146200977077538594" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">padakavitaa pitaamaha, harikeertanaacaarya,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1424?-1503)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tallapaka Annamacharya </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of the greatest composers of South Indian classical tradition. World-class. Wrote more than 32000 compositions known as 'padam' as well as other major works. More than 14000 have been discovered to date on copper plate and stone inscriptions. He was the head of an astonishingly brilliant lineage. Seems to have influenced some other great composers of that time, e.g., Purandara Dasa.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRuSzHBWT0AqIEuLQ9R-MgvG5BLvDks6hHFjxX8AtbcO5xTwJ1HwCcDyWzMS-PD6K2lj3OAkGH39LRVpJDxTysliqpzw70pO8L83DzSz3jUgxpCeqZAEBmti_gIOtbeMREcX1nL9ss_AU/s1600-h/arudra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRuSzHBWT0AqIEuLQ9R-MgvG5BLvDks6hHFjxX8AtbcO5xTwJ1HwCcDyWzMS-PD6K2lj3OAkGH39LRVpJDxTysliqpzw70pO8L83DzSz3jUgxpCeqZAEBmti_gIOtbeMREcX1nL9ss_AU/s320/arudra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146201436639039282" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">( 1925-1998)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Arudra -Bhagavatula Siva Sankara Sastry one*, ]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Major modern poet, critic, movie lyricist and literary historian. His "tvamEvaahaM" and the encyclopedic work on Telugu literature "samagraaMdhra saahityaM" are very influential.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqUbrKfYA8mg3khUDgxbY5J17HwmEIPQAEphOjC8MeW0j6DdNQ5hFR-i904q-NP_y56m0x_awRwMp6G86PtQb3ojeeHM9FeXI7dTevB4k7RQLqYTmUo5LJFqfgWDYvaH67Ei_3cgBfA3p/s1600-h/bapu_a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqUbrKfYA8mg3khUDgxbY5J17HwmEIPQAEphOjC8MeW0j6DdNQ5hFR-i904q-NP_y56m0x_awRwMp6G86PtQb3ojeeHM9FeXI7dTevB4k7RQLqYTmUo5LJFqfgWDYvaH67Ei_3cgBfA3p/s320/bapu_a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146201848955899714" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">( 1933-)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Bapu -Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana one*, two*, ..]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent painter, cartoonist, movie director, writer, journalist. World class artist. Uniquely personalized style blending to perfection the classical Telugu lines and modern techniques. Had an enormous impact on contemporary Telugu arts, movies, etc.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCq15NPcwFKjFNAIt2P5iuaElf4PIZbWgmEXtCNExNxE9Yw-Moipg_g031MWS3aUfNXR2QUdChM4O9y5hkUHN-8B6LBnMCouoFMxvDoy-Ij3F6XFLs52ZY-dQKcmAzjfZuNnXnZNYx6J7/s1600-h/bhandaru_accamamba.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCq15NPcwFKjFNAIt2P5iuaElf4PIZbWgmEXtCNExNxE9Yw-Moipg_g031MWS3aUfNXR2QUdChM4O9y5hkUHN-8B6LBnMCouoFMxvDoy-Ij3F6XFLs52ZY-dQKcmAzjfZuNnXnZNYx6J7/s320/bhandaru_accamamba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146202231207989074" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1874-1905)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Bhandaru Achchamamba]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Writer and early pioneer of women's issues. Published a well known biographical work on prominent national and international women, "abalaa satcaritra ratnamaala" (1901).</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstH45yaCMI_qwu_QgpFHFm_DMc_6CWItGidZo2cTzh-1pvU73Mt4eEIHZiFLWTGuGihAzZ1r3lFBOWaFddoaad51SgGPilQAOsiUifxuZFLBG42mNwoHcBoxX5AswG0DR9Z-eWsmH2Yrj/s1600-h/caaso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstH45yaCMI_qwu_QgpFHFm_DMc_6CWItGidZo2cTzh-1pvU73Mt4eEIHZiFLWTGuGihAzZ1r3lFBOWaFddoaad51SgGPilQAOsiUifxuZFLBG42mNwoHcBoxX5AswG0DR9Z-eWsmH2Yrj/s320/caaso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146202630639947618" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Caaso ( 1915-1993)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Chaganti Somayajulu]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent writer of short stories and poetry. Although he wrote sparingly, many of his short stories have been translated into other languages. His indirect contributions include his influence on his friends such as Sri Sri and Narayana Babu. He was a long time president of Progressive Writers Association, arasaM.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOTj4fEDEpf93rTy7lyHXX6qrlkPJMoDm-V7f4Lzl9g3Gvw86aAT9RsXxfW40_CVCXCoL2eGpsuevAPszzbrtK1cIvHlM-waZQhRknU22ftxM0z0MUA5lldo4rG1uByT7g75deW-w6bL5/s1600-h/cellapilla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOTj4fEDEpf93rTy7lyHXX6qrlkPJMoDm-V7f4Lzl9g3Gvw86aAT9RsXxfW40_CVCXCoL2eGpsuevAPszzbrtK1cIvHlM-waZQhRknU22ftxM0z0MUA5lldo4rG1uByT7g75deW-w6bL5/s320/cellapilla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146203000007135090" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1870-1950)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Chellapilla Venkata Sastry]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brilliant and highly influential poet in the classical genre. Prolific literary genius. Trained a large number of famous writers. The second of the great duo tirupati vEnkaTa kavulu. Honoured as the first poet laureate of Andhra.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjo34kc71H3BIiNGuzDzuMLr8nVQJvw1k8tLdMtryO2TojPorapWfsbATbtJgDS5nu8b4mdr8FWOjJbxmDJ5pmCe03FoWyKw2tNCqVxfseTKroI4nt0fh-2PDpvKogs58yqlrzVJ3OM99/s1600-h/chilukuri_narayanarao.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjo34kc71H3BIiNGuzDzuMLr8nVQJvw1k8tLdMtryO2TojPorapWfsbATbtJgDS5nu8b4mdr8FWOjJbxmDJ5pmCe03FoWyKw2tNCqVxfseTKroI4nt0fh-2PDpvKogs58yqlrzVJ3OM99/s320/chilukuri_narayanarao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146203412323995522" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1890-1952)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Chilukuri Narayana Rao]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well-known lexicographer, historian and scholar. Published "aandhra Bhaashaa caritraM" (1937) and a revised version of Sankaranarayana's English-Telugu Dictionary, etc.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIE5BZ8Z_8WFe5kL7gz7Rs0Du_r5oMRz0ZxlXGldy24FUepAadmxJQ0uvZwd5IaTbQiZnd3O8rhlOWGC0eH_FLoAL4rZZKUme3ErSHhTZKTn8hWozNSGMFt48qcnW2pqJ5b-tP9t0PYRN/s1600-h/cinare.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIE5BZ8Z_8WFe5kL7gz7Rs0Du_r5oMRz0ZxlXGldy24FUepAadmxJQ0uvZwd5IaTbQiZnd3O8rhlOWGC0eH_FLoAL4rZZKUme3ErSHhTZKTn8hWozNSGMFt48qcnW2pqJ5b-tP9t0PYRN/s320/cinare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146203760216346514" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sinaare -1931</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. Narayana Reddy </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well-known poet, educator, critic, administrator, and song writer for the movies. For his epic poem viSvaMbhara in modern style the highest literary award in India j~naanapeetha, was given to him in 1987. He also produced several other major works, e.g., karpUra vasaMta raayalu.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD36GR0Uqo4g2qH5tlzaUtUGJiL1ZAkAjOyFwCmi1NWJaKjkBP6NuOdlBlm2JFG3L4QGOTa-Ym-nW_yoLLMd4m7VXDlTTby89Owb2pR49q19JdZR9H8Yuj_qALBOJePA_7F_-IuJK8x_u/s1600-h/cotton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD36GR0Uqo4g2qH5tlzaUtUGJiL1ZAkAjOyFwCmi1NWJaKjkBP6NuOdlBlm2JFG3L4QGOTa-Ym-nW_yoLLMd4m7VXDlTTby89Owb2pR49q19JdZR9H8Yuj_qALBOJePA_7F_-IuJK8x_u/s320/cotton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146204138173468578" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arthur Cotton (1803-1899)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perhaps the most beloved western personality in Telugu history. Knighted. One of the finest civil engineers of 19th cent. Built the anicut on Godavari at Dhavaleswaram among other things. His irrigation works and plans transformed the economy of the coastal districts and very strongly influenced its current domineering position.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSGi9l2iQ1JJZH54bJUVqAgYBAad1SGASoaY_QSPoI2vvDYoIw2UuCLx7D5GL9HLS9fPfJ3CAlPHv-tbLxCHnkP9TPb6bWuDiffhJuzYCU7WKpaAtvX7x437amTgLXLyhfuZ_mlGW7Izd/s1600-h/cp_brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSGi9l2iQ1JJZH54bJUVqAgYBAad1SGASoaY_QSPoI2vvDYoIw2UuCLx7D5GL9HLS9fPfJ3CAlPHv-tbLxCHnkP9TPb6bWuDiffhJuzYCU7WKpaAtvX7x437amTgLXLyhfuZ_mlGW7Izd/s320/cp_brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146204507540656050" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charles Philip Brown (1798-1884)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brilliant scholar of Telugu. Although he was not an Indian, he was intimately connected with Telugu literature for nearly sixty years and immensely contributed to its progress.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HoT50Smja4cnmyiW9Apo6VLOCrTqO1PVnHxSY_6W6TRSK2DPKb5WCZeiHCqRWB28F3gHXUYbeuryLLu5ldE9Su2OInGTXeq7gEc89Z2-HhlU8LWpOvEVBOkR1TkW02Bb5g5bUwSwPp-/s1600-h/damerla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HoT50Smja4cnmyiW9Apo6VLOCrTqO1PVnHxSY_6W6TRSK2DPKb5WCZeiHCqRWB28F3gHXUYbeuryLLu5ldE9Su2OInGTXeq7gEc89Z2-HhlU8LWpOvEVBOkR1TkW02Bb5g5bUwSwPp-/s320/damerla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146204876907843522" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1897-1925)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Damerla Rama Rao]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brilliant artist. Became well-known within a very short life span. Founded the Andhra School of Art at Rajamundry. There is an art gallery named after him at Rajamundry today.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTTzx8b1Nx4moWGLJVHVNi8_avtlZgmG-9If4Auipvu-OCYsIZzATI50AKk5S7voRdUGsfZFNeX4HU6yN74Vd1i8T-NgRsnJUU6Tron3JuEqYuZyPca0dF67pYxop3IjsF2A_vWQ10Oqn/s1600-h/divakarla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTTzx8b1Nx4moWGLJVHVNi8_avtlZgmG-9If4Auipvu-OCYsIZzATI50AKk5S7voRdUGsfZFNeX4HU6yN74Vd1i8T-NgRsnJUU6Tron3JuEqYuZyPca0dF67pYxop3IjsF2A_vWQ10Oqn/s320/divakarla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146205233390129106" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1872-1919)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Divakarla Tirupati Sastry]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of the greatest classical poets in the modern era. Excelled in several genres. The first of the famous duo "Tirupati Venkata kavulu."</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU97IwFvL27Tn7L8S3uGmuXgmI3ZT3ksuLRYPvLMPEs1UDY-nxZBu3GfZ68zkWFbP2tZWuPVkMljDBrBb4OAV5dm31KU1JdnNG80-6dZWaUhBF3VNiV_BxbjztG1SML-M2w0nLksJxXSTX/s1600-h/gora_a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU97IwFvL27Tn7L8S3uGmuXgmI3ZT3ksuLRYPvLMPEs1UDY-nxZBu3GfZ68zkWFbP2tZWuPVkMljDBrBb4OAV5dm31KU1JdnNG80-6dZWaUhBF3VNiV_BxbjztG1SML-M2w0nLksJxXSTX/s320/gora_a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146205658591891426" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">( 1902-1975)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gora -Goparaju Ramachandra Rao </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Highly influential thinker and social reformer. Dedicated his life to developing atheistic thought in Andhra and beyond. Authored several works. Founded the Atheist Center, Vijayawada. His son lavaNaM is also a well-known atheist and thinker.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAPgoD8kmAiTgqJsJtjhpYYYeW8g2H5CTIpYxM1Gw5O1K1yTvbESTi9OT1D9cF2SMmG6XQs5BGPJSiSmlu4948NhA6JKMiCth4x9SqHC8XJrMZ4lpD3KrayuNdLpHiOscFFmCdGaALJu-/s1600-h/gurajada.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAPgoD8kmAiTgqJsJtjhpYYYeW8g2H5CTIpYxM1Gw5O1K1yTvbESTi9OT1D9cF2SMmG6XQs5BGPJSiSmlu4948NhA6JKMiCth4x9SqHC8XJrMZ4lpD3KrayuNdLpHiOscFFmCdGaALJu-/s320/gurajada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146206264182280178" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">navayuga vaitaaLikudu,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1862-1915)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gurajada Appa Rao, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perhaps the greatest modern writer in Telugu. Commands tremendous respect. Uncompromising intellectual and a social reformer in his own way. More than any one else's, his works defined the beginning of modern Telugu drama, poetry and short story. The Kanyasulkam drama and much of his poetry are world class. His contributions lay not only in the techniques but also in the refreshing, original and modern outlook and a deep humanistic spirit that he instilled in Telugu literature.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCFNA-HaJDPs2ANfd9fNgtMz8RKsnxSjuYusR6qaAA4NxVhr3TQoUXen9-HWNh790M43i_ZjqFCR9zYqgX0rlE_VypXcMN8Qd5E5xAH89S9b-e-xT3xuMX49f8IuMsfDHKQz6PgtehiNh/s1600-h/kasinathuni.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCFNA-HaJDPs2ANfd9fNgtMz8RKsnxSjuYusR6qaAA4NxVhr3TQoUXen9-HWNh790M43i_ZjqFCR9zYqgX0rlE_VypXcMN8Qd5E5xAH89S9b-e-xT3xuMX49f8IuMsfDHKQz6PgtehiNh/s320/kasinathuni.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146206672204173314" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Visva daata, Desoddhaaraka,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1868-1937)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great philanthropist, scholar, editor, journalist and entrepreneur</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzIsagjWNu5odyga6MgvaB93RRG8nBLF_FA6aPEGNcDsYcXMcUSdsT51n9CaSgM2qL-KR8qOAioOypvHyTRGJpMxKn6ufFajcyxW00UEr8BJ-s4bjRKD1i2J8pqG3Imedqa69v0-L4Hi_/s1600-h/mandapaka_parvateeswara.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzIsagjWNu5odyga6MgvaB93RRG8nBLF_FA6aPEGNcDsYcXMcUSdsT51n9CaSgM2qL-KR8qOAioOypvHyTRGJpMxKn6ufFajcyxW00UEr8BJ-s4bjRKD1i2J8pqG3Imedqa69v0-L4Hi_/s320/mandapaka_parvateeswara.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146207105995870226" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1833-1897)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Mandapaka Parvatriswara Sastry]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brilliant scholar of Sanskrit and Telugu. Authored 23 Satakas, several maalikas, and kaavyas. Well known for his travelogue yaatraa caritra.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd38vpkWdg22VYqrKvamSO7XNhmpenhJ4OQddC8ljuTBgj2aroy2BBFaKHU0XzLO4G8UZ0wp3blggw0YqEuEloy4npf8ARW3XV4Ga8VOLoYm_HG5WW0182u30uF6jBXmAwCD0QYc_L3ZKH/s1600-h/mangalampalli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd38vpkWdg22VYqrKvamSO7XNhmpenhJ4OQddC8ljuTBgj2aroy2BBFaKHU0XzLO4G8UZ0wp3blggw0YqEuEloy4npf8ARW3XV4Ga8VOLoYm_HG5WW0182u30uF6jBXmAwCD0QYc_L3ZKH/s320/mangalampalli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146207496837894178" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1930-)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brilliant musician in the South Indian classical style. Perhaps the finest from Andhra in his generation. Composer, vocalist, and music scholar.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxYgYxOhh-7O9X72i0QxpXjHe-ycGB6jYyLLWLuRYtedxU1de6WEYw1qaOVJdxsj4FJuPBACaCtFwhkOhJQjw3t9RD35Qaxskj9pY7_9Fin5TLT8zdmCZn5y-iKc8evSlSuNCv2O_nwaa/s1600-h/mutnuri.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxYgYxOhh-7O9X72i0QxpXjHe-ycGB6jYyLLWLuRYtedxU1de6WEYw1qaOVJdxsj4FJuPBACaCtFwhkOhJQjw3t9RD35Qaxskj9pY7_9Fin5TLT8zdmCZn5y-iKc8evSlSuNCv2O_nwaa/s320/mutnuri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146207866205081650" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1879-1945)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Mutnuri Krishna Rao]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great editor and journalist. His Krishna Patrika was instrumental in shaping the Telugu Literary scene for four decades beginning 1907.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsG8glyTugIP3p4594XKjO8mlJVGb1oH_A8OnVHUB4DhBQgEmhy2NtkcIDLgkJ_PrQ_ajvPDZc-Dt2HK9tZ_AG6_vDleNSuXMbeRzToYoj7PjXlZTGBfc9KkunUn6_lBnrV2a8s2hkYDm/s1600-h/nataraja_ramakr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsG8glyTugIP3p4594XKjO8mlJVGb1oH_A8OnVHUB4DhBQgEmhy2NtkcIDLgkJ_PrQ_ajvPDZc-Dt2HK9tZ_AG6_vDleNSuXMbeRzToYoj7PjXlZTGBfc9KkunUn6_lBnrV2a8s2hkYDm/s320/nataraja_ramakr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146208226982334530" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1933-)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nataraja Ramakrishna </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Very influential dancer, scholar and writer on Telugu dance forms. Single handedly revived the forgotten art form "aaMdhra naaTyaM." Although he was born in Bali, his service to Telugu, his ancestral language and its culture is very meritorious.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgi53_aJNXacGprGN_ZGa-D6n5CyUZYcRY5eX1kv04iCYT8vOrXtz5UtO42Z_DStVEZNGJNlUgcij-AmT0almj8OBCbjLi74xfgBEcYHm_5oBoidOME4wSOVslmsvNKNG_YirYRfzOBjAE/s1600-h/oleti_parvateesam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgi53_aJNXacGprGN_ZGa-D6n5CyUZYcRY5eX1kv04iCYT8vOrXtz5UtO42Z_DStVEZNGJNlUgcij-AmT0almj8OBCbjLi74xfgBEcYHm_5oBoidOME4wSOVslmsvNKNG_YirYRfzOBjAE/s320/oleti_parvateesam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146208677953900626" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1882-1955)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Oleti Parvatisam]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pioneering modern writer. The second of the famous duo "vEMkata paarvateeSvara kavulu." Authored major kavyas, children's literature and novels. Produced several translations.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOcYFJ5nuYnm0_w_o09kkfRBRaV5r2hBidjefWPXTof9v3YGIHUkdszd4vQM_lfV3wtJi9K3h3LPIU_T5ISPafg_pC0GAIkwF_rOS1WZyJZ6ULF_ElXHYysoOoGlTjoZgsN71rhifIfij/s1600-h/tyagaraja.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOcYFJ5nuYnm0_w_o09kkfRBRaV5r2hBidjefWPXTof9v3YGIHUkdszd4vQM_lfV3wtJi9K3h3LPIU_T5ISPafg_pC0GAIkwF_rOS1WZyJZ6ULF_ElXHYysoOoGlTjoZgsN71rhifIfij/s320/tyagaraja.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146210245616963682" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Naada Brahma,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kaakarla Tyaaga Raaju (1767-1847)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perhaps the most famous of all the South Indian composers. Part of the great trio of Carnatic music. Great writer. Devotee of Lord Rama. He has a very large lineage of brilliant pupils (Sishya parampara). Greatly praised and revered as a saint. Hailed as "on whose art no human hand can improve!"</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFykrHIy2GGpTyvikEcbE55VXi6Cce8A3JxqyYHl1RrFR-94_mf8eU8yxI41LysNZR5-ARyuBIZ2x6Ojr3xVv2Zr2Xr6GzbUqPu51H8pnzPNStG4CA3hZOGcvfpwYQIt9rcgAdlzjTO7B/s1600-h/vedantam_satya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFykrHIy2GGpTyvikEcbE55VXi6Cce8A3JxqyYHl1RrFR-94_mf8eU8yxI41LysNZR5-ARyuBIZ2x6Ojr3xVv2Zr2Xr6GzbUqPu51H8pnzPNStG4CA3hZOGcvfpwYQIt9rcgAdlzjTO7B/s320/vedantam_satya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146210834027483250" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1927)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Famous exponent of the kUcipUDi style dance drama. Well-known for his portrayal of female roles, e.g., satya bhaama in bhaamaa kalaapaM. Influenced several other artists.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WjnYzbxG8yg6RXJBzOurepwaX8kFNnfSfdh-aSOiR5qK36Rz696SzRduiHohXoYB8YVp689-KS4owBAvny7QV0szaPat8DaN84u3jwn1N_rY1zMNJWCEGXXEf5cH4AYQJkS8uarCXjAO/s1600-h/veeresalingam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WjnYzbxG8yg6RXJBzOurepwaX8kFNnfSfdh-aSOiR5qK36Rz696SzRduiHohXoYB8YVp689-KS4owBAvny7QV0szaPat8DaN84u3jwn1N_rY1zMNJWCEGXXEf5cH4AYQJkS8uarCXjAO/s320/veeresalingam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146211216279572610" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Telugu caitanyOdyama saarathi,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1848-1919)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Kandukuri Viresalingam]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of the most brilliant and profoundly influential writers in Telugu. One of the greatest social reformers of 19th century India.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aDlhoAmzAyUDxzOMC-soWDnQ4mm3VcpRlzI2BV_Q3M0jyT4mwYZbavtOJgRiSxnQpDO3CmEVVTRgDmYsr0LPLFbboc6wSyxFuWyP3ypSj7C13umZY5o0k1B-HT1Y69x8mGOAUgwsHjlu/s1600-h/velceru.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aDlhoAmzAyUDxzOMC-soWDnQ4mm3VcpRlzI2BV_Q3M0jyT4mwYZbavtOJgRiSxnQpDO3CmEVVTRgDmYsr0LPLFbboc6wSyxFuWyP3ypSj7C13umZY5o0k1B-HT1Y69x8mGOAUgwsHjlu/s320/velceru.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146211615711531154" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1932-)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vecheru Narayana Rao, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent literary critic and educator. Krishnadevaraya Professor of Languages and Cultures of Asia, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison. Produced several well-known translations of medieval Telugu poetry in English. Collaborated with many western scholars. His seminal work "telugulO kavitaa viplavaala svarUpaM" is highly influential.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD9xWF0Yt-j4ayFw9EahJhZeSxVwMBZnFqmYydfOvkU-TUKO9Gs2J3RBRE9meYhnwpsNy6yExCFANyoPACVt3S5U6hukvQyl4nHmA1HXwhdslD-H5_tTf437ofBaI8xMvbbgErRea5dF3/s1600-h/vempati.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD9xWF0Yt-j4ayFw9EahJhZeSxVwMBZnFqmYydfOvkU-TUKO9Gs2J3RBRE9meYhnwpsNy6yExCFANyoPACVt3S5U6hukvQyl4nHmA1HXwhdslD-H5_tTf437ofBaI8xMvbbgErRea5dF3/s320/vempati.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146212010848522402" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1930)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vempati China Satyam </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent dancer, scholar and dance composer in the kUcipUDi style. Founded the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Madras and a trained several top performers.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrzqGBIAPA1WVl2_5rZVBCO7gkebmg05KNzZ8DVrOhyphenhyphenKmIXmE0z4FuJGhiJ_h8G6BMnFpVZLPMQ-Z1xbjYj_GUmRNtmHl1wl3XB6if0XisjiOG7x6j15-bdk6yJiSzFIvQQDmOICCdmF4/s1600-h/visvanatha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrzqGBIAPA1WVl2_5rZVBCO7gkebmg05KNzZ8DVrOhyphenhyphenKmIXmE0z4FuJGhiJ_h8G6BMnFpVZLPMQ-Z1xbjYj_GUmRNtmHl1wl3XB6if0XisjiOG7x6j15-bdk6yJiSzFIvQQDmOICCdmF4/s320/visvanatha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146212354445906098" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">kavi samraa,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (1890-1976)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">[Visvanatha Satyanarayana]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The greatest classical style writer in modern times. A literary institution all by himself. His work and personality invoked just about every superlative (positive as well as negative) from various critics. Prolific writer and critic. Eminent educator. Significantly contributed to many diverse literary genres . Received India's highest literary award j~naanapeeTha for his raamaayaNa kalpa vRkshaM. His novels such as Veyi paDagalu are equally famous.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-23603117292291171392007-12-19T19:39:00.000-08:002007-12-19T19:47:34.116-08:00SAMARDHA RAMADASA SWAMI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi707_JtvEBb-b9crAbAf1Z4GYLu_gIlsMd05Mj2hC23QpSChQnyyQJryl0g6cIAJV4zN5YGRxdQcVIJfn9M4pHTDgye_805B_uCl2SoT_1zpNKH1xZ1RJTmFoi4hUGhi1MDQzcwKA_9_bd/s1600-h/samartharamadas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi707_JtvEBb-b9crAbAf1Z4GYLu_gIlsMd05Mj2hC23QpSChQnyyQJryl0g6cIAJV4zN5YGRxdQcVIJfn9M4pHTDgye_805B_uCl2SoT_1zpNKH1xZ1RJTmFoi4hUGhi1MDQzcwKA_9_bd/s320/samartharamadas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145896468191218994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > Shivaji's preceptor and guide, Ramadas imparted to him the message that till we fulfil the required duty towards the motherland. he provide succour and guidance to thousands. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">SamarthaRamadas</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Samartha Ramadas The night was calm and serene. That night there was a religious discourse by Tukaram. People from all the surrounding villages had gathered to hear the discourse. Shivaji Maharaja was also present. People would forget themselves when listening to the discourses of Tukaram. It would be so enchanting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At last Tukaram sang the mangala. Shivaji Maharaja got up from his seat, moved a step or two and bowed down at the feet of Tukaram. "Blessed I am by the nectar of your words. I realized that this kingdom and my rule over it are all insignificant compared to Sankeertana (glorification) of Lord Vittala. Maharaja, release me from the barren responsibility of this sword and armor. I too would like to spend the rest of my life in the Sankeertana of Vittala. Teach me the Nama-Sankeertana."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sant Tukaram, saint among saints, was neither happy nor surprised at the words Of Shivaji Maharaja. On the other hand he was very much hurt. "How could it be? What would happen if Shivaji were to abandon his sword and adorn his hands with Tamboora!"-Tukaram thought. Patting Shivaji on the back, he said, "Up, up! Only Samartha Ramadas can be your worthy Guru. He will tell you what your next course of action is to be. See him, and follow his advice. He is your real guide and Guru."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Who is this Samartha?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Known everywhere as Samartha Ramadas, Narayana was born in the village Jamb, on the bank of river Godavari in Aurnangabad district. The Shanbhog of that village was Sooryaji Pant Thosar. His wife was Ranoobai. Sooryaji Pant worshipped the Sun God. Gangadhara. Pant was the eldest son of Sooryaji Pant. Narayana was born next to him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narayana took birth on Sri Ramanavami, that is, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the year 1530 of Shalivahana Era (1608 A.D.). It was this Narayana who later became the famous Samartha Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I Will Think Over it, Ma"</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narayana was growing as the darling son of his parents in Jamb. Unlike his brother Gangadhara, Narayana was very mischievous. There was no end to his pranks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Disgusted with his mischievous son, his mother once said, "How long can you go on like this, Narayana?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"What else can I do, mother?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Narayana, have you ever given thought to your future?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"That is all right Ma, I will now think over it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'"What do you do next, my son?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Let me think over it, mother."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Think over what?" She asked him again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Think over this world. About the future of this universe."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ranoobai laughed at her son's words. "He is always mischievous she thought and kept quiet. Narayana would get over his mischievous tendency when he is married, some said. In those days, it was customary to perform marriage of boys by the age of 8 or 10. Why not find a suitable bride forNarayana? - Thought his parents. But Narayana declared, "I shall not marry". Narayana would run away from the spot, whenever people raised the topic of his marriage and hide himself somewhere.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day he was hiding in the temple of Lord Anianeya, outside the village. He did not know how long he was hiding. His thoughts were enveloped in LordAnjaneya. Life-long celibate Hanuman was the devout servant of Sri Rama.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hanumanta - unsurpassed in intellect. Anjaneya, who had traced Seeta, wife of Sri Rama. Mighty Maruti! The very idol of Maruti inspired Narayana. "I must also lead a life of celibacy, life-long Brahmacharya. I must also become strong and sturdy, like Hanumanta," he thought. Born on Rama- navami, Narayana saw from his mind's eye the purpose of his life, by the darshah of Maruti</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Ideal</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From that day onwards Narayana was a changed man. All these days he was talkative. He suddenly became mum. He appeared to be thinking over something always.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brother Gangadhara got married. Father Sooryaji Pant died. Mother Ranoobai began worrying about the future of her son Narayana: "My son seems to have lost even his power of speech. He has become dumb. What should be done now?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"All will be right, if you celebrate his marriage" - well wishes told her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">People had suggested such a remedy earlier when Narayana was very boisterous. Now he had become very sober and silent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now also people suggested the same remedy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ranoobai also agreed to this. But her son would kick a row if anybody raised the subject of his marriage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day, Ranoobai asked her son. "My son, will you heed my words or not?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narayana did not break his silence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am pleading, as your mother. Please fulfil my one request."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narayana looked up as if to know what his mother had to say.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You get married. Please fulfil at least this one wish of your mother," she appealed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was difficult for Narayana to say ‘no’ to his mother. Though his mind was saying ‘no’ his tongue refused to say so to his mother who was the very embodiment of love and affection.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"All right, mother," he said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ranoobai felt immensely happy, as if the very heaven was within her reach. She sent word to her elder brother Bhanaji, who resided in the neighboring village Asangaon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Will you marry your daughter to my son Narayana?" She asked him. Bhanaji was ready for the alliance. Preparations for the marriage began fast.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Changed Narayana</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The muhurta (auspicious time fixed) was fast approaching. The bride and the bridegroom were standing face to face. Only a yellow cloth screen (Antahpata) was separating them. The priest was uttering the 'Mangalashtaka' in a loud pitch. Narayana became suddenly alert when he heard the last few words of 'Mangala shtaka': "Sumuhurte Saavadhaana."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The word 'Saavadhaana' made him doubly alert. "I must not be caught in the web of marriage. The very purpose of my life will be lost by it. I must run away before the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">screen (Antahpata) is remove," he thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Priests were chanting 'Mangalashtaka' verses. People who had gathered in large numbers to bless the couple were getting ready to throw mangalakshata on their heads. In the meanwhile Narayana had disappeared from the scene.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The cry, 'Where has Narayana gone, where is he?" echoed in the marriage pandal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sumuhurte Saavadhaana</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Panchavati is a sacred place. In the Tretayuga, Prabhu Sri Ramachandra and Seetadevi had spent their days in these parts and sanctified them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the marriage pandal, Narayana went straight to Panchavati on the bank of the river, Godavari. The purpose of his life and the path to attain it became clear to him in</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">this sacred place, Nasik.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He spent twelve years of his life at auspicious Panchavati in meditation and penance. Here, he would leave his bed two hours before dawn, have a dip in the Sangama and perform Sand- ayavandana, Meditation and Japa.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Standing in knee-deep water for five to six hours a day from the minute of sunrise till midnoon, he would deeply engage his mind over God. Fish would sometimes bite his legs, he would not mind them. After meditation he would visit some houses and beg for food. He would divide the day's collection into three parts. He would set apart one portion to the cows, another to the fish and third for himself. The rest of the day he would spend in reading religious books, and in 'hearing religious discourses and devotional songs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rigorous routine of austerity of this thirteen-year-old boy would surprise everyone. These intense Tapas made his body shine like gold and his mind became</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">razor-sharp.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Has not his personal God, Prabhu Sri Ramachandra said that one's mother and one's country were superior even to heaven? "Janani Janma-bhoomischa swargadapi gareeyasi." His love for his mother and motherland Bharata-varsha overflowed his mind. Narayana felt: I am Ramadasa, servant of Rama. I shall obey every word of Sri Rama and follow his footprints." Thus Narayana became Ramadasa.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where is Narayana? What happened To him?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas wanted to go round the whole country and study the conditions of the people. What is the meaning of going round the whole country? Should he visit every nook and corner of it? No, it is enough if one visits the holy places, which represent the entire country and its people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An interesting thing happened in Paithan. That was the reason, people say, why Ramadas was begun to be called "Samartha Ramadas."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By then well known for his impressive discourses and Keertans, (singing of hymns, one day Ramadas was walking on the banks of Godavari. He was carrying a bow in one hand and some Brahmins saw it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of them asked, 'Do you know the use of the bow?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes," he replied.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Then aim at the bird there," said some of them, pointing to a bird flying high in the sky.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One shot of Ramadas brought the bird down to the earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You are a sadhu, you say. Should you kill an innocent bird? What a sinful act you have committed!" the Brahmins commented.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You asked me to kill it!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Can you commit a sin because some one asks you to do so?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes, true, one should not," said Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You must repent for the sin of killing the bird. Otherwise you will have to suffer for it," warned the Brahmins.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas accepted to repent, and performed some sacrifice. Then he-asked the Brahmins, "Am I now free from the sin?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brahmins said, "You are free."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Then how is it that the bird is still dead?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"But how can a dead bird come back to life?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"If the bird cannot come to life, then how am I to be sure that I got rid of the sin?" Ramadas asked them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas took the bird in his hands, prayed with great devotion to Lord Sri Ramachandra. The bird began breathing. Lo, it fluttered and flew away! From that day onwards people began to address Ramadas as Samartha Ramadas. Thus goes the story.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then Ramadas traveled to Kashi in the North. On the way he would take rest in villages and fill his stomach by begging for food. Ramadas keenly observed the prevailing conditions, customs and manners of people, during his journey throughout the length and breadth of the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In one of his poems, Ramadas has given the following picturesque description of the conditions that existed then in the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Subjected to foreign. Invasions, the villages are deserted, lands are left uncultivated. Even in places where people managed to live, they appeared to be living as if faced with an impending deluge. High prices of day to day necessities of life have made their lite most miserable. Many have put an end to their lite by taking poison. People are disgusted with life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was heartbroken by the sight. "Is there no salvation for these people?" He implored God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In this frame of mind Ramadas entered the temple of Lord Vishwanatha at Kashi (Banaras). Kashi is a holy place, a great pilgrimage center. People flock there in</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">thousands from all parts of Bharat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day Ramadas was taking rest outside the temple after the darshan of Lord Vishwanatha. His imposing personality attracted the attention of the devotees visiting the temple. He entered into conversation with them. An important aspect of life he came to realize from these talks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit To Holy Places</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As you know, the temple of Kashi Vishwanatha is built on the banks of the river Ganga. Steps are built to facilitate bathing. But nowhere was there to be seen a statue of Hanuman.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">People requested Ramadas: "Maharaj, the statue of Maruti has to be installed at the Ghat if it is to be called really Hanuman Ghat."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas thought: "Yes, this place cannot be called Hanuman Ghat without Hanumanta." He succeeded in installing an idol of Anjaneya there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Waves of thought rose in the mind of Ramadas. "What is this? Who am I? What should be the will of God that I should be brought here from such a far-off place and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">ordered to build the temple? There must be some purpose. What can it be?" Ramadas began to ponder over it. Then the purpose of his life, the message of God, became clear to him like crystal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It is true that Bharatavarsha is greater than heaven. But that is of no use without freedom-like the Hanuman Ghat without Hanuman. Hanuman is well known for his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">strength and valor, ‘Buddhimataam Varishthah'- the wisest among the wise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"He was also a tower of strength. He possessed unsurpassed intellect. It was his effort, which enabled Ramachandra to get back his wife Seeta. To worship Hanumanta means worshipping strength and valor. This goal of freedom should have a firm foundation in the minds of the people of Bharata. Then alone could they have independence, the Seeta of freedom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It is true that Bharateeyas are as intelligent as Hanuman. If they can make up their mind, there could be none to equal them both in strength and intellect. They could cross the seas and Climb Mountains.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The idol of Hanuman must be installed in the minds of the people, like installing the statue of Hanuman in Hanuman Ghat."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hanuman At Hanuman Ghat</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas had a clearer picture of his life's mission at the holy Kashi.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas visited many places in North India. Then he turned his mind towards South. He went up to the holy Rameswara and then to Tirupati, and came to Pampakshetra on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. He had the darshan of Lord Virupaksha. Hardly a few decades had passed since the Vijayanagar Empire had been razed to the ground. In his restless efforts to climb the heights of spiritual glory, sage Vidyaranya had realized the importance of preserving Dharma. He had striven hard, day and night, for the establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Likewise the pontiff of Sri Vyasaraya mutt provided necessary advice and guidance to Krishandevaraya of Vijayanagar in building the empire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While the nation and the character of its people are in grave danger, spiritual aspirations and efforts at personal salvation by the heads of religious institutions and individuals should be kept aside for the time being. The first and foremost concern of all citizens should be to resolve the challenges confronting the nation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was at the time faced with similar situation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Vijayanagar was on the verge of an attack by enemies, spiritual activities alone could not be sufficient to defend the country. Strength of arms and ammunition and the determination to drive out the enemy were needed. Mere love of one's motherland is not enough, might of the muscles is necessary. It should be acquired by hard effort, and nurtured and developed. Irrespective of whether one is a family man or a monk or a soldier, every one should be prepared to die indefending the motherland. Ramadas saw this need.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas came to Pandharapur, the abode of Lord Vittala. When Pundalika, a great devotee of God Vittala, wasengaged in the nursing of his aged parents, God himself came to give darshan to his devotee and test him. But to Pundalika, the darshan of God Vittala was not of as much importance as his service to his parents.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"My first duty is to my parents. Without fulfilling it I have no time to welcome you," he told Vittala. "Till then please be waiting on the bricks," he added, throwing two bricks. This is the story of Vittala of the famous Pandharapura. One can see even to this day God Vittala standing on the two bricks with arms akimbo.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas derived a lesson even from this legend. It is the first and foremost duty of every person to attend to the needs of his parents and not to forget them with the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">excuse that worship of God should come first.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One's motherland is one's true mother. Swadharma, duty, is one's father. It is not right to go to the Himalayas and perform penance in search of God forgetting one's duty to one's mother and motherland. One should first discharge one's duty to the land of one's birth; then one could turn his thoughts towards otherworldly things or heaven.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">These were the thoughts that coursed through the mind of Ramadas. From his pilgrimage all over the country Ramadas realised that the nation was in grave danger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vow To Protect Motherland</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas sent word to Shivaji Maharaja as soon as he returned to Maharashtra.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prostrating at the feet of Ramadas, Shivaji begged of him: "I seek your advice. Show me a path to salvation. You are my Guru. You alone must save me."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas felt immensely happy when he saw Shivaji. In him he saw the person who could fulfil the high ideals he had set forth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Shivaji is not an ordinary person. He has all the qualities of becoming the man of the age," Ramadas thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Shivaba, I have heard you have taken an oath before Rohideswara to free the country from the foreign bondage. From my recent tour I have fully realised the danger the country is facing. The people should be freed and their glorious heritage should be restored. Then alone could this great land be smiling with plenty and happiness. Why think of God and other world now? You have to do much to free your people from the fear of foreigners. God is waiting to help such people. Do not forget the oath you took before Rohideswara. Service to your people is service to God."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji Maharaja heard his Guru with rapt attention and devotion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Right Disciple</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji Maharaja worshipped the feet of Ramadas. In return Ramadas gave to Shivaji a coconut, a fistful of mud and two fistfuls of sandstone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The coconut signifies suspiciousness, according to Hindu belief. The mud symbolizes one's motherland. And the sandstone is the sign of strength of defense, an impenetrable fort. To be doubly ready to defend one's country and countrymen is what is meant. That was the message of Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Maharaj, be like a strong fort to your people. May you be successful in your endeavour to defend the country and drive away the enemies." With these words Ramadas blessed Shivaji Maharaja.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas discussed the ways and means of helping and co-operating with Shivaji Maharaja in his struggle to free the country. Ramadas gave a gist of the principles of his teachings to Shivaji when they parted. These words are included in the 'Dasabodha' which Ramadas wrote later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Those words are:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Put down mercilessly those who carry tales and also those who rebel against you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leave no work half-done. He is unfortunate who shows disregard for the task entrusted to him. What is the use of a coward? One who cannot face danger is not a soldier. Courage is the stepping- stone to success. Go ahead with your task in the name of God."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji Maharaja returned to his pi with these words of advice.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Be a Strong Fort"</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas began to think of the next course of action. He decided to move to the banks of Krishna from Godavari. Adil Shah was the principal enemy of freedom that Shivaji was contemplating to restore. Therefore Ramadas thought that his stay on the banks of Krishna which was in the occupation of Adil Shah would be an ideal place to be of assistance to Shivaji. Before settling there, Ramadas wished to have the darshan of his mother at Jamb village.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas came to Jamb, stood in front of his house, and shouted, "Jaya Jaya Raghuveera Samarth!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brother Gangadhara's wife came out with alms (Bhiksha). She could not recognize Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Laughing, Ramadas said, "Sister-in-law, I am not a beggar, I am your Narayana."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She lifted her head and saw Ramadas. She then recognized him. She ran into the house to convey the information to her mother-in-law. Ranoobai, mother of Ramadas, was overjoyed to hear that her son who had run away from the marriage pandal had returned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas entered the house. He fell at the feet of his mother. She was taken aback to see her son in the saffron robe, long beard and long hair.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She could say nothing at first as she was dumb-founded. But then she uttered, Narayana, my Narayana!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes, ma, I am your Narayana."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"True, you are my Narayana. But what is this? Which devil has taken hold of you?" She asked.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas laughed heartily at his mother's remark. "Mother, it is true a devil has taken hold of me. But you do not know what sort of devil it is!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"The divine force that is in Vaikunta descended to earth. Born to Kousalya, it finished Tataki "Ramadas went on singing in his melodious voice. "The force that has taken hold of me is Prabhu Sri Ramachandra," he said jocularly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tears of joy rolled down the eyes of his mother on hearing these words. Ramadas narrated his wanderings in detail.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally he said: 'I went round* the country and saw decadence of morality and virtue (Dharmaglani) in men."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"What? Have men abandoned Dharma?" she said aghast. "Oh, very bad; very very bad," she muttered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Good will come out of this evil, mother; good will certainly come out of it," Ramadas consoled his mother, speaking as if in a dream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Am I Your Narayana?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After spending a few days with his mother, Ramadas went down South to select his field of activities. On the way he installed idols of Anjaneya at Taakali, Maahulli,</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mahableswar, Vai, Karad and many other places.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had gymnasiums (Vyayamashalas) built in front of those temples. It was to present the ideal qualities of courage and character before the people. He composed inspiring stotras in simple Marathi for their daily chanting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bheemaroopee Mahaarudraa Vajra</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hanuman Maruti!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vanaaree Anjaneesutaa Raamaduta Prabhanjana!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By chanting these verses daily, one can acquire unsurpassed strength and intellect.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas thought of settling in Chaphal village on the banks of the river Mand situated amidst sylvan surroundings. He requested the villagers for a piece of land to build a temple of Prabhu Ramachandra.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Their rough answer was: "Go away and build the temple in the burial-ground on the outskirts of the village."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Very good", said Ramadas. He made up his mind to build a beautiful temple in the burial-ground itself. For one who was dreaming of creating a heaven out of ruins,</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">building a temple in a burial-ground would hardly present a problem!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The work of construction began and in a few days the temple was ready. In the depths of Krishna River he searched for the stone image of Prabhu Ramachandra and installed it in the temple.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Near by at Pratapgadh Shivaji Maharaja had his palace. This news reached him, He went to Chaphal, met Ramadas and offered his deepest respect. He provided Ramadas all the assistance needed for the construction of the temple</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Temple Of Sri Rama</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was growing strong day by day. The area under his control was extending. It gave Ramadas great joy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas learnt that Afzal Khan, trusted lieutenant of King Adil Shah, was marching southwards with the challenge that he would bring back Shivaji either dead or alive. He also learnt that Afzal Khan, on the way, had destroyed many holy places like Tulajapur and Pandharapur. Afzal Khan was about to attack Shivaji with a strong force. Like death personified, Afzal Khan waited at the gates, eager to finish off Shivaji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It worried Ramadas greatly. Day in and day out he thought over it. How would Shivaji safely escape from this mortal danger? He prayed to goddess Tulaja Bhavani.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"None but you could save my Shivaji from the savage enemy. I should have the fortune to see Shivaji safe after routing the enemy." That was the incessant prayer Ramadas fervently offered to goddess Tulaja Bhavani.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Afzal Khan had come to kill Shivaji but it was he who was killed by Shivaji. With the death of Afzal Khan the throne of Adil Shah began to shake. Shivaji's might, name and fame spread far and wide.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas were immensely happy at the turn of events. He blessed Shivaji with all his heart.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In humility Shivaji told Ramadas that the vast kingdom he had acquired was on account of the guidance, good wishes and the blessings of godly men like him. "I place all this at your feet" he offered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overjoyed by these words, Ramadas said: "Shivaraya, what use is this wealth and kingdom to me? Do not think your task is over with this. It has to be further extended. Ananda-Vana-Bhuvana (Heaven on Earth) is to be established. Success is surely yours. May God Almighty ever stand by you."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji prostrated before Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Same Shivaji</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The death of Afzal Khan was a decisive turning point in the life of Shivaji Maharaja. All these days his enemies had thought that Shivaji was a nuisance, a rebel and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">guerrilla. With the strength of arms he built up, the area under his power began expanding.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1674 Shivaprabhu ascended the throne at Rajagadh. Samartha Ramadas was present on the occasion. Shivaji Maharaja got built a special room for Ramadas at</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rajagadh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It stands there even to this day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The coronation of Shivaji Maharaja was not an achievement of any one individual. It was a proud day for every Indian. There was no end to the joy and merry-making of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">people that day. And there was no limit to the joy and happiness of Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He named this kingdom of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja asAnanda-Vana-Bhuvana.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ananda-Vana- Bhuvana</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The death of Afzal Khan was a decisive turning point in the life of Shivaji Maharaja. All these days his enemies had thought that Shivaji was a nuisance, a rebel and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">guerrilla. With the strength of arms he built up, the area under his power began expanding.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1674 Shivaprabhu ascended the throne at Rajagadh. Samartha Ramadas was present on the occasion. Shivaji Maharaja got built a special room for Ramadas at</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rajagadh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It stands there even to this day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The coronation of Shivaji Maharaja was not an achievement of any one individual. It was a proud day for every Indian. There was no end to the joy and merry-making of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">people that day. And there was no limit to the joy and happiness of Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He named this kingdom of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja asAnanda-Vana-Bhuvana.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Writing Of 'Dasabodha'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji requested Ramadas to settle at Sajjangadh instead of Chaphal. Sajjangadh is a beautiful place at the foot of the Sahyadri Mountains. "Gadh" means a fort on a hill.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"What am I to do at the fort Ramadas asked Shivaji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It is a place with beautiful natural surroundings. It is best suited for your meditation and penance. I will see that the temple at Chaphal is kept undisturbed. My humble prayer is that you settle at Sajjangadh," Shivaji said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes, as you please" Ramadas answered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As desired by his disciple, Rama came and settles at Sajjangadh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At Sajjangadh Ramadas finished book 'Dasabodha.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 'Dasabodha' Ramadas has recorded his reflections on worldly life and on spiritual life. He has shown the way to a peaceful life. He has classified his teachings in</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">fourheadings: (1) Harikatha, (2) Politics, (3) Eternal Vigilance, and (4) Intelligent Living.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"First a person should learn to lead a life of righteousness, discharge one's duties to one's self and to one's neighbors and then think of the other world, that is, the spiritual side of life. There is no place for a lazy man. One who strives to establish Dharma is alone a godly person." This Ramadas preached in 'Dasabodha'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Light That Went Out</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1680 A.D. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja died. It was an irreparable and unbearable loss to Ramadas. The entire Sajjangadh was drowned in sorrow. Ramadas could not bear the loss of Shivaji and he was very much dejected.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That was not all. Many more unpleasant events were waiting for Ramadas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sambajiraje Bhonsle ascended the throne after Shivaji. Though bold and chivalrous like his father Shivaji, Sambaji was vain and stubborn. He was after pleasure and pomp. He did not trust his officers and treat them well. Often, for no fault of theirs they were severely punished.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas could not stand such ill treatment by Sambaji. He wrote a long letter to him advising him in the matter.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The gist of it is as follows:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Material happiness should be looked upon as worthless. We should live in such a way as to be praised and remembered in this world and welcomed in the other. We</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">should be ever vigilant in our thoughts, words and deeds. We should never think low. One should sit alone and think deeply. One should be less severe and more liberal in judging others. One should take one's officers into confidence. Always think of Shivaji Maharaja and his great deeds. Think of his form, think of his valor. Think of his bravery, his tact, and his administrative capacity. How noble were his words, his conduct! What warmth of personality! He should be an inspiration in every walk of your life. It should be your constant endeavor to better him if possible in every respect. Then alone will you be worthy of praise. What else can I write?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">These words of advice of Ramadas opened the eyes of Sambaji. He tried his best and thenceforward did his utmost to mend his ways.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The health of Ramadas worsened day by day, as days passed by. His one desire had remained unfulfilled, namely the installation of the idol of Sri Rama at Sajjangadh. The beautiful image of Sri Ramachandra from Thanjavoor was brought and installed at Sajjangadh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All his wishes were completed after this event. His mind remained concentrated always on Prabhu Sri Ramachandra.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"God ever dwells in the minds of his devotees, observing their thoughts, words and deeds. He blesses all with happiness, wealth and emancipation. Sri Rama will never let down his devotees."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With this song on his lips, Ramad breathed his last.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramadas died on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Magha in the year 1682 A.D. (1604 of Shalivahana Saka.) There is tombstone of Ramadas at</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sajjangadh built by Sambaji. His devotees observe the day of his death as "Dasanavami " even to this day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The religious discourses and Keertans of Ramadas inspired and thrilled the people. Their life was purified in the sacred Ganga of the Lord's Name. Ramadas etched these words in their hearts</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Do not search for Moksha for getting your country. Lead a pure life. First you owe a duty to your family and to your motherland. Then alone should you turn your thoughts</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">towards Moksha or Salvation."</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-71441582435422575812007-12-19T10:16:00.000-08:002007-12-19T10:17:01.823-08:00AUDI SANKARACHARYA<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhyAUPCILKbZCaMjBAIg3d0ZVb04Q48447mBAw3cpue8gelINsQQPZMUkvGDy0HZRfTXU78GxwZdOoB6gppk63Q2fCupraL-N5R-Y7fBj6G_vYcCmL92gL96SJ8HgJQ9yWtcwbkuDBVFc/s1600-h/shankaracharya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhyAUPCILKbZCaMjBAIg3d0ZVb04Q48447mBAw3cpue8gelINsQQPZMUkvGDy0HZRfTXU78GxwZdOoB6gppk63Q2fCupraL-N5R-Y7fBj6G_vYcCmL92gL96SJ8HgJQ9yWtcwbkuDBVFc/s320/shankaracharya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145748983309241026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(129, 64, 0);font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;" > One of the greatest philosophers and savants of Bharat. Though he lived for only thirty-two years, his achievement was unparalleled. He propounded the vedantic tenet that Brahman the Supreme and man are of one essence and that all people should strive to cultivate this vision of oneness. He established four spiritual centres in the four corners of the country, thus' upholding the underlying unity of the holy land of Bharat. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankaracharya</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Amala-kamalaadhivasini</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">maanaso vaimalyadaayini manoine i</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">sundara-gaatri susheele</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">tava charanaambhoruham</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">narnaami sadaa ii</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">(O Goddess, You live in the lotus of purity,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">You make the mind pure, and You are known by the inner mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">You are beautiful as well as virtuous. I offer my salutation at Your lotus feet at all times.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This hymn on Goddess Saraswati, so well known and familiar in our country, was composed by Sri Shankaracharya. "it is not possible to describe His form in any specific way. But great is His Glory."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> This statement is made about God. It occurs in Vedas. The same thing may be said of sages, seers and philosophers-the most glorious personages who were responsible for the growth and development of our national culture. They did not want to fill the pages of Indian history with physical and material information such as dates, place, birth, period of life, etc. This is the characteristic of our culture. Their vital spirit is still present all around us. Their works alone testify to their spiritual, intellectual and creative powers. These great men will appear to us as God-men, when we understand their works. Their actions appear as superhuman. As they are beyond our ability to understand, we tend to think of them as miracles. But these extraordinary men are far above those miracles also. Leaving aside these miracles, if we just take their life story, even that would be wonderful and interesting. The lives of such persons with their pristine purity . reveal the very heart of Indian culture. Sri Adi Shankaracharya belongs to the galaxy of such men. The history of Indian culture, in fact, is the stream of lives of such great souls. In order to recover from the crises-the religious, moral, that crop up ideological or political in the society from time to time, the country anxiously awaits the help of inspiring and glorious personalities. It may be said that Sri Shankaracharya's birth took place in the same way, as a result of India's spiritual longing for redressal of its all-round suffering. It is the opinion of scholars that he belonged to the period between 788 and 820 A.D.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">God's Grace</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is stated that Sri Shankaracharya was born of God's Grace to his parents. Kalati is a beautiful village Kerala. Even today this fine village may be seen on the bank of river Poornaa. There lived a couple It name Shivaguru and Aryamba. Theirs was an orthodox Namboodri brahim family. Though rich, they led simple life Both the husband a wife were well educated. More than that, they were devoted to God. They were worried only about not having any children even after long time. They made vows an appeals to all gods. At last, suggested by close friends, they we to Trichtir for rendering devotional service to God Vrishaachaleshwara. The divinely graceful idol of the God attracted them. They spent many days there with a feeling that serving Him is the only way known to them One night Vrishaachaleshwara appeal in their dream. It was a wonder experience.. God posed a question to them.. I am pleased with your steadfast devotion. I shall- grant your prayer. But there is one question, Does it suffice if you are given only one son of short life who will be a great teacher of the whole world, or do you want many children of long life but dull wits?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Would the God who is not easily accessible put an easy question? The couple who had such boundless faith in God found completely a different way out. They left everything to His decision only. Then the Lord said, "Your son, born as an aspect of Shiva, will become an universal teacher." So, saying, He disappeared. Shivaguru and Aryamba felt very happy and stayed there for several more days offering their worship and service to god Ishwara. Afterwards they returned home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A son was born to Aryamba by the full Grace of Ishwara. The baby was named Shankara. Calculating according to solar calendar, the auspicious day has been said to be the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. The devotees celebrate - "Shankara Jayanti On that- day every year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara, being a divine incamation grew up right from his childhood as a prodigy in every respect. It is said that at the age of eight he had understood the four Vedas. By the time he was twelve years of age, he had understood all branches ofknowledge. And by sixteen he had written commen- taries on those Vedanta which are considered to be his major works. Sharp as his intellect was, so was his heart very broad. Even at a young age Shankara, had become proficient in Prakrit Magadhi and Sanskrit languages. At The first year of his age he had learnt both Malayali, his mother tongue, and Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas. During his second year he was able to read and write in these languages. During his third year he was able to read and explain epics and mythology. Thus is it stated in some books written about him. Considered from an ordinary standpoint, one might feel that much of this may be an exaggeration. But instances of child prodigies endowed with a divine gift of brilliance are not uncommon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">At Gurukula</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">At the age of five Shankara's Upanayana was performed. By that time his father Shivaguru was dead. Only the mother had to bear the responsibility of bringing up the child pupil. Shankara was sent to the nearby Gurukula on the banks of river Poornaa. Under the guidance of Guru he studied the Vedas and its branches and also all other subjects. His brilliance brought credit to the entire Gurukula. From an incident that happened during his stay at the Gurukula one can understand his deep concern for the poor and distressed persons.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is a convention that the pupils in a Gurukula should get their food by begging. Accordingly the boy Shankara went round to beg. He stood at the door of a house and shouted, "Mother, please give alms. He repeated the appeal twice. There was no reply. He repeated it several times. Then a woman came out and stood with a sad face. There was nothing in the house to offer to this boy. Hence that piteous look. Tears welled up in her eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara understood the situation. "Mother, I shall be content with whatever you give me. Thereby may there be no scarcity in your house," he said. But how to give anything when there was nothing? What is there to give? At last she remembered the gooseberries grown in the backyard. She brought some gooseberries and gave them to Shankara. Shankara then prayed to Shreedevi, the Goddess of Wealth, to show her mercy on this humble and virtuous woman. Then, as Written in the books, there was a shower of golden gooseberries in the house. This means that as a, result of Shankara's prayer to the Goddess, that family became rich and Prosperous.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara stayed in the Gurukula for eight years. By then he made such a thorough study of all the subjects that he had them at his finger-Ups. More than any other subject, he was greatly interested in the Vedanta, the most advanced part of the Vedas, which is said to be the very came of spiritual truth. This is the highest and the culminating point of all knowledge. "By knowing which everything will be known, and that is what the Vedanta aims at," say the learned. Even at such a tender age Shankara was attracted towards that goal. This shows the greatness of his personality.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">For The Sake Of Mother</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Many instances that reveal the divine spirit of great men are available at every stage of their lives. It was so in the case of Shankara also. After completing his education in the Gurukula, it was the time when Shankara was at home rendering service to his mother and also teaching some pupils. Aryamba had fallen ill. But still she insisted on having her daily bath in the river Poornaa. Though the river-bed was in front of her house, it had dried up because of summer, and the slender flow of water was far away. Aryamba had to cross the vast sand-bed to reach the water. One day she managed to finish her bath and was returning home. While crossing that sand-bed, not being able to withstand the sun and strain, she fainted and fell down on the way. Shankara got the news and rushed to the spot. He attended to her. When she recovered a little, he brought her home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The summer might be unbearable and the water might be flowing at a distance across a broad bed of sand. But Aryamba would never agree to change her routine. So the next day, would she not go again to the river for bath? this worried Shankara. He folded his hands in salutation to the river goddess, Poornaa Devi. He prayed to her to flow in full, extending her waters up to their house, in order to facilitate his mother's ritualistic bath. Maybe in answer to his prayer, or maybe by a seasonal phenomenon or due to both, there was a continuous downpour of rain throughout the night. The next morning river Poornaa was found flowing fully over the breadth of her sands in all her grace and majesty. This is as good a miracle as having brought the distant river very near.Whether spirituality has or has not the power to awaken the static power latent in Nature and make it dynamic is a matter for thought. All the people of Kalati joined the ailing Aryamba in praising and blessing Shankara. Mother's Longing And Anxiety</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Who is not astonished at the routine of an eight year old boy being engaged in Vedic studies, contemplation on Vedantic thoughts and teaching the same to others? In addition to this he had to attend on his aged mother.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As days were passing like this, one day two Brahmin’s who were both old in years and in wisdom came to Shankara's house. Aryamba and Shankara received them with respect and treated them hospitably. The guests found the atmosphere of the house extraordinary. They were enchanted by Shankara's brilliance, modesty and godly qualities. They felt that only to work for the welfare of the world God must have endowed this boy at such a tender age with all those abilities and achievements. While departing, those old men told Shankara's mother: "May your son live long. May he become a stalwart in establishing the Vedic tradition firmly and gloriously in Bharat which is now passing through a crisis, and may he thereby accomplish the welfare of the world."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The mother's heart was also yearning for the same. She prayed to Ishwara to grant her son a long life and to make the blessings of those Magis come true. But how is it that God Ishwara Himself appearing in the dream told, "Your son may have a short life but he will be the teacher of the world"? Then what does the blessing of these old Magis mean? Aryamba was puzzled. But she consoled herself saying, "May it be as He wills it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The son seems to have understood her anxiety. He tried to comfort her by saying, "Mother, don't you see that incidents of everyday life point only to the transitory nature of life? If we make use of all the time at our disposal in the service of God, is there a better fortune than that?"</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara,The Ascetic</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is not the slightest doubt about an unseen hand shaping the life of Shankara. As if to confirm this, there happened an incident.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One day Shankara was bathing in the river Poornaa. A crocodile caught his leg and began to pull him into the river. However strong one might be one can't fight with a crocodile in water and succeed. What could the plight of boy Shankara be then? He felt that his life had come to an end. He loudly called out to his mother. She came running. He told her, "Death isapproaching, mother, as I have been caught by a crocodile. I am unable to free myself from its grip. I see only one way out. I must take sannyasa before I die. Please permit me to take 'instant sannyasa'. (Taking sannyasa in essence means to give up one life' and get a new one. So by the decision to take sannyasa he would get over the death caused by the crocodile. Either way he would attain an exalted state. If he survived he would have a new life. If he should die, even then he would have a new life after casting away his body.) The son’s plight and his pathetic appeal moved the heart of the mother. She wasconfused. If he could live at least by becoming a monk, may it be so. She only wanted him to live. So, with a firm faith in Ishwara she gave her consent saying, "My child, may it be according to His will."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Probably it was the will of God that Shankara should be freed from worldly life. The crocodile left Shankara unhurt and swam away in the water! Shankara. Crossed over the sorrow and misery of worldly life. By mere resolution of the mind, he became a Sannyasi and attained a new life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Mother was grieved about his becoming an ascetic. A few days after this incident, the boy-monk told her about his life’s mission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He requested her to permit her to leave Kalati.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He was her only son. And was a gift of God to her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But when she realised that he was born only to render service both to God and to humanity, she blessed him and bade him farewell saying, "Attain great fame, my dear son."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara requested the elders and his dear friends of neighborhood to have good care about his mother and then he got ready to leave Mother could not control her grief "Shankara," she said, "will I see yet again once at least before I die? Shankara, having understood mother., heart, assured her, "Mother, remember me at the time death. I will come to you wherever I may be. I am praying to God to grant me the ‘good fortune of serving my mother during her last days." This was a reply of one who had supreme faith in God. To divert his mother's attention towards God, he installed at home an idol of Sri Krishna. Leaving his mother to his gracious care, Shankara left Kalati. 'O, Mother Parvati, Give Me Alms'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After visiting many pilgrim centres of this holy land of Bharat, Sri Shankara came to Kashi. His object was to have darshan of God Vishweshwara on the banks of sacred Ganges. His march of religious conquest was to start in Kashi.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara in Kashi felt that his first and foremost duty was to have darshan of Sri Annapurna, the presiding deity of the city of Kashi, that she should give him the first alms. But the alms that Shankara begged of her was unusual:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jnaana-vairaagya-siddhyartham</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">bhikshaam dehi cha Parvati</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"O Mother Parvati, give me alms such as will enable me to attain wisdom and austerity." The humility and the intense feeling with which he was appealing to the mother of the universe, the radiance which far exceeded the tender age of that handsome boy-monk surprisedeverybody. If some thronged around him to listen to the ecstatic songs dominated by a note of devotion which Shankara sang in his divine voice, many others came to listen to his enlightening discourses on Vedanta. Still many more experienced peace in his company under a spiritual influence. In this way, before long the boy-ascetic won a place in the hearts of the people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">During Shankara's stay in the city of Kashi an incident happened as ill to test his inner development.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The day was about to dawn. Shankara was on his way to the river for bathing. A man whom people called pariah (of a low caste) came across the road. Shankara, it seems, shouted at him, "0, untouchable, keep away." The answer the other man gave was startling. "To which are you referring as untouchable, this body or the Self? Is not this body also made of dust in the same way as your body? Does the Self ever get polluted? And how can the Self which is present everywhere keep itself at a distance? Is there any difference between you and me the way it has pervaded?" It is a situation in which any one might get confounded. But Shankara’s reaction was entirely different. Throwing away all his pride, he fell prostrating at the feet of that man. "This is not an ordinary man. One who has ‘described the nature of the Self in such a simple and lucid language is really not ordinary: He is no other than God Himself. Is not this inner enlight-enment a form of Vishweshwara’s Grace?" he said to himself and felt happy. Shankara even after experiencing the Advaita doctrine was caught for a moment in the illusion of high and low. He offered his salutation to that God in human form who had dispelled his illusion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One Vishnu Sharma at Kashi prayed with great devotion. "I wish to be freed from the bondage of worldly life, please show me the way, Sir." He became the first disciple of Shankara. It is this person who later became known as ‘Padmapadacharya’. Commentaries</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara, a scholar of tremendous capacity, had one important task to do. The Upanishads, BhagavadGita and Brahmasutras are sacred scriptures of the Hindus; but it is not easy to understand them. Shankaracharya decided to write commentaries on these texts. He wrote first on the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. They became very popular. He was to write the commentary on BrahmaSutras. Hindus believe that Bhagavan Vyasa is still alive in Badari, the pilgrim centre. This centre is located at the foot of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 12,000 feet. Travelling was not easy in those days, about 1200 years ago. ButShankaracharya went to Badari itself to write his commentary on the BrahmaSutras.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dedicating himself to the service of Ishwara and Bhagavan Vyasa, he launched upon his work. The writing of commentary went on smoothly. It is said that Vyasa himself gave darshan to Shankara and blessed him. As it happened, according to his expectation Shankara continued his work with a new vigour. This doubled his life-span as it were. Mainly this new vigour-call it longevity - was needed for the fulfil- ment of Shankara’s project. The heavy task of spreading the meaning of these great texts was also waiting. Shankara’s mission in life would not be completed without doing this. So in order to carry out this responsibility, a new vigour in the form of God’s Grace and Guru’s blessings was needed. Shankara, having got this, devoted the rest of his life to carry out his mission. This, as may be called, was the period of Shankara’s conquests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the first step of his conquests Shankara came to the city of Ruddha. There he was to encounter one Kumarila Bhatta in argument and win over him. Kumarila said, "If you want to debate on Vedanta you should go to MandanaMishra; and if you win over him in an argument, then surely you can expect victory for Vedanta everywhere."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Mandana Mishra was an outstanding scholar. Even the most learned men would feel nervous to argue with him. He lived in a town called Mahishmati. Shankaracharya went there. Mandana Mishra agreed for a debate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What is the stake?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The loser should become the winner’s disciple.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Both were stupendous scholars. Who should be the judge competent to decide as to who had won and who had lost?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The wife of Mandana Mishra was Ubhaya Bharat. She too had astounding scholarship. She was regarded as the incarnation of Saraswati (the Goddess of learning). She was made the judge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The debate with thundering argument and counter-argument on for several days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Mandana Mishra at last accepted his defeat. As per the agreement he became a sannyasi and disciple ofShankaracharya.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This victory of Shankara was of tremendous consequence, we should say. It was the triumph of Shankara Charya's teaching. Besides, he got a brilliant person like Mandana Mishra as his disciple. It was this disciple who rendered memorable service to Vedanta and became known as 'Sureshwaracharya.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After this event Shankara went to the sacred Srishalila. His intention was mainly to defeat Ugra Bhairava who was notorious in Tantric field such as witchcraft and black magic. That Kaapaalika could not win over Shankara's pious and spiritual Vedic doctrines. He with his black art even attempted to kill Shankara, but fell himself a prey to it. From Srishaila Shankara went to Gokarna, another famous pilgrim-centre. And then he proceeded along the Sahyadri range to the Mookambika Temple at the foot of Sahyadri hills.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A Matchless Guru For A Matchless Disciple</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Now Shankara's main aim was to search for a Guru. His intense desire was to have as his Guru only a person who had realised Brahman. If this is the expectation of a disciple, is not that Guru most fortunate? . Shankara went towards North. He came to the banks of river Narmada after passing through many hermitages. There he found the hermitage of a Mahayogi. And this was Govinda Bhagavatpada. Seeing him in a state of deep samadhi, Shankara's heart was filled Iwith satisfaction. His expectation had been fulfilled. What did Govinda Guru see when he woke to his conscious state? A boy-ascetic with a bright and radiant face, standing there with folded hands. The inner spiritual development was writ large on his face. After prostrating before the Guru, Shankara introduced himself. He requested that he may be accepted as a disciple. Govinda Yogi felt happy at the very first meeting as h e had found the very type of person - the fittest disciple – for whom he had been waiting. Let alone teaching the pupil the mysterious secrets of the Vedanta, was it not a great pleasure for the Guru to find there a disciple who had not only digested the very philosophy of Vedanta but looked every inch the embodiment of that philosophy? Taking initiation from the Guru in a regular way to ascetic life, Shankara carried on his studies with all devotion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">For the boy Shankara who had obtained a marvellous success in comprehending the Advaita philosophy, "The spiritual Yoga" was very necessary. A person who at his will could forget himself and the world and enter the indescribable state of supreme peace! Such was the Guru. And the disciple was one who was qualified to attain that state. This was a preparatory step of Shankara in getting dynamic power which would facilitate the great work he was to do in future. Understanding the truth is different from experiencing it. Govinda Bhagavatpada enabled Shankara to attain this state of glorious experience. The wise who have attained this state call it the experience of the Infinite. This experience gave rich nourishment to Shankara's personality. The entire world appeared to be full of Brahman to him. After this the only thing that remained to be done was to communicate the bliss he had known and experienced to one and all through Vedanta. This work was assigned also to him by his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada. He was asked to write, in the light of truth he had realised, commentaries on the three basic texts, namely the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras which are the spiritual treasure troves of Bharat. The Guru blessed him saying, "Whatever you wish, it shall be fulfilled by the power you have acquired from yogic practices." The next period of Shankara's life was devoted to the propagation of Vedanta.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">'Hastamalaka'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here he was to get one more great disciple. Prabhakara was a brahmin. He had a son who was a dumb boy. He appeared to be dull. But Shankara felt that he was a yogi. Instead of asking the parents who had brought the boy ‘Why is the boy like this? since when?’ he asked the boy straightaway : "Who are you, my boy?" What else could be so sacred a place as the one where the divine master was standing for the yogi to break his silence? One who was dumb poke in answer, "I am the eternal self and not dead matter." This was the simplest form of expressing the nature of the self. By the grace of the master, the dull and the silent son of that couple revealed himself to be a great and wise sage. The master felt happy and taking him as disciple, named him 'Hastamalaka'.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Four Regional Monasteries</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The next important event in Shankara’s life was his coming to Shringeri. This place is situated on the bank of river Tunga in Karnataka. It is the loveliest of spots. Long, long ago, great sages like Vibhan- daka, Rishyashringa and such others had carried on their penance there. Since then it had been a very sacred place.Enchanted with the tranquillity of that place, Shankara established his first Vedanta JnanaPeetha. He installed there the idol of Sri Sharada, the Goddess of Learning, and placed Sureshwara as the Head of that Sharada Peetha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In Acharya Shankara’s view the entire Bharat was a holy land. Its welfare and unification was to be based on Dharma only. In connection with this unification, Acharya’s plan was to establish four centres in four corners of Bharat for spreading Vedanta and for guiding persons practising Vedanta. The founding of Sharada Peetha was the first step in this project. This was meant to provide guidance for South India. He established the Govardhana Peetha in Jagannath for the East, the Kalika Peetha in Dwaraka for the West, and the Jyotih Peetha in Badarikashrama for the North. These Peethas are called ‘Amnaya Peethas.’</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Disciples</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">How at Shringeri during his stay Shankara showered his blessings on a disciple called Giri is very interesting. The co- students used to look down upon Girl thinking that Vedanta for him was a hard nut to crack. Once Shankara at the time of his lecture said, "Let us wait for Giri." The other pupils said, "Why should we wait for him, Sir? A wall is much better than that dullard."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara felt pained when such a student as was devoted to the service of his master was jeered at. "What do you know about his nature and spiritual achievements? His ability will reveal itself shortly," said the Master. "Isn’t it enough if Master knows my merit? Should it be made known to others also? Let me not have such conceit" - so Giri used to feel within himself and was serving his master silently. On that day as usual he came late and did obeisance to Acharya. Acharya said with a smile, "Look Giri, We want you to give a discourse on the Self and its nature. We have been waiting for you."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was the master’s command as well as blessing. The so-called dullard Giri, in a very modest way and full of devotion expressed in his eyes, presented the very gist of Vedanta in Trotaka Vritta, a highly complicated metrical form, but very enlighteningly as if he was making with all reverence as offering to the Master. The other students felt ashamed of their folly. They apologised to both Acharya and Giri. Shankara, thus revealing the literary ability latent in Giri, called him "Trotakacharya" to make this incident remembered for a long time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Among the disciples of Shankara the most prominent are four Padmapada, Sureshwara, Hastamalaka and Trotaka. Shankara nominated them as the chiefs of the four Vedanta centres he had established: Sureshwara for shringeri the South zone center, Padmapada for Kalika Peetha of a, Trotaka for Jyotih’ peetha Dwarak of Badari, and Hastamalaka for Govardhana Peetha of Jagannath. He told that at their lives should be dedicated to re-organise ancient Hindu Dharma.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Service To Mother</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Meanwhile Shankara felt that the end of his old mother Aryamba was nearing. Accordingly he returned to Kalati. When Shankara came to know that she was to die shortly, he offered ‘Shiva Bhujanga Stotra’ and ‘Vishnu Stotra’ which have a power to save the soul, and prayed that she might die peacefully and attain heavenly abode.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara’s mother died. Her body was to be cremated. But none of Shankara’s relatives came forward to help. A monk cannot perform the funeral rites of anyone, not even of his parents. Still Shankara- charya felt, is it not a sacred duty to perform the funeral rites of the dead when required to? Shankara had to carry" the body himself with great difficulty to the burning place and light up the pyre. By doing this last service to his mother, he felt gratified.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankaracharya paid a visit to Sharada Nilaya in Kashmir known as Sarvajna Peetha (the seat of the all knowing). Those who are not all-knowing are not entitled to sit on it; no one could claim to be an expert in any religion or philosophy without sitting on it. Shankara did not wish to show himself off as Sarvajna. He felt that Sri Sharada Nilaya with Sarvajna Peetha was by itself a place worthy of visit by all devotees. Besides, Kashmir is the crown of Bharat. So he resolved to g 0 there, lest the ancient Hindu religion should perish there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There are four gates in four directions for entering Sharada Nilaya. Eminent scholars and philosophers had entered it from various directions and had established their scholarly merit But no one so far had adorned this chair of Sarvajna. And also till their no one had even attempted to enter the temple through the Southern gate May be this gate was waiting for Acharya Shankara. only who was from the South! Scholars of many group and communities were waiting for him in ‘ the premises of Sir Sharada Nilaya All were filled with a feeling of reverence to see him who was learned in both Jnana and Vijnana Yet the scholars in religious philosophies of Jaina, Bouddha, Samkhya, Yoga, Nays and Vaisheshika confronted him at the time of his entry to the temple, Shankara defeated all of them in philosophical debate and then entered the temple through the Southern gate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Acharya went to ascend Sarvajna Peetha. Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of all learning, herself set a test for him. Shankara passed this test also. After this the Goddess Herself blessed him, proclaiming his omniscience. So say the ‘Shankara Vijayas’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We can take this to be an allegory of all the struggles Shankara had to face in his life. Ascending the seat of Sarvajna situated in Kashmir of the North is a symbol. The meaning of it is that Shankara reached the peak of spirituality. We can get an idea of his greatness from the fact that a person of just thirty had ascended the throne of all knowledge.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Path That Shankara Showed</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">By that time the Acharya had probably gone round the whole of Bharat two times. He had travelled from Rameshwara and Kanyakumari of the South to Kashmir of the North, from Jagannath of the East to Dwaraka of the West, and had visited many places of pilgrimage. He got many temples renovated and inspired many to a righteous living.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sri Shankaracharya showed I example how a man should live. The life should shine forth with pious qualities like knowledge, devotion and asceticism. He preached the way Advaita. That means everything in the world is Brahman and all are one. The world is constantly changing. These changes are neither important nor real. The reality that lies behind all these things and activities Brahman. One should develop an eye to see God everywhere and in everything. People who have that vie, take the whole world for the mother- land, and treat all human beings as their brothers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shankara wrote philosophical book to help the people understand Hindi Dharma. Alongside he wrote man, hymns that nourish devotional feelings in people. The hymn ‘ Bhaja Gowindam composed by him has been a very popular song all over Bharat . "If you want to get rid of the miseries of life and fear- of death, pray to Govinda."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Guiding Light</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It cannot be said definitely where the Acharya spent his last days. It is common and natural for people everywhere to take pride in saying that such and such a Mahatma was born in their own town or visited their town and sanctified that place by walking on it, or that he entered eternal peace in their place.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">People claim the signs of Shankara’s Mahasamadhi in the holy towns of Kanchi, Trichur and Kedar. There is nothing surprising in this. The Acharya was in all such sacred places and he had gone beyond them. If the samadhi of the Southern Acharya is in Kedar of the North, it only signifies that his personality had extended over the whole of Bharat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Acharya Shankara, at the early age of 32, cut asunder all bonds of relation with the ‘world and attained the state of Brahman. Ordinary people will have to spend 32 years even for being able ask "What is the meaning of life?" But the Acharya during his brief life-time had brought about a great religious renaissance all over Bharat. By his memorable works on religion and philosophy he had pointed out the unique feature of our ancient religion. He found fulfilment of his life by consolidating the history of Bharat from the point of view of culture. He gave a concrete form to the truth that the whole of India was one by establishing spiritual centres in various zones.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">May the divine life of such great men be a guiding light to us.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-69822464353764144192007-12-16T14:28:00.001-08:002007-12-16T14:32:16.964-08:00MAHARANA PRATAP<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRh-dHxAXJkoLR8DAGZXwf-gMv473RFDQFkkU9_HFXPIDgqjzG1G8pQcWrx04JYXj8IIEIAnCz3EQrToi2mgzHnpkY6TGlEj2OQT0lFofVfohezC18-EjN7J4ujRl-MQHdETE03nthgPC/s1600-h/rana_pratap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRh-dHxAXJkoLR8DAGZXwf-gMv473RFDQFkkU9_HFXPIDgqjzG1G8pQcWrx04JYXj8IIEIAnCz3EQrToi2mgzHnpkY6TGlEj2OQT0lFofVfohezC18-EjN7J4ujRl-MQHdETE03nthgPC/s320/rana_pratap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144701818742867426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Born: May 9, 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Father's Name: Maharana Udai Singh II</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mother's Name: Rani Jeevant Kanwar</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Died: January 29, 1597 in Chavand</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maharana Pratap was born on May 9th 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. His father was Maharana Udai Singh II and his mother was Rani Jeevant Kanwar. Maharana Udai Singh II ruled the kingdom of Mewar, with his capital at Chittor. Maharana Pratap was the eldest of twenty-five sons and hence given the title of Crown Prince. He was destined to be the 54th ruler of Mewar, in the line of the Sisodiya Rajputs. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maharana Pratap</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the next half-century, most other Rajput rulers allowed themselves to be wooed the Mughals; Mewar alone held out. In 1567 Emperor Akbar decided to teach it a lesson: he attacked Chittorgarh razed it to the ground. Five years later Maharana Pratap (reigned 1572-97) came to rule Mewar - a king without a capital. He continued to defy Akbar, and in 1576, confronted the imperial armies at Haldighati.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The battle ended in a stalemate and Maharana Pratap and his followers withdrew to the craggy hills of Mewar, from where they continued to harrass the Mughals through guerilla warfare for the next twenty years. Maharana Pratap made his descendants vow that they would not sleep on beds, nor live in palaces, nor eat off metal utensils, until Chittorgarh had been regained.In fact, right into the 20th century the maharanas of Mewar continued to place a leaf platter under their regular utensils and a reed mat under their beds in symbolic continuance of this vow.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-42934578087418050442007-12-16T14:10:00.001-08:002007-12-16T14:13:41.806-08:00CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ASru2Dkw9RaEpyy7n5zEODjuEn-oBcKO-S3c2x2JH4ULxkFXelowx-cei9bJ4mXJ9PIipEQxoartKxdcXtmVy216Vau2odv0on2-xYAV2zvVBT4sIi-bRUeaMynAtl9vHX2IiVI1MB2/s1600-h/shivaji.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ASru2Dkw9RaEpyy7n5zEODjuEn-oBcKO-S3c2x2JH4ULxkFXelowx-cei9bJ4mXJ9PIipEQxoartKxdcXtmVy216Vau2odv0on2-xYAV2zvVBT4sIi-bRUeaMynAtl9vHX2IiVI1MB2/s320/shivaji.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144696862350607826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the most able administrators and ruler in India was undoubtedly Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire in India. With his flawless warrior skills and unlimited courage, he ruled the Deccan region, parts of central India and parts of modern day Pakistan with a firm hand. It was due to his efforts that the Mughals faced a decline in their empire. Using guerilla warfare techniques, he was successful in annexing a major portion of the Mughal Empire. Given here is a short biography about Chatrapati Sivaji that covers his life history briefly. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was born in Shivner on 10th April, 1627 to Jijabai and Shahji. His father Shahji was a nobleman in the royal court of Bijapur. Shivaji was named so after Lord Shiva of the Hindu mythology as his mother was an ardent Hindu devotee. Since childhood, Shivaji was brave and never feared anything. There are many instances in his childhood that show he was a born ruler. At the young age of fourteen, he had the dream of building his kingdom. At the age of 20, he took out his very first military attack and captured the Torna Fort of the kingdom of Bijapur.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After that there was no stopping him and he went on to capture Kondana and Rajgad forts and exercised full control over the region of Pune. Around the year 1659, Shivaji took over the forts in Western Ghats and the ones near the Konkan coast. In order to disrupt Shivaji's series of triumphs, Adilshah arrested his father Shahji by unfair means and sent armies against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambhaji. However, the armies were no match for the two strong brothers and were defeated by them and their father was released. However, Afzal Khan later seized an opportunity to kill Sambhaji by deceit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji was an efficient ruler and administrator and ruled with a just and firm hand. His government had concepts that we know of now like the Cabinet known as Ashtapradhan Mandal, foreign affairs known as Dabir and also an internal intelligence wing. During Shivaji's reign the army was very efficient and dependable. Since Shivaji ruled a major part of the Western coast area, he also commanded a strong navy force. Shivaji is known for his protective and fatherly attitude towards his citizens. He is remembered till date as a hero who worked for the welfare of his subjects and state. Shivaji breathed his last in 1680 after suffering from fever for three whole weeks.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-82203885671607046742007-12-16T13:33:00.000-08:002007-12-16T13:36:01.632-08:00TENALI RAMAKRISHNA KAVI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfC4ahYHGHbfFQbjCt51zrFgchTU4g5KkncWvS6wpIlQQd5cWq_Bqbv3FJI00mVPcHBRWNx2zp5pwgQxoY_pnSV-v7nm1fK_VAMVPIMKHEwNGsrcMWw7Essl_mHqFi5cu2UHIOxaFHG1m/s1600-h/tenali-ramalinga-302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfC4ahYHGHbfFQbjCt51zrFgchTU4g5KkncWvS6wpIlQQd5cWq_Bqbv3FJI00mVPcHBRWNx2zp5pwgQxoY_pnSV-v7nm1fK_VAMVPIMKHEwNGsrcMWw7Essl_mHqFi5cu2UHIOxaFHG1m/s320/tenali-ramalinga-302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144687439192360370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tenali Ramalinga StoriesBhuvana Vijayam, the royal court of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu comprised of eight wise and learned men collectively titled as Ashta Diggajas. Tenali Ramalinga was prominently one among them. He was also known as Tenali Ramakrishna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tenali Ramalinga was known for his attentiveness, alertness, time tuning, wit, and intelligence. Ramalinga said to be hailing from Tenali town, set it as his surname. In the modern times, Tenali is in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on the banks of Holy River Krishna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramalinga was popular as Vikatakavi. Right from his childhood, Ramalinga was centre of attraction among the children of his age groups in the region. His versatile mentality, intellect and aggressiveness brought him laurels and fame.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Saint passing by, one day watched Ramalinga closely and could identify the ‘celestial spark’ shining from within him. The Saint, as he was in the devotional path, also recognised the inherent qualities of command and intelligence interlaced in Ramalinga.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Saint called Ramalinga by name and asked him to accompany to a place. With the natural quality of fearlessness, Ramalinga accepted the invitation without even asking, “where to?" The Saint and Ramalinga walked little away from the crowd and reached Goddess Mahakali Temple in the woods.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Arranging to perform a divine sacrifice to please the Goddess Mahakali, the Saint told Ramalinga, “My dear child! I am growing old and gradually losing the physical strength to perform puja to seek the blessings of the Goddess Mother.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He continued, “You are having all the qualities and blessings of the Mother to please Her and receive Her blessings.” Preaching a mantra into Ramalinga's ear the Saint said, “Chant this mantra continuously and pray the Goddess every evening. Put in all your concentration and strength to please the Goddess. Goddess Mahakali will shower many boons on you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the sacrifice, the Saint left the place and never returned there. It had become a routine for Ramalinga to chant the mantra and pray the Goddess Mahakali every evening, at the designated Temple in the woods. Time passed by, and Ramalinga continued his prayers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day, Goddess Mahakali appeared in front of Ramalinga in the form of a Motherly figure. She was holding two small silver bowls in her palms. She started speaking to Ramalinga in a blissful tone, “My Child! I am pleased with the prayers you had been offering to me. I wish to bless you with a boon. You see the two utensils on my palms. One is filled with milk and the other with curd.” Ramalinga was looking at her with shining eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Goddess continued, “If you consume the milk, you will be a great scholar. In case, you wish to take the curd, you will be blessed with riches for all your life. However, take caution. You should take only one of them.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With a lightening speed, Ramalinga not bothered by the Goddess’ words grabbed both the bowls from Her hands and gulped down the contents. Goddess Mahakali was puzzled with his act. “What did you do?” She questioned him. Unmoved Ramalinga answered in a requesting tone, “ Hey Mother! Goddess Jaganmatha! What is the use of becoming a scholar without any wealth? Similarly, there will not be any purpose to the riches without intelligence. Hence, I thought I should have both of them and drank the contents of both the utensils. Kindly pardon me Mother, if I had done any mistake.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mother Mahakali was pleased with his frankness and analytical evaluation at that tender age. Imposing some sanctions, She blessed Ramalinga with two boons before She disappeared. She said, “You will have both intellect and wealth. There will be problems with the riches you gather by associating with the rulers. The poetry you author will be filled with uniqueness.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ramalinga was extremely happy over the happenings. He thought the boons were apt to his nature and versatile psychology.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were many occasions wherein Ramalinga emerged as a centre of attraction with his versatile acts, wit, and humour filled conversations. Of course, sarcastic element was the prime composition of Ramalinga.</span><br /><br /> <br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-88598171998124621812007-12-16T13:25:00.000-08:002007-12-16T13:28:32.647-08:00RAMANA MAHARSHI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsHc8sbhG-x5U9uFSYX8hOlAiVcvwXFSJZZ9Gt8cx7KFaORPET9WzarmDuX-xWqbHvSpt5jtn-CKJGP2GO7pTnYHJzLYrIqgkbW0nNf_K3mIca6bLeJotGaXutXFA6CITsTi4PXU2kqIg/s1600-h/Maharshi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsHc8sbhG-x5U9uFSYX8hOlAiVcvwXFSJZZ9Gt8cx7KFaORPET9WzarmDuX-xWqbHvSpt5jtn-CKJGP2GO7pTnYHJzLYrIqgkbW0nNf_K3mIca6bLeJotGaXutXFA6CITsTi4PXU2kqIg/s320/Maharshi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144685493572175266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A great sage who embodied supreme purity, wisdom, and other-worldliness, Ramana Maharshi was born Venkataraman Iyer in 1879 in Tiruchuli, South India. During his birth, a blind nurse saw an amazing light and told his mother that he must be a divine being. He grew to be a strong boy who preferred sports to his studies. He was also prone to unusually deep sleep. When Ramana was 12, his father died, and he went to live with his uncle in Madurai. In 1895 he heard a visitor speak of 'Arunachala', which he recognized as the inner sound that had pulsated inside him from childhood, and learned it was a Holy Hill, one of the oldest and most sacred of all India's holy places. Within months, he had a 'Death Experience' at Madurai that spontaneously transformed the young schoolboy into a sage—a sudden Realization of the Self that was both complete and permanent. Several weeks later, he renounced everything and journeyed to the Holy Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamala where he lived immersed in Samadhi. For the rest of his life he never left Arunachala Hill. A group of devotees gathered around him and an ashram came into being. Lives were transformed by his glance or merely his presence. Eventually, he began writing responses to the questions of his followers. His simple and direct teachings were preserved by his disciples. He passed on in 1950.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-60979238619228283062007-12-15T19:00:00.000-08:002007-12-16T14:00:20.763-08:00HOMI JAHANGIR BABA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3ux76rFjmG8zwcPEOgFD_D8IwbDXVnK5Jz8CYOoM6u8MuX3ddbMzFVBo9X-4UE1gX1sVDqR1vz_hBnuJcrqCvBS-MqMV4avuHQOSnJ9iTgi0Vg5vYNRqciuWlmlfX1oHIm-DYKbo3sF5/s1600-h/Baba_bhabha_homi_djehangir.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3ux76rFjmG8zwcPEOgFD_D8IwbDXVnK5Jz8CYOoM6u8MuX3ddbMzFVBo9X-4UE1gX1sVDqR1vz_hBnuJcrqCvBS-MqMV4avuHQOSnJ9iTgi0Vg5vYNRqciuWlmlfX1oHIm-DYKbo3sF5/s320/Baba_bhabha_homi_djehangir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144693937477879234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(129, 64, 0);font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:78%;" > <span style="font-size:100%;"> The architect of Nuclear Science in Modern India. He was a painterand worshipped the beauty of Nature.Science and art both enriched his mind an life. He was the ideal personality India needs today</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">HomiBhabha</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Homi Bhabha is one of the pioneers in the field of science in modern India. His role in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">the history of science in free India is of great significance. He is the architect of nuclear science in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Boy-Scientist</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Homi Jehangir Bhabha was born in Bombay on October 30, 1909. His father Jehangir Bhabha, once a student of Oxford University, was a reputed advocate and served the Tata Enterprises. Meheran, Bhabha's mother, belonged to the petit family. His grandfather was an officer in the Education Department of Mysore State. (Now it is Karnataka)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In his childhood Bhabha used to sleep very little. The worried parents took him to</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">several qualified doctors. But forsometime the reason for his sleeplessness could not be found out. At last doctors assured the parents that Bhabha was in excellent health. He did not sleep as long as other children of his age, because of his super- active brain and the continuous, rapid flow of thoughts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His parents took interest in shaping Bhabha's love of science. He was also provided with a small library. The library contained many science books. Bhabha made full use of his library. Books became his friends. Thus a good foundation was laid for his scientific career. Einstein (1879-1955) is one of the greatest scientists of this century. It is difficult</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">to understand his Theory of Relativity. But, at the age of 15, Bhabha was able to read</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Einstein's book on Relativity. He could also digest the contents to some extent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Even as a boy Bhabha was a lover of Nature. He was deeply interested in painting, music and literature. He took full advantage of his good collection of books and records. But he was not much interested in sports</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Education And Research</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was educated at the Cathedral and John Cannon High School. He was a merit student. He won many prizes at school.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">At the age of 15, Bhabha passed the Senior Cambridge Examination.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Later he entered Elphinstone College and the Royal Institute of Science, Bombay. He continued his studies here for two years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha loved Physics. Mathematics was also his favorite subject. But his father wanted him to become an engineer. Bhabha respected the wishes of his father. He left India for Cambridge to study Engineering. Bhabha passed the Mechanical Engineering Tripos in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">the first class in 1930. He then pursued his studies in Theoretical Physics as a Research Scholar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Devotion To Fine Arts</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was not a mere bookworm. He had secured many scholarships. He had an inborn taste and a creative urge. During his stay in England and Europe, painting became his hobby. He visited many art galleries, museums, palaces and gardens. He never missed a good musical concert. Many of his paintings now grace the walls of art galleries in England. Devotion to art and the study of science went hand in hand in Bhabha's life</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Research Pursued</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was awarded the Rouse Ball Travelling Studentship for two years in 1932. He worked with W. Pouli in Zurich and Enrico Fermi in Rome. During this period he was awarded the Isaac Newton Fellowship in 1934 and the1851-Exhibition Studentship in 1936.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was fortunate to come into close contact with famous scientists like Rutherford, Dirac, Niels Bohr and Heitler. This association greatly influenced his research and way of life</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Study Of Cosmic Rays</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha presented, with Heitler, the 'Cascade Theory of Electron Showers', in 1937. It is called the 'Bhabha-Heitler Cascade Theory'. It is a uniquecontribution to the world of Physics. This research brought fame to Bhabha. This theory explains the process of electron showers in cosmic rays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cosmic rays are primary rays, which are fast moving and sub-microscopic particles.They comprise protons,electrons and gamma rays. When some of them happen to approach the earth and enter its atmosphere, they collide with atoms in the air. They then breed new nuclear particles. Bhabha's new theory explains clearly the processes and effects of the mutual reaction. It throws light on one of the most puzzling mysteries of cosmic rays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha recognized heavy electron particles in cosmic rays and called them 'Meson'. Bhabha's mastery ofmathematics can be seen in the 'Classical Theory of Spinning Particles'. The importance of his work received wide recognition.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha's orginal contributions to Physics lie in the fields of cosmic radiation, theory of elementary particles and quantum theory.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha returned to India for a holiday in 1939. That was the time of the Second World War. Bhabha did not return to England and this was indeed fortunate for India</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In Bangalore</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha could have got lucrative posts in any developed country. But he did not think of them. The material pleasures of foreign countries did not attract him. Bhabha decided to devote his life to the service of his motherland.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In 1940 Bhabha joined the Indian Institute of Science as Reader in Theoretical Physics. He shouldered the responsibility of building a new department to undertake research on cosmic rays. In 1941 he was elected a member of the Royal Society. When this great distinction was conferred on Bhabha, he was just 31 years old. Not many have been so honored at such a young age by the Royal Society.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha became a Professor in theInstitute in 1942. The University of Cambridge also awarded the Adams Prize to him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The young Bhabha dreamt of the 'great adventure' of building a modern India. In the salubrious climate of Bangalore he studied the background of the great culture of India. He analyzed the socio- economic problems of the country. He was quite convinced that science was the only means for the progress of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha's love of classical music, dance and sculpture deepened. This keen interest made him worship art throughout his life. It also influenced the pattern of his life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha had just come to Bangalore. He was asked to deliver a lecture. C. V. Raman presided over the program. The subject of the lecture related to modern physics. The audience who heard the lecture was amazed at his scholarship. In his speech as the Chairman, Raman said: "The lecture was a treat for three persons - the lecturer, the Chairman and one other noted mathematician present here."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Far-Sighted</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In those days the equipment and facilities needed for research in Atomic Physics were not available in India. Realizing this, Bhabha formulated a plan to meet this need.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was invited to join the staff of Oxford University. But he did not accept the invitation. He expressed his desire to build an excellent institution of research in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha wrote a letter to the Dorabji Tata Trust on March 13, 1944. In the course of the letter he said:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">'When nuclear energy has been success- fully applied to power production in, say, a</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">couple of decades from now, India will not have to look abroad for its experts, but will</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">find them ready at hand.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha wrote this letter almost a year before the atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki! This letter clearly illustrates his far-sightedness and patriotism. Bhabha's plan was an embryo from which a school of physics was born</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A New Climate Created</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Tata Trust founded the - 'Tata Institute of Fundamental Research' in 1945. The</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">establishment of the Institute was mainly due to the initiative of Bhabha. The Bombay government and the Government of India gave financial support to the Institute. Bhabha was appointed its first Director, and he assumed theresponsibility of shaping the Institute. India thus took the first step on the journey of nuclearscience.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Institute first commenced its work in the rented premises at Peddar Road. Later it moved to the extension at the Yatch Club.It is now situated in abeautifully proportioned building.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Research work in pure mathematics, th6oretical and applied physics, computer</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">technology and geophysics was under- taken at the Institute. The study of the principles of atomic explosion, the production of isotopes and the purification of uranium formed part of the work of the Institute. Thus Bhabha created an intellectual environment in India. He was successful in practicing what he had learnt at Cambridge and Paris.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is an outcome of the discussion that Bhabha had with the industrialist J. R. D. Tata, and the far-sighted decision of the Tata Trust to support Bhabha's Project. The hills of Trombay have today blossomed into a fine research complex. The Institute is one of the world's top research centers in nuclear research. It enjoys a great reputation and can be compared with any research institute in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">developed countries. Thanks to the guidance and tireless efforts of Homi Bhabha the Institute is indeed a symbol of scientific tradition in India. It is Bhabha's contribution to the country's advancement of science and technology</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Towards Deeper Study Of Atomic Energy</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">India got independence on August 15, 1947. Eleven days later, on August 26, 1947, Bhabha addressed the Atomic Energy Research Committee as follows:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"We meet today at the beginning of a new chapter in our history. We have great hopes that this new chapter will be a glorious one. The development and use of atomic energy is a question of national importance. We hope to establish soon an Atomic Research Center comparable with those in the most advanced countries."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A year later, the Atomic Energy Commission was formed. Bhabha was appointed Chairman of the Commission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The major responsibilities of the Com- mission were: a survey of Indian soil for the materials required for nuclearresearch, the construction of atomic reactors, the purification of atomic materials, conducting fundamental research and the formulation of training program.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Commission utilized the services of scientists at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. The scope of the work of the Commission was enlarged. The Atomic Energy programme took a concrete shape. The Department of Atomic Energy thus came into existence as a separate department of the Government of India in 1954, under the direct control of Prime Minister Nehru. Bhabha became the Ex-officio Secretary of the Department</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Shortly after the formation of the Department of Atomic Energy, it was decided to create the Atomic Energy Establishment for application of atomic energy to peaceful purposes. Bhabha became its first Director. The Establish- ment was formally inaugurated by</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jawaharlal Nehru on January 20,1957.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thus India began to win new laurels for the study of atomic energy. Bhabha worked</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">ceaselessly and enriched the sphere of science in the country. Through out his</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">directorship, he emphasized indigenous know-how to make the country self-reliant in the nuclear field.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">J. R. D. Tata and Jawaharlal Nehru gave support and encouragement to Bhabha in his work. Pandit Nehru very much appreciated the efficiency, farsightedness and patriotism of Bhabha. Bhabha was very close to Nehru and enjoyed his confidence. As a result, Bhabha got considerable freedom to carry on his work with ease and efficiency. Bhabha framed administrative rules to suit the tempo, of scientific activity. He helped to get rid</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">of lethargy and red-tapism which were obstacles to the progress of science. One of Bhabha's achievements was that he persuaded the Government to take greater interest in technology</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Reactors</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is a meeting of men and circumstances that sometimes stimulates progress. It is</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">therefore providential that Nehru had Bhabha and Bhabha had Nehru. As a close personal friend and devoted follower of the Prime Minister. Bhabha shared the great man's dreams, ambitions and points of view.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was participating in a conference at Geneva in 1955. Canada came forward to build a Reactor in India. On August 29,1955, Bhabha sent a cable from Geneva to Nehru and requested him to approve the, acceptance of this offer. Within three days, Bhabha received the consent of the Prime Minister. The Canada-India Reactor 'Cirus' was born.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">'Apsara', 'Cirus' and 'Zerlina' are the three reactors built by the Trombay scientists and engineers, with foreign assistance. The credit for establishing these reactors goes to Bhabha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">'Apsara', India's first reactor was taken up in 1955 to fulfil the needs in the fields of</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">neutron physics, radiation, chemistry and biology and also the production of radio isotopes. It became 6critical' on August 4, 1956. The uranium fuel for the reactor</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">was obtained from the United, Kingdom. The erection of 'Apsara' gave self- confidence to the Indian scientists and engineers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">'Cirus' was built in 1960 -and 'Zerlina' in 1961. The construction of 'Cirus' took some four years, and 1200 engineers and skilled artisans worked for the completion of the reactor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Having acquired these reactors, Bhabha planned to take up the actual construction of atomic power plants. The atomic power plant of Tarapur in Maharashtra is now</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">producing electricity. The other two plants are situated at Rana Pratap Sagar in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rajasthan and Kalpakam in Tamil Nadu. These power plants will appreciably contribute to the production of electricity in India. These achievements are the living symbols of Bhabha's imagination and dynamism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It has now been possible to produce plutonium, a valuable nuclear material, and other useful fuel at Tomboy. Work on thorium is also in progress. India has the largest reserves of thorium in the world. Thorium is a promising material for India's nuclear power program. More than 250 radioisotopes used in agriculture, industry, medicine and biology are now made available in large quantities. Today, over 350 radioisotopes and other radioisotope products are produced to meet a countrywide demand and also for export purposes. Radioisotopes play an important role in the study of the functions of a normal human body</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Trombay Institute</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha worked very hard for the development of Trombay Institute. His time and energy were entirely devoted to the Institute. Reactors like Apsara, uranium and zirconium plants, the Van de Graff and cyclotron equipment - all are the gifts of Dr. Bhabha. Top priority is given to research relating to the application of radiation to preserve perishable food and protect it from the attacks of parasites. This work has made it possible topreserve fish, fruits, vegetables and other edible products for a long time. The process of curing seeds for better yields is also being studied. A seismic array station has been set up at Gauribidnur, about 80 kilometers from Bangalore, to detect earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Atomic Energy -- The Only Foundation</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The consumption of energy in the world is on the increase. Naturally available resources of energy like coal and oil are on the decrease. Added to this, there is shortage of hydel energy in certain places. Realizing this, Bhabha declared that atomic energy is the only foundation for the progress of industries in India. He suggested that producing electricity</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">could effect economy by nuclear methods.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Electronic instrumentation is required in all spheres of atomic energy work. Bhabha</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">prepared blueprints for various projects relating to electronic instruments. Nuclear</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">instruments worth a few millions are fabricated at Trombay every year. At present Trombay turns out over 2,000 electronic instruments annually. They include radiation survey meters, amplifiers and spectrometers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Electronic Corporation of India also manufactures many electronic instruments. All this has been possible because of the far-sightedness of Bhabha</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Assistance To Centres</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha gave generous assistance to a number of centers of science. The Saha Atomic Research Center (Calcutta), the Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad) and other laboratories got assistance from the Department of Atomic Energy. The Tumba Rocket Launching Station of Kerala, the High Altitude Research Center of Kashmir, the Uranium Mine of Bihar and the Heavy Water Plant of Nungal are also the undertakings of the Atomic Energy Establishment. Bhabha gave necessary attention to the advance- ment of fundamental science. He had close contact with the universities and</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">research laboratories in India and abroad. He offered facilities, like scholarships, grants and equipment to institutions, which needed them. He thus promoted the cause of research in basic -science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Building Up A Team Of Scientists</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The early atomic age of India was a period of transition. At that time Bhabha gave a</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">clarion call to all young scientists who were staying abroad; "Return to Trombay; return</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">to the motherland." Many young scientists listened to his call and came to Trombay.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They are today among the reputed scientists in the country. Bhabha took personal care to provide necessary amenities to them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha selected scientists with care. He placed them in positions of responsibility. He thus succeeded in building up a team of excellent workers around him. He created a suitable scientific atmosphere for his colleagues. Necessary materials and equipment were provided. He inspired the staff and gave them the freedom they needed to pursue their work. He gave them every opportunity to grow. Spotting scientific talent was his passion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Discipline in all walks of life and a challenging attitude to accomplish the targets were his special characteristics. He instilled a sense of confidence in his fellow-workers so that project could be successfully completed</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His Contribution</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear explosion for peaceful purposes, at Pokran in, Rajasthan and joined the galaxy of nations with atomic energy. It thus became the world's sixth nuclear power. The other five countries with the nuclear know-how are America, Russia, Britain, France and China. India'sexplosion of a nuclear device is a great milestone in the path of technological progress. This achievement was based entirely on Indian effort. The success of this achievement is due mainly to Bhabha who put India on the world map of nuclear science.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Honours</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was a recipient of many honors. He was awarded honorary doctorates by several Indian and foreign universities. Among these universities are London, Cambridge, Padova, Perth, Banaras, Agra, Patna, Lucknow, Allahabad, Andhra and Aligarh. In 1948 he received the Hopkins Prize of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. He was elected the President of the Indian Science Congress in 1951. In 1954 the President of India gave him the Padma Bhushan award for his outstanding contribution to nuclear science. In 1963 he was elected as the President of the National Institute of Sciences of India. He</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">was an honorary fellow of many earned institutions. Laurels came to Bhabha from all corners of the world throughout his lifetime.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was a member of many scientific advisory committees of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also served as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the Government of India. In 1955 Bhabha was elected as the President of the first International Conference on the 'Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy', organized by the United Nations atGeneva. The conference was another step in international cooperation. Bhabha was the first to advocate, from international forums, the peaceful uses of atomic energy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A Many-Faceted Personality</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was not confined to the four walls of his laboratory. He was a lover of art and a good friend of his colleagues.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He made friends, he kept his friends and he made new friends. He was a tender hearted man. He helped many persons who were. in distress. He commanded the loyalty of his colleagues. His was a voice, which never expressed bitterness</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Road To Excellence</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Two outstanding virtues of Bhabha's work were his insistence on excellence and his faith in self-reliance. He showed to the world that Indian scientists could reach great heights. He was a practical person. He believed in planning and in executing the plans.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha liked persons who were active and dynamic. If any one had made mistakes in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">the course of his work, he had the generosity to forgive the lapses. But he disliked carelessness, laziness and indifference. He tolerated honestmistakes, but not stupidity. He had always a good word for good work. He was human to the tips of his fingers and always concerned to help in solving the personal problems of others.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha started a training center to train young scientists in different fields of nuclear science. He invited talented young men and women from all parts of the country and arranged for special instruction. He brought together many famous scientists on the same platform and arranged lectures. He toiled much to bring to light the latent talents of the young scientists in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Not only did Bhabha arouse in Indians awareness for the need to study and apply</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">science, but also inspired the young men to do their work with confidence. He</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">encouraged them to be industrious. Thus, Bhabha was responsible for creating a band of efficient workers. This indeed is a great asset that Bhabha has left for us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His duty was Bhabha's first love. It was more pronounced in scientific research, planning and direction. When Bhabha was invited to become the Minister of Atomic Energy in the Union Cabinet, he declined. Science was dearer to Bhabha than the charm of ministership.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha's ambitions were sky-high but he also worked tirelessly to realize them. He was not a scientist who sat in an ivory tower. He was a man of action. He was a rare blending of idealism and realism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The future is often misty but Bhabha, an untiring worker had a clear vision. He had</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">always an open mind on every issue. He respected the views of others</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Life Is For Living</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was a bachelor. When once asked about his marriage, he said: "I am married to creativity."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In 1938 Bhabha wrote in one of his letters: 'You can give a new direction to everything</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">in life-except death.' These words show clearly the degree of his self-confidence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha believed that life was worth living and that one should get out of it that entire</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">one can. He sought to understand the true values of life. He thought that art, literature</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and music enhanced the beauty of life</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Scientist -Artist-Leader</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha often said: "A scientist does not belong to a particular nation. He belongs to the whole world. The doors of science should be kept open to all those who work for the welfare of humanity."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha foresaw that a time might come when production of power may suffer because of the shortage of coal and oil. He firmly believed that the standard of living of our people could be improved only through fuller utilization of nuclear energy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha possessed a rare combination of a b reliant mind, a tremendous capacity for</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">organization and boundless energy. Indians will always remember him as a great scientist, a remarkable administrator and an outstanding leader, He had a feel for creative work. He had the scientist's precision with the artist's exuberance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha opened up new vistas of atomic glory. Nuclear Physics attained a new dignity and a new status on account of his personality. India stepped right out of the bullock-cart age into the Atomic age. This 'Atom Man' diverted the atom from the path of destruction to that of construction</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bridging Two Cultures</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was proud but charming; thought ful but gay. He was soft-spoken and well dressed. He believed in gracious living and loved things, which were beautiful and aesthetic. His interest spread beyond science to culture and art. He had an eye for detail; nothing escaped his penetrating eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha did not want any friction between scientific culture and artistic Culture. He</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">always tried to bridge the gap between these two cultures. He believed that both science and art should enrich human life. These thoughts made Bhabha a great humanist of his age.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha could have become a great musician or expert artist or a renowned writer, but he served the nation as a scientist. What is science for if not for research, truth and beauty?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was a great patron of art and music. He once dreamt of a career as a composer. He gave encouragement to modern painters, purchased their works and displayed them on the walls of the buildings of Trombay Establishment. He was a lover of South Indian music and never missed any good performance of leading artists. A man of many talents,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">he had a wonderful collection of paintings. He was also a great collector of works of art. He could talk with authority on painting and music and on trees and plants and flowers, which he loved. He was a versatile genius.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">He had a great love for trees and flowers. At his instance a number of trees were</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">transplanted to the new premises of the Tata Institute. He saved many a tree from the clutches of death. He was indeed a 'Friend of Trees.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When the construction work at Trombay was in progress, Bhabha spent many sleepless nights and finalized the layout for the campus. Today it is a home of loveliness, with vast lawns, shady trees and multi-colored flowers. The Trombay Center faces the sea on one side and a tall hill on the other. Nature is at her loveliest at Trombay. Trombay is undoubtedly a living example of Bhal5ha's taste for good things and love of the beauty of Nature</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Tragic End</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha was going to attend an international conference. He was on a mission of peace. The Air India Boeing 707 'Kanchenjunga' in which Bhabha was travelling, crashed in a snowstorm on January 24, 1966 at Mout Blanc. Bhabha thus met with a tragic end. He died comparatively young and at the height of his fame. It was a loss too deep for tears.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the death of Dr. Bhabha India lost an eminent scientist and one of her great sons.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bhabha had disliked the, practice of stopping work when some one passed away. He considered that the best homage was hard work. When the members of the staff at Trombay heard the news of Dr. Bhabha's death, they worked as usual and thus paid their respect to their departed leader.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As a tribute to Dr. Bhabha, the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay, was renamed as the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, on January 12, 1967.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The progress of mankind is based on the talents and achievements of a few</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">extraordinary individuals. Bhabha was one such a great man. Birth and death are laws of Nature. But life finds a new meaning in the great accomplishments and achievements of man. Bhabha was in many ways a complete man'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-16525031490300989122007-12-15T18:55:00.000-08:002007-12-15T18:59:08.393-08:00Dr. P.C RAY<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivYlB6OkOpWKuwxEOEC5FvsPDdIT_8PZV22lfkaPeWkx1RzppnXfOG0Wp5BvOUgvmdiULHfZljjrcn_04wdoLNT2zA7ZaESJZ9oZTtceeZoTivO2JCDSxr5Qif9M8zRqW1s55RWrmw0ai/s1600-h/Ray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivYlB6OkOpWKuwxEOEC5FvsPDdIT_8PZV22lfkaPeWkx1RzppnXfOG0Wp5BvOUgvmdiULHfZljjrcn_04wdoLNT2zA7ZaESJZ9oZTtceeZoTivO2JCDSxr5Qif9M8zRqW1s55RWrmw0ai/s320/Ray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144399397210652930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >An Indian Scientist who won fame in many countries. Eighty years ago he began the manufacture of medicines in India. A Great teacher, he gave his salary to students interested in science </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr.P.C.Ray</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Professor of Chemistry in the University. A pioneer in the field of pharmaceutical industry in India who started making chemicals at home -eighty years ago, to prevent foreign companies making excessive profits at the cost of Indian patients.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A scientist who won international acclaim. His dwelling - a simple room on the first floor of the college in which he was teaching; his household -students who could not afford to stay elsewhere.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His salary - all a donation to thedepartment of Chemistry. The income from this donation to be spent on the development of the department of Chemistry at the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">University College of Science and to give scholarships to needy students. And the total amount he donated in this way - two lake rupees.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Such was the Scientist-Professor Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Disappearance Of A Treasure</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was born on 2nd August 1861 in Raruli-Katipara, a village in the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">District of Khulna (now in Bangla Desh). His father - Harish Chandra Ray - a landlord with liberal views, belonged to a wealthy cultured family. His great- grand- father Maniklal Ray a Dewan of the Collector of Krishnaagar. He earned plenty of money. Every now and then he used to send home the East India Company's 'sikka' rupees in big earthen pots. He would cover them with some sweets to avoid the suspicion of dacoits. Prafulla</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chandra's grandfather Anandlal Ray was Sharisthadar of Jessore and added considerably to the family estates. In those days there were no banks where people</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">could keep their money and jewels; so they used to out them in underground vaults or inside brick walls of their houses. Prafulla Chandra's grandfather and great-grandfather had followed the same custom. But Anandlal Ray died suddenly at Jessore. At once Harish Chandra hurried to the place from Raruli, but the father died before he reached Jessore. So the son could not learn from him where the secret vaults were. So he dug up the floor and opened the walls of the old house in several places for the treasure, but to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">no purpose. Prafulla Chandra's mother was not superstitious. But even she once sought the help of a diviner and got a place underneath the staircase dug open. However, no one found tile treasure!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Harish Chandra, The Father</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra's father Harish Chandra was well versed in Sanskrit, Persian and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">English languages and acquired a great reputation for his learning, eloquence and social activities. He loved music and could play on the violin with much skill. He placed great value on education.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra imbibed many good qualities from his father. A great interest in</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">education, rational thinking and great sympathy for the poor - all the sons of Harish Chandra got these qualities from their father.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Interruptions In Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra's early education started in his father's village school. But he often</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">stayed away from school. His teacher, while making a search for the truant in almost every house in the village, would find the culprit resting comfortably on the branch of a tree, hidden under its leaves!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1870 Harish Chandra moved his family to Calcutta so that his sons could have higher education. Here, Prafulla Chandra was admitted to the Hare School. He took a great interest in books and read a vast number of them. But a severe attack of dysentery forced him to leave the school. The disease was slowly overcome, but it permanently injured his health; he became a life-long sufferer from chronicindigestion and sleeplessness. In his later days he sometimes thought of this as a blessing in disguise. For the rest of his life he was very strict about his food; and he had regular exercises.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla was now free from the tyranny of the dreary school routine; so he found time to satisfy his passion for the study of English and Bengali literatures. When barely ten years old, he learnt Latin and Greek (Languages of ancient Europe). He also studied the histories of Ehgland, Rome and Spain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two years later, Prafulla chandra resumed his studies and in 1874 joined the Albert</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">School. He liked the attitude of the teachers of this school and their method of teaching. The teachers in their turn were very much impressed by his knowledge of English literature and other subjects. They were hopeful of his brilliant success in the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">examinations. But Prafulla Chandra suddenly left for his village, without sitting for the examinations. He still had a secret desire to return to the Hare School. But if he sat for the examinations. He was sure to win prizes. Then it would be unfair to leave the Albert School. So he left that school before the examinations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the village he mixed with the simple villagers and shared their joys and sorrows. He helped them in many ways.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra, however, returned to Calcutta in 1876 and resumed his studies at the Albert School. His affectionate teachers made him agree not to leave the school to go back to the Hare School. This time Prafulla Chandra worked hard and got the first place in the examinations. He won a number of prizes. In 1879 he passed the Entrance Examination and joined the Metropolitan Institute (now called Vidyasagar College).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Harish Chandra's financial position was bad. It grew worse and worse. He was forced to sell the ancestral property, to pay his creditors. To save money, he shifted his family back to Raruli. The sons lived in rooms in Calcutta.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Gilchrist Prize</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the Metropolitan Institute, Prafulla Chandra came under the influence of great</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">teachers like Surendranath Banerjee and Prasannakumar Lahiri. They instilled in him a burning desire to achieve the freedom of India and to improve the condition of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">people. While pursuing his studies in the Metropolitan Institute, Prafulla Chandra used to attend lectures by Alexander Pedlar on Chemistry, in the Presidency College. Pedlar was an inspiring teacher and a skilful experimentalist. His lectures influenced Prafulla Chandra to take up Chemistry for his higher studies in B.A., although his first love was literature. However, he continued to take interest in literature, and taught himself Latin and French at home. Sanskrit was compulsory in the college. Thus, he learnt several</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">languages very well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The London University used to conduct competitive examinations in those days for the ‘Gilchrist Prize Scholarship’. The successful candidate could go abroad for higher studies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What a chance-if only he could get the scholarship!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra started preparing for the examination secretly. He was born in a very rich family, but now all the wealth had disappeared. This was only chance to go abroad. His knowledge of languages was very helpful in this, since one of the requirements was knowledge of Greek, Latin, Sanskrit and French or German. But he had to compete with thousands of others.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Only his brother and a cousin knew about this at first. By and by the secret was leaked out by a classmate, who stood high in the University examinations, He taunted Prafulla Chandra saying "Oh, this very intelligent man's name will soon appear in the special edition of the London University Calendar!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few months after the examinations the results were published in the 'Stateman'.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra and a Parsee of Bombay by name Bahadurji had won the scholarship. The Principal was overjoyed and showered praises on Prafulla Chandra.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra now decided to go abroad. His father readily gave his consent, but Prafulla Chandra was worried about his mother's feelings. He wrote to a cousin of his in Raruli and requested him to convey the news to his mother gently. But his mother quite understood. She did not object to his going abroad. When Prafulla Chandra went to Raruli to bid her good - bye, she was overcome by grief as she thought about the long separation she would have to endure. Prafulla Chandra loved his mother very much. He consoled his mother saying, "When I return from England, I will get a high position. My</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">first duty will be to repay the debts and to repair our ancestral home."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In England</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1882 Prafulla Chandra left for Britain. The long journey on the seas was quite</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">tiresome. Because of seasickness he could not eat enough food and felt very weak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a voyage, which lasted thirty-three days, he reached London. The Indian students there helped him in several ways. They equipped him with sufficient woolen clothes to endure the bitter cold of Edinburgh, to which place he had to go.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Edinburgh was four hundred miles from London. Prafulla Chandra joined the B.Sc. Class in the University there. He was very much influenced by the Professor of Chemistry, Mr. Crum Brown, at the University. Chemistry became his first love.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra stuck to his very simple diet here also. Whenever he had leisure, he used to go on long walks to the distant woods and hills. This kept him in good health.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For His Country</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While Prafulla Chandra was still preparing for B.Sc. Degree Examination, his name</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">appeared one day in all-important British newspapers and this made him famous. The story behind it is very interesting. It shows his love for his motherland. He was pining for the day when India would be free.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1885 the University of Edinburgh announced that a prize would be awarded to the best writer of an article on 'India before and after the Mutiny'. Prafulla Chandra at once decided to compete. He plunged into a deep study of the historical, political and economic conditions of India during this period. He studied all available authentic records and writings on the subject. The article was submitted for the prize. The results were announced. The prize went to another student, but the judges considered Prafulla Chandra's article as an essay of a very high standard. Sir William Muir, the Principal, praised Prafulla Chandra's essay in his inaugural address delivered to the students of the University. The article was full of criticism of the British rule in India, but also had a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">touch of humor. Prafulla Chandra got his essay back from the University and got it</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">printed for private circulation amongst his fellow students and the general public. He</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">appealed to them for help in the task of liberating India. A copy of this was sent to the great parliamentarian, John Bright, who was regarded as a friend of India. Bright sent a very sympathetic reply and authorized Prafulla Chandra to use the same in any way he liked. Prafulla Chandra lost no time in sending a copy of Bright's letter to the 'London Times' and other leading daily papers of the United Kingdom. One morning these papers</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">came out with the headline 'John Bright's letter to an Indian student'. This made Prafulla Chandra famous. Even as a student he tried to make Englishmen in England understand what India suffered in slavery.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra took the B.Sc. degree in 1885. After this he did research in Chemistry for the D.Sc. degree of the University. In 1887 he was awarded this degree on the basis of a thesis on the results of his original work. He was only 27 years old at the time. He received the Hope Prize Scholarship of the University, which enabled him to continue his work in the University for another year. His income was very small during the time he stayed in Edinburgh. But since his needs were very simple, he managed with this. He was living with another Bengali student, and himself prepared his food.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Professor - Scientist</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1888 Prafulla Chandra returned to India. He had obtained letters of introduction from his Principal and Professors. It was his hope that with their aid he would be able to get a good position in theeducation department. But in those days all the high places in this department were reserved for Englishmen. Though Prafulla Chandra had a Doctorate in Science, it became difficult for him to receive recognition in his own country. For about a year he spent his time working with his famous friend Jagadish Chandra Bose in his laboratory.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1889 Prafulla Chandra was appointed as Assistant Professor of 4 Chemistry in the Presidency College at Calcutta. His salary was only Rs.250 a month. But he was quite satisfied with his work. He started teaching very enthusiastically. He soon earned a great reputation as a successful and inspiring teacher. With the help of experiments, and with instances from everyday life, he made his lectures easy to follow. His lectures glowed with spicy humor and wit. He would recite poems of Rabindranath Tagore and quote slokas from 'Rasa Ratnakara', a book written by the ancient Indian Chemist</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nagarjuna. To demonstrate that, on burning, a bone becomes pure Calcium Phosphate, free from all animal matter, he would put a pinch of the ashes into his mouth!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was never tired of saying that the progress of India could be achieved only by industrialization.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He advocated the use of the mother - tongue as the medium of instruction in schools. For this, he began to write science texts-books in Bengali. He used to tell the story of the famous Russian Chemist Mendeleef, who is famous for his Periodic Law. He first published the results of his work in the Russian language. This compelled the scientists of other nations to learn Russian in order to know his important discovery. If we develop new knowledge, people of other countries will be forced to learn our languages.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why Should Our Patients Depend On Other Countries?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eighty-five years ago Prafulla Chandra came to realize that the progress of India was linked with industrialization. Without this there could be no salvation. Even drugs for Indian patients had to come from foreign countries at that time. This put money into the pockets of the merchants of those countries. This had to be stopped. Drugs had to be manufactured in India. Prafulla Chandra wanted a beginning to be made at once.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But who was to do it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was not rich. The family estates had been sold to pay his father's</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">debts. Prafulla Chandra's salary was also meager. Still he ventured upon this pioneering attempt. He prepared some chemicals at home. His work grew so fast that a separate company had to be formed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But he needed capital - a capital of only eight hundred rupees. But it became difficult to raise even this small amount.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of all these difficulties he founded 'The Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Works'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1894 his father died. This was a great blow to Prafulla Chandra. The father was still in debts and thousands of rupees were needed. Only a small part of the property remained. Even this was sold, so that the debts could be repaid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra bravely continued to run the new factory. At first it was difficult to sell the chemicals made there. They could not compete with the imported materials. But some friends, chiefly Dr. Amulya Charan Bose, supported his venture. Dr. Bose was a leading medical practitioner and he enlisted the support of many other doctors. They, too, started using the chemicals made by the new Indian firm. Many graduates in Chemistry joined the staff of the factory and worked hard for its improvement. Bengal Chemical became a famous factory. But Dr. Bose died suddenly in 1898 owing to an attack of Plague. His brother-in-law Satish Chandra Sinha, who was an enthusiastic chemist in the firm, died of accidental poisoning in the- laboratory. Thus one blow followed another and Prafulla Chandra was very unhappy. The entire responsibility of the factory fell on his shoulders. Still he faced everything with courage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This achievement itself was admirable, but. Prafulla Chandra's contribution to Indian industry was even greater. Directly or indirectly he helped to start many other factories. Textile mills, soap factories, sugar factories, chemical industries, ceramic factories and publishing houses were set up at the time with his active co-operation. He was the driving force behind the industrialization of the country, which began at that time.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scientist - Author</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During all these years, he was also actively engaged in research in his laboratory at</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Presidency College. His publications on Mercurous Nitrite and its derivatives brought him recognition from all over the world. He guided many students in their research in his laboratory. Even famous scientific journals abroad began to publish their scientific papers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was much that thought that Indians were backward in scientific knowledge and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">had received it only recently from theWest. But Prafulla Chandra said that Indians</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">knew little about there past history. They did not know much about the devotion and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">industry with which our ancestors developed knowledge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was from the beginning interested in the work of the early Hindu</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">chemists. After reading the famous book 'Greek Alchemy' by the great French scientist Berthelot his interest in Hindu Chemistry grew into a passion. He started reading many ancient books in Sanskrit, Pali, Bengali, and other languages, which contained information on the subject. He wrote an article about a famous Sanskrit treatise 'Rasendrasara Sangraha' and sent it to Berthelot. The French scientist published it with an introduction praising it as an extremely interesting article. He wrote to Prafulla Chandra asking him to continue his research into the ancient texts and to publish a whole book on Hindu Chemistry, After several years of study, Prafulla Chandra published his famous book, - 'The History of Hindu Chemistry' which received great praise from scientists all over the world. In this book he has given a very interesting account to show that Hindu scientists knew about the manufacture of steel, about distillation, salts, mercury sulfides etc., from very</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">early times.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A 'Doctor Of Floods'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1901 Prafulla Chandra met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time in the house of a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">mutual friend, Gopala Krishna Gokhale. Gandhiji had just then returned from South</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Africa. Prafulla Chandra developed great reverence for Gandhiji at this very first</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">meeting. Gandhiji's simplicity, patriotism and devotion to duty appealed to him very</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">much. He learnt that it was easy to talk about truth but that it is far nobler to practice it in one's life. Gandhiji also had great regard for Prafulla Chandra. He knew how hard he worked to help the poor and the needy. When floods caused great suffering and destruction, Prafulla Chandra worked very hard to bring relief to the victims. This made Gandhiji call him a 'Doctor of Floods'!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1904 Prafulla Chandra proceeded to Europe on a study tour and visited many famous chemical laboratories. In England, Germany, France and other European countries, he was welcomed by scientists at universities and research institutions. He had useful discussions with them. They praised his famous work on Mercurous Nitrite, Ammonium Nitrite etc. Some universities conferred honorary Doctorates on him. He made the acquaintance of famous scientists like William Ramsay, James Dewar, Perkin, Van't Hoff and Berthelot.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1912 Prafulla Chandra visited London again to represent the University of Calcutta at the Congress of theUniversities of the British Empire. He delivered speeches at the Congress and later before the Chemical Society. Sir William Ramsay congratulated him on his fine work.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For The Sake Of Science</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra said on one occasion that when the people of Europe did not know how to make clothes, and were still wearing animal skins and wandering in forests, Indian scientists were manu- facturing wonderful chemicals. This is something we should be proud of.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Prafulla Chandra also knew that it is not enough to be proud of our past. We should follow the example of ourancestors and seek knowledge and progress in science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra did not rest content with giving such advice. He worked hard to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">practice it. In 1916 he retired from the Presidency College. Sir Asuthosh Mukherjee, the vice-chancellor of Calcutta University, appointed him as professor of Chemistry at the University Science College. Here Prafulla Chandra trained many talented students and with them made famous discoveries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The University Science College had been started just then. Facilities for experiments</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">were very meager. Hence it became difficult to do advanced work. According to the rules of the college, all the Professors had to be Indians. Perhaps because of this the British Government did not make adequate grants to the college. However, Prafulla Chandra and his students used whatever facilities were available and did remarkable work. And soon the college became very famous.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra worked in this college for twenty years. He remained a bachelor all his life. All these twenty years he lived in a simple room on the first floor of the college. Some of his students who were poor and could not live anywhere else shared his room. In 1936, when he was 75 years old, he retired from the Professorship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1921 when Prafulla Chandra reached 60 years he donated, in advance, all his salary for the rest of his service in the University to the development of the Department of Chemistry and to the creation of two research fellowships. The value of this endowment was about two lake rupees. In addition, he gave ten thousand rupees for an annual research prize in Chemistry named after the great Indian Chemist Nagarjuna and another ten thousand for a research prize in Biology named after Sir Asuthosh Mukherjee.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In recognition of Prafulla Chandra's great work he was elected President of Indian</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Science Congress and Indian Chemical Society more than once. Many Indian and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Western Universities conferred honorary doctorates on him.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Great Scientist A Great Man</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was a great scientist. But he had several other interests also, in which he shone equally well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had an abiding interest in literature. He knew by heart many passages from</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shakespeare's plays and the poems of Tagore and of Madhusudan Dutt. He was well read in English literature. In 1932 he wrote his autobiography in English and named it 'The Life and Experience of a Bengali Chemist'. It was praised every where. Later, he himself translated it into Bengali. The book was called 'Atma Charita'. In recognition of his service to Bengali literature he was twice elected</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">President of the Bengali Literary Conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was the President of the National Council of Education. He believed</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">that it was not enough for students to acquire degrees like Bachelor of Science or Master of Science; they should endeavor to acquire real knowledge. In his opinion, to take degrees just to get government jobs was a waste. The students should rather get technical education and start their own business. Young men should enter trade and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">industries by themselves. He said that the medium of instruction in schools and colleges should be the mother tongue. It is much easier to acquire knowledge in one's own language.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Social service was a great. Ideal in Prafulla Chandra's life. He used to remember what</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">he had told his mother in his youth: "I will earn money and regain the Property of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">family". He said a nobler ideal was to spend one's wealth in the service of fellow-beings. He practiced what he taught; he spent all his earnings on his students and the needy people around him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra used to keep only a small portion of his income for his own needs. He spent the rest to help poor students and schools and colleges. He had shares valued at a lake rupees in the Bengal Chemical company; these he gave away as an endowment. The profit from this was used for the benefit of poor widows, orphans, and to help spinning and the production of Khadi. The rest of his property was given to the Brahmo Samaj, a religious organization, and to a high school in Raruli founded in the name of his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">father.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was his strong desire that Hindus should set right the defects in their society like</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">untouchability, child marriage and the giving of dowry. He severely opposed these evils.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had a scientific outlook and worked sincerely. He was never satisfied with mere words. When people underwent suffering because of floods, famines or earthquakes, he worked actively to help them. He would organize committees for their relief and with their help procure food, clothes and money for the victims. He worked hard day and night for such causes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1921 there was a famine in Khulna District and in 1922 a severe flood in North</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bengal, Thousands of people lost all their possessions.When they begged for help, the government did not pay muchattention. Prafulla Chandra organized a relief committee which included leading European and Indian citizens of Calcutta. He made his college the center of relief operations. With the help of his students and of the citizens, he collected clothes and food as well Es large sums of money. These were quickly given to the needy</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">victims. In 1931, there was again a big flood in Bengal. Prafulla Chandra again helped thousands and thousands of people troubled by the flood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pratulla Chandra had great respect for the Charaka and Khadi movement started by</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gandhiji. At first he was doubtful whether the crude spinning wheel could achieve what an industry could easily do. But when he saw that the spinning wheel gave both work and earnings to the poor villagers, he was convinced of its usefulness. He himself began to spin yarn with the Charaka at least for an hour everyday. Till the end of his life he used to wear only Khadi clothes. Because of his very great love of Khadi, some of his friends called him 'Charakashri' or 'Sir Khaddar'!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was very affectionate towards his students. He was overjoyed when they received awards of honors. He used to repeat the Sanskrit saying, 'A man may desire victory always but he should welcome defeat at the hands of his own disciples'. Famous Indian scientists like Meghnad Saha and Shanthi Swarup Bhatnagar were among his students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra followed a regular timetable. He had strict control over his diet and habits, and was regular in his exercises, He would not waste time. He always wore clean Khadi clothes. But they were often not passed. He would not allow others to serve him. He himself washed his clothes and polished his shoes. But he was very generous in. helping others. One day a student who was taking care of his daily food bought plantains for an Anna and a halt (equivalent to 9 Paise), instead of the usual halt an Anna (3 paise). He had spent more money so that his teacher might have bigger and tastierteacher-Might have bigger scolded him fruits. ButPrafulla Chandra for wasting precious money. The same day a social worker by name Ghosh came to him and appealed for help to an orphanage, which was short of funds.Prafulla Chandra called the same student and asked him to look into his bank Pass Book and see what the balance was. He had Rs. 3,500 at credit. Prafulla Chandra wrote out a cheque for Rs. 3,000 and gave it to Mr.Ghosh. The student was astonished that his teacher, who had scolded him in the morning for the sake of just one Anna, now gave away three thousand rupees without any hesitation!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prafulla Chandra was very simple in his clothes. He was unhappy when he saw Indians dressed in European style. Sometimes his simple clothes used to land him in difficulties. Once he was appointed as a member of a government committee. The meeting of the committee was held at the Grand Hotel, Calcutta. Prafulla Chandra went there early and was waiting for others. The servant there thought that Prafulla Chandra also was a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">servant waiting for his master. He asked him, "When is your master coming?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The operator of a lift in a hotel once refused to take him in the lift. He said, "People like you should climb the stairs. The lift is for Europeans." Prafulla Chandra would not permit such an insult to Indian clothes. He complained to the management and got the operator warned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For many years, Prafulla Chandra used to spend an hour or two at Calcutta's large</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">maiden every evening, in the company of his friends and students. All subjects under the sun were discussed there freely and solutions offered with confidence and finality. Old and young were equally free to participate and give their opinion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whenever he got some leisure, Prafulla Chandra used to go to his native village Raruli and spend his time there with the simple villagers. He helped them as much as he could. He never forgot his life in the village.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the 70th birthday celebrations ofPrafulla Chandra, poet Rabindranath Tagore praised his exemplary life. He said, "in the Upanishads, we learn 'the one became Many". Acharya Prafulla Chandra has devoted his life to his students; he now lives in the hearts of many.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his 75th year Prafulla Chandra Ray retired from the Professor's post. In 1941 the Calcutta University and the public celebrated his eightieth birthday.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray passed away on the 16th of June 1944; he died in the same room he had occupied for twenty-five years. He was 83 years old at the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When India was still under foreign rule and when facilities for scientific research were</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">very meager in the Country, Acharya Ray achieved great fame even in distant countries by his brilliant research. He discovered Mercurous Nitrite, when scientists did not know that such a chemical could exist. When it was thought that Indians were backward and that they should learn everything from the West, he wrote his famous book 'The History of Hindu Chemistry. This book served to open the eyes of many Indians and foreigners. When he grew up, he found the family burdened with debts. He not only repaid the debts but also spent large sums of money earned by him to help students and the poor, and on scientific research. When catastrophes like famine, flood or earthquake struck, this scientist -professor led the way to bring relief to the victims. He did not confine himself to his laboratory. Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray was a great scientist who was endowed</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">with noble human qualities. He was also a great patriot and social worker.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-60281028290381432662007-12-15T18:51:00.000-08:002007-12-15T18:54:21.241-08:00SATYENDRANATH BOSE<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp581pHkOew4HFyBNg6mnkMHMn3pfxA7F9WnBmNadcnTj3eWYlW-AgQfh9hevJgqCBouINCLE-5mFomkwasFnankAMFZl4ZlbM1S3ii2lyNsi2QzVTpAqpeF7U87PrfFAv9cwxgryHesO/s1600-h/SathyendranathBose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp581pHkOew4HFyBNg6mnkMHMn3pfxA7F9WnBmNadcnTj3eWYlW-AgQfh9hevJgqCBouINCLE-5mFomkwasFnankAMFZl4ZlbM1S3ii2lyNsi2QzVTpAqpeF7U87PrfFAv9cwxgryHesO/s320/SathyendranathBose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144398353533599986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > A renowned Indian scientist. He developed a new branch of physics. He worked with Albert Einstein, Madame Curie and other scientists of world renown. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath Bose</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some students love mathematics. What are the maximum marks they score in it? It</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">would be a hundred per cent. We would be surprised to be told that some students have secured more than a hundred per cent, wouldn't we! One such student was</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath Bose. As a student of the fourth standard he set up a new record by</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">scoring 110 marks out of 100. This bright youngster later became a scientist and won worldwide fame.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sleepy</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once the great scientist, Niels Bohr, was delivering a lecture. Bose presided. At one</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">stage the lecturer had some difficulty in explaining a point. He had been writing on the blackboard; he stopped and, turning to Bose, said, "Can Professor Bose help me?" All the while Sathyendranath had been sitting with his eyes shut. The audience could not help smiling at Professor Bohr's words. But to their great surprise, Bose opened his eyes; in an instant he solved the lecturer's difficulty. Then he sat down and once again</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">closed his eyes!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The fame of Sathyendranath Bose as a brilliant student of physics and mathematics has spread the world over. In India, which is still a developing country, he strove hard for the dissemination of science. In addition, he did significant work in the fields of education, politics, music and literature, too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He has come to be popularly known Sathyen Bose (S. N. Bose).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Boyhood And Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath Bose was born on the first of January 1894 in Calcutta. Surendranath</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">was his father. He was employed in the Engineering Department of the East India</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Railway.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath was the eldest of his seven children; the rest were all daughters. Though Surendranath Bose lost his wife at an early age, without losing heart, he brought up all his children well. It is said that, when Sathyen was hardly three years old, a Bengali astrologer made this prediction: "This child will face many obstacles all through his life; nevertheless he will overcome them with his exceptional intelligence and attain great fame." The father, naturally, took a special interest in his son's progress. Though he had seven children he took care to see that nothing came in the way of the boy's education.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yet, it did not appear to him that this youngster was quite serious about his studies. He often wondered if the astrologer's prediction would remain a mere dream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As days passed, a thorough change came about in Sathyendranath. By his own effort he stood first throughout his academic career. Because of his love for and interest in science he did much research. He earned a name both at home and abroad. Surendranath's heart was filled with joy when Sathyen earned honor after honor. Sharing in his son's glory, Surendranath lived up to the ripe old age of 96. Even in the old age his intellect and memory remained sharp to the end. He would often describe to his friends the activities of his son, Sathyendranath, in his boyhood. Now, that the dream of his boy's future had come true, his joy knew no bounds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amodini was Sathyendranath's mother. She was sickly. She passed away in 1939.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exceptional Intelligence</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even in his school days, Sathyendranath had come to be recognized as an intelligent student. As a student of the Hindu High School in Calcutta he established a new record, scoring 110 marks for a maximum of 100 in mathe- matics. He had solved some problems in mathematics by more than one method. That was why his teacher had to give him</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">more marks than the maximum. So early in life, when he was yet a student at school, his teachers had predicted, 'Bose will one day become as great a mathematician as Laplace or Cauchy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zeal for work and eagerness to learn new things had taken root in him even in his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">childhood. Young Sathyen loved to improvise apparatus for his experiments. At school, in collaboration with his fellow students, he constructed a telescope and other scientific instruments. No wonder in later life he made many new apparatus one after another.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath joined Presidency College of Calcutta for higher studies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guidance From Ideal Teachers</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The period of his stay in Presidency College may be called a Golden Age. The company of good friends and classmates and the guidance of ideal teachers shaped his future life. Some of the most renowned scientists - Meghnad Saha, Nikhilranjan Bose, J. C. Ghosh, J. N. Mukherjee and Girijapathi Bhattacharya - were his classmates. He came to be acquainted with Netaji Subashchandra Bose also. Sharatchandra Bose was his contem- porary.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">These youths were fortunate in their teachers. Eminent scientists like Jagadishchandra Bose, Prafullachandra Ray and S. N. Maitra were theirprofessors. J. C. Bose taught them physics while P. C. Ray taught chemistry. These great scientists were also great patriots. They inspired their students to understand the real values, of life and to set definite goals before themselves. Bose was thus able to mould his career and later shine in life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Bengal, the Swadeshi movement started when Bose was yet a student. And Bose who was a teenager grew with it. This movement made a great impression on his young mind. All the greater was this impression on him because of his close contact with his teachers P.C. Ray and J. C. Bose.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Teaching In Calcutta University</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the age of nineteen, Bose became a graduate. On the 5th of May 1914, at the age of twenty, he married Ushadevi. The</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">next year, he completed his post graduation, getting the M.Sc. degree. In all the examinations - the Intermediate, the B.Sc. and the M.Sc. examinations - he annexed the first rank.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1915, several young men who had secured the Master's Degree pressed for the opening of the post graduate courses in Modern Physics and Modern Mathe- matics in Calcutta University. Among them were Meghnad Saha, Jnanachandra Ghosh, and Sathyendranath Bose. In 1916, the University started M.Sc. classes in Modern Mathematics and Modern Physics. M. N. Saha, J. C. Ghosh and S. N. Bose were all appointed as lecturers. Thus, Bose started his career in 1916 as a Lecturer in Physics in Calcutta University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He served this University for five years from 1916 to 1921. During this time, his friends and colleagues recognized his exceptional talent. But when he won worldwide fame he was no longer in this University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Great Einstein</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He joined Dacca University in 1921 as a reader in Physics. While serving in this post he wrote a short article of just six pages in English. It was an article relating to physics, on 'Max Planck's Law' and 'Light Quantum Hypothesis'. This article was sent to Albert Einstein. He had not only won the Nobel Prize but was one of the world's greatest scientists in the twentieth century. The learned professor read the article. This little article brought about a great change in the life of Sathyendranath. When he wrote it he had not yet made a name. He was as just a M.Sc. The university, which had employed him was an infant one and was little known. But this article attracted by Albert Einstein. He appreciated it so much that he himself translated it into German and sent it</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">for publication to a famous periodical in Germany -'Zeitschrift fur Physik'. He also</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">explained at length the significance of the subject matter of the article and the great</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">possibilities the article indicated.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Europe</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now Dacca University opened its eyes and recognized the worth of Bose. At that time he had only a master's degree in science and had no higher academic qualification. Yet the University readily gave him the money for a tour of Europe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose first visited Paris in 1924. He stayed there for a year. He conducted research in</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Madame Curie Laboratory, which had special facilities. Here he became acquainted with several physicists.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next year, he left Paris for Berlin to join Einstein and work with him. There he came into close contact with noted scientists like Schroedinger and Heisenberg. He participated in all the meetings and discussions held there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Can You Find His Equal?'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While Bose was in Berlin, the post of a professor fell vacant in Dacca University. J. C. Ghosh and other friends persuaded him to apply for the post. Bose had not yet got his doctorate. It was, therefore, difficult for him to secure the professorship. A</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">recommendation from Albert Einstein to select him would have made things easy for him. So, with great hesitation, Bose approached Einstein. Einstein was surprised. He said, "You are so proficient in you’re subject; is their need for any other certificate or recommendation?" He wrote a letter to the authorities of Dacca University in which he said, "Can you find another scientist as proficient as Sathyendranath? He is quite fit for the post." It had the desired effect. In 1926, Sathyendranath Bose was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Physics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose served in Dacca University nearly twenty-five years as Professor teacher he was admired by his students was friendly and helpful to his colleagues. They held him in high esteem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1944, when he was the Head of the Science Section in Dacca University, Bose was chosen as the General President of the thirty-first session of the Science Congress. In 1945, he was appointed as Khaira Professor of Physics in Calcutta University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He retired from Calcutta University in 1956. The University honored him on his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">retirement by appointing him as Emeritus Professor. Later he became the Vice</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chancellor of the Visvabharati University. In 1958, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, London. This was indeed, a very great honor. On being appointed a National Professor in 1958 he left the Visvabharati University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He represented India on manyinternational committees.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His Field Of Reasearch</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The scope of his research was vast and varied. His main field of work was mathematical physics. His achievements in many other fields were also considerable.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His first article on theoretical physics was on 'Equation of State’ based on research</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">conducted and published jointly with Meghnad Saha. Incorporating the Theory of Relativity propounded by Albert Einstein, this equation explained many aspects of the pressure, cubic measure and temperature of gases. This article was published in the 'Philosophical Magazine' in 1918. Scientists now refer to it merely as the 'Saha-Bose Equation'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The article entitled 'Stress Equation of Equilibrium' was published in 1919 in the popular Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathe- matical Society. Another article with the title 'Herpolhode' was published in the same periodical in 1920. His other article on Rydberg's Principle was also published in the Philosophical Magazine. He enunciated many new theorems in Geometry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Einstein's Guidance</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mention has already been made of a brief paper written by Bose in 1923 which was</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">translated into German by Einstein him. This article, as a matter of fact, had been sent first for publication in the Philosophical Magazine of London but was returned to him unpublished as the editor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">could not understand the subject matter of the article. Subsequently it was sent to Albert Einstein.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose's original approach struck Einstein. Later Einstein systematically adapted Bose's approach in his own work. That is why the particular field of Bose's research has come to be known as 'Bose-Einstein Statistics'. Of late it has come to be known merely as 'Bose Statistics'. Several scientists published papers based on Bose's brief article. Discussions were also held.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose sent another article in 1926 to Einstein relating to the same topic. Einstein translated this article into German but also expressed some doubts and points of disagreement. Sathyendranath Bose, therefore, got an opportunity to meet Einstein and substantiate his argument. For about six months he stayed in Berlin holding discussions with great scientists and convincing them of his point of view.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Quantum Statistics, a well-known branch of science today, was yet to see the light of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">day. Bose's theoretical exposition developed this branch. Quantum Statistics has enabled scientists to solve several problems scientifically and by cogent reasoning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose sent another paper to Albert Einstein. The distinguished scientist was at a loss to understand how the solution offered by Bose could be used in physics. He published an article giving expression to his doubts. Bose felt it would be more appropriate to meet the great scientist Einstein and discuss the paper with him than to correspond with him. While he was still planning a visit the news of the sudden death of Einstein stunned him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 'Guru'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose had taken Einstein as his 'Guru' (the master). He had specially prepared a paper for his meeting with Einstein. He had decided to dedicate this article to him. It was a bitter disappointment to him that his Guru was not alive to accept his offering. In a burst of grief he tore into pieces the article itself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The able guidance of the mighty and celebrated scientist Albert Einstein had enabled Bose to explore fresh fields of research. Bose had accepted Einstein as his Guru. In all the correspondence with him he addressed him so. Einstein, in turn had responded with affection. Every time Bose took a problem to him, Einstein would help solve it, as a teacher solves his students' problems. A large portrait of Einstein always adorned the room where Bose worked.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Wide Range Of Interests</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days when there was little encouragement for scientific research, Bose successfully carried on research in physics and discovered Boson and Bose Gas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Preparing some photo chemicals himself and with the help of X-ray he started the study of the structure of crystals. In 1954, a conference on crystallography was held in Paris. Several students of Bose had done significant research in this field. At this conference Bose arranged an exhibition relating to their work,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is true that all his great research was in Mathematical Physics. But he was interested in many other subjects, too. He had made a serious and deep study of several other branches of science -chemistry, geology, zoology, anthropo- logy, engineering and others. In biochemistry also, he had attained high proficiency. His interest ranged from the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">manufacture of artificial manure to the manufacture of scents from roses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Partition Of Bengal</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">India attained independence in 1947. But the country was split into two and Pakistan was created. Bengal, Bose's home state, was cut into two. This greatly pained him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From his boyhood, Bose had loved Bengal deeply. He had traveled throughout the length and breadth of Bengal. He was fascinated with its history and literature. He liked the works of Madhusudan Dutt. No less was his attachment to Rabindranath Tagore's stories and poems. The art and music of Bengal were dear to him. He had high hopes about the political and economic future of Bengal.But the partition of Bengal dealt a severe blow and shattered all his hopes and aspirations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An image of Free India was engraved on his heart. But that image was dimmed. He came to feel that the partition of thecountry had diminished the fruits of freedom. He was afraid that the partition would seriously harm the cause of science. But,fortunately, the partition did not in any way adversely affect scientific work in India.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Interest In Society</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Social science was a living ideal in the life of Bose. Without running after wealth, he</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">offered his all to the cause of science and in the service of students and the poor and the needy. He set a glorious example to others by dedicating his life to the service of the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was his heart's desire that his country- men should set right the shortcomings of their society. He did not merely talk about this but worked actively. Distinctions of caste and creed, the feeling that one caste was superior and another inferior these he hated. He was convinced that hypocrisy had done great harm to society, and he hated it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He welcomed with open arms all that was good in our ancient history. Whenever he had leisure he read books in Bengali, English and other languages. Buddhism made a deep appeal to him. He had on several occasions openly said, "Of all the persons that have walked on this earth, I have the greatest regard for Gautama Buddha."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He used to say often that every one was -endowed with some talent or the other and that one should find it out and by dint of hard work and constant practice develop it. He was himself a shining example of what he preached.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose had great faith in the importance of science. It was his firm belief that the progress of society was bound up with the progress of science and that the progress of mankind had been brought about by the revolution that science had brought about.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was fond of animals; cats were his favorites. In his old age, he spent his leisure hours playing with cats.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He warmly welcomed everyone who came to him, whatever their problems. It was a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">great virtue in him that he treated every one of them with affection and encouraged</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">them. Even at the ripe age of eighty he participated in social discussions.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Love Of Literature And Music</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though Bose was primarily a scientist, he was a many-faceted personality. His interests lay not in one sphere or two but in many. He was much interested in literature. The study of literature and the practice of art and music were his hobbies. He could read and enjoy poems in Sanskrit, Bengali, English, French and Italian.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose had made a deep study of several works in Bengali and English literatures.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Besides, he had a good knowledge of French and German literatures. He also translated some French stories. He had participated in several literary discussions. When he was working with Madame Curie in 1926 his conversations and discussions with her were all in French.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He could play well on a Bengali musical instrument, 'Esraj', which is similar to the violin. Himself a gifted musician and critic of music, he had composed some new ragas (tunes).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Development of Science</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyen Bose was not content with solving scientific problems. It was his constant</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">endeavor to develop scientific knowledge and the scientific attitude in the common man. For this purpose he sought the guidance of experienced elders. He did succeed in this very difficult task of taking science to the masses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At a time when English had glamour for the majority of educated people, Bose</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">understood the importance of Indian</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">languages. He was of the opinion that if science is to be understood by the layman, it has to be taught in his mother tongue.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A science association named 'Bangiya Vijnana Parishat' was founded by him in Bengal in 1948. All its correspondence was carried on in Bengali language. Right from its inception, it has been bringing out a periodical- entitled 'Jnan o' Bijnan'. The Parishat has taken up the difficult task of propagating science among the people in their mother tongue, Bengali. For the past twenty-five years, it has been arranging several science exhibitions, lectures and essay competitions in Bengal for the spread of science. It has its own library. It has brought out some books of science in Bengali. Its Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1974. Bose spared no pains in developing this institution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Mother Tongue</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was one of those champions who fought for the introduction of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction. He wrote some books in Bengali for this purpose. As Khaira Professor in Calcutta University in 1945, he taught physics to the postgraduate students in Bengali. His effort was ultimately successful and Calcutta University at last got the approval of the Government to impart instruction in the mother tongue. Bose had believed that with the advent of freedom everything would run smooth. But to his surprise he found that the people themselves were not willing to learn in their mother tongue. It was not easy to win them over. Many people complained that he was ruining the teaching of science. He had to face stiff opposition. But he did not lose heart. He tried his best to carry out his purpose.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ever Alert</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sathyendranath was of a stout build. He wore thick glasses. So he always looked sleepy. All the same he was ever alert. At several meetings and functions, though he seemed sleepy, every minute throughout the proceedings he would be keenly attentive.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stepping Into Politics</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose tried his best to confine himself to the scientific field. But he soon realized that in this country, to work for the progress of science entry into politics was inevitable. So he was compelled to enter politics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1952. He utilized this opportunity to work</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">for the benefit of both science and society. His fight in the political arena was of immense benefit to science and society. He worked untiringly in the political field from 1952 to 1958.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Ideal Professor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1916 he started his career as a lecturer in the Science College of Calcutta University, which had just then been opened. Besides physics, he had to teach his mathematics students several other subjects related to mathematics. In those days there was not a single textbook in English on those subjects. How difficult it is to teach students without books, isn't it? And yet he solved every problem of the students and made everything clear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose used to say that any student should have confidence in himself. He used to give his students this advise often; do not accept a method of solving a problem just because it comes from some one in authority; accept it only if you areconvinced it is correct. He often advised them that they should not be satisfied with reading only the books, which they had to read; he told them they should be interested in several subjects and enlarge their knowledge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Students could freely approach him after college hours for guidance. Even when he was tired with the day's strenuous work in the college, he cordially welcomed them and taught them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Disciplined And Fearless</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His devotion to duty was exceptional. He never allowed his personal inconvenience and difficulties to interfere with his duty. Once, when he was the Head of the Department of Science in Dacca University, some postgraduate students came to him. They prayed for the postponement of the examinations. Bose did not agree to this. "Examinations cannot</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">be postponed without valid reasons", he said. The students threatened that they would not work and go on a hunger strike if their demand was not conceded. Bose said, "I am prepared to resign; but, I am not prepared to postpone theexaminations without valid reasons". The students were not prepared for this reply. They did not wish to lose such a good teacher. So they quietly accepted his decision and went back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was impossible for Bose to put up with injustice done to the students. Once Asutosh Mukherjee set the same problem for the M.Sc. Examination consecutively for three years. And in those three years, no one attempted to solve the problem. Placing this matter before the examiners, Mukherjee thundered, "Do you not teach the subject properly?" No one else had the courage to answer. But Bose was not afraid of speaking the truth. He stood up and said, "If the problem itself is wrong, how can the candidates solve it?" Many of his friends felt that Bose was indiscreet in having given such a reply. But Asutosh realized his mistake and commended Bose.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exceptional Brilliance</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In India scientists of the calibre of Sathyendranath Bose are rare. His exceptional intelligence solved fresh problems and he kept widening the field of his interest. So he won worldwide fame. Even in Oxford University he was considered as a very great personality. He was the President of the National Institute of Sciences. The Government of India conferred the 'Padma Vibhushan' award on him in 1954 and honored him. On his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">retirement from service in 1956, Calcutta University honored him by appointing him as Emeritus Professor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1964, Delhi University honored him with the award of the degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.). Many other universities conferred doctorates on him. He became a scientist revered by one and all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose is the author of 'Light Quanta Statistics', 'Affine Connection Co-effcients' and other works of science. He wrote 'Albert Einstein' and several other books in Bengali. Along with Meghnad Saha, Bose has translated from German into English Einstein's book on the Theory of Relativity. Several of his research papers have been published in well-known and standard foreign journals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Modest</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With all his greatness, he was extraordinarily modest and courteous. He was the President of the Indian Science Congress in 1944. In his presidential address he made a review of the progress of science. Therein he was generous in praising the work of other scientists. He wrote just one sentence about his own work. A writer, Jagjit Singh by name, wished to write a biography of Bose. He went to Bose to get information from him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Why do you waste your precious time in writing my biography?" Bose said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Indians are incapable of achieving anything great in science. At best, they are experts in subjects like philosophy' - this was the impression people of the West had about us. Bose dispelled that impression. Devoting all his life to the service of the motherland, he did yeoman service in the fields of science, education, politics and social reform.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the occasion of the celebration of his seventeenth birthday in 1964, a volume was brought out in his honor and many eminent scientists paid homage to him by contributing articles. His eightieth birthday was celebrated in 1974. At the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Quanta Statistics, which was held in the same month, he was felicitated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose Is No More</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Within a few days after he completed 80, Bose suffered an unexpected and a severe heart attack. He lay ill for some time and breathed his last on the fourth of February 1974.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The death of Bose was a great loss not only to India but also to the whole world and especially to the world of science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose left behind his wife, two sons five daughters.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Einstein and Madame Curie are among the world's great scientists. Bose worked with</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">them. This it self clearly means that India has definitely secured a high place in the world of science.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-83650446099105836372007-12-15T18:46:00.000-08:002007-12-15T18:49:21.855-08:00Dr.JAGADISH CHANDRA BOSE<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zxJ-Kbu-wp65ze0dFCWK20ICk2q87RvZVLF1obhe_jUpQTbICviaSat2O0sw6x0ZksTT08i_ele2UaKE6lCfa7xaqH2SNukhTzoN3-3kYBr-FxBIwsEjz-fM82MUyBqA2VwSbMlcaE3D/s1600-h/Bose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zxJ-Kbu-wp65ze0dFCWK20ICk2q87RvZVLF1obhe_jUpQTbICviaSat2O0sw6x0ZksTT08i_ele2UaKE6lCfa7xaqH2SNukhTzoN3-3kYBr-FxBIwsEjz-fM82MUyBqA2VwSbMlcaE3D/s320/Bose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144396949079294178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >he great biologist who showed that plants, too can 'feel' in their own way. He saved money ;he bought a small laboratory and build his equipment; and scientists in Euorpe and Am</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >T</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >erica wondered at his discoveries. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suppose there is a lush green plant and its leaves are a sparkling green in the shining sunlight. We feel like pulling out a leaf to feel it. But we do not think of what goes on inside the plant. May be, we feel that the plant does not suffer like us. But the plant does suffer. In fact the pulsation of the plant stops where the leaf was plucked. In a short time the pulsation again begins at the spot, but this time very slowly. And then it completely stops. That spot is as good as dead for the plant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Jagadishchandra Bose, an eminent Indian scientist, who explained that plants also suffer pain like us. Though he wored in other fields of science, he is best know for his research into the life of plants.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Parents</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose was born on the 30th of November 1858 in Faridpur in Dacca District. Faridpur was a part of India until 1947; now it is in Bangla Desh. His mother Abala Bose was a tenderhearted and affectionate woman. His father Bhagawanchandra Bose was a man of excellent qualities. Bhagavanchandra Boise was the Deputy Magistrate of Faridpur. He helped very generally the poor and the needy. He would comfort people in sorrow. There was a famine in Bengal in the year 1880.Bhagavanchandra Bose spent his own money to help the poor villagers. In the year 1874 hundreds of families suffered because of wide spread malaria. Thousands of children lost their parents and became orphans. Bhagawanchandra Bose helped these orphans. He spent money from his pocket to start a factory and provided had to spend a lot of money on these. By the never regretted doing so.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Early Education</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the days of Jagadishchandra Bose’s boyhood, the well educated and the well to do. ; People wee attracted by Western culture. A man was proud if he had learnt English. But Jagadishchandra Bose’s education was really remarkable; it was dye to his father. As long back as a hundred year ago, Bhagawanchandra Bose started schools in which children were taught in Bengali. Jagadishchandra also received his early education in this school. Jagadish mixed with the poor boys freely and played with them; so he gained first hand knowledge of the sufferings of poor people. He learnt much more. He learnt how the fisher folk moved on the broad rivers in their boats, how the fishing rod was cast in the flowing water, how ploughing the land and sowing seeds in it grew the crops and how the cattle were taken to graze on the distant hills. He was all ears when the fishermen and the farmers gave such accounts. He was thrilled by their adventurous life and it made him more courageous in life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was another interesting person in his early life. This was a servant who used to take Jagadishchandra to school every day. He had been a dacoit in the past Bhagawanchandra Bose as a judge had sent him to prison. After some time the dacoit came out of prison. But how was he to live? Bhagawanchandra Bose was a very good-natured man. So he employed him as a servant. The dacoit used to tell little Jagadishchandra. events of his past life the robberies he had committed and his cruel deeds. His adventures made a lasting impression on the boy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Young Bose was all curiosity. He wanted to know about everything that happened around him. What is, a glow-warm? Is it fire or spark? Why does the wind blow? Why does the water flow? He was always ready with a string of questions. His father would answer as many questions as he could. But he never tried to impress upon his son that he knew everything. If he could not answer a question, he would frankly tell his son so. Thus Jagadish chandra's parents took great interest not only in his studies but also in everything that shaped his character. They narrated stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha to him. Kama of Maha- bharatha was an ideal to him. (Karna was a great hero but, more important still, very generous.) He went with his parents to see the performances of folk drama. (These were staged in open-air theatres.) They treated al-I his friends alike. Such was the environment for Jagadishchandra in his boyhood. He grew up to be ' broad- minded, patriotic, obedient to elders, affectionate towards his fellowmen. He never made any distinction between the rich and the poor; all men were equal in his eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Generally it is easy to understand a subject if it is taught in the student's language; it becomes difficult if it is taught in some other language. Jagadishchandra did not face this problem, since he studied the subjects in his own language. He understood them easily. He was in the habit of thinking for himself whenever he studied. He learnt many things on his own by studying at home. But he was not a bookworm. He was very enthusiastic about games too. Cricket was his favorite sport.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Calcutta</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra began a new chapter in his life at the age of nine. He had to leave his hometown. He went to the big city of Calcutta for further education. He was admitted to Saint Xavier School there. There was a world of difference between the previous school and this one. . In Faridpur he had studied everything in his own language. But here in Calcutta his schoolmates knew only English. The city boys, especially the English boys, teased him. One of them even hurt Jagadish chandra in a bout of boxing. Jagadish was provoked and he taught the boy a well- deserved lesson. That was the end of any teasing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While he was studying at Saint Xavier's, Jagadishchandra was staying in a boarding house. He had no friends and was lonely here. But he was a born scientist. Even as a boy he had many hobbles which showed his scientific interest. He used to breed frogs and fishes in a pond nearby. He would pull out a germinating plant and observe its root system. He had also a number of pets like rabbits, squirrels and non-poisonous snakes. Even in Calcutta he continued these hobbies to get over his solitude. He grew flower-bearing plants and had animals and birds as pets. He did well in his studies and was in the forefront. The teachers liked him for his intelligence. Jagadishchandra passed the School Final Examination in the First Class.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He joined the B.A. class in the college. In those days, science subjects formed a part of this course. He was most interested in Biology (the science of life). But Father Lafont, a famous Professor of Physics, inspired in Bose a great interest in the science of Physics and Bose became his favourite student. Even so, Bose was always interested in any branch of science. Botany, the science of plants, still attracted him much.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In London</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By nineteen, Jagadishchandra was a Bachelor of Arts. He wanted to go to England for higher studies. He wished to try his luck at the Indian Civil Service Examination or to study medicine. If he entered the Civil Service, he would be a government officer. This would mean subordination; his father did not want Jagadish to work under others. And he did not have enough money to send the boy abroad. Besides, he wanted that his son should become a teacher and serve his people and his country. Even Jagadish chandra's mother was not quite willing to send him, because she thought it was against their religion. She was pained at the thought that her son would be far away from her. Jagadishchandra Bose did not wish to do anything against the will of his parents.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, his good mother allowed him to go. She had saved some money. She also wanted to sell her jewels to meet the expenses of her son's voyage. Bhagawan chandra Bose prevented her and he managed to find the money on his own.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At last Jagadish was on his way to England. The year was 1880. Twenty- two-year-old Jagadishchandra Bose stepped into the ship; he was stepping into a new phase of life which laid the foundations of a brilliant future.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In London he first studied medicine. But he repeatedly fell ill. So he had to discontinue the course. He then studied Natural Science in Christ Church College, Cambridge. It was necessary to learn Latin in order to study Natural Science; Jagadish had already learnt it. He passed the Tripos Examination with distinction. In addition to the Cambridge Tripos Examination, he passed the Bachelor of Science Examination of London University also.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Young Scientist - His Own Smith, Too</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose was back in India. He joined the staff of the Presidency College, Calcutta. There was a peculiar practice in that college. The Indian teachers in the college were paid one third of what the British teachers were paid! So Jagadishchandra Bose refused his salary but worked for three years. He could not even get the scientific instruments he needed for research. He was not shown the respect due to him. This did not continue for long. His deep knowledge zest for work and cultured behavior won over those in charge of the college. They saw to it that he was given the full salary of the post and not one-third.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Teaching the same lessons year in and year out was very tedious to Bose. His was an alert mind, always on the look out for new ideas. He wanted to do research, to widen his knowledge and discover new things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A laboratory is necessary for research. Many scientific instruments are required. Jagadishchandra Bose had no laboratory and he did not have the instruments. But he was not disheartened. For eight or ten years he spent as little out of his salary as possible, lived a very strict life, saved money and bought a laboratory!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Generally Marconi's name is associated with the invention of wireless. (This made possible the use of the radio.) Jagadish chandra Bose had also conducted independent research in the same field. Marconi was able to announce the result of his work and show how wirelesstelegraphy worked, earlier than Jagadishchandra Bose. So he is called 'the father of the radio'. In the year 1896 Bose wrote a research article on electro-magnetic waves. This impressed the Royal Society of England (which is famous all over the world). He was honoured with the Degree of Doctor of Science. He needed money to continue his work. Bengal,his homeland, came forward to bear the expenses. Those were days when the British Government would not help an Indian to go abroad for studies. Bose had the honour of getting encouragement even from the British Government. And he made excellent use of this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose became famous in the world of science. In India and in other countries there was a strong belief that only Westerners could achieve anything worthwhile in science. Bose proved this wrong concept. He showed that there were geniuses elsewhere too. He visited England again, this time to explain his discoveries to the scientists of the West.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose needed scientific equipment. But the instruments he needed were not available. But this did not hamper his work. Early in his life he had learnt to make hisequipment with his own hands. The scientific instruments he took to England were those he himself had made.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Electricity was then his special field of work. He had successfully worked at transmitting electro-magnetic waves from one place to another. He had determined the type of instruments required both at the transmitting end and at the receiving end; he had found out what the distance should be between these two ends. He was using the instruments he had himself made. Bose demonstrated his discoveries at the Royal Society in England. The gathering of scientists were profoundly impressed. They praised this achievement as a singular one from a citizen of India. Our country was until then famous only as the home of philosophy and religion. Bose won respect for Indians in science too. The renowned papers of London namely 'The Spectator' and 'The Times' were all praise for this Indian scientist. For, without proper facilities and with the available material, Bose had achieved wonderful results and he had done his research along with his teaching work.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fame</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After he lectured at the Royal Society, scientific associations in many other countries invited Jagadishchandra Bose. He visited France, Germany, America and Japan besides England. He lectured at several places and explained his discoveries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When electricity passes through a man, animal or plant, we say there is a 'shock'. When it is passed through a living being the being gets excited, 'irritated'. Bose developed an instrument that would show such a reaction of the organism on agraph. When electricity was passed through zinc, a non-living substance, a similar graph was obtained. So he came to the conclusion that living and non-living things were very similar in certain reactions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Paris he gave a lecture on this similarity between the living and the non-living world. Have you heard of 'radar`? This is a very wonderful scientific device. Sailors on the sea use it; it is also used to get information about aeroplanes coming towards a place. So you see how useful it is during a war. If the aeroplanes of the enemy try to attack a city, the radar shows their movement. J.C. Bose worked out some details of very great importance; these are being used in the working of the radar. When Jagadish chandra Bose again visited England, Cambridge University honoured him as a Professor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Generally, when a man invents something new he declares that nobody can make use of it without his permission. If anybody desires to, make use of it, he will have to pay him money, Why? Because the inventor has worked hard and he has used his time and brains for his invention. It is not right to make use of his work without paying him. An inventor can make lakhs of rupees by just one or two inventions. Bose had invented many instruments. They have since been used by many industries. When he was offered money for these he did not accept it. He was very generous and noble; he felt that knowledge was not any one's personal property. He permitted any one the use of the fruits of his work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Davy-Faraday Research Institute is a very famous scientific institute for scientific research in England. This institute requested Jagadishchandra Bose to continue his research there. Many eminent scientists pressed him to do so. Hence tie worked there for some time and discovered new things. When an outside stimulus is applied to the muscles of a man or a non-living thing (says a mineral), they respond to it. Bose wondered whether this could happen in a plant also. To test this he brought a leaf, a carrot and a turnip from the garden. He applied the stimulus, i.e., and electricity. It was confirmed that plants also respond in a similar way. Jagadishchandra Bose explained this at a meeting of the Royal Society. While explaining his discoveries he said that the Indian sages had under stood such principles thousands of years ago. He modestly added that his discoveries were an insignificant part of the great truth that our ancient sages had realized.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Challenges</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When anything new is discovered, there will always be people who question it. The results of Bose's work, too, were not accepted by all. There were people who challenged them and even said that there was not much truth in them. Bose gave a lecture at the Linnean Society next year to a gathering of scientists. He explained with suitable experiments how plants respond to stimuli. Even those who had challenged him could not find fault with his experiments or conclusions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is an interesting story about a demonstration that Bose gave in England. On that day he wanted to show some new things that he had found out. He had come to the conclusion that plants can feel pain like animals; that when we pinch them they suffer; and that they die in a few minutes after they are poisoned. Bose wanted to show experiments to prove these conclusions. A number of scientists and other leading men and women had gathered to hear him. Bose started the experiments by injecting poison into a plant. The plant should have shown signs of death in a few minutes. On the contrary, nothing happened. The learned audience started laughing. Even at this adverse moment Bose showed admirable calmness. He thought quickly. The poison that he injected into the plant did not kill it. So, he supposed that it would not hurt him also. With full confidence he got ready to inject the poison into himself. At that instant a man got up and confessed that instead of poison he had put similar colored water. Now, Bose conducted the experiment again with real poison, whereupon the plant withered and died as expected.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose continued his work and made new discoveries. He found that plants shrink a little during the night. He found out why plants always grow towards light even if they have to bend. He also found out the reason why some plants grow straight and some do not. He explained that this was due to the 'pulsation' in plants. This pulsation quickens by heat and slows down by cold in plants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose did remarkable work, - and scientists outside India had honoured him. Yet there were people who opposed him. As a result even the Royal Society delayed publishing his valuable work in its publications, But nothing could make him give up his work. He was sure that years of research had led him to the truth. So he did not feel that it was very necessary to depend on scientific journals only. He wrote books and published them on his own.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By this time Bose had made a name for himself as a great scientist. The instruments he had developed were being used in some Western countries too. He visited Europe and America in 1907 and 1914; scientific institutions invited him to explain his discoveries. He visited Japan also.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most of us have seen a peculiar kind of plant called the mimosa (touch-me-not') which spreads on the ground. It has very small leaves. It is extremely sensitive. If we just touch one leaf, that leaf and the leaves nearby all fold up. The greater the force we use, the larger the number of leaves which fold up. The whole row of leaves of the branch can be made to fold like this by touching it with a little greater force. Why does only this plant react like this? We have often wondered, haven't we? Bose wondered, too. And he went on to find out. He found that other plants also react to a man's touch in the same way. The only difference is this: We cannot see the reaction of other plants but we can see the reaction of the mimosa. But Bose wanted to study the reaction of other plants, too. He designed delicate instruments that would show such reactions in them. When he went abroad he took these instruments and also some of the plants with him. It was very difficult to' keep the plants alive in the, climate of foreign countries. Jagadishchandra Bose showed the experiment in Cambridge and Oxford. The scientists were fascinated by the extreme sensitivity of plants; they were also filled with wonder when they saw the excellent instruments Jagadishchandra Bose himself had made. No one had done work of this kind in Biology. It was news that plants could also experience different sensations like us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose continued his search for new knowledge. His achievements were many. The British Government honoured him more than once. In 1915 when retired from service he was made an Emeritus Professor. He was to get Rs. 1500 a month as long as he lived.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was honoured as a Fellow of the Royal Society (F.R.S) in 1920. In 1927 he presided over the Indian Science Congress.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A New Temple</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose had worked all along without the right Wind of scientific instruments and laboratory. For a long time he had been thinking of building a laboratory. The result was the 'Bose Research Institute' which is in Calcutta. Even now it is famous as a centre of research. Bose had been collecting funds for this Institute for quite some time. More than sixty-five years ago, he had realized the importance of a research institution in India. While inaugurating the Bose Research Institute he said, "This is not a laboratory but a temple." Such was his devotion to work. He felt everybody must have the same enthusiasm for research in a country. In the Bose Research Institute research is conducted in Botany and Physics - the two branches of science in which Bose had won fame.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He worked in this laboratory for 20 years, up to the very end of his life. We should not depend on others to do our work, we ourselves must do our work; but before we can do this we must get over our pride - this was his firm belief. He confessed that he had learnt this lesson from his parents.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Questioning Boy-The Great Scientist</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nature had always been a source of attraction right from his early age to Bose. There are flowers on plants; flowers give fruits; the leaves fall off; seeds germinate into new plants - we see all these around us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Bose was interested in these happenings, which to many people seem quite ordinary. He asked others questions; he asked himself, too: 'How do these things happen?' Not always could he satisfy his curiosity. But it was his way to try to find answers to any questions arising in his mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We may consider here the more important of his discoveries. Plants respond to stimulus from outside. We draw away hand when it touches fire. When it is extremely cold we may even die. Plants also experience heat and cold in this way. This can be measured with a thermometer. At 60 degrees Centigrade a plant will faint because of the extreme heat and at very low temperatures it will react similarly to cold. Plants always react to the rise or fall of temperature in the atmosphere around them. When heat or cold is extreme, plants will faint or may even die. Bose had designed very delicate instruments that could record even this. When a plant is hurt at one point, the shock of this is transmitted to all the other parts and the whole plan gets tired and it bends down. Plants grow every second by 1/50,000th of an inch! How is this to be measured - it is so very, very, very small? Bose himself devised a delicate instrument, which could measure even this length.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Plants do not grow in a perfect straight line. There are small twists and turns, Why? The answer Bose found out is very interesting. He said, that plants have positive and negative charges. If one of these pushes a part of the plant forward, the other pushes it backward. The growth of the plant is affected by these pushes and it becomes slightly curved instead of being straight. Plants grow towards light even when kept in a dark place, why? The roots of plants always grow downwards, why? Bose found answers to all these questions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We all know that the lovely flower, the lotus, opens up as the sun rises in the sky. When the sun sets the lotus closes its petals. The popular belief is that this is because the lotus loves the sun. But Bose explained this peculiar behaviour of the lotus. It opens when there is a raise in the temperature and closes as thetemperature drops. The same is true of the sunflower. He called this peculiarity 'the thirst for light'. The other peculiar thing he demonstrated was the way plants behave differently at different times of the day. He established that from 6 in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon the, plants behave in one way; and from 3 in the afternoon to 6 in the morning plants behave differently. As an example he choose a palm tree in Faridpur-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This palm in Faridpur would bend down every evening. The people of the place had their own explanation. They believed that the soul of some holy man lived in the tree. Every evening when the temple bells rang, this holy spirit bowed in devotion - this was their belief. But Jagadishchandra Bose discovered the real cause. He gave a scientific explanation. The tree bent down in the evening and raised itself in the morning because of the tall and the rise in the temperature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Water is very essential to plants. The root of the plant absorbs water. But even without roots plants can take in water. This was demonstrated by Bose. He showed that when the root is cut and the plant stem is placed in, water it starts taking in water. Suppose you remove the plant from the soil, and place it upside down (with the branches below and the roots above); what happens? The leaves and the stem absorb water. Bose proved this by means of experiments.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The cells of a plant function like a man's heart. The heart contracts and expands to pump blood; in the same way, the cells of a plant expand and contract.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This had to be proved by experiments. So, Bose himself devised a new instrument; this could show how the cells worked.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spirit Of Adventure</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose had to face a number of difficulties and problems in his life. But he never lost courage. His thinking was clear, even in the most adverse situations. This was seen even in his very early years. When he was only five, he used to go to school on horseback. Once there was a local horse race. Young Jagadishchandra was also there to watch the race. Somebody s-aid, "Why don 't you also ride?" The horse should be bridled and the rider should have stirrups, to ride. But young Jagadishchandra's horse was not even bridled. There were no stirrups. Yet he patted the horse and away the horse galloped. The boy's legs were bruised and blood flowed. But the rider and the animal completed one full circle on the racetrack. So young and brave, he was the centre of appreciation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was another hazardous ride he undertook early in his youth. He had gone out hunting on horseback. While returning he had an attack of fever. He was all alone. The horse he was riding was rather a troublemaker. He started to run at full gallop. There used to be a bridge on the way. But the floods had washed away this bridge. Jagadishchandra's horse was heading for this broken bridge. Jagadish chandra was very weak because of the fever. But at the very last moment he pulled the bridle very hard. The horse changed his course and crossed the stream on another bridge nearby.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scientist And Man Of Letters</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose was famous as a scientist. He brought laurels to his motherland. But his interests were many-sided. He was especially interested in literature and fine arts. The great poet Rabindranath Tagore and Jagadish chandra Bose were very good friends. The first time Tagore visited Bose, he was not at home. Tagore left a bunch of champak flowers. This was the beginning of their friendship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tagore invited Bose to stay with him for some time. Bose agreed to do so on one condition. The condition was that Tagore should narrate a story to him every day. This is how a number of Tagore's stories came to be written. Have you read the story 'The Cabuliwallah'? It is very fine story; it narrates how a deep and strange friendship grew up between a rough pathan and a tine Bengali girl. This has been translated into several languages and is well known in a number of countries. Tagore wrote this story when Bose was staying with him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And Bose, the great scientist , was also President of the Bengali Sahitya Parishat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Patriot And A Good Friend</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have already seen how Bose honoured hte Indian sages of the past. Scientists of other countries praised Bose's important dicoveries; Bose used to say, "The sages of India knew all this long ago".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He loved to visit the various shrines of India. Accompained by his wife he would make these trips whenever he could find time. He used to take photographs of the places he visited and had quite acollection of these photographs. He went to places of historical or mythological interest. The famous sculptures and the temple architecture of our land always thrilled him. He visited Sanchi, Chitorgarh, Ajmer and Nainital as well as the cave temples of Orissa and the famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves. He visited the Puri Jagannatha swamy Temple. He also visited well-known places of pilgrimage of South India like Rameshwaram, Madurai and Tanjore. He visited the shrines at the foot of Himalayas; Kedarnath particularly appealed to him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose was not a proud man. He was simple, affectionate and warm. It is not surprising that many great persons of the day were his friends. Prafulla Chandra Ray, another famous scientist, was one of his close friends. Eminent men like Gopalakrishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi knew and respected him. Sister Nivedita was another good friend. She was an Irish lady; her name was Margaret Nobel. She was the disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She settled down in India and spent her life in the service of the people of this country. She recognized the genius in Bose. Bose toiled hard to educate the people about the importance of science, and Sister Nivedita admired his efforts. So she was keenly looking forward to the birth of the Bose Research Institute. In memory of her, Bose placed in front of the Institute the statue of a woman stepping forward with a light in her hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had another good friend, one Mrs.Bull. While touring America he was her guest. She had taken care of him as a mother. When he fell ill in Paris, she traveled to Paris, made arrangements for his treatment and personally looked after him. There were two other friends of his, two giants of the literary world. They were George Bernard Shaw, the English dramatist and Romain Rolland, the French writer. Both of them dedicated one book each to Jagadishchandra Bose.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abala Bose, A Worthy Wife</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose was very busy throughout his life. He had no time to think of the problems of the household. His wife Abala Bose looked after their home all by herself; he did not have to think of the management of the house. She was herself a student of medicine when her marriage to Bose was settled. Bose's parents were very kind and generous; they had helped many people with money. So, at the time of Bose's marriage the family was in heavy debts. Jagadishchandra Bose had to repay the debts. So Abala Bose was very, very careful in spending money, and saved as much as possible. Unfortunately the Bose couple had only one child, which did not live long. They looked after the students as-their children. Abala Bose started girls' school in Calcutta and took upon herself the responsibility of maintaining it. She went with her husband when he went to foreign countries, and even helped in his scientific work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose has a permanent place in the world of science, especially in Botany. He began the Age of Modem Science in India and deserves honour for this. He had all the qualities that research requires. He had keen powers of observation and he was patient. He was also a very good lecturer. His students loved his lectures. He did not teach only for the sake of the examination. Students should study books and study what the teacher teaches; but this is not enough; they should use their brains and think for themselves; they should be eager to discover new knowledge - this is what he taught his students. He encouraged them to observe, to experiment and to think, without depending only on books and teachers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jagadishchandra Bose died in November 1937. To the very end he was busy with research.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wealth and power never attracted Jagadishchandra Bose. He toiled for science like a saint, selflessly. This great scientist is a great example to all.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-48307428235200518322007-12-15T15:02:00.001-08:002007-12-15T15:04:54.420-08:00VIKRAMA SARABHAI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AlkF-7pqwsj-Mc8kPsA-ly3SweQ-eK1kdEQa4ssvGG-0epjFEyrKQWF4U_BuBOS7ol7jEb7CekC7z3LvovqUIJgFNWy5k99vcIlZdn1lBf-bk_AVDE1xcFbjxKn7a3eBUtnv86BglTNX/s1600-h/VikramaSarabhai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AlkF-7pqwsj-Mc8kPsA-ly3SweQ-eK1kdEQa4ssvGG-0epjFEyrKQWF4U_BuBOS7ol7jEb7CekC7z3LvovqUIJgFNWy5k99vcIlZdn1lBf-bk_AVDE1xcFbjxKn7a3eBUtnv86BglTNX/s320/VikramaSarabhai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144339143114457298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > One of the greatest scientists of India. As Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, he guided research of the greatest improtance to the country. A born scientist and a beloved teacher. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">VikramaSarabhai</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When a great man dies, the first question people ask is: "After him, who?"Generally, this question is soon answered. But, sometimes, it remains without a answer for a longer time because it may be difficult to find another person of such abilities as the dead man. This shows how great the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">dead man was.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Homi Jahangir Bhabha was one such man. He was a world-famous physicist. He was the Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission. Several countries in the world were making atom bombs. Should India also do so? When this question came up, some people said, "It costs a lot of money to make an atom bomb. India is</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">a poor country and if she spends such huge amounts, she will be in great trouble for money." At such a time Bhabha calculated the cost of making an atom bomb and showed it would not be too expensive and India could produce it. This great scientist died an untimely death in an airplane crash in 1966. Then "Who, after</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">him?" -this became a big question. Who could replace such a great physicist?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Four months later, every one's answer was: "Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thus, in 1966, Vikram Sarabhai succeeded Dr. Bhabha as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What A Guru!</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"He’s coming; tell him."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I didn’t damage it. You tell him yourself."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"No, I can't. You tell him. I am afraid. "</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two persons were engaged in this conversation. Just then Vikram Sarabhai came to them. "What is the matter?" he asked.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"The Electric Meter has gone out of order, Sir. We allowed too heavy a current to pass through it." "Is that all? Don't mind it too much. Such things do happen when students are learning. If students don't make mistakes, how can they learn? It is enough if you learn to be more careful in future."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The above dialogue took place in a small research laboratory in Ahmedabad in1948. R. P. Kane and another student were conducting some experiments in the Mahatma Gandhi Science Institute, in the - physics laboratory. 'During an experiment, because of the heavy current, the meter was burnt. At that time, it was very difficult to get such meters in the market. For want of one meter, many important experiments had to be suspended for months. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai had started this laboratory in a very recent time. So the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">students were afraid of what Vikram Sarabhai would say when he would come to know of what had happened. That is why the two were discussing the matter. But, when Sarabhai was told about it, let alone becoming angry, he did not even show a trace of irritation or annoyance in his f ace. Instead, he spoke to them comfortingly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Praful D. Bhavsar had taken his B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) Degree. In 1948, he went to Poona to study for the Master of Science Degree. He could not secure admission to any college there. Then, Dr. L. A. Ramdas (of the India Meteorological Department at Poona) told him of the Physical Research Laboratory that Vikram Sarabhai had recently started at Ahmedabad. He told Bhavsar that if he met Vikram Sarabhai his problem would be solved. Bhavsar went to see Sarabhai.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By that time Sarabhai was in a small room, engaged in, blowing a piece of glass tube. He was wearing white Khaddar trousers and a bright green coat. Vikram welcomed Bhavsar with a smile and requested him to wait till his work to be completed. He appeared very simple and free from vanity. Bhavsar had his own mental picture of a great experimental physicist. That picture seemed to have come to life in Sarabhai. Therefore, Bhavsar was ready at that very moment to accept Sarabhai as his Guru (teacher). Sarabhai put him many questions. After finding out why he wanted to study physics, how keen his interest in the subject was and such other details,</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">he admitted him to the Laboratory.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">These incidents show how powerfully Vikram Sarabhai influenced his students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After India became free, Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was among the few scientists who devoted their entire life to the progress of science in this country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Early Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ahmedabad is the capital of Gujarat. It has a large number of textile mills. The Sarabhais are famous industrialists</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">and social workers of that city. They are also very rich. In this family was born Vikram on 12th August 1919. It was the Garuda Panchami Day, auspicious for sisters and brothers. His father was Ambalal and his mother, Sarala Devi. They had eight children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When their first daughter, Mridulaben, was just three years old, they considered how and where she should be educated. No existing school was found suitable. Just at that time, the Montessori System of Education was gaining fame. But there was still no school, which had adopted this system. So the Sarabhais started- such a school in their own house. As the children grew up, the needs of the school also increased. In this school, -there were separate teachers to teach languages, the sciences, the arts, gardening, technology etc. There were laboratories and work shops also. At one time, there were thirteen teachers in the school for the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">eight children of the Sarabhai family. Of these, three were Ph.Ds, trained in Europe and three ordinary graduate’s two teachers from Andhra and Bengal were teaching the arts. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore him- self selected an artiste to teach dancing. The children studied in this school up to matriculation and went to government schools for their Matriculation Examination.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram was influenced not only by the school but also by many great men of the land who were well-known to the Sarabhai family. Gurudev Rabindranath, J. Krishna Murthi, Motilal Nehru, V. S. Shrinivasa Shastri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Azad, C. F. Andrews, C. V. Raman and such great men used to stay</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">with the Sarabhai family when they visited Ahmedabad. The greatest of them all, Mahatma Gandhi him, stayed in their house while recovering from an illness. There is no doubt that this close contact with such great men deeply influenced young Vikram. His intelligence developed, and he gained interest in spiritual matters. His teacher, Shri Badami, has said, I never saw Vikram lose his temper and shout at people."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Vikram was five or six years old, the entire family went to Simla for the summer. There, the little boy noticed that his father was getting many letters every day. He wished he, too, could get letters. So he took some envelopes from his father's office, affixed stamps wrote his own address and posted them in the box. When his father found that Vikram was receiving letters every day, he asked the boy about the letters. Vikram laughingly replied, I am writing letters to myself!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From his childhood, Vikram loved adventure. When he was eight, he learnt to ride a bicycle. He would astonish his people with many tricks with the bicycle. As the bicycle shot forward, he would raise his hands, stretch his legs forward, close his eyes and pedal. He would not listen to anyone who pleaded him not to perform such dangerous acrobatics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a pool in their compound; there was also a boat. Vikram would take a servant and one or two children for boating. On one occasion, the boat capsized and every one fell into the water and began to shout for help. The gardeners working nearby heard their cries for help, jumped into the water and saved them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram showed greater earnestness and interest in his studies than the others. He was very enthusiastic about mathematics and science. His teachers have said he would work hard without leisure in the holidays and, when the school reopened, he would be far ahead of other students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Vikram was two years old, the poet Rabindranath Tagore visited the family. It appears that when he saw this little child, he predicted that he would become a famous man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After completing his college education Vikram Sarabhai went to England to continue his studies at Cambridge</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For centuries two universities in England have been very famous -Oxford University and Cambridge University. To get a degree from one of these universities is considered an honor. In 1939, when Vikram was only twenty, he passed the Tripos Examination in Physical Sciences.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With C.V.Raman And H.J.Bhabha</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Second World War broke out in 1939. Soon after, Vikram returned to India. Right from his boyhood, Vikram had great love for physics. During the forties, the most famous center for scientific research in India was the Indian Institute of science (the Tata Institute) at Bangalore. Its Physics Department was headed by</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">the world-famous scientist, Dr. C. V. Raman. The highest award in science is the Nobel Prize. Dr. C. V. Raman was awarded this prize as early as in 1930. When Sarabhai returned to India, he came down to Bangalore to carry on research under Dr. C. V. Raman. The famous Dr. Homi Jahangir Bhabha was also at the institute by that time; he was engaged in research on Mesons and Cosmic Rays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Study Of Cosmic Rays</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What are mesons and cosmic rays? If we split any substance on the Earth we get only three fundamental particles - electrically charged negative particles (electrons), positive particles (protons) and neutral particles (neutrons). If the weight of the electron is taken as 1, then the weight of protons and neutrons is 1836. But it</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">has been discovered that there are other types of particles besides these three in space. The weight of particles not belonging to these classes is different from the weights of electrons, protons or neutrons. These other particles are called mesons. Scientists who have done research on mesons are of the opinion that they are produced by cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are very fine and very powerful and come from somewhere outside the Earth. They race to the earth from al directions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every minute, day and night, about 600 such cosmic rays pass through the human body. They can pass through rocks hundreds of meters thick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram Sarabhai conducted research on the changes in the intensity of cosmic rays. His very first scientific paper was on the periodical variation of the intensity of cosmic rays' It was published (1942) in Bangalore in a scientific journal. This research helped him later to take up the studies of interplanetary space (space between planets), the relationship between the sun and the earth and earthmagnetism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During this period, he did research for sometime a, the Poona Central Meteorological Station. Here he got the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">idea of establishing a cosmic ray research institute. In 1943, he went to the Himalayan peaks in Kashmir to study the intensity of cosmic rays at such high places. There he conceived a brilliant idea. This was to establish a research center at a great height above the surface of the earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1945, the Second World War ended. Sarabhai again went to Cambridge to continue his study of cosmic rays. In 1947 he got his Ph.D. for this work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A student does not get the Ph.D. Degree by passing an examination. He has to choose a professor to guide him. The professor suggests a subject for deep study and research. The student has to study the subject by himself under the professor's guidance; he has to organize the information he gets from his experiments; he has to draw his own conclusions, and gather all these into a large scientific article or 'thesis'. This thesis is then sent to four specialists in the subject. Only if they agree that the work and the thesis deserve a doctorate will the Ph.D. Degree be conferred on thestudent. It is, therefore, no easy task to secure a Ph.D. Degree.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although Sarabhai went to Cambridge in 1945, he had started his work for the Ph.D. Degree in 1942. His family used to go to Kashmir every summer. Vikram would carry his cosmic ray research equipment to Kashmir. Apharwat, on the banks of Lake Alpathari, is about 13,000 feet above sea level. It was here, that Sarabhai continued his research. In his Ph.D. thesis he included photographs of the equipment he used there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shortly after he returned from Cambridge he established the Physical Research Laboratory (mentioned earlier) at Ahmedabad. A scientist by name Dr. K. R. Ramanathan was appointed as its first Director in 1948. The Institute was started with only a few Students and Laboratory Assistants. In a few years this group developed into a dedicated team of scientists and research workers. In spite of his many duties in later years, Sarabhai</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">maintained close contact with this Institute till his end. At first he was Professor of cosmic ray research; from 1965 he worked as the Director. This Institute sponsored a cosmic ray research center established in 1955 at Gulmarg, in Kashmir. The work done at this center attracted the notice of the Atomic Energy Department of the Government of India and won its appreciation. This Department established a full-fledged High Altitude</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Research Center at the same place -the only research center ' in the world to be set up at such a high altitude. At last, Sarabhai's long dream became a reality. Later on, similar centers were opened at Kodaikanal in Tamilnadu and at Trivandrum in Kerala.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One thousand and two hundred years ago Adi Shankaracharya established four religious centers or Mutts at Shringeri, Puri, Dwaraka and Badrinath for the revival of Hindu Dharma and left his foot prints there. Vikram Sarabhai established centers for scientific research in several places from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and has left his footprints there</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Successor To Bhabha</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Homi Bhabha, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, died in 1966. He was a very capable man. Many thought no one in India could replace him. In this depressing atmosphere they found in Vikram Sarabhai the man to continue Bhabha's work at the Atomic Energy Commission. He did his work quite ably and showed his capacity to direct and continue Successfully the work of the Commission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On 29th December 1971, Sarabhai was in Trivandrum to guide the work at the, Rocket Launching Station, Thumba. He was staying in a hotel there. He talked with every one as usual and went to bed. He never got up again. The man who at birth was blessed by Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, but who worshipped Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning, died when he was busy with his research. He was then 52.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram Sarabhai had married the famous dancer Mrinalini Swaminathan in 1942. They had a son, Karthikeya and adaughter, Mallika.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scientific Achievements</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For a long time, only some individuals were interested in science and devoted themselves to it. That science is important for the development of the country and that the entire nation should take interest in it and help in its progress are modern ideas. In olden days some persons got interested in science, and then they did not think of food or water; they forgot their families and the whole world, and dedicated themselves to scientific research. Archimedes, Newton and Faraday are examples of such dedication. It was only a hundred years ago that nations began to realize the importance of science and scientists, and began to help them. After atomic science developed, it became difficult for any one individual to carry on research, without help from others. So teams of scientists undertook research. In addition, atomic research had to be carried on by several scientific institutes as no one institute could have all the facilities. So scientific research, which was only of individual interest, gained national importance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact, science has now crossed even national boundaries and has attained international status. That is, scientists of several countries share their knowledge and results, and work in cooperation. Space research which began in 1957 is responsible for this international cooperation. Even though one country may be engaged in such research, it cannot progress without the cooperation of other countries. Americans may launch an artificial satellite that revolves round the Earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But its movement has to be studied at different points of the world. Only then all the necessary information about the experiment can be put together. So other countries have to put up tracking or observation centers. If it is a communication satellite – one, which receives and sends radio messages and television pictures from one country to another, thousands of miles away -such communication, will not be possible without the cooperation of other countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram Sarabhai was one of the leading scientists engaged in space research. During his studies on cosmic rays he discovered that the intensity of the cosmic rays changes twice a day. This discovery helped to understand the nature of inter- planetary space and its elect rd- magnetic properties.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">(If a small wire is wound round a piece of iron and electricity is passed through the wire, the iron becomes a magnet. If the magnet is moved about a wire, an electric current is produced in the wire. This production of magnetism by electricity and of electricity by magnetism is known as Electro- magnetic property.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As stated before, space research was started in 1957. Sarabhai made use of this research to find out if the results of his cosmic ray experiments were correct. America and Japan had set up a joint High Altitude Research Station at Chakaltaya in Bolivia. There they had set up equipment to discover mesons. Sarabhai sent a post-graduate student of his to yielded good results. Sarabhai conducted experiments in Trivandrum, Allbagh, Honalulu and Gulmarg; he showed that the reasons for the changes in the Earth's magnetism which was accepted by scientists till then, were wrong;the changes were due to other reasons. (The Earth behaves as a magnet. The Earth's magnetic power is known as the Earth's Magnetism.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Personality</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sarabhai was a genius. His fame had spread to many countries. We have to remember him forever for his work on cosmic rays and atomic power. There is also another important reason toremember this great man. He tried to secure for our country an honored place in the scientific world. He was always earnestly thinking how our lives can be improved and our objects achieved through science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram Sarabhai was a very modest and simple man. He always spoke gently. He was very polite. He was a great scientist and an efficient administrator; moreover, he treated others with friendliness and sympathy. He had very heavy work; his responsibilities, too, were great. He had no leisure at all. But yet, to the last, he remained a lover of beauty. He was not the kind of scientist who sits alone on a mountain peak far from all, living beings and society. For twenty years he looked after the group of the industrial concerns of his family. He had the unique fortune to combine extraordinary learning rich industrial experience and great wealth. Those who have even one of these are usually not modest and friendly. But Sarabhai, who held learning, power and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">money in the palm of his hand, was very modest and friendly. Sometimes, people who did not know how busy he was would waste his time with their long tales of difficulties and misfortunes. Sarabhai would listen to them patiently and comfort them. If some one asked, "Aren't they wasting your precious time?", he would reply, "In our vast land people come from many backgrounds. Not every one is lucky enough to have the education we have. So, we have to listen to everything they say to understand what is in their mind."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To be in the company of Sarabhai was itself a pleasure. Even if he did not speak a word, his very smile would encourage his fellow workers. Even if a man carried a number of problems to him the moment the man saw Sarabhai's bright and hopeful eyes and smile, he would feel that he could himself solve his own problems. He</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">inspired such confidence in his men. He was always ready to help any one who was in trouble or difficulties. One day, a coolie was drawing a handcart loaded with heavy boxes. He was finding it difficult to draw it inside the Institute. When Sarabhai saw this, he ran to his help and pushed the cart. In the early days of the Institute, he would not seek anybody's help to move heavy equipment from room to room. He would do it himself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He looked 'on all men as equals. Even a servant could approach him freely, without feeling inferior. He would offer him a seat and let him speak frankly and without hesitation. Sarabhai believed that all men, whatever their status, should be treated with respect. He would' not ignore any man just because the man was poor or ignorant or illiterate. He firmly believed that a man should be judged not by his salary but by his work and responsibility. He wanted every one to work hard for the good of the organization of which he was a part.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His clothes were always simple. In the beginning he was fond of loud colored shirts; on one day he wore bright green, on the next day dark blue, on another day red and so on, changing the color every day. Later on he changed over to pyjamas, ordinary kurta and sandals.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With Students</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the objects of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad, was to train young scientists.Although Sarabhai had various duties and was very busy, he never neglected this training. He encouraged about 20 students to conduct advanced research and get their Ph.D. Degrees.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sarabhai working in his laboratory even at midnight was a common sight. Even at that hour his uppermost thought was the research work of his students. Even when he was waiting to board a plane he would be seen in a corner of the airport discussing with his students their problems.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Baroda, there was a big pharmaceutical factory (a factory to produce medicines) of the Sarabhais. Every Friday he would go to Baroda to supervise the work of thefactory and give instructions. He did not wish to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">waste his time during the railway journey from Ahmedabad to Baroda. He would take one or two students with him and discuss with them their problems.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He went abroad several times. However busy he was with his own work, he would spare sometime to meet Indian students in foreign countries; he would encourage them to return to India and continue their research in their motherland. But he also encouraged students to go abroad for higher studies, to get acquainted with</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">the latest developments in science and technology and to return to our country to serve the motherland. He was sure that if a proper atmosphere was created in India for the young scientists to pursue their chosen line of research, they would gladly return. He had such great confidence in our young scientists.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sarabhai's Hopes & Views</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even when the study of atomic energy was still in its early stages, Dr. Homi Bhabha dreamt a dream. He dreamt of an India, which did not depend on foreign countries for experts. He wanted India to have her own specialists in every field. For this purpose, he established several organizations and research institutes. Vikram Sarabhai also had his dream. That was to use atomic energy for a variety of purposes - for the development of agriculture and industry, for communication satellites, for national integration and the promotion of literacy, for weather forecast and for exploration of mineral wealth etc. To his last breath he worked for the realization of this dream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is possible to produce atomic energy independently with our own knowledge, machines, equipment and men. To do so we must have our own heavy water factory and nuclear fuel manufacturing plant. That was his great desire and he took the first steps to establish these factories. But he did not live to see their completion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A nation's progress and prosperity depend on how well the people use science and technical knowledge for development purposes. Only by the planned use of the fundamental sciences, technical knowledge and industrial experience can there be rapid economic development. Before harnessing our natural wealth and</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">resources, we should gather enough capital, give good training to our young men and women and produce great scientists. We should find out the needs of the country and prepare a technical plan to produce them. This planning should not take too much time. We should learn the most advanced and new research</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">techniques from all parts of the world. At the same time, we should encourage the growth of such research techniques in our own country. This was Sarabhai'sapproach to the progress of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Greatness Recognized</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Usually the President of the All India Textile Research Association would not be a mill owner. Sarabhai belonged to a mill owner's family. But yet, in 1955 the members of the Association requested Sarabhai to be their President.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1956, the Productivity Congress met in Japan. The Indian Government selected him as the leader of the Indian delegation. He was only 37; and he was the first Indian to attend this Congress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only institution which reviews the progress of science in this country is the Indian Science Congress. Sarabhai presided over the Physics Section of the Conference in 1962. Very few have achieved such a distinction at the age of 40.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Government of India awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in Physics to Sarabhai in 1962. In 1966 he received the Padma Bhushan Award. In the same year he was appointed as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. When he was the Chairman he prepared a master plan for the development of Atomic Energy and Space Research for the decade 1970-80. In 1968, the United Nations organized a Conference on Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Sarabhai was the Chairman. After his death, the Government conferred on him, in 1972, the title of Padma Vibhushan.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Creator Of Organization</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sarabhai was immersed in scientific research. He wanted that science and technology should grow together, that</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">intelligent young men should be trained in science and technology and that the right atmosphere for their work should be created in the country. For this purpose he established several organizations. The very first one was his, own Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad. In this, he formed the 'Group for the Improvement of Science Education', in 1963.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1947, when he was only 28 years old, he was entrusted with the organization of the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association. He ' had then no experience of textile mills or textile technology. Yet, with great confidence, he built up the institution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1963, he established the Nehru Foundation for Development, for the study of social and educational problems. In 1966, under its auspices, he established the Community Science Center, whose object was to spread scientific knowledge, to create interest in science and to promote experimentation among students, teachers and the general public. To train</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">efficient managers of factories, he started the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of all the institutions he established the most important were the Indian Space Research Organization with Centers at Thumba (near Trivandrum), Ahmedabad, Shriharikota (north of Madras) and Arvi (near Bombay). At Thumba and Shriharikota he established Rocket Launching Stations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is an organization called Pugwash Continuing Committee whose aim is to establish peace on earth and promote disarmament, particularly of dangerous weapons, all over the world. Sarabhai founded the Indian Branch of this Committee.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the midst of all this work, he had set apart sometime for the pharmaceutical industry. He was one of those who wanted to preserve the highest standards in the manufacture of drugs.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Capsules Of Wisdom</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vikram Sarabhai used to repeat constantly two sentences. They are capsules of wisdom. Every one should ponder over these sentences:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'No great importance is to be given to mere experience.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'He who can listen to the music in the midst of noise can achieve great things.'</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-45443546728442583682007-12-15T14:56:00.000-08:002007-12-15T15:00:20.885-08:00C.V.RAMAN<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCQMOu4AEACvT6HN2SpzZBKYNqozJFdZNmRR6zbijuiJjknAztapod3gs-Py62BbfCmSGfiSw_Wbl6fc5LXHy7qVwcy5cJbs01t-JGI5gPBVK95__SKePmTFLIXQXMsTGcwnwmE3dZjP/s1600-h/Raman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCQMOu4AEACvT6HN2SpzZBKYNqozJFdZNmRR6zbijuiJjknAztapod3gs-Py62BbfCmSGfiSw_Wbl6fc5LXHy7qVwcy5cJbs01t-JGI5gPBVK95__SKePmTFLIXQXMsTGcwnwmE3dZjP/s320/Raman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144338013538058434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > The Genius who won the Nobel prize for Physics, with simple equipment barely worth Rs.300. He was the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize. He won honour as a scientist and affection as a teacher and a man </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day in 1903, Professor Eliot of Presidency College, Madras, saw a little boy in his B.A. Class. Thinking that he might have strayed into the room, the Professor asked, "Are you a student of the B.A. class?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes Sir," the boy answered.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Your name?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"C.V. Raman."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This little incident made the fourteen- year- old boy well known in the college. The</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">youngster was later to become a world famous scientist.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Child Genius</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tiruchirapalli is a town on the banks of the river Cauvery. Chandrasekhara Ayyar was a teacher in a school there. He was a scholar in Physics and Mathematics. He loved music. His wife was Parvathi Ammal. Their second son was born on 7th November 1888. They named the boy Venkata Raman. He was also called Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman or</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">C.V. Raman.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman grew up in an atmosphere of music, Sanskrit literature and Science. He stood first in every class and was. Talked about as a child genius. He joined the B.A. class of the Presidency College. In the year 1905, he was the only boy who passed in the first class. He won a gold medal, too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He joined the M.A. class in the same college and chose Physics (study of matter and energy) as the main subject of study. Love of science, enthusiasm for work and the curiosity to learn new things were natural to Raman. Nature had also given him the power of concentration and intelligence. He used to read more than what was taught in the class. When doubts arose he would set down questions like 'How?' 'Why?' and 'Is this true?' in the Margin in the textbooks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The works of the German scientist Helmhotlz (1821 - 1891) and the English scientist Lord Raleigh (1842 - 1919) on acoustics (the study of sound) influenced Raman. He took immense interest in the study of sound. When he was eighteen years of age, one of his research papers was -published in the 'Philosophical Magazine' of England. Later another paper was published in the scientific journal 'Nature'.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Officer - Scientist</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman's elder brother C.S. Ayyar was in the 'Indian Audit and Accounts Service'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">(I.A.A.S.). Raman also wanted to enter the same department. So he sat for the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">competitive examination. The day before this examination, the results of the M.A.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">examination were published. He had passed in first class recording the highest marks in Madras University up to that time. He stood first in the I.A.A.S. examination also.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On May 6, 1907, Raman married Lokasundari Ammal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the age of nineteen, Raman held a high post in the government. He was appointed as the Assistant Accountant General in the Finance Department in Calcutta. And the same year something happened to give a new turn to his life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">210, Bow Bazaar Street</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One evening Raman was returning from his office in a tramcar. He saw the name plate of the 'Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science' at 210, Bow Bazaar Street. Immediately he got off the tram and went in. Dr. Amritlal Sircar was the Honarary Secretary of the Association. There were spacious rooms and old scientific instruments, which could be used for demonstration of experiments.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman asked whether he could conduct research there in his spare time. Sircar gladly agreed. Raman took up a house adjoining the Association. A door was provided between his house and the laboratory. During the daytime he would attend his office and carry out his duties. His mornings and nights were devoted to research. This gave him full satisfaction. So he continued his ceaseless activities in Calcutta.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Accounts To Science</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At that time Burma and India were under a single government. In 1909, Raman was</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">transferred to. Rangoon, the capital of Burma. When Chandrasekhara Ayyar passed away in 1910, Raman came to Madras on six months' leave.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After completing the last rites, Raman spent the rest of his leave period doing research in the Madras University laboratories.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Science College of Calcutta University was started in 1915.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There a chair for Physics was established in memory of Taraknath Palit, a generous</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">man. Raman was appointed Professor. He sacrificed the powerful post in the government, which brought a good salary.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Indian Science Congress was started in 1913. Its aim was to bring together scientists engaged in research; theyshould meet and exchange ideas. Its first session</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">was held in 1914. Asuthosh Mukherjee was the President. Raman was the President of the Physics section. Later he worked for many years as the Secretary of the Science Congress. He presided over its annual sessions in 1929 and 1948.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Professor Raman</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1917, at the age of 29, Raman became the Palit Professor. He continued research along with the new assignment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was very deeply interested in musical instruments such as the Veena, the Violin,the Mridangam and the Tabala. He began to work on them. Around 1918 he explained the complex vibrations of the strings of musical instruments. He later found out the characteristic tones emitted by the Mridangam, the Tabala etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amritlal Sircar, who was devoting all his time to the welfare of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, passed away in 1919. Professor Raman became its Honarary Secretary. Two laboratories - those of the College and of the Association - were under him; and this gave a new stimulus to his researches. Both his body and his mind could do all the work that had to be done. Many students came to him from different parts of the country for post-graduate studies and research. 210, Bow Bazaar Street and the University Science College Laboratory - these became the active research centers of India. Research workers like Meghnad Saha and S.K. Mitra, who became famous later, worked at these centres.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Great Teacher</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That was a time when Raman was completely immersed in experiments and research. According to the terms of the Palit Chair, he could have remained free from teaching work, doing research only. But Raman had great pleasure in teaching. Students were inspired by his lectures. They were eager to listen to him. He would not stick to one particular textbook. His lectures brought the fragrance of fresh research. They reflected Raman's great curiosity about the secrets of nature. Usually the lecture was of an hour's duration. Forgetting the time in the discussion of the subject, Professor Raman would sometimes lecture for two or three hours. Any doubt or question from a student would stimulate new scientific ideas.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not a Minute to Waste</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Absorbed in experiments, it was not unusual for him to forget food and sleep. Sometimes working late at night, he would sleep in the laboratory on one of the tables.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the mornings too, most of his time was spent in the laboratory. He worked in informal clothes. At 9.30 a.m. he would rush home. After a shave and a bath he would dress up and send for a taxi. He</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Would finish his breakfast in two or three minutes and get into the taxi. Racing over a distance of four miles, he would reach the class on time. He never wasted time.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In England</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Congress of the Universities of the British Empire met in 1921 in London. Raman went to England as the represen- tative of Calcutta University. This was his first visit abroad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman lectured in the ‘Physical Society’ of London. People came in large numbers to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">listen to him. He was introduced to J.J. Thomson and Ernest Rutherford, the famous English Physicists. Raman visited St. Paul’s Church in London. A whisper at one point of the church tower is heard clearly at another point. This effect, produced by the reflection of sound, aroused his curiosity.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Blue of the Sea</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman’s journey to England and back was by sea. In his leisure hours, he used to sit on the upper deck of the ship and enjoy the beauty of the vast sea. The deep blue color of the Mediterranean Sea interested the scientist in him. Was the blue due to the reflection of the blue sky? If so, how could it appear in the absence of light? Even when big waves rolled over the surface, the blue remained. As he thought over the problem, it flashed to him that the blue color might be caused by the scatter- ing of the sun’s light by water molecules. He turned over this idea in his mind again and gains. Immediately after his return to Calcutta, he plunged into experiments. Within a month, he prepared a research paper and sent it to the Royal Society of London. Next year he published a lengthy article on the molecular scattering of light.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman never held the wrong belief that research could be carried out only with</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">foreign-made or very complicated equipment. No doubt, he imported some equipment. No doubt, he imported some equipment. But he prepared much of the equipment he used with the help of his students.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">New Contacts</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scientists of many countries appreciated the research papers of Raman and his</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">colleagues. The Royal Society, the oldest and the most important science society of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">England, honored Raman in 1924 by electing his as its ‘Fellow’ (that is, a member).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The annual session of ‘The British Association for the Cultivation of Science’ was held in the same year in Toronto (Canada). Raman inaugurated the seminar on the scattering of light. R.A. Millikan, the famous American Physicist, who also attended, was full of admiration for Raman. They became fast friends too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the Mount Wilson Observatory in California (U.S.A), a telescope of 100-inch width was in use. Those were the times when discoveries in the field of astronomy (study of stars and planets and their movements) filled people with wonder. Raman was always eager to learn new things. He spent a couple of days onMount Wilson. During the nights he viewed the Nebula (bright or dark patch in the sky caused by distant stars or a cloud of gas or dust.) Through the telescope and was thrilled.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He went to Russia in 1925 to participate in the twohundredth anniversary of the ‘Russian Academy of Sciences’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Guide</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many scholars were working in the Calcutta laboratories to unlock the secrets of sound</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">and light. To all of them Professor Raman was the 'Guru' and the leader. He had</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">observed the blue color of the deep glaciers (mass of ice or snow) in the Alps mountain ranges. Taking the clue from this, some of the research workers studied some scattering of light in ice and quartz crystals. They also studied the scattering of light in liquids such as pure water and alcohol, as well as in vapors and gases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With a complete mental picture of the phenomenon, Raman would proceed to experiment systematically. After that he would write the research paper based on the results of the experiments and arrange for its early publication. Sometimes it would be late in the day by the time the final copy was prepared. Then he would rush to the General Post Office in a taxi to catch the last mail. Then he would enjoy a feast of Rasagulla with his students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He started 'The Indian Journal of Physics' in 1926 to make the prompt publication of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">research papers possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman wanted the young men working with him to take up indepenent positions and to serve the nation. He felt that his laboratory was a centre of training for young talent, but not a permanent storehouse.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman's research on sound became famous allover the world. 'Handbuck der Physic', a German Encyclopaedia of Physics, was published in 1927. Raman was the only foreign scientist invited to contribute an article to it.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman Effect</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes a rainbow appears and delights our eyes. We see in it shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. The white ray of the sun includes all these colors. When a beam of sunlight is passed through a glass prism a patch of these *color- bands are seen. This is called the spectrum. The Spectro- meter is an apparatus used to study</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">the spectrum. Spectral lines in it are characteristic of the light passing through the prism. A beam of light that causes a single spectral line is said to be monochromatic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When a beam of monochromatic light passes through a transparent substance (a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">substance which allows light to pass through it), the beam is scattered. Raman spent a long time in the study of the scattered light.. On February 28, 1928, he observed two low intensity spectral line corresponding to the incident mono- chromatic light. Years of his labor had borne fruit. It was clear that though the incident light was monochromatic, the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">scattered light due to it, was not monochromatic.Thus Raman's experiments discovered a phenomenon which was lying hidden in nature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 16th of March 1928 is a memorable day in the history )f science. On that day a</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">meeting was held under the joint auspices of the South Indian Science Association and the Science Club of Central College, Bangalore; Raman was the Chief Guest. He announced the new phenomenon discovered by him to the world. He also acknowledged wit h affection the assistance given by K.S. Krishnan and Venkateshwaran, who were his students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The phenomenon attracted the attention of research workers all over the world. It</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">became famous as the 'Raman Effect'. The spectral lines in the scattered light were known as 'Raman Lines'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Is light wave-like or particle-like? This question has been discussed from time to time by scientists. The Raman Effect confirmed that light was made up of particles known as 'photons'. It helped in the study of the molecular and crystal structures of different substances.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">World-Wide Interest in Raman Effect</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Investigations making use of the Raman Effect began in many countries. During the first twelve years after its discovery, about 1800 research papers were published on various aspects of it and about 2500 chemical compounds were studied.Raman Effect was highly praised as one of the greatest discoveries of the third decade of this century.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the 'lasers' (devices that produce intense beams of light, their name coming from the initial letters of 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) came into use in the 1960's, it became easier to get monochromatic light of very high intensity for experiments. This brought back scientific interest in Raman Effect, and the interest remains alive to this day.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The World Honours Raman</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman received many honors from all over the world for his achievement. In 1928 the Science Society of Rome awarded the Matteucci Medal. In 1929 the British Government knighted him; thereafter Professor Raman came to be known as Professor Sir C..V. Raman. The Royal Society of London awarded the Hughes Medal in 1930.Honorary doctorate degrees were awarded by the Universities of Freiburg (Germany), Glasgow(England), Paris (France), Bombay, Benaras, Dacca, Patna, Mysore and several others.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Nobel Prize, Too</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The highest award a scientist or a writer can get is the Nobel Prize. In 1930, the Swedish Academy of Sciences chose Raman to receive the Nobel Prize for Physics. No Indian and no Asian had received the Nobel Prize for Physics up to that time. At the ceremony for the award, Raman used alcohol to demonstrate the Raman Effect. Later in the evening alcoholic drinks were served at the dinner. But Raman did not touch them. He remained loyal to the Indian traditions.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Keen Eye</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">However minute the results of an experiment, they could not escape the searching eyes of Raman. And his mind retained every detail of what he observed. An incident, which took place at Walter, the seat of Andhra University, may be mentioned. After the discovery of the Raman Effect, spectra of different substances were being studied there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On one of his visits there, Raman found the research workers puzzled at not getting the expected spectral lines. Raman examined the plate containing the spectrum and exclaimed with joy, "There it is, you see!" He immediately got a projector and made the weak spectral lines clearly visible on the white screen.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Bangalore</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He came to Bangalore as the Director of the Tata Institute (the Indian Institute of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Science) in 1933. The Tata Institute soon became famous for the study of crystals. The diffraction of light (the very slight bending of light around corners) by ultrasonic waves (high frequency sound waves which we cannot hear) in a liquid was elegantly explained by Raman and Nagendranath. This became known as the 'Raman-Nath Theory'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman's Day</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was an early riser and used to take morning walks regularly. The sight of tall</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">trees against the sky at dawn delighted him. By six in the morning he would be in the chamber where he worked. Up to 9 a.m. he would devote his time to discussion with students who were experimenting and to the study of research papers. At 10 o'clock he would be in the Directors office. He would complete the office work and return to the laboratory. He would be immersed in research till 8.30 p.m. He used to arrange two or three seminars every week. At these seminars all the workers would come together to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">discuss various problems of their research.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Use A 10-Kilowatt Brain'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whenever students showed new results, Raman was delighted. He would guide them to do further work. If they appeared to be depressed he would inspire them to fresh efforts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A student was once experimenting with an X-ray tube of one-kilowatt power. He learnt</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">that a scientist in England was experi- menting on the same problem with a five-kilowatt X-ray tube, and grew depressed. When Raman, who was on his rounds, came to know of this, he said with a smile, "There is a very simple solution; use a 1 0-kilowatt brain on the problem."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman possessed supreme self- confidence and he generated -it in his students also.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman used to enquire about his students even after they left his Institute. If they had</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">any difficulty he would help them as best he could</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Judging Talent</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman had his own method of judging the merit of a student. Once he set a question</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">concerning the vibrations of theMridangam at the Post-Graduate Examination of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Allahabad University. This was different from the other questions based on textbooks. Only one student answered it and he had spent all the allotted time on this one answer. Raman was pleased with his talent and personally congratulated him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once a candidate attended an interview for a research post in the Tata Institute. He had passed in the first class. He was asked, "Are there any scientific problems you would like to work on?" There was no satisfactory answer. Physically also the candidate was weak. Raman advised him, "Research is strange work. Success in it brings limit less joy whereas failure pushes one to deep despair. Joy and despair - both require bodily strength. You should first improve your bodily strength through sports and exercises."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Indian Academy Of Sciences</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In order to encourage scientific research in India, Raman established the Indian</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Academy of Sciences in 1934. From that year the science journal 'The Proceedings of the Academy' is being published every month.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Government of Mysore granted 24 acres of land to promote the activities of the Academy. It was his earnest desire 'to bring into existence a centre of scientific research worthy of our ancient country, where the keenest intellectuals of our land can probe into the mysteries of the Universe'. He fulfilled his wish by establishing a Research Institute atHebbal, Bangalore. He did not seek help from the Government but have away all his property to the Institute. The Executive Committee of the Academy named the centre 'Raman Research Institute'.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Raman Reasearch Institute</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1948 this great scientist entered on one more active phase of life when he became the Director of the Raman Research Institute. The Institute became the centre of all his activities. A garden and tall eucalyptus trees surrounded it. He used to say, "A Hindu is required to go to the forest in old age, but instead of going to the forest, I made the forest come to me." At the Institute he could concentrate on things that interested him. He was alone with his work and was happy. At the entrance to the Institute was a board bearing the words, "The Institute is not open to visitors. Please do not disturb US."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He did research on sound, light, rocks, gems, birds, insects, butterflies, sea shells, trees, flowers, atmosphere,weather and physiology of vision and hearing. His study covered such different fields of science as Physics, Geology, Biology and Physiology. Among them sound and colors particularly attracted him. Once he even went round shops to select sarees of different color designs.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Delight In Colour and Light</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman collected rocks and precious stones. His invaluable collection included hundreds of objects such as sand that melted due to lightning, rock indicating the lava flow during a volcano and diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Many fluorescent minerals (that is,minerals having the property of receiving short invisible rays and sending out long visible rays) were kept in a dark room. There he could create a small twinkling world by switching on the ultra-violet light. Thin layers of some crystals were prepared for study. No color was seen when they were viewed perpendicularly. But the viewer had only to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">change the angle – and blue, green and yellow colors delighted the eye. After a deep study of diamonds Raman explained many of their characteristics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once in Paris he went shopping for diamonds and crystals. There two beautiful</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">butterflies with blue wings in a shop window attracted him. He bought them and later collected thousands of specimens.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman loved flowers for their colors. He grew many flower plants. He used to visit</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">flower exhibitions to examine flowers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman used to announce his newscientific discoveries at the annual sessions of the Academy. At the Madras session (1967) he discussed the influence of the earth’s rotation on its gaseous envelope. Next year he put forward his theory of the physiology of vision.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many countries and institutions continued to honor him. The membership of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">American Optical Society (1941), the National Professorship of India (1948), the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute (1951), the International Lenin Prize (1957), the Membership of the Pontifical Academy of Science (1961) -these were some of the honors conferred on him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The greatest honor the Government of India confers on an Indian is the award of 'Bharat Ratna'. Raman became a 'Bharat Ratna' in 1954.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Interest in Music</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was a great lover of music. He used to say, "I should live long, because I have not heard all the music I want to hear." He was a frequent visitor to a shop selling musical instruments in Balepet, in Bangalore. He collected a variety of musical instruments like the Mridangam, the Tabla, the Veena, the Violin and the Nagaswaram.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'The Catgut Acoustical Society' of America is devoted exclusively to the study of violins. It elected Raman as its honorary member.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'A General Practitioner in Science'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Raman stepped into the field of research, Modern Physics was in its infancy. It developed numerous branches by the time he began working in his own Institute. Then research workers had access to modern equipment and methods, which were not available six decades earlier. They tended to study a small field and to specialize in it. But Raman never limited his activities and interests to a narrow field.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman once inaugurated the 'General Practitioners' Conference' in Bangalore. A</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">general practitioner is a doctor who treats common illnesses. Raman humorously</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">commented on that occasion that he was a general practitioner in science. He liked all</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">scientific problems whether they were small or big. His interest and satisfaction lay in finding a solution to the problem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1969, the daughter of Nagendranath (who had been a research student under him thirty years earlier) was married; Raman and his wife attended thereception. Raman drew Nagendranath aside and explained his new problem; he was trying to find a theory of earthquakes taking into account the actual shape of the earth and the wave-like nature of the quakes. Raman was not a person to be satisfied with his past achievements. He was always seeking new and vaster fields of study.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was a delightful speaker. Sprinkled with good humor, his talk was usually</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">focussed on realities. Raman used to say that the color of the sea interested him more than the fish, which lived in it. He thought that we should have our own ships for oceanographic research (the study of the sea). He often said that India lost her freedom because she took no interest in the seas.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Lion's Heart</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Friends and admirers organized a special function at the Annual Session of the Academy at Ahmedabad to honor him on his eightieth birthday. Many people expressed warm sentiments. Raman never took much interest in birthday celebrations. Still, at the end. He thanked the organizers; and with a twinkle in his eyes, he said, "I wish some one had</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">said that I had a lion's heart!" All who had spoken forgot to make mention of his great asset, namely courage.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The True Research Student</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was studious. He kept in touch with the latest developments in science in the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">world around him. He had personal contact with many scientists. He used to read new</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">books and research papers from different centres. On one occasion he was addressing the students of Presidency College, Madras. Like an elder brother he told them, "How much can you learn in an hour's lecture? Spend more time in the library." Studying and experimenting, he remained a student throughout his life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"The equipment which brought me the Nobel Prize did not cost more than three hundred rupees. A table drawer can hold all my research equipment’s," he used to say with pride. It was his conviction that if the research worker is not inspired from within an amount of money can bring success in research.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He hoped that scientists of free India would win worldwide fame by their discoveries. "If there are no facilities here, what is wrong with their going abroad and spreading the fame of India? Did not the workers of the East India Company come and rule India?" he used to say.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman was not conservative in his outlook. He used to spell out his opinions boldly., When he was called 'India's illustrious scientist' he would correct the description with humility: "I am just a man of science." When scientists were criticized he would retort with confidence that they were the salt of the earth.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His God And His Religion</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman would not speak much about God and religion. Science was his God and work his religion. He believed that new discoveries confirm the existence of God; if there is God we have to find Him in this universe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A journalist once asked him, "What do you feel about the long and eventful period of</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">your scientific work and achievements?" Raman replied promptly, "I have no time to</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">think of the past and I am not inclined to do so. I spend my life as a scientist. My work</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">gives me satisfaction."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As he was completing his 82 year Raman organized a weeklong conference of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">members of the Academy in September 1970. On that occasion he invited young</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">scientists to present papers on different subjects.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every year he used to deliver a popular science lecture on the Gandhi Jayanthi Day. In 1970, he spoke on the new theories about hearing and the eardrum. This was his last lecture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few days before his 83 birthday Raman suffered a mild heart attack. But there was</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">quick recovery. He never dreamt of a life without work. He had told his doctor, "I wish to live a hundred- per-cent active and fruitful life."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman, a seeker of truth throughout his life, passed away on the 21st of November 1970.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Radhakrishnan, his younger son, became the Director of the Raman Research Institute.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Without much encouragement, Raman had entered the field of science in his early years. Deeply attracted by the secrets of sound and light, he marched ahead in the world of science. By his achievements and self-respect he earned a honored place for India in the world of science. He laid the foundations of a scientific tradition in India by building up institutes for research, by publishing science journals and by encouraging young scientists. Truly he was the 'Grand Old Man of Indian Science'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raman possessed the curiosity of a little boy to know new things, and the intuition of a great genius in understanding the secrets of Nature. The life of this great scientist was truly the life of a great seer.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-33370698437524955642007-12-15T14:50:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:55:17.086-08:00MADHAVA SADASIVA GOLWAKAR<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JMBQ1ZvhFy9iSbHvTuiutiUJb3Nd3CHpTW62BXfQIWnuk7U3PakN40wGiZEd96rT0q533aQwPbQJRQCOFmmhryU_hPRm_jI4zaL_WnLhQdydcv4uBXomxL9GBjB6LKqpraWhIDeCXWge/s1600-h/Golwalkar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JMBQ1ZvhFy9iSbHvTuiutiUJb3Nd3CHpTW62BXfQIWnuk7U3PakN40wGiZEd96rT0q533aQwPbQJRQCOFmmhryU_hPRm_jI4zaL_WnLhQdydcv4uBXomxL9GBjB6LKqpraWhIDeCXWge/s320/Golwalkar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144336355680682162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >He was well known as ' Guruji' throughout Bharat, and was the second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His life was wholly dedicated tot he service of the motherland </span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">Golwalkar</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Guru' is a name familiar to all. Guru was the second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His full name was Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. His was an impressive personality: dignified gait; a long flowing beard reaching down to his chest; curly locks of hair touching the shoulders; a face luminous with innate intellect and learning. His was an inspiring presence. It aroused instant reverence. Whoever saw him spontaneously folded their hands and bowed their heads. Such was Guru. He instilled patriotism in the hearts of millions of youths of the country. He explained to them the Hindu way of life and philosophy in simple words. Like a true friend, he shared in the joys and sorrows of his countrymen. He molded them into Effective instruments for the worship of Bharat Mata as her worthy children. He demonstrated that strength derives from organization. He traveled untiringly through the length and breadth of the country almost a hundred times during the 33 years of his glorious tenure as Sarsanghchalak, kindling in the society the immortal flame of enduring love for the Motherland. He had scaled the highest levels of spirituality through his intense austerity and perseverance. By constant study and reflection he had become a veritable treasure of knowledge. He was a voracious reader even as a boy. He avidly read whatever books he could lay his hands on, from childhood through youth. Several are the disciplines in which he had acquired commendable mastery - History, Art, Religion, Culture, Sciences, Sociology and Economics, to name a few; and he dedicated all his stupendous intellectual faculties to the service of the country. He vastly expanded the network of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in multipledirections, and inspired and guided thousands of efficient dedicated workers spread throughout the country.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">Childhood </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On 19th February 1906 a child was born in Nagpur to Sadashiv Golwalkar and Lakshmibai. The Golwalkar family originally hailed from Gulwalli village in the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. Lakshmibai was endearingly called as 'Tai and Sadashivarao as 'Bhauji by all acquaintances. In the beginning, Sadashivarao served as a clerk in the Posts and Telegraphs Department. Later, he took up the job of a schoolteacher. The boy was named Madhav at birth. It is customary in Maharashtra to append the father's name and the family name after a person's surname. Thus Madhav became Madhavrao Sadashivarao Golwalkar. Madhav had an elder brother named Amrut. Madhav was fondly called 'Madhu' in the family circle. Mother Lakshmibai was a devout lady. Amrut was gentle by nature. Madhu was rather mischievous, but always good in studies as well as in sports. He was agile, though not particularly well built. When Bhauji sat for worship, little Madhu too sat beside him, and quickly learnt the Mantras by heart. Endowed with a stupendous memory, he could recall whatever he once heard with ease and precision. After hearing a story he could narrate it to others with further elaboration added to it. Naturally a large circle of friends would always surround him. He had an unsuitable thirst to learn and understand everything that came his way with alacrity and enthusiasm.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Study </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Madhu's practice to complete reading his class textbooks in the house itself, and utilize his time in the school to study other general books. However, he never lagged behind in his school studies. In fact, he was always the first to reply to any question asked by the teachers. Bhauji was from time to time transferred from one place to another. The new places provided fresh opportunities for Madhu to enlarge his friends' circle. Marathi of course was his mother tongue. But he soon acquired familiarity with Sanskrit, Hindi and English too. He wrote letters to his friends in English. He was seldom alone; while walking he was invariably accompanied by a group of friends. He never forgot his friends even after leaving that place. He maintained his intimate contact with them through letters. Madhu completed Middle School and High School education creditably. The physical culture instructor in High School was particularly fond of him, as he excelled in physical exercises also. He continued to train Madhu even after he completed matriculation, as Madhu always strove to attain a high level of proficiency in whatever he attempted.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> In College </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bhauji's desire was that Madhav should become a doctor. As preparatory to it, Madhav joined the course of First Year Science in Ferguson College, Pune, in June 1922. But that was not to be. On account of a new rule to admit only the residents of that province in the Pune College Madhav returned to Nagpur and secured admission in the Hislop College. He stayed in the house of his maternal uncle and pursued his studies. Madhavrao was a brilliant student in his college days. Once, during the course of a class-lecture, the teacher, Prof. Gardener, wrongly quoted a verse from the Bible. Madhavrao promptly pointed it out, "Sir, what you said is not accurate. The line reads thus." The surprised teacher, who had taught the Bible for years, sent for a copy of the text. It was found that what Madhavrao had recalled was the correct version. The learned professor was all praise for the talent and memory of his young student. On another occasion, while lecturing on a particular plant, the professor of botany said, "This plant is not available in this region." Madhavrao kept silent for the time being. But on the very next day, he displayed his keen observation by producing in the class the said plant, which he had brought from beneath an old bridge in the city. In 1924 he passed his Intermediate Science in First Class. Later, Madhavrao joined Banaras Hindu University for his B.Sc. course.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Won Over By Kashi </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On arrival in Kashi, Madhavrao immersed himself in books with an irrepressible passion to know and understand almost everything. He gained proficiency in Sanskrit in order to delve deep into the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. He read and re-read texts of Vedanta for the sake of his friends who gathered around him every day for discussion. He studied extraneous subjects like Sociology, Economics etc., to be able to assist his Universitymates. Alongside, he practiced Yogasanas and swimming, and also learnt to play flute and sitar. He would be so engrossed in study that once, when he was stung by a scorpion, he continued his reading saying, 'It has stung my leg and not my head.' When attacked by fever he would say, 'Fever is there for itself, and I am here for myself' and continue his study. His room was full of books. He was always reading: when not reading he would be engaged in discussions with friends. Swimming in the morning; exercises in the evening. Whenever he went back to his home for short duration, his parents felt inwardly happy to see the glowing face of their son. He had indeed blossomed into a sprightly youth. Madhavrao completed his B-Sc. in 1926, but he did not feel like leaving Kashi; so deep had been its influence on his mind. Under the pretext of pursuing his post-graduation in zoology, he managed to remain there for a further period of two years. During that period he applied himself to a deep study of literature of Ramakrishna Paramahmsa and Vivekananda. He also became a member of a Theosophy Center, which had just then been started in Kashi. This proved to be a turning point in his life, in so far as his attitude,outlook and lifestyle were concerned. It also brought about a complete change in his mode of dress. A white, loose kurta and a slack pyjama became his attire - as was common among theosophists. Madhavrao liked the dress. He completed his M.S. also with distinction in 1928. He had to leave Kashi thereafter, though reluctantly.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> In Madras </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Madhavrao went to Madras for doing his Ph.D. in the science of fishery. All the while his father had desired that Madhav should become a 'Doctor'. Now he was going to be one, perhaps - though a doctor of a different sort. It was a hard life in Madras. He had to meet all his expenses out of a monthly allowance of Rs.50. He did all the daily chores by himself in his room. The local language was totally unfamiliar to him; and he had no acquaintances. He utilized this opportunity; in a way this served to help him to brush up his English further, as he had to rely on it most of the time. He made full use of the enforced solitude for his contemplative pursuits. The patriotic instinct, which had sprouted in his heart at Kashi, blossomed forth during his stay in Madras, and reinforced his resolve to do anything for the sake of the country. He had clarity in his thought, purposiveness in action, firm faith in mental and physical powers, and a fearless disposition developed through his intellectual integrity. Once he was having breakfast in a hotel with his friends, amidst conversation. There ensued a discussion about the sturdiness of the glass-pane on the table where they were sitting. Some one remarked, "How can such a delicate glass-top withstand rough handling?" "It is not so easy to break it," remarked the hotel owner rather challengingly. "Suppose I break it with a single blow?" countered Madhavrao. "If you do that, all of you can have a free breakfast here from me, "answered the owner, provoked further. By then curious onlookers had gathered around the table. His friends looked askance at Madhavrao. "So, shall I break it?" - asked Madhavrao. "Do so." Madhavrao stood up, raised his hand, clenched his fist, and brought down a hammerlock blow. The glass-pane was reduced to splinters! His friends, the owner, and the onlookers were all amazed. On another occasion, the Nizam of Hyderabad was scheduled to visit the Madras aquarium. They were faced with a problem: should they allow the Nizam without a ticket? Madhavrao insisted, "None should be permitted to break the rule." He did not rest at that, but ensured the entry of the Nizam to the aquarium only on production of a ticket. Only when it was over could the fear-stricken administration heave a sigh of relief. It was natural for a youth in early twenties to think of his future prospects, wife, family life, etc. But such thoughts never crossed the mind of Madhavrao even once. On the contrary, he cherished a desire to cross the bounds of the worldly life, take to sannyas, and retire to the Himalayas for penance. But when he saw the plight of the country at that time, his cherished desire was shaken. "I have decided not to go in search of solitude; let solitude itself come to me" - he wrote to a friend of his. That proved prophetic. About the same time, Bhauji retired from service. The source of income for the family suddenly dried up. Naturally, Madhavrao's pursuit of his studies at Madras became impossible. With a heavy heart, he returned to Nagpur. He then came into contact with Ramakrishna Ashram at Dhantoli in Nagpur. This contact gradually became more and more intimate. It was as if the timeless voice of Vivekananda had begun to beckon him.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Prof.Golwalkar 'Guruji' </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In May 1930, a letter came: "Shri M. S. Golwalkar is hereby appointed as professor of zoology in Kashi Hindu Vidyapeeth." The parents were overjoyed that their ambition had been fulfilled. Madhavrao left for Kashi. Prof. Golwalkar was a strict disciplinarian. With his sharp intellect and clarity of thought, he was a class apart from other professors there. His activities now were different from those of his student life. Every single activity in his routine had an assigned place and schedule. Sandhya vandana, then Yogasanas and Pranayama immediately followed the bath.Theduration of meditation and reflection had doubled. Having himself experienced poverty in boyhood, he was ever eager to help the poor and needy students in all possible ways. Although he was professor of zoology, he taught subjects like English, mathematics, economics, philosophy, etc., outside the class-hours withoutexpectation of any return. Because of this habit of engaging himself in extra studies only with a view to helping others, Professor Golwalkar came to be endearingly called as 'Guru'. That epithet stuck to him and became popular not only among the youth in the University but, later, throughout the country.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By that time, the activities of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had already started in Kashi. Doctor Hedgewar, founder of the Sangh, had asked his close associate Bhaiyaji Dani to initiate Sangh work in Kashi, while he was there for his studies. Guru was very fond of Bhaiyaji. A close kinship developed between them. Guru keenly observed the Sangh activities like the daily prayer, exercises, sports, discussions and other intellectual activities, conducive to nationalist thinking. Guru said, "All these activities are dear to my heart too" and became, one with the Sangh. During his stay at Nagpur after return from Madras, Guru had come to know about the Sangh and Doctor Hedgewar, who could attract any person towards him through his affability and magnetic personality. Guru soon succeeded in securing the blessings of eminent persons like Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya for the Sangh activities. Malaviya had made available a room for the Sangh office and also a ground for Shakha activities in the campus of the University. Malaviya often discussed with Guru about the future of the country. The former was all appreciation for the discipline and dedication of Swayamsevaks. The three years' tenure of Guru's professorship came to an end in 1933. Guru had to return to Nagpur. The parents thought that it would be better if Madhavrao did his Law, as he could thereby earn a lot. In accordance with his parents' wish, Guru joined the Law College. Study for the Law course occupied very little of his time; he spent more time in the Ramakrishna Ashram at Dhantoli.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Karyavaha </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1934, Guru was made the Karyavaha (executive) of the Kendriya Shakha at Nagpur. Doctor had noticed the inexhaustible enthusiasm and devotion bubbling in this youth, and gradually went on assigning to him more and more responsibilities. On the advice of Doctor, Guru went to Mumbai as Sangh Pracharak (organizer) for a time. Guru's parents naturally felt that Madhav should marry now. But Guru avoided it saying I am willing to marry for your sake. But I don't have the slightest interest in it." The parents did not pursue the matter further. Guru was quite good at law; but it was beyond him to employ false witnesses or evidence, as lawyers are prone to do. Thus Golwalkar became known as an advocate ' who is preferable for cases needing intellectual arguments, but not for the general run of 'appeal' cases. One fine day Guru was missing!</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> 'For Another Cause' </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guru went straight to Saragachi in Murshidabad district of Bengal. Saragachi Ramakrishna Ashram was then headed by Swami Akhandananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and thus a 'Gurubhai' of Swami Vivekananda. Madhavrao desired initiation from Akhandananda who was elderly and a realized soul. Madhavrao served his preceptor whole-heartedly and received the initiation. Akhandananda had developed a very special affinity for this highly talented and well-educated disciple of his. While leading him on his spiritual path, Akhandananda said, "Sannyas is not the destiny of Golwalkar. Another great cause awaits him." Guru Maharaj thus ordained his disciple for service of Bharat Mata. Guru returned to Nagpur after Swami Akhandananda left the mortal coil in 1937. Doctor was the happiest person to see Guru back in Nagpur.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">'Sarsanghchalak' </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guru had made up his mind that he should make some concrete contribution for the wellbeing of the country, serving the society in a spirit of worship. This needed a specific field of activity. He began to take greater interest in the work begun by Doctor. A most popular leader Doctor was suffering from a severe attack of typhoid. His health seemed irrecoverable. Guru remained like a shadow with him, nursed him, and served him till his end. Doctor passed on the responsibility of the Sangh work to the able shoulders of Guru and breathed his last on 21st June 1940. Guru assume ' d the office of Sarsangh- chalak of the R.S.S. after the obsequies of Doctor were over. In a message for a hand-written periodical, which was being brought out by the Swayamsevaks of Wardha in those days, Guru said: "Let us not depend on any external instruments or sources of power. Let us draw inspiration from the memory of our beloved leader and his burning patriotism. Let us fulfil our mission with firm faith and let us strive hard to achieve our objective of ensuring a pride of place to Hindu Rashtra on the world stage." Guru pursed this goal tirelessly till the very end.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">A Fountain Of Inspiration </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guru had made up his mind that he should make some concrete contribution for the wellbeing of the country, serving the society in a spirit of worship. This needed a specific field of activity. He began to take greater interest in the work begun by Doctor. A most popular leader Doctor was suffering from a severe attack of typhoid. His health seemed irrecoverable. Guru remained like a shadow with him, nursed him, and served him till his end. Doctor passed on the responsibility of the Sangh work to the able shoulders of Guru and breathed his last on 21st June 1940. Guru assume ' d the office of Sarsangh- chalak of the R.S.S. after the obsequies of Doctor were over. In a message for a hand-written periodical, which was being brought out by the Swayamsevaks of Wardha in those days, Guru said: "Let us not depend on any external instruments or sources of power. Let us draw inspiration from the memory of our beloved leader and his burning patriotism. Let us fulfil our mission with firm faith and let us strive hard to achieve our objective of ensuring a pride of place to Hindu Rashtra on the world stage." Guru pursed this goal tirelessly till the very end.Then began Guru's untiring and countrywide tours with meticulously planned itinerary. During the tours, as a wandering mendicant, he would spend each night in a different city or village, ceaselessly participating in camps, rallies, meetings, discussions, training- camps, 'baithaks' (structured organizational meetings) and contacts, inspiring thousands of youths, educating them about the significance of Sangh work and instilling in them a missionary zeal for whole hearted involvement in the task of national rejuvenation. In the meantime, Guru had to protect the growing organization from the hostile British rulers. He skillfully managed each such crisis. In response to the call given by Guru in 1942, thousands of youths all over the country vowed to dedicate themselves entirely for the Sangh work, on a wholesome basis. Thus Sangh Shakhas sprouted even in remote corners of the country. Sangh activities thus grew apace. During tours Guru was very particular about keeping to the time-schedules, totally unmindful ofvagaries of weather, floods, winds, heat or cold. Nothing came in the way of his predetermined programs. Never for a moment did he feel 'superior' as the Sarsanghchalak of such a vast organization. If no conveyance were available, he would walk the whole distance without a murmur. Once rains began to pour right at the time of the Prarthana (Sangh prayer). The Swayam- sevaks were naturally upset. One of them made him bold, opened an umbrella and tried to hold it over Guru. Without disturbing his posture of prayer, Guru closed the umbrella with his left hand and completed the prayer in the torrential rain. While talking to the Karyakartas soon thereafter he said: "If we are scared of even inclement weather, how can we achieve our goal? Those ready to do anything for the cause of the country should pay least heed to the needs of their body. How could we become eligible for worship of the nation, unless we overcome the nature?" The basic endeavor of the Sangh is: to bring a person to the Sanghasthan, observe him closely, inform him about the Sangh work, instruct him in the Sangh thoughts, persuade him, and finally make that person commit himself to the Sangh ideology and patriotism through the daily and periodic programs of the Sangh. Other Sangh activities like games, 'baithaks', discussion-sessions, physical exercise, patriotic songs, Prarthana, etc., are supplementary aids to the above process. Individuals should mix and mingle with one another on the basis- of their shared national outlook and become one with the strong bond of brotherhood and discipline. Only then could the problems faced by the country be solved. This was the essence of fcthe teachings of Guru.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">Protective Hand </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Along with the intensification of the freedom struggle, the demand for the formation of Pakistan also became louder as a result of the poisonous seed sown by the British. The country witnessed ever increasingincidences of -atrocities, violence, riots, coercion, etc. The Sangh work was expanding to far-off places like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Punjab-Sindh province. Swayamsevaks engaged themselves in giving succor to the people fallen prey to such violence and loss. These violent riots were then being carried out, strictly according to their pre- determined plans only to impress upon the Government -the irreversibility of the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims. The Swayamsevaks took up the onerous task of preventing such riots often at the cost of their lives. They arranged for safe migration of thousands at great risk, but with exemplary courage, skill and determination. Camps were organized for the migrants and for their medical care and security needs. Being the moving spirit behind this massive effort, Guru went round these places bringing consolation through hit soothing words, giving them courage, confidence and guidance as also personally supervising the arrangements for food, shelter and security. He presented a living example of humanitarian concern and courage. Once, he unhesitatingly walked across a broken, blown-up bridge over an uproarious river on his way from Jalandhar to Ludhiana. He thus set his own glowing example of uncompromising dedication to the society before the Swayamsevaks. However, the undesirable partition of our country did take place. The agonies and travails of partition accompanied the joy of freedom. 30 January 1948. Guru was in Madras on that day. The evening brought the heart-rending news of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. "The brutal murder of a most revered person of the modern era is a monstrous act. I am extremely aggrieved by it" - Guru condoled.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">Fire-Ordeal </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The opponents of the Sangh started disturbances. There was stonethrowing in Nagpur and other places on 31st January. They attacked the house of Guru and pelted stones. Totally unperturbed, Guru kept on reciting Bhagavad – Gita with perfect equanimity and poise. The Government arrested Guru under the baseless accusation of Gandhi's assassination. The Sangh was banned, and thousands of Swayamsevaks and workers were dumped behind the bars. Being alarmed by the growing strength of the Sangh, and due to the enormous public approbation Guru had been receiving all over the country, the Government cracked down on the Sangh in a bid to trample and finish it. There was in fact no connection whatsoever between the Sangh and the murder of Gandhiji. The Government had to withdraw the charges barely within a week. The courts of law released the Swayamsevaks and passed strictures against the Government action. The Government released Guru also on 6 August with certain restrictions imposed on him. He entered into prolonged correspondence with the top leaders of the country. He appealed to the Government to lift the ban on the Sangh and to clear it of the charges, since they were all baseless. The restrictions on Guru too were eventually removed. Guru went to Delhi. Thousands of citizens gave him a rousing welcome by showering flowers on him. Talks ensued. A suggestion was put forward for merger of the Sangh with Congress. Guru at once rejected it. Talks and correspondence failed. Preparations for a nation-wide movement to start the Sangh Shakhas in defiance of the ban order were set in motion overnight, with lightning speed. As expected, Guru was re-arrested. Sangh Shakhas was started in hamlets, villages, towns and cities all over the country again. More than a hundred thousand Swayamsevaks offered Satyagraha. They were promptly jailed. They were subjected to untold miseries and torture. People took out protest marches demandingimmediate removal of the ban. Many eminent personages came forward for mediation and began negotiation with the Government, The Swayamsevaks were denied even the minimum facilities that were normally made available to ordinary prisoners in the jails. As a result, their health condition began to deteriorate. Guru never bent before the Government. His cardinal faith was that "Ultimately Truth alone triumphs." On 12 July 1949 the Government removed t the eighteen-month-old ban on the Sangh. Guru advised the Swayamsevaks, "Forget the nightmarish episode of the ban. You should not harbor even the slightest bitterness in your minds about those responsible for causing us harm and injustice. After all they are our countrymen. Remember that both the tongue and the teeth always remain together. Once in a way by accident the teeth may bite the tongue; but on that account we do not knock them down. If one leg trips the other, are we to cut that leg? Those who have harmed us are very much our own people, not outsiders. Hence let us forget and forgive."</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;">In The Service Of People Again </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thousands of Hindus started pouring in from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on account of their forcible conversion to Islam. The Sangh, under the able stewardship of Guru, girded up its loins for the service of the people thus rendered homeless. Guru once again swung into swift action to supervise these arrangements of succor to the refugees. He alerted the Government about their duty towards these unfortunate brethren of ours and gave his guidance for the appropriate course of action under those difficult circumstances. He appealed to the people to extend their helping hand in mitigation of the distress caused by the neighboring State. People of Delhi presented a purse of Rs.101001/- to Shri Guru. Shri J. A. Kurein, a journalist from U.S.A., and Prof. Wilson from Australia came to Bharat to study the Sangh and its working. The name and fame of the Sangh reached to the distant corners of the world. Guru then led a movement against cow-slaughter. He articulated the Hindus' deeply rooted feeling towards the cow, which has been a focal point of our culture and Dharma, in the minds of themultitudes. The movement set a world record of 1,74,89,332 signaturescollected by fifty four thousand Swayamsevaks from 84,000 villages and cities all over the country. Guru never tolerated any insult either to the unity and integrity of the country, to Dharma and Culture, or to the cherished beliefs of people. Narrating the story of a lion-cub that had acquired all the sheepish traits after it strayed into a herd of sheep for a long time and which was later on restored to its innate leonine nature by another lion, Guru exhorted the people to stand up-right and assert themselves once again. Guru stoutly protested against all that was inimical to the integrity of Bharat. He opposed every act of treachery against the nation. Due to inertia on the part of Government, China gobbled up Tibet. There was no reaction from our Government. The Portuguese were torturing our people in Goa, which was a part of Bharat. The Government maintained a sullen silence. Guru cautioned the Government on all such occasions. Guru was the first nationalist thinker to openly warn that the re-organization of the States solely on the basis of language would do many harms to the country. Guru was a fountain of perennial inspiration to thousands of Hindu youths. He was a Karmayogin. His physique was fragile. But spiritual glow and serenity flowed from' his face. Curly locks of hair reaching up to shoulders; a flowing beard; a broad forehead; lips hiding behind the curved moustache; an observant pair of bright eyes; a sprinkle of sweet smile in his talks and conversation; and often bouts of hearty laughter too. His softly couched and aptly delivered cryptic remarks had a drive-home quality about them. He was invariably clothed in a baggy dhoti and loose kurta, and shawl on the shoulders. Seeing his erect chest and fast pace with long strides, one felt tempted to call him 'a saint in a hurry'. His pious Personality reflected the dynamism of a noble commander. His heart emitted concentrated confidence of a thousand lions. With all this, he shunned publicity like poison. Such was his self-effacing nature. 1956 saw the fifty-first birthday of Shri Guru. It was celebrated in a befitting manner. On that occasion, the Sangh workers not only arranged colorful functions, but also conveyed the thoughts Guru held dear to his heart, to every hearth and home in the country. 1963 was the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda Guru addressed a mammoth public meeting in Madras and at other important cities. He reminded the people of the rousing call of Swami Vivekananda to build a strong organization in Hindu Samaj, for national reconstruction. Guru shaped the Sangh into a protective shield and also as fighting arms of the country whenever it was confronted with external crisis. In 1962, China betrayed Bharat. It pushed its army into our territory. Guru gave a call to the Swayamsevaks to stand by the Government in protecting the nation. "Now that a powerful enemy has attacked our nation, let us set aside our differences and be united as an invincible force. This is the need of the time. All the people of Bharat should stand erect as one Virat-Purusha for safeguarding the national interests." Millions of hearts throbbed in unison with this call of Guru. Swayamsevak responded in full measure and stood as pillars of support to all the governmental and social efforts in this direction. They helped the Government in maintaining internal security of the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Calcutta and Mumbai.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Vishwa Hindu Parishad </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even as his concern about the security of the country from external threats was paramount, his anxiety was no less in the reforms to be brought about in the society from within. Most of the Hindus of the world live in Bharat. But millions of them have settled in a number of other countries of the world too. They have gone there for vocation, studies, trade, business, etc., and have stayed back in those countries. Many a great Hindu social thinker felt the need for a forum for bringing the Hindus of the world together. Vishwa Hindu Parishad was thus founded on the Krishna Janmashtami day in 1964. Guru conceptualized the founding of the V.H.P. and continued to guide it for the next few years. The Parishad convened its First World Conference at Prayag (Allahabad) in 1966. The First Karnataka State-levelConference was held at Udupi in 1969. Both these conferences were attended by a record number of delegates and blessed by the Dharmacharyas of all the major religious orders and traditions such as Shaiva, Vaishnava, Veerasaiva, Bouddha, Jain, Sikh, Aryasamaj, etc. The Sant-Sadhus assembled there proclaimed in unequivocal terms the natural brotherhood and equality of all Hindus. They defended the right of the Hindus to self-protection. Guru was the leading light of these conferences. The Dharmacharyas declared with one voice that there is neither prescription nor any sanction for the most heinous practice of Untouchability in our Dharma or in scriptures. When this resolution was adopted unanimously, the eyes of Guru were full with tears of fulfillment. He exclaimed, "Momentous session!" Guru was travelling throughout the country at least twice a year. He was interacting with thousands of Sangh workers and members of the public through various programs like the month-long State-level Sangh Shiksha Vargas (training camps), short-duration camps, 'baithaks', meetings, wide public contacts, etc. He was establishing personal rapport with the associates and the people everywhere, and always discussing about the problems faced by the country and emphasizing our duty to it. He was clearing their doubts and providing constant guidance. Added to this, he had to meet the harassment caused by the Government from time to time.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Declining Health </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is not as if Guru, who had accepted the 'parivrajaka-vrata' (life-style of mendicants) for the national rejuvenation, had no bodily ailments. The malady that began with pain due to a clot in the chest was treated by a number of therapies. But pain did not subside. Guru, however, went ahead with his itinerary unhindered. In 1969, the attending experts identified his affliction as cancer. It was a great shock for the people all over the country. They performed poojas, prayers and homas for his speedy recovery. Guru maintained his calm and poise. He gathered all information about cancer with equanimity and quietly underwent the dreaded operation. The operation, no doubt, was declared to be successful. But he knew that his days were coming to a close sooner than expected. Knowing his approaching end, he hastened tocomplete the tasks on hand. "Treatment during tours, and travel while you treat" - that was how he conducted himself during the rest of his life. There were endless treatments and medicines. He finished every item of the work he wanted to complete. Finally, on 3 April 1973, he wrote three letters as his testament and kept them with instructions to be opened after his demise: the first addressed to all the Swayamsevak brethren, the second about his successor, and the third relating to his posthumous rites.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> To Immortal Glory </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On 10 April, Guru tumbled down from the chair. It caused him severe pain. On the 11th he observed fast as it was Sri Rama Navami. He sent away all the articles of his daily personal worship to his cousin brother. The 5th day of June 1973: It was the Jyeshtha Shukla Panchami of the Hindu calendar. Breathing trouble became aggravated. He was given a bath. He completed his 'sandhya - vandan' (ablutions) and while sitting on his easy - chair, kept his 'Kamandalu' (water pitcher) on his right side, indicating an onward journey. On other occasions, he used to keep the Kamandalu on his left side always. But today it was different. "Every thing is ready. I can start any time" - he said to a by-standing visitor He joined in the Sangh prayer in the evening. Guru left his mortal coil a p.m., attaining immortal glory.</span><br /><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#669933;"> Thus Spake Guruji </span></u><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Countless discourses, thousands of letters and hundreds of press statements by Shri Guru are now part of the cherished knowledge legacy of humanity. The life of Shri Guru is lustrous and multi - faceted. His thoughts are a perennial source of inspiration for mankind. Here are a few rays of that brilliance: 1. Fearlessness is the first and foremost virtue of the brave, and the starting point of all sublime qualities. 2. 'This is my Dharma, my Vedanta. This is my Hindu Rashtra. I have to live and strive for its realization. I must live as an example for the entire world to follow'-only such abiding faith would provide a firm foundation for reorganization of theHindus. 3. The will of a person becomes tempered like steel when he prepares himself for the supreme sacrifice for a just and lofty goal. 4. We are not so narrow-minded as to call any one as 'alien' merely because he has changed his mode of worship. We have no objection to the use of any name in addressing God. We in the Sangh are Hindus in every particle of ours. That is why we respect all religious faiths equally. A person with religious intolerance cannot be called a Hindu at all. 5. The most demeaning sin is to remain weak in the world. It not only destroys us, but also incites others to attack us with violence. 6. No doubt it requires two to fight. But both of them need not necessarily be fighters. It is, all the same, a fight, even if one goes on beating and the other gets beaten. There is no guarantee that others would behave properly with us even if we remain peaceful and cordial with them. 7. There must be an axis at the center of a wheel if it has to rotate. No wheel would rotate if its axis were outside it. There cannot be a circle with its center outside it. It is impossibility. Those cherishing extra-national loyalties can only be called traitors. Will it not be treacherous if an individual is drawing inspiration from elements beyond the boundaries of his country? 8. A grain of salt completely dissolves in water, and then retains no separate existence. But the salty taste will beevident in each drop of that water. Likewise an individual should dissolve him in the nation.</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-15910676824343775852007-12-15T14:44:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:47:17.615-08:00RAJA RAMMOHAN ROY<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkStcx5zxCCVjFWY-Foi168v7yUk7Dpglrv06MZTCt_pE9pRUhZXwqzTQpL2W8FUGhz9V06-N_kH29bt-P-9X0U1Irgy0hGzrl2xZ5nnWwi9ypQmlD07u0ZzmJmU_U_dZA4PLxbpinOje/s1600-h/RajaRammohanRoy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkStcx5zxCCVjFWY-Foi168v7yUk7Dpglrv06MZTCt_pE9pRUhZXwqzTQpL2W8FUGhz9V06-N_kH29bt-P-9X0U1Irgy0hGzrl2xZ5nnWwi9ypQmlD07u0ZzmJmU_U_dZA4PLxbpinOje/s320/RajaRammohanRoy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144334689233371298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >Raja Rammohan Roy has come to be called the ' Maker of Modern India'. With out giving up what was good and noble in the past he laid the foundations for a great future. HE was a great scholar and a independent thinker. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Raja Rammohan Roy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the tiny ‘Gnat’ manufactured by the ‘Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’ chased away the powerful bombers supplied by the United States of America to Pakistan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sri C.V. Raman won the Noble Prize for Physics. Indian scientists, technologists and teachers are working in different parts of the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have the ‘Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd.’, which manufactures machines which make machines.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we think of such facts, we feel overjoyed. We feel confident that we shall equal Western nations in the 20th century.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But suppose we knew nothing of modern science, medicine and engineering?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How difficult it would be for us to compete with countries like America, Russia, Japan and Germany!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suppose we had to depend upon foreigners to teach subjects like English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Engineering-all subjects, except Samskrita (Sanskrit) and Kannada in our colleges! How much more difficult it would have been for us!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">About 150 years ago, only Sanskrit and Persian were taught in our schools. There were very few to tell us anything about Western Science. But even they were in English. And our people did not know English.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the great Raja Rammohan Roy, who realized that India would be a backward country, if her people did not learn English, Mathematics and Science. He spent his own money and started a college to teach English and Science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That is why he is called the ‘Maker of Modern India’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He had a high regard for India and Hinduism and was proud of them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Birth And Boyhood</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the last part of the 18th century. Foreigners had invaded India again and again and India has suffered at their hands for centuries. The rule of the Muslims, which had lasted 800 years, was coming to an end. India was filled with poverty and ignorance. The English who came to India for trade gradually conquered kingdoms. Many Indians did not understand their own great religion and culture. There were many castes and creeds. The glorious tradition of Vedic times was like a mirror covered with dust. All round, there was the darkness of ignorance. It was at such a time that Raja Rammohan Roy was born.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Radhanagar is a village in the District of Murshidabad in Bengal; Rammohan was born in this village on the 22nd of May 1772. His father was Ramakanto Roy, an orthodox Brahmin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan’s parents were devoted to God. They had great faith in their religion. They performed strictly the duties set down by their religion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was very much devoted to Lord Vishnu. Everyday he would not put down the ‘Bhagavantha’ without completing the reading of Valmiki Ramayana. But when he came to know that his mother also was fasting, he had his food for her sake. In his 14th year he was about to become a monk. But his mother came in his way.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Persian was the language of the government during the Muslim rule. Knowledge of Arabic and Persian was necessary to get employment or to correspond with the government. Rammohan had been educated inSanskrit, Bengali, Arabic and Persian in his own village. Though Ramakanto was very orthodox, he wanted that his son should have higher education. For this purpose, he sent him to Patna in his ninth year. The boy was very intelligent. He studied Arabic and Persian under famous Muslimscholars in Patna. Aristotle and Euclid were two great thinkers who lived in Greece, hundreds of years ago. Rammohan read their works in Arabic. By studying their books, Rammohan developed the ability to think for himself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many people in India who believed in God worshipped pictures and idols of God. Rammohan wondered if God hand any form. He was not interested in idol-worship and in festivals at home. He opposed idol-worship. But his father, who was a very firm believer in idol-worship, felt he was doing wrong. He advised him. The son did not change his mind. Owing to differences between Rammohan and his parents, he left the house.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Travels</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was sensible, though young. The boy who left his house did not wander aimlessly. He joined a group of monks. They wandered about the foot of the Himalayas, and went to Tibet.The Tibetans were Buddhists. They used to worship their teacher. Rammohan understood the principles of Buddhism. He condemned the worship of the teacher. He condemned the worship of the teacher. Therefore, the teacher and his disciples grew angry. There was even a plot to kill this bold boy. But the women there took pity on him and saved his life. They cleverly managed to send him back to India.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sanskrit Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The parents lovingly received their son who had gone away. But even now, the father and son could not agree on many matters. Ramakanto celebrated his son’s marriage, hoping that he would change. But the son did not change. Rammohan went to Benaras and studied the Vedas, the Upanishads and Hindu philosophy deeply. When his father died in 1803 he returned to Murshidabad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan And Religion</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His differences with his father regarding idol-worship and the manner in which he conducted himself in Tibet show clearly one thing. Rammohan was a man who thought for him. In the Vedas and the Upanishads we see great freedom of thought. Rammohan admired this spirit of freedom. He proclaimed that simple living and high thinking should be a man’s motto in life. And he lived accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once a man brought a conch for sale. He wanted a price of Rs 500. He said: "This conch can give anything a man wants. He can get all prosperity by possessing it." Kalinath, a friend of Rammohan, wanted to by it. He asked Rammohan for his opinion. Rammohan laughed and said, "If this conch can give all the wealth of the world, it must be Goddess Lakshmi herself. I can’t understand why this poor fellow wishes to sell Goddess Lakshmi!" As soon as the man heard this, he disappeared.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At Rangpur</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan joined service in the Revenue Department of the East India Company. He was an assistant to Mr. John Digby, an English officer, from 1809-14 at Rangpur. Digby appreciated his efficiency.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though he held a high post on a andsome salary and had property in his village, he did not seek a life of luxury.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was six feet tall. He had a well-built body and a handsome and bright face. He was a highly cultured man. He had an exceptional personality.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan began the study of English in his 22nd year. He used to read books. He also used to read English newspapers received by Digby from England. Therefore, he knew much that many Indians knew nothing about. He knew about the French Revolution (1789 to 1795) which had just then ended. He saw that the stock of knowledge was growing rapidly in Europe. He knew what thepeople and the Scholars of Europe felt about the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Democracy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digby used to have visitors from several foreign countries. Rammohan mixed with t hem freely and learnt how to converse fluently and how to write good English. He developed an elegant and forceful English style.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan loved knowledge. How much knowledge he amassed! With the help of Jain scholars, he studied books on Jainism. From Muslim scholars, he learnt Sufism. He was already well versed in the Vedas. He used to arrange meetings of learned men in his house and exchange ideas. This widened his knowledge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan spent his leisure in learning new subjects and doing social service. He translated the Upanishads and other sacred books into English and Bengali and got them printed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He wished to go abroad and learn more. But his own relatives filed a suit in the court. This came in the way of his visit to other countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digby, who had gained the confidence of Rammohan, returned to England in 1814. Rammohan returned to England in 1814. Rammohan resigned his post and settled in Calcutta. He devoted the rest of his life to public service.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That India should prosper was Rammohan’s ardent desire. But the people had to be cured of ignorance, they needed education. He dedicated himself to this task.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A mighty task calls for earnest mighty preparation, does it not? Rammohan prepared himself in every way toundertake this big task. He had understood the essence of all religious books. He had first to remove the dirt of superstitions and bad customs, which had dimmed thebrightness of Indian culture. Then he had to learn how the educational system had developed in other countries, the ways of life there and what efforts were made to put an end to poverty. What was good in other countries had to be learnt and to be followed here. In this way Rammohan began the work of reformation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But he did not believe that all old customs in India should be given up and that Indians should blindly imitate the foreigners. He did not condemn all the religious customs; but he said that they should use their discretion in following them. Many times people do wrong things without knowing what has been said in the scriptures. They can read these holy books if they are available in the language of the people. When other people say ‘This is what the scriptures say, that is what the scriptures say’, people can find out for themselves what these books say. The holy books of the Hindus were in Sanskrit. Rammohan translated them into Bengali. In his preface, he said, ‘We should understand correctly what is said in our religious books and what is relevant to our times.’</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was a firm believer in truth. He would admit his faults. He used to quote the words of Vasishta: Words of wisdom should be accepted even if they come from a child; but even if Lord Brahma utters unwise words, they should be ignored as a blade of straw.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Atmiya Sabha'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The marriage of girls five or six years old.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Burning the wife with her dead husband whether she is willing or not.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meaningless observance of festivals and worshipping for show.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The worship of several gods and ranking gods as high and low.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was sick of these practices. He had a high regard for Hinduism. But he felt that the Hindus had yet to understand their religion correctly. There should be equality between men and women. People should give up superstitious beliefs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of Rammohan’s friends accepted his line of thinking. An association of such close friends was formed. It was called ‘Atmiya Sabha’ (The Society of Friends). Religious discussion took place there. The members had to give up idol-worship. They had to spread the Society’s views on religion among the people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many scholars opposed Rammohan. Rammohan wrote articles in reply. The people read them and understood what was said in the sacred books</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Regard For Hinduism</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some Christian priests were overjoyed at Rammohan’s interest in and enthusiasm for Christian doctrines. They suggested that he should become a Christian. These priests did not understand the mind of Rammohan, who was a staunch believer in Hinduism. He had great respect for the Vedas and the Upanishads, which he had studied deeply.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some men spoke lightly of the Vedas and the Upanishads. Rammohan gave them a very clear answer: "There is only one God in the universe. He has no form and qualities which men can describe. He is full of joy. Every living being has an element of God. These noble ideas sparkle in the Upanishads. Moreover, these books encourage people to think for themselves, they strike out new paths. They do not chain man’s intelligence." Just as he condemned the bad customs of the Hindus he condemned the superstitions of the followers of other religions.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Education For The Progress Of The Country</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">If we are to be happy we must have good crops. For this purpose, we must learn how to use good manure and machinery. We must build dams and dig canals. We must have good roads, bridges, hospitals and factories to manufacture medicines. Thus, the list of the ‘musts’ is very long.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To fulfil all our needs, we need education, don’t we? We need persons well versed in the Arts and the Sciences. We should learn how knowledge is expanding in foreign countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today, if a county is to prosper, it is not enough if it merely recalls its ancient history and culture. Without forgetting them, the country should develop the knowledge and strength suited to the world of today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course, there were schools in Rammohan’s age also. But they used to teach Arabic and Persian needed for the work of the government. There are people who use languages like Bengali, Marati, Kannada and Telugu, aren’t there? These languages also should grow. There was no scope for this. The methods of teaching were also old-fashioned. Much emphasis was laid upon memorization. If children did not memorize, they were punished cruelly. The subjects taught in the schools were very few. Mathematics, History,Geography, Physics and Botany were not at all taught.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some people were running English Schools. Even there, the System of education was not satisfactory. English words were taught to children. Those who had memorized them felt proud that they had learnt much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan came to Calcutta in 1815. He formed an association of English and Hindu scholars. He started a college also and arranged for the teaching of modern subjects like Science, Political Science, Mathematics, and English.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the members of the association was rich and educated man called Radhakanto Dev. He had some followers from the beginning. He did not like Rammohan. He obstinately said that he would not help the association, if Rammohan were a member. To Rammohan, the prosperity of the association was more important than his status. So, he did not become a member of the association, though he himself had started it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During 1816-17, Rammohan started an English College with his own money. Today it is difficult even to believe that he spent so much money for the spread of education. He understood the condition of the country; he saw that the students should learn the English language and scientific subjects. But in his college, besides Sanskrit also were taught.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan criticized the government’s policy of opening only Sanskrit schools. ‘Because of this, Indians would have no contact with Western civilization. They would lag behind without studying modern subjects like Mathematics, Geography and Latin were held in high esteem in Europe. But, are the students in England learning only Latin, Greek and the Bible? If Science and Mathematics are necessary for us?’ He argued that the government should examine this point.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Government accepted this idea of Rammohan and implemented it after his death.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With The Poor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Rammohan was in Calcutta, he used to go for walks all alone at night. He wished to find out for himself the difficulties of the poor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was very cold in a slum. Mosquitoes swarmed. People were sweating profusely. There was stinking smell from the dirt all around. Dirty water was flowing near by. The laborers were returning home after the day’s work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A man was following them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Brothers!" he said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The laborers turned back in wonder.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"How many people live here?" he continued. The wonder of the laborers increased.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Who was this man? Why had he come there? "How much do you work in the days" How many families are here?" So question followed question.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The laborers said, "Why does he want to know all these things? He may be mad. He may be an idle fool." They said to Rammohun, "Have we nothing else to do? Let us go home."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan bore their mockery and contempt. He followed them. He found out much about their way of life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Service To Literature</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was the first to give importance to the development of the mother tongue. His ‘Gaudiya Vyakaran’ in Bengali is the best of his prose works.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His Bengali was terse, simple and elegant. By translating the scriptures of the Hindus into Bengali he gave Bengali a new dignity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rabindranath Tagore and Bankimchandra followed in his footsteps.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan wrote lyrics also.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Suttee System' or 'Sahagamana'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan’s brother Jagmohan died. His wife Alakamanjari had to observe ‘Sahagamana’ (that is, she was to be burnt alive with the dead body).All arrangements were made for cremation. All the relatives gathered. Alakamanjari put on a laced-sari and there was ‘Kumkum’ on her forehead. (A mark of Kumkum’ or vermilion on the forehead is considered sacred by a Hindu wife; it is an indication that her husband is alive.) Her hair was disheveled. Fear was written upon her face. The corpse was brought to the cremation ground. Rammohan begged his sister-in-law not to observe ‘Suttee’. Relatives objected to Rammohan’s words. They bound her to the corpse and placed her on the funeral pyre with the corpse. The pyre was set on fire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alakamanjari screamed and cried in fear, but she was not set free. Poor woman! She was burnt to ashes along with her husband. All the relatives praised her shouting ‘Maha Sati! Maha Sati!’ (a great wife) and went back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This heart-rending sight of his sister-in- law’s ‘Suttee’ made a deep impression on Rammohan’s mind. Then and there he took a vow to put an end to this dreadful. Custom. Some people believed that the scriptures said that the wife should die along with her husband. Rammohan referred to all the sacred books. But, nowhere was it laid down that the wife should perform ‘Suttee’. This custom had come into practice in some age. Some people who knew it was wrong did not have the courage to condiment. The brave Rammohan took up this difficult task.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But his task was not easy. Lakhs of people had faith in Suttee system. Many people opposed Rammohan and abused him. Some even tried to murder him. But Rammohan did not flinch. Even the people of the West, who saw all this wondered, when even the government was afraid to interfere in this matter, Rammohan risked his life and fought against this evil practice. In the end, he won and the government made ‘Suttee’ a crime.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Along with fight for the abolition of ‘Suttee’, Rammohan started a revolution for women’s education and women’s right to property. He showed that woman enjoyed equal freedom with man according to Hinduism.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Love Of Independence</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was an exceptional patriot and lover of freedom. ‘I do not think I shall be fortunate enough to see freedom reign supreme all over the world’, so he used to lament. Like Tilak, Rammohan believed that Liberty was every man’s birthright.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was intensely patriotic, but he was generous and broadminded. In 1823, the Spanish colonies in South America became independent. He invited his friends to a party to celebrate this joyous event. A friend of his asked him, "Why are you so elated if people in South America become independent?" Rammohan said, "What! They may be in South America, but are they not our brothers? Their language and religion may be different. Should we not sympathize with them in their troubles?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have you heard of ‘The League of Nations’?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The First World War was fought from 1914 to 1918. The object of starting the League of Nations in 1920 was to see that another such war did not break out. Any dispute was to be settled by peaceful methods. (As this did not function effectively, the United NationsOrganization was set up in 1945.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A hundred years before the League of Nations was started, Rammohan had said that such an organization was necessary. If there is difference of opinion. If there is difference of opinion between two persons, they do not fight; they go to a court and accept its decision. If there is difference of opinion between two countries, their dispute must be settled without a fight. An organization is necessary to see that all nations cooperate with and help each other.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The First Editor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As soon as we get up in the morning, we eagerly wait for the newspaper. No sooner is the paper delivered than every one wants to read it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Times were when the number of newspapers was very small. And even those few were in English. There was not a single newspaper in any Indian language!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Rammohan Roy who first published a newspaper in an Indian language.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Newspapers are absolutely necessary to reform the people. It is possible to make thousands of people understand many things in their own language. Rammohan made the newspaper the means of bringing home his views to many people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘Atmiya Sabha’ used to publish a weekly called ‘Vangal Gazette’. Besides, Rammohan was himself bringing out a newspaper in Persian called ‘Miratul- Akhbar’ (the Mirror of News) and a Bengali weekly called ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ (the Moon of Intelligence).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days, items of news and articles had to be approved by the government before being published. So, there was no freedom of the press.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan protested against this control. He argued that newspapers should be free and that the truth should not besuppressed simply because the government did not like it. Newspapers should have the right to uphold the truth. It needed much courage to speak out like this 150 years ago, when India was under the British rule. The press secured freedom by the constant efforts of Rammohan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his articles in the papers, Rammohan explained his views and replied to his opponents. He made his words very carefully. He made his comments with tolerance and without wounding anybody’s feelings. He thus set a good example to later editors of newspapers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For Justice And Equality</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days, courts conducted trials by jury. Some persons were invited to attend the proceedings of the court. At the end, these persons gave the judges their opinions regarding the case. These men were called ‘the Jury’. Indians were invited only to lower courts. But Englishmen were invited to higher courts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan wrote to the government against this practice; he argued that it was an insult to Indians. Finally, the government ended this discrimination.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We now hear the slogan, "Land to the tiller," don’t we?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days, the landlords had much freedom and authority. Some used to exploit the farmers. There was no limit to their luxury, pomp and arrogance. The farmers had to give almost all the produce to them in the shape of rent. The poor farmers shed tears of blood. Rammohan, who had seen all this exploitation, had said, even so long ago, that the land should belong to the tiller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brahmo Samaj</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan and his followers used to attend prayers in the church of a Christian sect. Chanrashekar Dev, a disciple of Rammohan, and others wondered why they should not have a prayer Hall of their own. Rammohan approved this idea. They hired a building belonging to a man called Ram Kamal Basu and opened a Prayer Hall called ‘Brahma Samaj’. The members used to meet every Saturday. Vedic hymns and hymns from the Upanishads were chanted by scholars. Religious discussions were held. Rammohan recited the religious poems composed by him. Christian and Muslim boys sang songs in English and Persian. Many Hindus and foreigners used to attend these meetings. ‘There is only one God. None equals Him. He has no end. He is present in all living beings’ – this was the faith of the Brahma’s. This was the message of Rammohan. The Brahma Samaj did not recognize differences of caste, creed, race or nationality. It emphasized the idea of universal brotherhood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohun In England</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is wrong to cross the ocean and go to the other countries! Such a view appears laughable today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But, a hundred and fifty year ago, it was believed that it was wrong and irreligious for a Hindus to cross the seas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was one of the first Indians who rejected this idea and went to England. The allowances granted by the British to the Mughal King of Delhi, Akbar the Second, was very small. He had t submit a representation to the King of England to increase it. The Mughal King decided to send Rammohan to England at his expense. Before he left for England, the King gave him the title of ‘Raja’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second reason for Raja Rammohan Roy’s visit to England was to plead for the abolition of ‘Suttee’ before the Parliament.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many people objected to Rammohan’s visit to England. Some British officers also opposed his going to England. But his fame had already reached England.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Rammohan landed at Liverpool, the leading citizens were there to welcome him. The famous historian William Rathbone who was laid up with paralysis sent his son. He fulfilled his last desire by inviting him to his house and by talking to him. Several associations honored him. He visited France also. Everywhere scholars appreciated his learning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though the allowances of the King was not finally settled, it was decided that he could be given three lakhs rupees annually. Rammohan’s efforts for the abolition of ‘Sahagamana’ were also successful. On the day when the Bill was passed by the Parliament, the joy of Rammohan knew no bounds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan was very rich. He was a great man who spent his money for other people and for his country. In Calcutta, even foreigners borrowed money from him in times of need. Such a rich man was reduced in England to total dependence upon others, even for food. His health broke down. The main reason for his financial difficulties was that the firm in which he had invested his capital became insolvent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Out of spite, some people filed a suit against Rammohan and his son accusing them of misusing money. Rammohan had to spend money like water to prove that he was not guilty. Though he got justice, he lost his entire honor and status in England. Even the financial help from his son stopped. Moreover, one or two persons in England cheated him. He became worried. He fell ill and became bed-ridden.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some people, who had respect for him looked after him, like relatives. Reputed doctors treated him. But his health did not improve.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rammohan passed away on 27th of September 1833.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A friend of Rammohan visited England in 1843. He removed the coffin of Rammohan from Stapleton Grove to Arno’s Vale, the commentary on the outskirts of Bristol, and buried it there. A memorial in Indian style was raised over his tomb.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is a hundred and forty years since Rammohan died. But his memory is still green in the minds of Indians. He was an intellectual who tried to lead India to modernity. He taught the Hindus to give up meaningless beliefs and customs. He was the lamp that led Hindus to the essence of Hinduism. His memory itself guides us to a noble life.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-59664834401537845262007-12-15T14:40:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:42:44.210-08:00SISTER NIVEDITA<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCsthrq3lPIrQ4ms9q3lpBRcSAqHKNossWy6sMMCX20CxR30erGKM7nUE5PPdj-e5zhyphenhyphenYxOFAhIPtvpvHakjUaWKnDa-oDwUonvZMTo-9r-Hu5xrRezDZlXa7vauSoTj8KGOrieQrfpI/s1600-h/SisterNivedita.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCsthrq3lPIrQ4ms9q3lpBRcSAqHKNossWy6sMMCX20CxR30erGKM7nUE5PPdj-e5zhyphenhyphenYxOFAhIPtvpvHakjUaWKnDa-oDwUonvZMTo-9r-Hu5xrRezDZlXa7vauSoTj8KGOrieQrfpI/s320/SisterNivedita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144333512412332178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >Young Margaret Noble came under the spell of Swami Vivekananda. She came from distant Ireland to India to serve the people of this land. She was give the name of ' Nivedita' as one dedicated to God </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">SisterNivedita</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At a time when this land of ours was beset with troubles, quite a number of people of the west came of their own free will to help us. One of these was Miss Margaret Nobel, popularly known as Nivedita, who came to India from Ireland.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days Ireland, like India, was a country fighting for her freedom. John Noble was the priest of an Irish Church. Nearer to his heart than all else were his God and his motherland. His son Samuel Nobel, who was also a priest, married a lovely young lady, Mary Hamilton. It was of these parents that Margaret, who later became Nivedita, was born on October 28, 1867.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From her grandfather Margaret inherited measureless courage and boundless patriotism, while from her father she inherited tremendous compassion for the poor. And from her mother she inherited not only her great beauty but her tenderness and sympathy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret often went with her grand father and her father to the homes and novels of the poor and joined them in rendering service to them. Thus, even from her earliest years, service became her constant companion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day a certain friend of Margaret’s father paid a visit to the family. He, too, was a preacher and had returned home after having served in India as a priest. He felt drawn to little Margaret whose mind was as keen as her figure was beautiful. When he said good-bye, he told his little friend, "India, my little one, is seeking her destiny. She called me once, and will perhaps call you, too, some day. Always be ready for her call." These stirring words thrilled the little girl’s heart and lighted up her eyes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"When The Call Comes"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Samuel’s work was toilsome but his income meager. Even out of his slender means he gave away his utmost to the less fortunate among his flock. Overwork and care undermined his health. Samuel was just thirty-four when death claimed his precious life. At the last moment he called his devoted wife and whispered in her ears, "When the call comes from Heaven, let Margaret go. The little one will reveal her talents and do great things."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soon after her husband’s death Mary went with her children to her parental home in Ireland. Her old parents gave all their affection to their orphan grandchildren yet brought them up under strict discipline.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some years passed. The grand parents sent Margaret and her sister to the Halifax Colette, where the two girls were resident boarders of the college hostel. Discipline was the watchword of the place. Life there was all discipline - rigid, severe discipline. But the sisters loved their studies. Margaret grew fond of music and art. She took keen interest in biology.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As A Teacher</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1884. Margaret was now seventeen, a beautiful young woman, with charming manners and a dignified bearing. Her education was over. She yearned to teach little children. She easily got a teacher’s post at Keswick. Filled with joy she entered upon life, beginning as a small teacher, only to become a great teacher.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To teach tiny tots is no easy task, as children are fond of play. They must be made to learn even as they are playing. Margaret felt drawn to this challenging task. She tried several experiments to make her teaching not only successful but interesting. In 1892 she started popular. People got to know that Margaret was a brilliant teacher.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Welsh youth, who was an engineer, was attracted by Margaret. Their friendship, growing more and more intimate, finally turned into love. They became engaged. Unfortunately, the young man became bed-ridden with a serious illness, which soon tool his life. Margaret was plunged in grief. Yet she bore it up bravely by applying herself more and more to her schoolwork and her studies.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finding The Guru</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1895 – the momentous year that changed the very course of Margaret’s life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lady Isabel Margesson, a friend of Margaret, invited her to her home to meet an Indian monk on the following Sunday. Margaret has herself described her experience on the occasion. A majestic personage, clad in a saffron gown and wearing a red waist-band, sat there on the floor, cross-legged. As he spoke to the company, he recited Sanskrit verses in his deep, sonorous voice. His serene face, his dignified bearing and his divine voice cast a spell upon the listeners, who felt electrified by his frequent utterance of the name of "Siva, Siva!" Margaret, however, who had already delved deep into the sacred lore of the East, found nothing quite new in what she heard on this occasion. What was new to her was the personality of the swamiji himself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret found out that this rare Swamiji with his magnetic personality was none other than Swami Vivekananda who, two years before in 1893, had attended, uninvited, the Parliament of Religions held at Chicago. His inspiring address at the Parliament had captured millions of American hearts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Awake"!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret at first remarked that there was nothing new in what the Swamiji had said. But in her own heart of hearts she knew that it was not so. The sayings of the Swamiji kept returning to her mind and haunted her. "God alone is the truth," he had asserted. This assertion might not be new, but the Swamiji's conviction was indeed quite new. And he had made another assertion: "Every religion is a highway to God." And the radiance of his personality! There seemed to be a veritable halo about him. He had given up everything for god., His sayings were not mere repetitions from books. They were living words, which sprang from the depths of his soul, charged with the Truth he had seen and experienced.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret came more and more under the spell of Swami Vivekananda. Now like a thunderbolt blasting its way along and burning up centuries of superstition, and now like a chisel chipping away at the ages-old darkness of ignorance; now like the mantras of a great guru awakening the soul of his disciple from its sloth and torpor, and now the mystic sayings of a realised souls sweeping away all the doubts of his disciple. Now like the sincere,frank advice of a devotedcomrade and now like the tender comfort of an affectionate mother, the Swamiji's galvanizing words welled up from the depths of his soul. It was his flaming virtue, the glowing purity of his spirit, that had captured her heart and turned her into a servant of his country for his sake, she wrote later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day, in midst of his discourse, the Swamiji said in a thundering voice: "What the world needs to-day is twenty men and women who dare stand in the public street and declare that they have nothing to call their own except the God. Who is there among you that can say so?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret's heart seemed to whisper, 'Here I am! But her tongue was yet too timid to utter those words. One day, speaking about the woman of India, the Swamiji said, "Our girls over there have not even seen the face of a school. That land of ours cannot advance unless they are educated." Then, turning at once towards Margaret, he said, "I have certain plans relating to the education and the welfare of the women of my country. I believe that you can be of great service to me in translating them into reality."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret felt overwhelmed by the Swamiji's faith in her. Yet she had misgivings whether she was equal to such a mighty task. Sensing her mind, the Swamiji reassured her: "You have the making in you of a world-mover, and others will also come…Awake, awake, great one!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret took the heroic resolve to leave her own dear homeland and make the Swamiji's far-off homeland her own, and render her utmost service there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">India's Call</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Teaching, reading, discussion everything had now lost its interest for Margaret. The Swamiji's voice was always ringing in her ears. It seemed to her that India was calling her, unceasingly, insistently. She felt that it was darkness all around and only in the east there was a streak of light. And that streak of light seemed to be reaching out to her and beckoning her. "Your place is there in India," the Swamiji had said, "but that can be only when you are ready."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But was it so easy to make herself ready? The Swamiji himself had graphically spoken of India to her. He had made her see India in all her squalor. Poverty, ignorance, jealousy, filth - these had free play everywhere in that country. The British would look down upon her. The Indians would treat her with suspicion and dislike; they were people who treated their own fellow countrymen as untouchables. It was to serve the women and educate the girls of such a country that Margaret was being called. And they were women, so conservative, so narrow-minded, that they would not let her even cross their orthodox thresholds. As for education, would they ever allow their precious daughters to be taught by a woman of an alien faith?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was at such a moment of doubt that she received from the Master this heartening message: "It is not a man we need but a woman; a real lioness, to work for the Indians, women specially….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"India cannot yet produce great women, she must borrow them from other nations. Your education, sincerity, purity, immense love, determination, and above all, the Celtic blood, make you just the woman India needs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"You must think will before you plunge in, and after all your toil, if you fail in this or get disgusted, on my part I promise you I wi8ll stand by you whether you work for India or not, whether you give up Vedanta or remain in it. 'The tusks of the elephant come out but never go back'; so are the words of a man never retracted.''</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Indian Soil</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The boat bringing Margaret to India reached Calcutta on January 28, 1898. Swami Vivekananda came in person to the port to give an affectionate welcome to her. She soon familiarized herself with the city where she had to work and started making the acquaintance of the people among whom she had to live. And she lost no time in learning Bengali, and studying Bengali Literature; for a command of Bengali was essential for her to communicate with, and ultimately win the confidence and affection of, the people around her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few weeks later, two of Swami Vivekananda's women disciples in America, Mrs Sasrah c. Bull and Miss Josphine Mac Leod arrived in India. The three soon became fast friends.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Their cottage became an ashram. Everyday Swami Vivedananda came there, either with some of his brother monks or alone. The moment he entered, the place became charged with a Holy Spirit. The inspired Master addressed the disciples for hours. His theme was India, her history, her saints, her heroes and heroines, her epics, her puranas, her poets, architects, sculptors and other artists, and above all, her great sages. Under the Swamiji's spell, the listeners forgot the world, forgot themselves, and, as they listened, they re-lived those glorious ages.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day, Miss Mac Leod asked: "Swamiji how can I best serve you?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At once came the reply, "Love India, serve her, worship her. That is prayer, that is worship, that is everything."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret took the Swamiji's answer as his message for her too.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the god-man of Dakshineswar, was the Guru of Swami Vivekananda. He had passed away in 1886. He had passed away in 1886. His saintly wife, Sri Sharada Devi, whom all the pramahamsa's devotees revered as the Holy Mother, blessed them all, and inspired them to noble endeavor and heroic achievement.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margaret had an irresistible longing to meet the Holy Mother. But she had her own apprehensions. Would the Mother, who had been brought up in the traditions of Hindu orthodoxy, receive her and her comrades who were not only foreigners but Miechchas, or members of an alien faith? But Sri Sharada Devi was the very embodiment of love and scantily. She received Margaret, Sarah Bull and Macleod as her own children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 25th of March f1898 was for Margaret the holiest and most unforgettable day of her life. That was the day on which her Guru dedicated her to God and to the service of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a Friday. Swami Vivekananda took all there of them to the Math, Leading Margaret into the shrine, he taught her how to worship Lord Shiva according to the prescribed ritual. He then asked her to offer worship, unaided. To be invested by the Master himself with the authority to perform the rites of worship was a unique privilege, a matchless blessing. Margaret was in ecstasy. The Swamiji then initiated her ceremonially into the order of celibacy. He gave her the name of 'Nivedita', which means 'the Dedicated One'. He commanded her to place lotus flowers at the feet of Lord Buddha. Then, in tremulous voice, he gave her his benediction and message: "Go thou, my child, go. Tread thou the path shown by that Great Soul who was the very embodiment of compassion and sacrificed himself for others in five hundred lives before he attained the status of the Buddha."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During that summer the Swamiji stated for Almora in the Himalayas, taking with him Nivedita and other disciples. During the journey the party looked like a moving guru-kula; for it was a regular cycle of instruction, discourse and meditation, right through.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The School - An Experiment</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On November 13, 1898 Nivedita stated her school in a small way in a rented cottage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The very personality of Nivedita commanded respect. Her stately, handsome figure, dressed in a long, flowing, snow - white gown, held firm with a silk waist - band lent her a certain majesty which heightened her natural dignity and grace. The rudraksha rosary around her neck gave her a saintly look. It is recorded that whenever Nivedita came to address a gathering, people spontaneously rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The school was no doubt started, but the problem for Nivedita was to find pupils. She went from door to door and had long arguments with parents to overcome their projudices against sending their girls to school. "Putting girls to school? What an ideal!" exclaimed the shocked parents. A good many openly jeered at her. Nothing daunted, Nivedita persisted in her search and succeeded at last in roping in a few girls of varying ages. She taught them to read and write, and instructed them in drawing, painting and claymodelling.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita loved all the people around her sincerely and deeply. Their resistance's were soon broken and they welcomed her into their hearts and into their homes. Moving about freely among these households, she gradually became a member of their families. To everyone in north Calcutta she became Sister Nivedita.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once an unfortunate mother came running to Nivedita, sobbing bitterly; and dragging her by the hand, she cried frantically, "Come, sister, hurry at once. My last child is dying even now!" Nivedita ran to the place, led by the poor mother. But even as they were entering the house, the child breathed its last. The house, the child breathed its last. The unhappy mother held the baby to her breast and wailed aloud for hours. And, at last, she folded Nivedita to her bosom and cried, "O sister! What shall I do? Where is my darling gone?" And in her tender accents Nivedita consoled the mother, saying, "Hush, mother. Your child is with the Great Mother: She is with Kali!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Nivedita reported this incident to the Master, he gave her a new and inspiring message: " Worship even death, Nivedita, worship the terrible, even as you would worship the beautiful!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita took the Master's message to heart. She now realised that death was but the other face of life. And this new realisation of hers was soon put to the test</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Plague In Calcutta</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In March 1899 a devastating plague broke out in Calcutta and spread like wild fire all over the city. The fell disease took a toll of hundreds of lives every day. Deeply distressed, Nivedita plunged into action in order to save the city from the grip of the dire menace. She started sweeping the streets and cleaning the drains. Bengali youths, unused to any kind of manual labour, and accustomed to look upon scavenging as dirty work, just sat and watched for a while, though they felt guilty at their won inaction. The women, put to shame, ran into their homes. But it was not long before all of them girded up their loins and came to the aid of their loins and cam to the aid of their beloved sister. Thus did Nivedita teach the people of Calcutta their first lessons in sanitation, self-help and social service, not by precept but by practice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita formed a committee of social workers in order to fight the plague on a well- organized basis. Squads of earnest and devoted workers fanned out in all directions and not only cleaned all the streets and lanes but nursed the victims. Nivedita worked round the clock, often-foregoing even food and rest. Her health was seriously impaired, and she became worn out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She ran from home to home, hoping against hope to overtake and frustrate death. Often, however, to her great grief, death forestalled her and frustrated her noble design. On one occasion, the victim, a mere boy, died in her motherly lap. At such times, Nivedita stayed on with the unfortunate bereaved for hours together, offering them her consolation and sympathy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita and her team incessantly carried on their formidable effort for full thirty days before they succeeded in bringing the enemy to his heel. In the meanwhile, Nivedita had literally saved hundreds of victims from the very jaws of death, staking her very life in the process.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All through these gruelling days Nivedita lived on fruit and milk, and nothing more. She had to give up even milk on one occasion to save the money for the medicines needed by a plague victim.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Pilgrimage To The West</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita’s school was just limping on for want of funds. Even to draw pupils was arduous enough; where was the question of collection any fee ? And the problem was to run the school and have enough left just to support her life. Would it be proper to go to the west in order to collect the funds needed for her work here? She sought the Master’s advice and was relieved to find that he gave her his hearty approval. Nivedita sailed for Europe in the middle of June 1899.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the Europe she went to America. Her Original aim was just to raise enough funds for her small school. But, upon her arrival in America, she found that the urgent task was to educate the Americans about India and her glorious culture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Great deal of false and malicious propaganda had been carried on against India and her religions by some Christian missionaries who had grown extremely jealous of the tremendous impact on the west of Swami Vivekananda’s powerful address at the Parliament of Religions and of the growing popularity of Hinduism, especially of the Vedanta, not only in America but in Europe. They had been systematically painting a totally misleading picture of India by blowing up her poverty, ignorance and superstition out of all proportion. These evil doings of so called men of religion were, she felt, an outrage against Christ himself. Like the Master, she went on a whirlwind tour of the states and addressed huge gatherings in all the principal towns and cities in order to educate the Americans about the real state of India at the time, the greatness of her past, the sublimity of her cultural and spiritual heritage and above all, the true causes of the present degradation. She was a gifted orator. She had steeped in India’s history, her religions and her scriptures. In living words, charged with truth and invigorated by her sincerely, she dipicted India in vivid colours. The audience felt a deep regret that they had let themselves be totally misled by pious frauds. They were thankful to Nivedita for revealing to them the very soul of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She had succeeded in making America realise that India’s degradation was essentially due to their long subjection to foreign rule. But she had not gained substantial success in raising funds for her school and for her other work in India.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Master Is No More</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita returned to India in 1901.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She now took up lodgings at No.17, Bosepara Lane, which became henceforth both her home and her school. It became, in addition, a veritable centre of pilgrimage for all the eminent personages of the time-political leaders fighting for the country's freedom, men of intellect.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">About this time a young lady from Germany, named Miss Christine Greenstidel, came to serve India and joined Nivedita. Her assistance was very valuable to Nivedita.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita's school began its work again. This time it was not only girls who came to receive instruction, but even their mothers. It was extremely difficult to meet the expenses of the school. Like Nivedita, Christine too had to undergo great privation. But with a firm resolve they kept up the struggle and carried on their endeavor of educating girls and women.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1902-the darkest year in Nivedita's life. She went to see the Master at the Belur Math. That was on June 29. In the course of the conversation the Swamiji remarked, " A great austerity and meditation are coming upon me. I am getting ready for death." The 2nd of July was an Ekadasi Day. Nivedita felt an irresistible urge to see the Master again. When she was announced at the Math , the Swamiji was filled with joy. He was himself fasting. Yet he got a meal ready for Nivedita and personally served it to her. After she had her meal, he assisted her to wash her hands by pouring water, and then despite her protests, he dried her hands with a towel. Deeply pained, she demurred; "Swamiji, it would be proper for me to serve you thus, not to receive such services at your hands."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He answered: "Jesus washed the feet of his own disciples, didn't he?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes, but that was in his last moments," she tried to say. But the words failed her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That day the Master's entire being was transformed with his love, when he gave his chosen disciple his blessing. The joy she felt at this made her forget her recent pain. She went home, feeling blessed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Poor Nivedita little knew that this was to be her last meeting with the Master. His Christ - like service to her, not less than his clear allusion to Jesus, was indeed significant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on the night of July 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On July 4, even as the day was breaking, the heart - breaking message was brought to Nivedita. She staggered under the blow. The Master whom she adored, her all in all, her sole stay and support in life, the Guru who had given meaning and direction and purpose to her earthly existence, was no more. The light was gone. All was dark.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She ran to the Math and, sobbing her heart out, she paid her homage to the Master. The profound serenity of samadhi was upon his face.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seated by the Master, she fanned his face until 2 p.m.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vedic mantras were chanted. The Swamiji's body was carried in procession to the banks of the Ganga and offered up to the flames. Cries of "Jai Swamiji!" Swami Vevekanandaji Ki Jai!" rent the air and rose to the heavens.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The millions that had gathered at the cremation ground melted away in a few minutes. The scene was all deserted. Nivedita sat there, all alone, with no thought of her surroundings, with a faraway gaze.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Master was no more. To whom could she go henceforth for counsel and support? From whom could she seek solace?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fight For India's Freedom</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was not in Nivedita's nature to go on brooding, lamenting and despairing. The message instilled in her by the Master was not one of feebleness and fear, but of confidence and courage. As a lioness springs into action, shakes her mane and marches majestically on with her thunderous roar, so did she rouse herself, shake off her grief and anguish, and, assuming the mantle of leadership, gave to India and the world her ringing message.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Onerous was the burden laid on her by the Master. She must be true to him and fulfil her trust. It was in this spirit that she resumed her life of strenuous toil. Mother India became an object of adoration for her, and the liberation of India her life's mission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She had once believed that Britain and India could remain friends. But she came to realize that it was a delusion. For she could plainly see that Britain was not only draining the very lifeblood of India but, in her imperialistic insolence, choose to hurl insults upon India's noblest sons.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two incidents gave her a rude shock. Jagadish Chandra Bose, the world renowned Indian scientist, was an intimate friend on Nivedita. She had witnessed with joyful pride how in France the highest honors were conferred upon him. But in Britain he had not been accorded the honour that was due to him. Again, when Bipin Chandra Pal, the great Indian nationalist, rose to address an American gathering, someone among the audience leapt to his feet to hurl insulting words at him. "Mr. Pal, let your country attain freedom first. You can come and lecture later."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The very recollection of these incidents were enough to make Nivedita's blood boil. The conviction grew upon her that, until India gained political independence, Indians could never hope to be treated like men. So this women, who was the whitest among the whites, vowed to fight, in thought, word and deed, for the liberation of a country which she had adopted as her own mother land. The power of her tongue and the power of her pen she dedicated to the sacred cause of India's struggle for freedom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All over Bengal Nivedita's name became a household word. Addressing mammoth meetings in several meetings in several important places like Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bombay, Nagpur and Madras, she sounded the clarion call of freedom. The British grew furious, but could not venture to silence her. On the contrary, several distinguished persons of Britain like Ramsay Macdonald, who was to become Britain's Prime Minister, and Lady Minto, whose husband later became the Viceroy of India, visited her small school and commended its excellent work in extending education to India's womanhood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita made her school the very centre of nationalism. Bankim Babu's famous national anthem, Vande Mataram, became the prayer song in her school. She changed over to Khadi. With her it became a daily practice to spin on the charaka; following her noble example, her pupils, too, practised spinning every day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Nivedita again who brought about a revolution in Bengali art. Instead of being true to Indian culture or to their own inspiration, India culture or to their own inspiration, Indian painters of the day had become just imitative; they copied western models. Nivedita admonished them for this mentality and kept on goading them to retain their Indianness. She encouraged gifted artists like Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose and Asita Haldar by even providing them with funds; this enabled them to make a pilgrimage to Ajanta, Ellora and other centres of art in order to seek inspiration from the great Indian artists of the past. Under Nivedita's powerful influence there was a remarkable flowering of Bengali art.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everything Indian became for Nivedita an object of adoration. She wrote books in order to interpret for Indians their own national heritage. She upheld, by reasoned argument, ancient institutions like idol worship, religious and national festivals and other holy days; she revealed the greatness of our sublime epics and the sacred Puranas; and, above all, she pointed out the uniqueness of our scriptures. She thus made Indians learn to be proud of those priceless things of which they had come to be needlessly ashamed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita's life had now become one continuous round of political consultations and campaigns, public meetings and addresses, writing books and carrying on hectic correspondence. These not only took up all her time but sapped all her vitality. Her circle of friends, followers, and admirers also went on growing. To the Holy Mother she became the darling daughter. To the Paramahamsa's direct disciples she was an object of great affection and regard. To Rabindranatha Tagore she was an unfailing source of inspiration. To eminent political leaders like Surendranath Bannerjea, Gopalakrishna Gokhale, Rams Chandra Dutt, Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobin Ghosh, she was a philosopher and friend. And to the youth of the nation she was a veritable idol.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The greatest of the nation's leaders, Balagangadhar a Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, came to her and paid their respects.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nivedita's life was thus a real saga of service and sacrifice, of achievement and fulfillment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Swan Song</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Through her unbroken, unending toil Nivedita wore herself out. She knew not the meaning of rest. People exploited Nivedita and did not take the trouble of enquiring what she herself needed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1905 she wads seriously ill. Her close friends, especially the monks of the Ramakrishna Ashram, tended and nursed her. She rallied-for the time being. But she would not rest, little caring to save her wasting body. The British Government partitioned Bengal and this resulted in a great agitation. Nivedita jumped into the fray. Next year, East Bengal experienced devastating floods. This was followed by famine. For miles Nivedita waded through the water and rendered service to the victims of flood and famine, in village after village. She harnessed the youth of Bengal in organizing relief for the affected people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her health grew much worse. But unmindful of her own state, she went on serving the poor and saving the distressed.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When her health was very bad, she made her will. All that she had in this world by way of property, the little money she had with her, and even the copy right over her writings, she left to the Beleur Math. She wanted that her bequest should be used to give national education to the women of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">October 13. It was morning. Nivedita was in Darjeeling The sun, which had for days been hiding its face behind the dark clouds, suddenly appeared this morning, and its rays entered Nivedita's room. She was absorbed in deep meditation. Opening her eyes to the sunshine, she murmured: "This frail boat of mine is sinking, but I can yet see the sunrise". These were the last words of this noble soul.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was not, however, just a boat that had sunk; it was a mighty ship. The sunrise that she was was the kind of illumination which only the like of her can see.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sir J.C. Bose founded his famous Institute for research. There, in Nivedita's memory, he got installed the image of a woman stepping forward, lamp in hand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the lap of the Himalayas rests the earthly form of this great lady. Over her grave is erected a humble memorial which bears this simple epitaph.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it is the little school that Nivedita had set up that has grown to be he living monument. Thousands and thousands of girls and women are receiving a truly national education in that noble institution.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-16737925469355178502007-12-15T14:36:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:38:51.360-08:00ANAND K. COOMARSWAMY<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NoZlZ5F-IrhcR83B9VH1f2rm9hTIyQUOpVIlP2qdcMpjc909T-XonFQKCTqPOjVCcbPEnZ6X93r_47z2-euKaMRtKx3__O403e6Gjh9rJwxlRk0fyEoLVZ3q9jvAAREIslPCSnJfxvxM/s1600-h/Ananda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NoZlZ5F-IrhcR83B9VH1f2rm9hTIyQUOpVIlP2qdcMpjc909T-XonFQKCTqPOjVCcbPEnZ6X93r_47z2-euKaMRtKx3__O403e6Gjh9rJwxlRk0fyEoLVZ3q9jvAAREIslPCSnJfxvxM/s320/Ananda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144332447260442754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;"> Ananda K. Coomaraswamy who was born in Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) and grew up in England, taught the west the way to approach and understand the arts of India. His whole life was dedicated to the study and exposition of Indian culture. </span><br /><br /><br />Ananda K.Coomaraswamy<br /><br />Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy.<br /><br />It is an intriguing name, the unfamiliar 'Kentish' nestling between the familiar 'Ananda' and 'Coomaraswamy'. It makes you wonder about the man's nationality. Was he a swami? A sanyasi?<br /><br />Doctor Ananda Coomaraswamy was an unusual man, an extraordinary man. He was a hermit as well as a householder, or perhaps he was neither. As we say in Kannada 'Food did not break his fast'.<br />Mother And Son<br />A day in the year 1879. A passenger ship was on its way from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to England. One of the passengers was a beautiful English woman. She held a two-year-old child in her lap and gazed at his face. Her own face reflected both joy and sorrow. The child was brown-skinned, dark-haired and had lustrous eyes. He smiled at his mother.<br /><br />Memories- Decision<br />The mother remembered her husband Mutthu Coomaraswamy Mudaliar who had died two years ago leaving his son fatherless. She could see him clearly in her mind's eye.<br /><br />Mutthu Coomaraswamy was an exceptional person. He came to Ceylon from far away Tamil Nadu and settled down there. He became a citizen of Ceylon and later was al member of the Legislative Assembly. He was a well-known advocate and was the first Asian to receive a knighthood. (Knighthood is an honor conferred upon a person who has distinguished himself in public service. Those who have this honor are entitled to add 'Sir' to their names.)<br /><br />Mutthu Coomaraswamy met an English girl called Elizabeth Clay-Beevi when he went to England on business. She was captivated by his personality and they decided to get married. They came back to Ceylon. On the 22nd of August 1877 their son was born.<br /><br />Elizabeth had left her country to come to far away Ceylon with her husband. When she undertook that long journey she was full of enthusiasm and hope. On her voyage back to England Elizabeth had her son with her who was the image of her husband but she was bowed down under the weight of sorrow. She had the responsibility of bringing up the child alone. Motherhood had imparted gravity to her personality. What a difference there was between the two journeys!<br /><br />Her married life had come to an end in a short time. The child in her arms represented the love and happiness of those years. Elizabeth decided to bring up child to be a worthy son of his father, in spite of the many difficulties that lay in her path.<br /><br />Back in England, Elizabeth devoted herself entirely to the care of her son and his education.<br />"What Are Those Pictures, Mother?"<br />The child would ask his mother questions about everything she did.<br /><br />"Mother, why do you close your e and stand with folded hands?"<br /><br />"What are those pictures? Who are they in the pictures?"<br /><br />The mother would smile and explain: "One of them is your father, The other one is God Kumaraswami."<br /><br />"I have never seen father. Where is now, mother?"<br /><br />"He is with God Kumaraswami whom you<br /><br />see in the picture next to your father's"<br /><br />"Is that picture the God’s? But he h six faces!"<br /><br />"Yes, my son. The god has six faces and he is also known by the name Shanmukha. Your father was a devotee of this deity. That is why you were named Coomaraswamy. Your father used to worship and pray to this god everyday. You pray to him too, with folded hands and closed eyes. Pray to him to make you a good person."<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy knowing neither God nor devotion closed his impish eyes and stood with folded hands as his mother bade him.<br /><br />Thus was Coomaraswamy introduced to Hinduism and the Hindu pantheon. Elizabeth used to tell the little boy stories of the great souls of India in words that he could understand.<br />Student<br />Years went by. Ananda Coomaraswamy grew up in his mother's care. In 1889 he joined the Wycliffe College. He studied there for eight years.<br /><br />The child had grown up to be a man. Elizabeth saw in her handsome twenty- year-old son, the reflection of herhusband. As an adult Coomaraswamy was inclined to be serious-minded. He was entirely wrapped up in his studies. Every morning, after a bath, he worshipped Shanmukha and recited from the Bhagavad Gita. In his spare time, he made a study of Indian culture and arts. When the books that he needed were not available in England, he obtained them from Ceylon or India.<br /><br />Coomaraswamy was good-looking, curly-hared and straight-nosed. He had long fingers. He was a serious-minded young man. He was gentle in his speech and movements.<br />The Attraction Of India<br />Ananda Coomaraswamy joined the University of London in 1909. He elected to study Geology and Natural Sciences in college. But his soul was drawn towards India and her culture and art. Even in his clothes he wanted to look Indian. Though he had to wear western clothes he wore on his forehead sandal paste with a kumkum mark on it.<br /><br />His love for India and her culture grew. Perhaps because his Indian father’s blood ran in his veins the study of the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata increased his devotion and reverence towards India. As his mind and intellect grew and matured he became a devotee of Indian culture. The hallmark of Indian culture, simple living and high thinking was stamped on his personality.<br /><br />His co-evals found the dark-skinned and grave Coomaraswamy strange, but they regarded him with respect. He was a brilliant student. Even during the afternoon hours of leisure in the college he was engrossed in his favourite subject in the library.<br />Ethel Mary<br />Another regular visitor to the library, a classmate of Coomaraswamy's, Ethel Mary, wanted to get to know him. But his serious demeanor put her off. She shared his interest in ancient India and wanted to learn more.<br /><br />Love<br />One day she made bold to go up to him and said: "Excuse me, I am Ethel Mary, a student of this college. I have read your articles on Indian art and culture and want to learn more. I have introduced myself hoping to learn from you. If it is no trouble to you, could you help me?"<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy looked up from the book he was reading and said: 'we cannot talk in the library. Let us go out." They sat under a tree near the library and talked.<br /><br />He was pleased to have a friend in England who shared his interests. They met everyday and discussed their views on Indian art and culture.<br /><br />Their friendship continued and deepened. Ethel Mary expressed a wish to meet his mother. One day he took her home. Ethel Mary was a beautiful girl and had good taste. Ananda Coomaraswamy wanted to marry her.<br /><br />He expressed his desire to his mother and she gave her consent. In his twenty-fourth year Ananda Coomaraswamy married Ethel Mary.<br />To Ceylon<br />The year after his marriage he obtained his doctorate in Geology. From then he was Doctor Ananda Coomaraswamy.<br /><br />The same year he was appointed as a Mines Research Officer in Ceylon. He was glad to be able to go back to the land where he was born and where his father had lived and achieved fame. He left for Ceylon with Ethel Mary.<br /><br />Twenty-three years earlier ~e had left Ceylon for England with his mother. Then he was an infant and the future was uncertain. Now after completing his education he was returning to Ceylon with his wife. He was an officer in the Department of Geology. He was on the threshold of a new life.<br /><br />After a voyage of three months, the ship reached Ceylon.<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy was extremely happy. He reported for work the day after his arrival in Ceylon. Though his job was geological research his path lay elsewhere.<br />The World Of Indian Art And Culture<br />Shortly after he came to Ceylon Ananda Coomaraswamy visited the famous cave ruins. The visit changed his whole life. He was wonder struck by the artistic splendor of the ruins. He felt impelled to study this magnificent art and explain its beauty and meaning to the rest of the world. He undertook a systematic study of the art of Ceylon over a period of four or five years with the help of his wife. In 1909 his extraordinary work, 'Medieval Sinhalese Art' was published. This book opened the eyes of the West to the East, which the former believed was barbarian.<br /><br />With the study of Ceylonese art Ananda Coomaraswamy felt impelled to take up the study of Indian art and culture. As his study progressed he found himself in a totally new world. He learnt French, German, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Pali and Hindi. He was already acquainted with Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Persian and Ceylonese. Besides his mothertongue English, he attained scholarship in twelve languages.<br />Rathna Devi<br />In the meantime there friction between him and Ethel Mary. The cause could have been Coomaraswamy's studies. She was young and wanted to go places and enjoy life. But her husband was always immersed in his studies. Their ways were different and a disappointed Ethel Mary went back to her country. Several months went by and Coomara swamy's studies went on uninterrupted. He also developed on interest in the study of Indian music.During this time he came to know a Ceylonese girl called Ratna Devi. Later he married her. Coomaraswamy thought of his studies day and night. He was not content to learn only through books. He wanted to visit India and see for him what he had learnt from books. But he was the Director of Mineralogical Survey, an employee of the Ceylon Government. He held a high and responsible position and much of his time was taken up by his official duties. He resigned his post so that he could pursue his studies. Even though he was totally involved in his studies Coomaraswamy did not forget the world around him. He worked hard to eradicate the evils in society. He established 'Ceylon Social Reform Society. He started a newspaper called 'Ceylon National Review'.<br /><br />Travel<br />Ananda Coomaraswamy went on a tour of Europe and some of the countries of the East with his wife Ratna Devi. He started a printing press in a place called Broad Campden in England. His book 'Medieval Sinhalese Art' was printed here.<br /><br />He visited Ajantha and Ellora and rejoiced to see the splendor of Indian art. Now he was personally acquainted with the art of India.<br />The Challenge Of Ignorance<br />In 1910 an incident took place that pained Ananda Coomaraswamy deeply.<br /><br />Sir George Birdwood was an art critic. He delivered a lecture on Western and Eastern art. He said that in the East artist’s produced pictures and sculptures as works of art but they did not know what beauty was. As an example he spoke of the Buddha figures of the East. "What beauty is there in these? They are like pies made of sawdust."<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy was both pained and disgusted. He felt that people like Birdwood knew nothing of the origin and development of the arts in the East. They spoke from the point of view of their own country. But many people in the East believed them and learnt to regard their own art through Western eyes. Coomaraswamy felt the injustice of this keenly. The necessity to explicate the eastern arts became clearer.<br /><br />A little later he wrote the book call 'Origin of the Buddha Image.'<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy and Ratna Devi traveled back to Ceylon. Soon after a son was born to them. He was named Narada, 'Nara' meaning knowledge and 'da', giver.<br />Writing<br />Coomaraswamy began writing. He published articles on the tradition of Indian art. 'Art and Swadeshi' was the first book to come out after his world tour. It was welcomed everywhere in the world of art. Scholars all over the world praised the book.<br /><br />Other books followed. Among them was 'The Arts and Crafts Of India and Ceylon', a 250 - page book with illustrations. It dealt with Indian sculpture, painting and handicrafts.<br /><br />Narada was by then past his childhood. He had inherited his father's brilliance. He had already written a few articles. He wonted to follow in his father's footsteps. He had a great desire to travel and to acquire knowledge.<br /><br />Ratna Devi gave birth to a daughter. They called her Rohini.<br />Boston<br />In the year 1917, Coomaraswamy was invited by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to. Work as a research Director of Indian, Persian and Moslem arts. This marked a turningpoint in his life.<br /><br />He could not refuse the call of America. His wife too was agreeable. He left for America with his family. In Boston they were happy. Coomaraswamy had his hands full and his work was rewarding.<br /><br />There he met Sister Niveditha. She was Irish. Her former name was Miss Margaret E. Noble. She became a disciple of Swamy Vivekananda. She was deeply influenced by the personality of the heroic sanyasi. She embraced Hinduism and was named Sister Niveditha.<br /><br />Ananda Coomaraswamy worked with her and brought out the book 'Myths of the Hindus and the Buddhists'.<br /><br />Even in America Coomaraswamy continued his Indian way of life. He performed the worship of Shanmukha everyday ceremonially. His forehead was always adorned with sandal paste and a Kumkum mark. He wore a turban on his head instead of a cap even though he wore Western clothes. His turban became well known in Boston.<br /><br />Recognizing the worth of his work in the Boston Museum, the government appointed him the Director.<br />Bolt From The Blue<br />Coomaraswamy's son Narada had served his apprenticeship as a writer. He was a promising young writer. Rohini who was learning music was a promising musician. Their life was happy for a time.<br /><br />But it did not last. Ratna Devi's health began to fail.<br /><br />Coomaraswamy used to make fun of Narada's passion for travel. He used to say to his son, "You are rightly named after the Narada of myth who moved between the three worlds. You seem to take after him."<br /><br />His father's words made Narada smile. When' he was at leisure he would discuss with his father matters which he had found difficult.<br /><br />Once Narada went on a journey by air. He did not come back. The plane in which he traveled crashed and Narada met with an untimely death.<br /><br />Ailing Ratna Devi heard the news and the grief killed her. Ananda Coomaraswamy was like one thunderstruck.<br /><br />He turned to the Gita and the Upanishads for solace in his grief - Gradually he regained calm of mind.<br />"Very Well, My Child"<br />A few days later Rohini came to her father and said, "Father, I want to speak to you about a personal matter'.<br /><br />"What is it, child?" asked the father.<br /><br />"It may displease you" she said.<br /><br />Her father assured her, "it doe matter, child.<br /><br />Tell me what it is."<br /><br />"I love an American, father. I want to marry him. I want your consent, father."<br /><br />Her father was astounded.<br /><br />He said, "Rohini, your brother and your mother are both dead. I had pinned all my hopes on you. You are well versed in Indian music. I was hoping you would marry an Indian. You can become famous in India."<br /><br />"No, father. I want none of that. I have already made up my mind. Please, father say you consent."<br /><br />Coomaraswamy was pained. But Rohini's happiness was his chief concern. He said, "May God biess you, my child" and gave his consent.<br />Writing<br />He was now alone. His only comfort was his writing.<br /><br />'The Dance of Shiva', 'Transformation of Nature in art', 'Christian and Oriental Philosophy of Art', 'History of Indian and Indonesian art', 'Buddha and the Gospel of Buddhism' - he wrote all these books.<br /><br />His life was lonely as a hermit's. He cooked his own food and took care of everything himself. His studies continued. Time passed.<br /><br />He met an Argentinean woman called Dona Lusa in Boston. She was a widow. She looked after him and proved to be a dedicated helpmate and companion. She took endless pains to edit Ananda Coomaraswamy's writings. He forgot his sorrows in her company.<br /><br />Dona Lusa bore him a son. They named him Rama. Coomaraswamy bestowed much care on the upbringing of this child. He sent the boy to the Gurukula University at Haridwara, so that he would have an Indian education. Rama obtained his degree and later trained as a surgeon in the Albert Einstein hospital in America. He is practicing medicine in America now.<br />The End Of Dedicated Service<br />Ananda Coomaraswamy's life was devoted to the study of oriental arts. His last years were practically a single-minded dedication. Even though he lived in America his soul was in India. His mind and heart were filled with India, Indian painting, dance, drama, music, scriptures, literature and culture.<br /><br />On the 8th of September 1947, he died suddenly. A fortnight earlier he had completed his eightieth year. According to his wishes his son Rama immersed his ashes in the Ganga. A soul dedicated to India, but dwelling faraway, had mingled with India.<br />He Opened The Eyes of The West<br />Ananda Coomaraswamy opened the eyes of the West to India at a time when Western critics of repute talked irresponsibly' of Indian arts, making no effort at understanding. Vincent Smith, Birdwood, Mascal and Archer were critics who ridiculed and despised Indian arts. They were contemptuous of sculptures of gods and goddesses, which symbolized ancient Indian art.<br /><br />This disgusted Coomaraswamy. In a series of articles on Indian art and culture he answered those irresponsible critics in such a way that they reeled under the impact. He showed up for all to see the vitality and timelessness of Indian art. He spoke of Ajantha and Ellora, the abodes of beauty, which still capture the hearts of artists and laymen alike<br />"Look, This Is The Way-"<br />Ananda Coomaraswamy in many of his books explained the essential difference between Western and Eastern art. "One must give up looking at the art of the East with the mind and eye of the West' he urged. In ancient India many makers of chants, sculptors and poets never put their name to their work. Even when a name is connected with a work no other details are available. In this country an artist did not create a work of art deriving entirely from his own imagination. In making a piece of sculpture, say a Buddha, a Nataraja or MahishasuraMardhini, the sculptor did not tell himself 'Buddha must have been so, Nataraja while dancing must have looked so, Nataraja while dancing must have looked so, MahishasuraMardhini must have been such', etc. A sculptor would embark on a work of art bearing, in his bloodstream the imagination of his whole society and race. In the West, the artist is an individual. His feelings, fancy and imagination form the basis of his pictures and sculptures. But in India a picture, a song, a sculpture has at its root the imagination and belief of a whole community. In order to understand the works of Indian art one has to understand the feelings and beliefs of the whole of Hindu society. These works are not realistic, they are symbolic. That is, a figure of Buddha, Nataraja or Ganapati does not represent the way the artist and his contemporaries believed the deity to be. Buddha seated on the lotus does ot mean that the artist and the people of the period believed Buddha to be seated on a lotus. The lotus, the two hands, four hands, eight hands and such other details have a deeper meaning. One figure of Nataraja symbolically represents the five activities of Shiva creation of the world, protection, destruction, disappearance and salvation. The drum symbolizes the beginning of creation. The open hand assures protection. The fire in one hand symbolizes annihilation. The uplifted foot indicates salvation. The fourth hand points to the foot, which is the refuge of the soul. The burning ground is man's soul and heart. Shiva is burning all desire and illusion here.<br /><br />Thus every detail of the Nataraja figure has a meaning. The sculptor alone did not determine these details. The imagination and the feelings of his whole community are bodied forth in the figure. It is not the sculptor's intention to say to those who see the figure. "This is how Nataraja looks". There is a power in the universe that created it, is protecting it, and will annihilate it; that every power will destroy man's desires and illusions and will grant him salvation - this was what the sculptor intended to convey. Towards this end he uses the disposition of hands and feet, a detail such as the drum and everything else.<br /><br />Coomaraswamy was interested in Indian music also. He said, "Indian music gives the experience of a vast range of emotions. The sorrow engendered by it is tearless, joy without affectation; and the intensification of emotions is calm".<br /><br />Of the history of Indian art he wrote, "In the religion of the Hindus there is no conflict or difference between beauty and the scientific outlook. In their best works, there is a unity that neither music nor literature nor any other art can separate."<br />A Place In The Encyclopaedia<br />An instance of the effect Coomaraswamy's writing on Indian art had on the West is to be found in the world famous Encyclopaedia Britannica. This contains information on everything. Any one seeking information has only to turn to the Encyclopaedia, that is the commonly held belief. But up to the 13th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, there is no mention of Indian art.<br /><br />After Coomaraswamy had published several books on Indian art, the compilers of the Encyclopaedia opened their eyes. He was invited to contribute articles. The 14th edition contains eight articles by Ananda Coomaraswamy.<br /><br />He was deeply grieved that Indians did not know their own heritage. He used to say -that the educational system implanted by the British in Indian bred a younger generation of Indians who were neither Eastern nor Western.<br /><br />While addressing a group of young men who had gone 'Lo study in America he said, "You must never forget- your background of Indian culture, tradition and personality. You must act as ambassadors and wherever you are you must remain Indians."<br /><br />He was himself the ambassador Indian culture to the world.<br />"Look At My Work"<br />He was a very simple man and shy. Not much is known of his personal life. An introvert and without pride, he mingled freely with others. But he never spoke of himself and did not want to be praised. He hated precept that differed from practice. He practiced what he believed.<br /><br />Once a friend of his called Dorai Singh decided to write his biography and requested Coomaraswamy to give him a detailed account of his life. But Coomaraswamy did not agree. He wrote to his friend, "I want to remain in the shadow. In stead of writing about me, write about my books. Assess my books. That is enough. I am a worshipper of Indian culture and accordingly I believe that writing a man's biography is not conductive to his salvation. I believe so. This is not a show of modesty, it is the principle of my life".<br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-86473446798126293652007-12-15T14:30:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:33:53.282-08:00MOKSHAGUNDAM VISVESVARAYA<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLk9FxuqUtgY6Nqb2F9AbVs4oDgKTnoNRGsFjfMvZr30-JRmE2jWD1CEltNrsIsVujUofMmCJu-fcUH9EnGO_FCdERLsZzYgx-2EeWm6kKV9s4-e7dzkxcwqfDwb6-39YbKkh0lI4DUD2/s1600-h/Visvesvaraya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLk9FxuqUtgY6Nqb2F9AbVs4oDgKTnoNRGsFjfMvZr30-JRmE2jWD1CEltNrsIsVujUofMmCJu-fcUH9EnGO_FCdERLsZzYgx-2EeWm6kKV9s4-e7dzkxcwqfDwb6-39YbKkh0lI4DUD2/s320/Visvesvaraya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144331081460842610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > One of the makers of modern India. 'MV" was a genius. Perfectly honest and devoted to his work, he set new standards of efficiency </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This happened some years ago in the United States of America. Some Indians stood at the foot of a seventy-five-foot ladder in a factory. They were visiting important factories in the States to study th9ir working.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Officers of the factory were with them, explaining how the factory worked In one part Of the factory, the officer said "If you want to see how this machine works you will have to climb to the top,"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That meant that they had to climb up the seventy-five-foot ladder, past four stories.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The leader of the Indians was "Very well, let us climb," he said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The others were very much surprised. He was the oldest of them all; most of them trembled at the thought of climbing up the steel ladder.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The old gentleman briskly stepped towards the ladder, and started to climb. Many of the others stayed back. A few followed as a matter of duty, but some of them soon gave it up. The old gentleman reached the top, completed the inspection and briskly climbed down. Only three others completed the feat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was always so with the gentleman - anything he undertook he did systematically and very well. No difficulty, any danger could keep him back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The old gentleman went up the ladder!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was Doctor Sri M. Visvesvaraya -or, Sir M.V., as he was popularly known.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mysore (Karnataka), in South India, has made great progress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Krishnarajasagara Dam - or KR or Brindavana, as it is also called - has amazed and enchanted thousands of visitors from all countries. It is one of the biggest dams in India. It waters a hundred and twenty thousand acres of land. It supplies electricity to hundreds of towns and villages.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works is today an asset to India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sandal oil and the sandal soap of Mysore are famous all over the world. The Mysore Sandal Oil Factory and the Mysore Soap Factory export sandal oil and sandal soap to many countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mysore University is one of the oldest in India. The State Bank of Mysore (it was first named the Bank of Mysore) has branches, not only all over Karnataka, but also in every big city in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The man who gave even one of these would deserve admiration and gratitude.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But all these were the gifts of one man - and he gave these to his country about fifty-five years ago, when it was still not free and when few people here cared to study science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This great man, this worker of miracles, this Bhagiratha of Karnataka, this Bharata Ratna (the Gem of India) was Sri M.V.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Struggle For Education</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya was born in Muddenahalli in the Chikkaballapur Taluk of Kolar District (Mysore State), on the 15th of September 1861. His father was Srinivasa Sastry, his mother Venkachamma. The father was a scholar in Sanskrit. The parents were good pious folk. Visvesvaraya learnt from them respect for the culture and the traditions of the land.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya completed his early education in Chikkaballapur; then he came to Bangalore for higher education. He joined the Central College.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But his pocket was empty and h no roof over his head!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A family from Coorg in South India was looking for a tutor for the children. Visvesvaraya, himself a student, became their tutor. He lived with them and also earned a few rupees. Later in life, Sir M.V. himself gave away more than a hundred thousand rupees to a Polytechnic Institute; but as a student he earned every rupee by hard work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Discipline was ever Sri MV’s watchword. Even as a young student he worked hard and in a systematic way. He was an early riser and started his work quite early. Everyday he completed the day’s work. Everything about him was spick and span, everything regular and disciplined. So he lived to the last day of his life – and he lived to be 101.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The poverty-stricken lad stood high in the B.A. Examination in 1881. He got some help from the Government of Mysore and joined the Science College in Poona to study Engineering. In 1883 he ranked first in the L.C.E. and the F.C.E. Examinations (these were like the B.E. Examination of today).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As soon as the results were out the Government of Bombay offered MV a post. He was appointed Assistant Engineer at Nasik.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The builder Of Fortune Begins as an Engineer</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV was only thirty-two. But some very difficult work fell to his lot. For instance, he had to find a way of supplying water from the river Sindhu to a town called Sukkur. He prepared a plan, which many other engineers admired.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Water is very precious to the farmer and it has to be put to the best possible use.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Water should not be wasted. The Government appointed a Committee; it was to find ways of helping irrigation. Once again it was Visvesvaraya who found a solution. He devised a new system called the Block System. He devised steel doors; these could stop the wasteful flow of water in dams. Even British officers were full of praise for the invention.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Government appreciated Visvesvaraya's genius and work. He was promoted to higher places. This meant even more difficult work. But there was no problem he could not solve.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aden is a port; it is the first port as one travel from India and enters the Suez Canal. All around it there is a desert. Drinking water is hard to get. Seawater has to be distilled to get drinking water. MV prepared a plan to supply rain water from a place 60 miles away. In India, the lake near Kolhapur was damaged and the city was in danger. MV planned and executed the repairs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Bombay Visvesvaraya went to Hyderabad as Chief Engineer. His great achievement in Hyderabad was the taming of the river Moosa. This river divides the city into two. In 1908 the river was in floods as never before. The waters of the river poured into many houses, and men and cattle were carried away. Visvesvaraya planned dams to tame both the Moosa and another river, the Isa. He also suggested that lovely parks should be laid out on the banks of the rivers. Even now visitors to Hyderabad can visit the dams and the parks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya was appointed Chief Engineer in Mysore State. Today Mysore (Karnataka) State comprises twenty districts. But in Sri MV's days Mysore was a much smaller state, divided into eight districts. The ruler was a Maharaja.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As an engineer Visvesvaraya did not interest himself only in buildings, roads and bridges. The people of India were then in a miserable condition. There were very few schools. Only six persons out of every hundred could read and write. There were no big factories; so it was difficult for people to get jobs; they had to get into government service, or else depend on agriculture and trade. A number of things had to be got from other countries. The farmer depended completely on the rains; if the rains failed hundreds of thousands of families had no food. Farmers followed very old methods of cultivation and used ancient tools. The average income of the average Indian was just one anna (that is, six paise) a day! Many villages had no hospitals. In many parts of the country there were no good roads. Ignorance, poverty and sickness plagued the people. Visvesvaraya suggested that an Economic Conference be set up; it was to find ways of removing ignorance, poverty and sickness. We have already referred to the Krishnarajasagara Dam near Mysore. A lake of 50 square miles was created here. As a result, the very dry lands of Mandya District began to smile with plenty. When the dam was constructed India was not producing cement. Out engineersprepared mortar much stronger than cement. The dam also gave Mysore State plenty of electricity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya was the Chief Engineer of Mysore for three years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days the Maharaja used to appoint the ministers. There used to be three ministers and the Chief Minister was called the Dewan. In 1912 the Maharaja choose Visvesvaraya as his Dewan.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As The Dewan Of Mysore - And Ideal Administrator</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soon after Visvesvaraya became the Dewan, one of his relatives went to him. He was a man whom MV liked and respected. He was in Government service. He wanted a higher post; that would have given him another fifty rupees a month.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya said 'No'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But, as long as the relative was alive, he paid him a hundred rupees every month from his pocket.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the Dewan, he got a car from the Government for his use. He used the Government car for government work; for his private work he used his own car. He was such an honest man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Dewan would be neatly dressed and ready for work by seven in the morning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was not a crease or a wrinkle anywhere on his clothes. He worked steadily and methodically till one in the Afternoon. He was back to work at three.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And till eight at night he was at his desk. Everything was planned, everything was done smoothly, methodically and without any hurry. Visitors who wished to see him had to write first; he would fix an hour; and the Dewan was very strict about the hour fixed. No one could come late. And no visitor was allowed to waste time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is the duty of ministers to tour the state and meet the people and find out what they need, isn't it? MV had his own way of touring a district. Before the visit, officers were asked to send information about the district. How do the farmers get water, how many tanks are there in the district, how many wells, how many hospitals and how many schools, how many acres of land are used for agriculture - these and a hundred other questions had to be answered by different departments. They had also to explain the needs of the district. Then the Dewan went to the district. He held discussions with the officers and with members of the public.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then he took decisions. As soon as he returned to Bangalore every officer who was to do some thing got a letter. It told him what he was to do. So the Dewan's visit was made most useful to the Government and to the people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every moment the Dewan practiced this principle - that his office was for the service of the people and not for his benefit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya believed in the value of education. The people of India are poor and suffer because they are not educated that was his firm belief. So he wanted a number of schools to be opened. When he became the Dewan in 1912 there were about 4,500 schools in Mysore State. In six Years about 6,500 new schools were opened. When he became the Dewan there were about 1,40,000 boys and girls in schools. When he retired in 1918 there were about 3,66,000. When he became the Dewan there was not a single First Grade College (that’s a college having degree classes) for girls; he made the Maharani's College in Mysore a First Grade College. The first hostel for girls was also opened. Colleges need a University; the University decides what subjects should be taught and who the teachers should be; it conducts the examinations. In those days colleges in Mysore State were under Madras University. Because of MV's firmness and fight, Mysore University came into being. It was the first university in an Indian state governed by an Indian ruler. MV also made arrangements for the government to give scholarships to intelligent students to go to foreign countries for studies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We often hear of 'unemployment; don't we? Some people do not get jobs and cannot earn a living. People should be given the education to earn a living - this was MV's feeling. So an Agricultural School was started; here the students were taught modern methods of agriculture. An Engineering College also came into being. (Bangalore University now runs this College; it is called the Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.) A Mechanical Engineering School was opened. Industrial Schools were started in every district.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A country's industries should grow; only then the country can prosper. A country may have minerals; she may have forests and harbors; there may be rivers so that electricity can be produced. But man has to use his intelligence and work hard; he has to develop the industries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then there will be more jobs. The country will grow richer. It will not be necessary to get things from other countries. The country can sell its products to other countries. In the modern world, industry is the backbone of a country. Visvesvaraya knew this. He developed the existing industries. For example, he got experts in the silk industry from Italy and Japan; they helped the silk industry. When he was the Dewan many new industries came up. The Sandal Oil Factory, the Soap Factory, the Metals Factory, the Chrome Tanning Factory - all these he started. Of the many factories he started the most important is the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works. After India became free the Government started a number of steel factories; every factory required crores of rupees and a good deal of effort. Every steel factory is a boon to the country; MV gave Mysore a steel factory 55 years ago.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A list of the things that MV did as Dewan for the prosperity of Mysore will fill pages. How does a country prosper? Trade and industries must grow. But these need the help of banks. Some people have extra money; banks pay them interest and get this money. They lend # this money to merchants and industrialists and thus help them. Merchants send their goods to purchasers in other cities. It is safe and easy to get the money through banks. It was because of MV's suggestion that the Bank of Mysore came to be started. He helped it in every way. He also suggested that good hotels should be opened in Bangalore and in Mysore for visitors. He helped those who started such hotels. The Central managed the railwaysGovernment. Visvesvaraya brought the railway lines in Mysore State under the control of the State Government. He also got new lines laid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV did in six years what many others could not have done in sixty years., "Was he a magician?" one wonders.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Retired Dewan Has Not A Moment's Leisure</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1918 Sri MV retired voluntarily. People think retirement means rest. MV lived for 44 years after he retired from service. He was 101 when he died. Except in the last few days when he was very weak, he wore himself out for the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From his boyhood Visvesvaraya was eager to learn new things. (When he was past one hundred, a relative was going to Madras; he asked MV, "What shall I bring you from Madras?" Said Sir MV, "Bring a good Modern English Dictionary.") As Dewan he had visited foreign lands twice. After retirement he went abroad so many times, for some work or the other. Japan, America, England, Sweden, Italy, Germany, France - he toured ever so many countries. Wherever he went, he had a notebook and a pencil in his hand. He made notes of any new information; and then - he had but one thought: how can this new knowledge help India? And when he was back he had but one aim - to carry out the new plans. How could he find time to think of personal matters?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ten years after he retired from government service, floods in the Bhadra put a stop to the work in the Steel Factory in Bhadravati. It fell to Sir MV's lot to set things right. The General Manager of the factory, an American, said it would take at least six months to reopen the factory. Sir MV thought the period was too long. The officer was stubborn. Sri MV removed him. In a few days he got the factory going. Many officers in the factory belonged to other countries; naturally they were not as interested in the working of the factory as Indians. MV got a number of engineers of Mysore trained. In three years Mysoreans took the places of the foreigners.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was MV's dream to start an Automobiles Factory and an Aircraft Factory in Mysore State. He worked in this direction from 1935. The Hindustan Aircraft Factory (now called the Hindustan Aeronautics) in Bangalore, and the Premier Automobile Factory in Bombay owe much to his efforts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suppose we make a list of all that Sir MV did for the country when he was in service; and another list of all that he did after he retired. Which list will be the longer? It is difficult to say.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rivers of Orissa were frequently in floods; they caused a lot of trouble to the people. It was necessary to tame the rivers and to use the waters for the welfare of the people. MV studied the problems and prepared a report. This report paved the way for the construction of the Hirakud and other huge dams. New Delhi is the capital of India; the Government wanted to develop it in a planned way and make it a beautiful city also. A committee was formed to advise the Government; and Visvesvaraya did valuable work as a member. Big cities have municipalities and corporations to look after them, haven't they? Sometimes they do not have enough money, or do not use wisely the money they have. Then they get into serious difficulties. A number of municipalities and corporations were able to get out of difficulties because of MV's guidance - Bombay, Karachi, Baroda, Sangli, Marvi, Bhopal, Pandharpur, Ahmednagar, Nagpur, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Goa .......</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We hear so much about five-year Plans. If a country is to progress, planning is necessary. Where shall we begin? What is the most important need of the country?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What comes next? How much money do we</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">need? How shall we get the money? Do we, have the experts we need? Otherwise How shall we get the experts? How shall we train our young men? Where shall we get the machines? How can we make sure that money is spent properly? All these and a thousand other questions have to be considered. If we want to build a house, we prepare a plan; we estimate the cost; we get the money; we get the materials; and then we start the construction. Building up a country also requires planning and preparation. It is said that the first country to plan in this way was Soviet Russia. Her first five-year Plan dates back to 1928. Eight years earlier - in 1920 - MV had thought a good deal about planning and published a book, 'Reconstructing India'. In 1934 he wrote another book, 'Planned Economy for India'. Even at the age of 98 MV was writing books on planning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Service of the country was this great man's 'tapas'. When he reached the age of 100, people all over India showered affection and respect on the Grand Old Man. The Government of India brought out a stamp in his honor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya passed away on 14th of April 1962. He was 101.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharata Ratna ( The Gem Of India)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Any state should be lucky to have a minister of Visvesvaraya's ability. Would any salary be too high for such a genius? The Maharaja's secretary suggested to the Maharaja that MV's salary should be raised; he had not consulted MV. Visvesvaraya came to know about it. He wrote to the Maharaja saying that he did not want a rise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For sometime, when the Bhadravati Factory was in trouble, he worked as the Chairman. At that time, the Government had not decided the salary. It took some years to do so; the Government owed him more than a hundred thousand rupees. But he did not touch a rupee even. He told the Government, "Start an institute where boys can learn some profession." The Institute was about to start work. The Government wanted to name it after Visvesvaraya. But he said, "Name it after the Maharaja of Mysore." This is the Sri Jayachamaraja Polytechnic Institute of Bangalore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many such selfless patriots’ do we have?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Free India honors great servants of the country every year by awarding titles. The highest of this award is 'Bharata Ratna'. In 1955 Visvesvaraya was made a 'Bharata Ratna', the Gem of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was a gem of mankind itself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya was a genius. The Block System which he invented, the automatic doors which he devised to stop wasteful overflow of water, the water supply and drainage system which he planned for the city of Aden - these won high praise from engineers all over the world. The Krishnarajasagara Dam is a brilliant proof of his genius.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His memory was an amazing as his genius.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We saw how in 1908 he tamed the Moosa. Fifty years later, one day, there was a discussion about the river, and he referred to some detail. Then he called a servant and, pointing to a bookshelf, said, "Bring the three or four books in the middle of the third row." Then he opened one of them and pointed to the detail under discussion on one page. He was 96 or 97 when this happened.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How did Visvesvaraya use his genius and his extraordinary memory? This is the important question. He was the embodiment of discipline and hard work. He was never late by a minute and he never wasted a minute. Once a minister was late by three minutes; MV advised him to be punctual. A man should do any work he undertakes methodically - that was his firm faith. Every man should understand his responsibility and do his best - which was the essence of his teaching. He practised this very honestly, and there are hundreds of instances to show this. Until he was Confined to his bed he was very particular about his clothes. Even when he was 95 people who went to see him were surprised - he was so carefully and neatly dressed. Quite often he had to make speeches. Because of his genius, experience and mellow wisdom people wanted to hear him. But whenever he had to make a speech he would think about what he was going to say, write, the speech, get it typed and weigh every word and revise it. He would revise it four or five times and give it final shape. Then he would remember important points. Once he visited the Primary School in his native village, Muddenahalli; he gave the teacher ten rupees and asked him to distribute sweets to the children. The teacher said, "Please say a few words to the children, sir," MV spoke for five minutes and went away. But later he was unhappy because he had spoken without preparation. Some days later he prepared a speech and went to the school again; once again he distributed sweets to the children. Then he made his speech. In 1947 he was the President of the All India Manufacturers' Association. He had to make a speech at a function. Some of his friends were staying with him. On the day of the function they woke up at half past four in the morning. What they saw astonished them; Sir MV, who was 87, was already up and faultlessly dressed; he was walking up and down; he had in his hands a copy of the speech he was to make and was carefully reading it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1952 he went to Patna. He was to study a plan for a bridge across the Ganga. The sun was cruel and the heat unbearable. MV was 92. There were parts of the site to which he could not go by car. The Government had arranged to have him carried in a chair. MV did not use the chair; he got off the car and walked briskly. The Government had also arranged for his stay in the GuestHouse. He would have been comfortable there. But he stayed in the railway coach and went on with the work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A hundred such instances of his discipline and devotion to work can be listed. He once said, "The curse of our country is laziness. At first sight every one seems to be working. But in fact, one man works and the others watch him. As someone said with contempt, 'it looks as if five men are working. But really only one-man works. One man will be doing nothing. One man will be resting. Another man will be watching them. Yet another man will be helping these three."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visvesvaraya was dedicated to work. He was also a man of spotless honesty. We saw how, as the Dewan, he refused to favor a relative. In 1918 he decided to give up the Dewanship. He had to give the Maharaja his letter. He went to the palace in the Government car. He returned in his own car. Those were days when people had to work by candlelight. MV used, for official work, the stationery and the candles supplied by the Government; for his private work he used stationery and candles which he had bought. Once, one of his friends was advised rest after some illness. He wanted to spend some days in Bangalore. MV was the Dewan. The friend wrote to him asking for a house for some days. He thought the Dewan would give him a Government Guest House, free of rent. The Dewan gave him a Government House; but as long as the friend stayed there, the Dewan himself paid a rent of Rs. 250 a month.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV had the courage of his convictions. He did what he thought was right and was not afraid of opposition. We have already seen how much he did for Mysore State. At every step he had to face opposition. The British, who were then the masters here, opposed him. Many Mysoreans could not understand his greatness. He was far-sighted; he could see what the country would need fifty years later, a hundred years later. But the shortsighted and small-minded men made fun of him. Some of the officers under him thought he was not practical and laughed at him. He tried to give -the State a University. Colleges in Mysore State were then under Madras University. The Governor and high off icers of Madras were Englishmen., They did not want a University in an Indian state. Englishmen in Mysore State also opposed the Dewan. In fact, the principal of one college even said, "The Dewan is mad. He must be sent to a mental hospital." Only because MV was firm, Mysore University was born.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV also planned the KIRS dam. The cost was estimated; it came to 25,300 thousand rupees. Officers of Mysore State were shocked and opposed the scheme. At last Visvesvaraya satisfied the Mysore Government with his arguments and it agreed. A new difficulty arose. MV wanted the height to be 130 feet. The Government of India approved a height of only 80 feet. MV went ahead with a foundation for a dam 130 feet high. Later, the Central Government agreed with him. Many people made fun of him when he started the Bhadravati Steel Factory and called it 'a White Elephant'. Some officers did not manage it properly and the factory suffered heavy losses. Quite a few persons felt happy! But today it is an asset.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV was the Maker of Modern Mysore. He wanted education to spread ' He wanted people to give up blind beliefs. He wanted the fullest use of science and technology. But he also knew that being modern did not mean giving up everything that was old and forgetting our culture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Somebody once said to him, "You have done great service to the country. You are like Bhishmacharya." MV said, "You make me remember what a small man I am. What am I before Bhishmacharya?" He was so modest. Even at the age of 95, he rose to receive a visitor; he got up again when the visitor was leaving. But he also knew modesty did not mean pocketing insults. In the old Bombay Province the rules did not permit an Indian to become the Chief Engineer. Only an Englishman could sit in the Chief Engineer's chair. So MV gave up his post in Bombay. The Dewan was the highest officer in Mysore State. He himself gave up that very high office. He had self-respect without arrogance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sir MV was a fearless patriot. Those were days when the Englishman was the lord of India and wanted to be treated like a god. The Maharaja of Mysore used to hold a Durbar during the Dasara. On the day of the European Durbar, the Europeans were given comfortable chairs but Indians were required to sit on the floor. MV went to the Durbar for the first time in 1910. The arrangements pained him. The next year he did not attend the Durbar. When the officers of the palace made enquiries he f rankly gave the reason. Next year all - Europeans and Indians -were given chairs. A British officer wrote a letter to MV. He said that in the Maharaja's Durbar, he wanted a cushion to rest his feet because the chair was too high. MV got the legs of the chair shortened and wrote to him that the height had been reduced. In 1944, an association arranged* a conference. Visvesvaraya was the Chairman of the association. The Governor of Berar, an Englishman, was to open the conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">(In those days the Governors were very powerful.) The conference was to discuss a resolution that India should have a national government. The Governor said that the resolution should not be discussed. "Otherwise," he said, "I will not come." Sir MV said to his friends, "All right. Why wait for him? Let us go on with the conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">MV gave thousands of families food, he gave thousands and thousands of students education. Tens of thousands of houses were brightened with electricity because of him. And he led the country to the path of progress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Bhadravati Steel Factory, Mysore University, Krishnarajasagara, the Bank of Mysore - every one of his creations was mighty and magnificent. But far mightier and far more magnificent was the Bharata Ratna, who was at once a matchless Dreamer and Doer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He once said:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours."</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-12746570201991135302007-12-15T14:26:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:29:33.979-08:00DHONDO KESAVA KARVE<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzUO-KS15MP38Yx_I2Sf7l_1FY1fzY24LSUnLv_uthqkd7CXsb8Npb197_Q5lSealVrtM1_QxBoNieDlrWlu9buY42iLPuDWMYm30jfXA1_yWV9LO40HrGdUajJxXp10Cp7pT7W9g55_k/s1600-h/DhondoKeshavaKarve.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzUO-KS15MP38Yx_I2Sf7l_1FY1fzY24LSUnLv_uthqkd7CXsb8Npb197_Q5lSealVrtM1_QxBoNieDlrWlu9buY42iLPuDWMYm30jfXA1_yWV9LO40HrGdUajJxXp10Cp7pT7W9g55_k/s320/DhondoKeshavaKarve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144330067848560738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >Maharshi Karve lived for a hundred and four years. After he completed his education he pledged his life to the service to others. He chose poverty and walked the pathe strewn wiht criticism and opposition </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dhondo Keshava Karve</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a rich man in a town, He had two sons. The man was very wealthy. He called his sons and gave a rupee. 'Fill the Room!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Spend this rupee-just this one rupee -and fill your room with some thing. Whoever passes this test gets my fortune," said the rich man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rich man returned home in the evening.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When he entered the room of the first son, the room was pitch dark. Somehow he groped in the dark. What did he find? Mere hay! The rich man's first son had tried to fill the room with hay.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rich man entered the second son's room.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With the rupee the second son had brought a mud lamp, some oil and a wick and had lit the lamp. In a corner of the room he had lighted a few scented sticks. The room was full of light. And it was full of sweet smell. The second son passed the test.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Fill The Room!"</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Spend this rupee-just this one rupee-and fill your room with something. Whoever passes this test gets my fortune," siad the rich man. The rich man returned home in the evening. When he entered the room of the first son, the room was pitch dark. Somehow he groped in the dark. What did he find? Mere hay ! The rich man's first son had tried to fill the room with hay. The rich man entered the second son's room. With the rupee the second son had brought a mud lamp, some oil and a wick and had lit the lamp. In a corner of the room he had lighted a few scented sticks. The room was full of light. And it was full of sweet smell. The second son passed the test.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Ideal Life</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">God, the Creator, gives every one of us some talent and ability and sends us to the earth. The man who uses the God-given talent and ability and lights up his surroundings and spreads fragrance passes the test of life. His life is the really successful life; it is an ideal life. A man who led such an exemplary life was Bharata Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshava Karve. Dhondo Keshava Karve was born and grew up in abject poverty, but throughout a fruitful life of a hundred and four years he kept the lamp of knowledge burning, to remove the darkness of ignorance; like a piece of sandal wood he wore himself out to spread fragrance. He saw people who were leading a miserable life of blind customs; he showed them how to enrich their lives. Like a father, he brought solace to broken hearts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Aristocratic Family</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dhondo Keshava Karve was born on 18th April 1858 in Sheraoli, a village of Ratnagiri District. His father was Keso Pant or Keshava. The mother was Lakshmi Bai. Karve's was an aristocratic family. The members of the family had been rich enough to lend six and a half lake rupees to Damoji Gaikwad, the ruler of Gujarat. But all this fortune and this aristocracy were things of the past; they related to three or four generations before Dhondo Karve. When Dhondo Pant was born the Karve family had only debts to repay. Although Dhondo Pant was born in Sheraoli, he looked upon Murud as his hometown. When Dhondo Pant was born the family was steeped in poverty. Keso Pant realised that if he spent his life idling in Murud the family would starve. So he took up employment as a clerk with a landlord named Barve in Koregaon. Keso Pant had three children - Dhondo Pant, his elder brother Bhikaji and younger sister Ambatayi. Dhondo Pant's parents were religious by nature. Everyday there was worship and singing in the house. Even as a boy Dhondo Pant practiced reading religious works like 'Shivaleelamrita' and 'Gurucharitre.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Self Respecting Mother</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even in abject poverty the Karve family did not sacrifice its self-respect. On one occasion the Maharaja of Baroda gave cows as gifts to Brahmins in several villages. Every Brahmin was given also a gift of ten rupees. Shikaji asked his mother: "Mother, the Maharaja of Baroda is making a gift of ten rupees to every Brahmin. Shall I also go and get the money?" Said Lakshmi Bai: "You are not born in a family which seeks gifts! Among your forefathers there were many learned men; but they never accepted a gift from anybody. This Maharaja of Baroda is a descendant of persons who owed money to your ancestors. Even now they owed lakhs of rupees to our family. Do not even dream of accepting gifts from such persons." This was the lesson of self-respect taught by Dhondo Pant's mother to her children</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Example</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dhondu's education began in the Shenvi Pantoji's school in the village of Murud. Dhondu was not a very clever student. In those days the fourth standard examination was considered quite important. If a candidate was successful in that examination, he could get the lower posts in the government. Dhondu failed in the examination held in 1869. By about 1870 an enthusiastic teacher by name Vinayak Lakshman Soman joined the Murud School. Within a few days Dhondu became the favorite student of Soman. Under his guidance Dhondu passed the fourth standard examination. Soman was very enthusiastic to serve the country and the people. He wished that his pupil also should serve the country and the people. In those days many people were illiterate, that is, they could not read and write. Few newspapers were received in the village. Soman thought that the people should know what was going on in the world outside, and made a plan. It was the custom of the people to visit the Durgadevi temple in the evenings. Dhondu would collect a few newspapers received in the village, sit on the pial of the temple and read them aloud. People who came to visit the temple could hear the news, without any effort on their part. Dhondu used to render this public service gladly, as his teacher had desired. Thus, under the influence of his teacher Soman, even from his boyhood Dhondu developed the desire to serve the people. At that time Soman collected five rupees from every villager as share money. With the capital of eight hundred rupees so collected, he set up a shop. Dhondu was to sell goods and maintain accounts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Lesson</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the store was closed the question arose: what next? A candidate successful in the sixth standard examination would be eligible to become a teacher. A person had to be seventeen years of age to sit for that examination. The examination centers were in Bombay and Satara, far away from Dhondu's village. Going to Bombay meant a journey on the sea. To go to Satara, the Sahyadri Mountains had to be crossed. So to attend that examination one had to sail on the sea or cross the mountain! It was the time of the examination. It was the rainy season and so ships did not ply. Dhondu and the other students thought over the problem of their journey. Finally they decided to go to Satara. There were no cars or buses at that time. The journey had to be made on foot. Four days before the examination they slung their baggage on their shoulders and started on foot. They had to walk one hundred and fifty miles in the rainy season. On the first day they covered thirty miles. Eating and resting on the way, they reached a town called Patan. From Patan to Satara it was fifty-four miles. By a short cut it was eighteen miles. But the journey by the shorter route was very difficult. The examination was to commence the next day. Therefore the boys chose the shorter route. They missed the way. Darkness fell. They rested in shepherds' colony. Next day they ascertained the route and continued their journey. It was five in the afternoon when they reached Satara! A large number of students were taking the examination that year; so the registration of the names took up the entire day. The examination was therefore postponed by a day. The hopes of Dhondu and his classmates rose again. The Chairman of the Examination Committee noted down the names of the other students. But when he saw the short, lean Dhondu, he said, "you are not yet seventeen years old. You are lying about your age. You cannot take the examination." The interview was over; for Dhondu, only disappointment was in store. He had walked a hundred and fifty miles - and it was all useless. Although he was seventeen the officer had pushed him aside saying: 'You are not yet seventeen. Dhondu sat for the examination next year from Kolhapur center and was successful. By then Dhondu was also married. When he married Radhabai, he was only fifteen years old! In those days child marriage was common.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Ordeal of An Examination</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the store was closed the question arose: what next? A candidate successful in the sixth standard examination would be eligible to become a teacher. A person had to be seventeen years of age to sit for that examination. The examination centers were in Bombay and Satara, faraway from Dhondu's village. Going to Bombay meant a journey on the sea. To go to Satara, the Sahyadri Mountains had to be crossed. So to attend that examination one had to sail on the sea or cross the mountain!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the time of the examination. It was the rainy season and so ships did not ply. Dhondu and the other students thought over the problem of their journey. Finally they decided to go to Satara. There were no cars or buses at that time. The journey had to be made on foot. Four days before the examination they slung their baggage on their shoulders and started on foot. They had to walk one hundred and fifty miles in the rainy season. On the first day they covered thirty miles. Eating and resting on the way, they reached a town called Patan.From Patan to Satara it was fifty-four miles. By a short cut it was eighteen miles. But the journey by the shorter route was very difficult. The examination was to commence the next day. Therefore the boys chose the shorter route. They missed the way. Darkness fell. They rested in shepherds' colony. Next day they ascertained the route and continued their journey. It was five in the afternoon when they reached Satara! A large number of students were taking the examination that year; so the registration of the names took up the entire day. The examination was therefore postponed by a day. The hopes of Dhondu and his classmates rose again. The Chairman of the Examination Committee noted down the names of the other students. But when he saw the short, lean Dhondu, he said, "you are not yet seventeen years old. You are lying about your age. You cannot take the examination."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The interview was over; for Dhondu, only disappointment was in store. He had walked a hundred and fifty miles - and it was all useless. Although he was seventeen the officer had pushed him aside saying: 'You are not yet seventeen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dhondu sat for the examination next year from Kolhapur center and was successful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By then Dhondu was also married. When he married Radhabai, he was only fifteen years old! In those days child marriage was common</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Graduate</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dhondu wished to learn English. He continued his education in Ratnagiri and Bombay. The sufferings of poverty followed him everywhere. He taught the students of the lower classes and earned some money. He got exemption from payment of tuition fee. Because he got the fifth rank in the examination, he was given a scholarship of two rupees per month. He spent as little money as possible. His father died. His brother Bhikaji's help and sacrifice enabled Dhondu to continue his education without interruption. After Dhondu, came to Bombay for education, with great difficulty, the brother used to send him four rupees a month. Dhondu had to earn by teaching students. Dhondu expected to receive two rupees per month by teaching a particular student. He received only one rupee! One person used to go to him on Sundays to read Marathi poems; he paid Dhondu two annas (twelve paise)! In 1884 Dhondu became a graduate from Elphinstone College, Bombay; his favorite subject was mathematics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Friend Narahari Pant</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After Karve came to Bombay he had made friends with Narahari Pant Balakrishna Joshi. His association with Narahari Pant was useful and influenced Karve's entire life. Karve was a little shy by nature. He hesitated to speak to strangers With Narahari Pant's help it was possible for Karve to overcome this drawback. Karve admired Narahari Pant's courage and helpful nature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Lamp Of Service Is Lit</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A man who is influenced by good people has a foundation of goodness in himself, too. In Karve they’re burnt a strong desire to help as best he could those who were unhappy or had suffered in life. When he began to earn money he made it a rule to set apart one pie from each rupee for charity. He collected money for the 'Pie Fund', 'Murud Fund' and used it for the all-round development of Murud village. Karve took a leading part in organizing public services in Murud and in providing roads, schools, an English high school and such other services.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Independent Life</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After passing the B.A. examination Karve became a teacher in the Elphinstone High School. He worked for a year, but did not like government service, so he gave up the post. He undertook teaching in two or three schools for a few hours. In those days he would start teaching in Saint Peter's School at 6 a.m. It took Karve an hour to walk to that school. He had to get up at 4.30 in the morning, eat some rice mixed with curds and leave the house at 5, to walk to the school. Karve found happiness in this way of life. His wife Radhabai managed the household affairs very well. Even in his poverty Karve brought four boys from his hometown and arranged for there Education. One of these boys later attained all India fame; his name – Raghunath Paranjape. To the boys who came with Karve to Bombay for education he was like a Radhabai a mother. Radhabai fell ill and returned to Murud. Her condition became very bad. Karve received the news that she died on Nagapanchami Day. The whole night he could not sleep. Next morning by six o' clock he was present for work in the school. The Deccan Education Society was running the Ferguson College in' Pune. Gopal Krishna Gokhale requested Karve go to Pune from Bombay. Karve was appointed Professor of Mathematics in Fergusson College. Karve's relatives and friends began to compel him to marry again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sacrifice To Blind Faith</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In those days there were instances of old men of sixty or seventy marrying again after the death of their wives. And the girls who had to marry such old men were ten or twelve years old. It was then the custom to marry the girls before they were twelve years old. Naturally, those young girls who married old men would be widowed within a few years. Society thought it was the result of their sins committed in their previous births and punished them. Even these young widows had to have their heads shaved. Thus disfigured they had to pass their lives in a dark room. Somehow this cruel, hateful practice had taken root in our society. Society believed that this practice was laid down in the sacred books of religion and was morally right, and followed it. The sight of such practices made Karve very unhappy. The sufferings of the young widows melted his heart.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Heroic Act</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve boldly told his relations and friends: "I am a widower. If I want to take a second wife, I will marry a widow." When Balakrishna Joshi, the father of Narahari Pant, heard about this decision, he said, "if you have decided to marry only a widow why search for one'? Why riot marry my daughter Godubai?" The widow Godubai was in Sharada Sadan run by Pandita Ramabai. She was the sister of Karve's bosom friend Narahari Pant. Karve agreed to the suggestion. Karve and Godubai were married in Pune according to religious rites on 11 th March 1893. After the marriage Karve renamed his wife as Anandibai. Widow Godubai became the happily blessed Anandibai.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Prince Of Courage</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve's marriage with a widow was a sensation in society. A number of people condemned him very strongly. There was hot discussion even in the newspapers in places like Pune, Bombay, Belgaum and Dharwar. Karve and his friends had formed an association called the 'Sneha-Vardhak Mandali'. The other members now did not like his attending the meetings. Karve left the Association. In Murud there was bitter opposition to his marriage. When Karve went to Murud with Anandibai after the marriage, they had to be victims of the wrath of the villagers. The villagers assembled and passed a resolution: 'Karve has committed an immoral act by marrying a widow. No one should sit by his side and no one should attend any meeting at which he is present; and in future if he goes to Bhikaji Pant's house Bhikaji also will be thrown out of the community.' When Karve and Anandibai visited Murud they could not live in their house; they had to live in a separate house outside the village. It became an offence even if he spoke to his brother, mother or sister. Bhikaji's position became very difficult. The opposition of the villagers on one side and his love for his brother on the other - these forces affected his mind and he was like a mad man. Dhondu Karve was very unhappy. Just because he married a widow Karve had to suffer for many years in many ways. His brother did not agree to send his son for education to Karve's house. When Karve's mother and brother came to his town they did not visit his house. Even when his mother was very ill she gave strict instructions that Karve should not be informed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Patience Personified</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Society baked Karve in the fire of its displeasure; but he did not lose heart. He never spoke a harsh word in protest. If the injustice rooted in society has to be set right such sufferings have to be borne. No purpose will be served by abuse or shouting. When our skin develops an abscess or a boil we treat that part of the body with special care and get rid of the abscess or boil. We don't grow angry at the abscess and scratch it. It becomes worse if scratched. When child marriage, opposition to widow's marriage, untouchability and such itches and eruptions spread, they must be Cured by careful treatment and not by unwise actions. This was Karve's stand. One should be determined to fight blind customs; at the same time one should take care not to weaken the society. Karve always had this goal before him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">New Lights Of Service</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve knew by personal experience the sufferings of the husband and the wife in society if a man married a widow. He also realized the necessity for widow marriage. Therefore he felt that the crusade for the marriage of widows should not suffer just because of the fear of opposition in society. He established the 'Widow Marriage Association'. Widow marriage was treated with contempt in society. One object of the Association was to make it easier for men who wished to marry widows to do so. The second object of the Association was to educate public opinion and to put an end to this contempt. After a few days Karve changed the name of the Association to 'The Association for the Removal of Restrictions to the Marriage of Widows'.The phrase 'Widow Marriage' suggests provocation. How very appropriate and meaningful that Karve should have changed the name! He wanted to avoid as far as possible giving offence to society. He wished to bring about improvements smoothly. He did not want to bring about divisions in society in the name of social reformation. He wished to take others with him on the path of reforms. Karve was not satisfied with this. A number of widows never get a chance to marry again. Karve decided that a suitable Ashram (hostel or home) was needed for them. He thought of a plan for a home for a few widows. He decided that till the home came into being the widows could stay in the hostel of the Girls High School and continue their education. But where was the money for this? The first contribution came from Karve himself - a donation of one thousand rupees. In 1896 'Anath Balikashram Association' was started. The Ashram was established in Pune. Karve went from town to town and collected money. In 1900 the Ashram was shifted to Hingne, a village four miles from Pune. Parvatibai Athavale, Kashibai Deodhar, Venubai Namjoshi and a number of such educated ladies volunteered to work for the Ashram. A number of young widows were educated there and became self-supporting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thorns In The Path Of Service</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve encountered great difficulties in running the Ashram. Every evening he had to walk four miles from Pune to Hingne. It was dark. The road was not at all good. If it rained the road would be slushy. Wind or cold or rain, the forty-three-year old Karve walked the distance of four miles every evening on this road, carrying on his back the articles needed for cooking the next day's food. If Karve's wife or children were ill he would entrust the treatment to others and go out on his 'pilgrimage'. For two years he rendered this service. (About these times Karve has written in his autobiography: I always feel sorry that my wife and children suffered hardship because I did not give them sufficient attention. But I had no choice. On a number of days I walked to the Ashram shedding tears.') Karve could not find time to attend to his ailing wife or child. But if somebody fell ill in the Ashram the person to console her and give her courage was the 'brother' -Karve. The Karve family settled in Hinghe. Some girls of the hostel themselves would not touch the water touched by Karve's wife Anandibai. When Anandibai was dining she had to sit apart from others-because once a widow, she had married again. She was the wife of the founder of the Ashram, Karve, but yet she could not escape from this insult. As the work of the Balikashram increased, Karve thought of giving up his post. At the suggestion of the directors of the Deccan Education Society he went on leave for three years without pay- A number of people opposed Karve at that time. Orthodox people blamed him for destroying the purity of religion. Reformers objected that Karve had established the Ashram, and so people were less enthusiastic about the remarriage of widows. Stinging letters were published in newspapers. Karve patiently put up with all this. Karve's children did not have good clothes. They had no money for games and entertainment. The children felt unhappy; they would ask their mother, 'Why is this so?' and complain to her. She also felt unhappy. In 1907 Karve started a school by name 'Mahila Viclyalaya' in Pune. The main object of the school was to spread knowledge among women. Two funds - the 'Brahmacharya Fund' and the 'Education Fund' - were started. The object was to ensure that girls did not marry till they were twenty years old and that, till then, they attended schools.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Institution For Selfless Service</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A band of selfless workers was needed to run the Anath Balikashram and Mahila Vidyalaya. Karve had observed a flock of missionaries coming from other countries to our country; they came in the guise of social workers, and converted people to their religions. An idea struck Karve. If only our people volunteer to do social service our society will flourish and the fear of conversion to other religions will vanish. To create a tradition of such social work he founded the 'Institution for Selfless Service'. Karve took the oath of the Institution for Selfless Service. He would make over all his earnings to the Institution and take from the Institution only just enough money for a very simple life for himself and his family. Even out of this amount money was given to charities. There were no servants. Anandibai who had been trained as a midwife had now to work as a midwife and earn somemoney! By about l914 Karve left the Deccan Education Society and devoted himself entirely to the work of the Mahilashram. Karve had four children in all. Anandibai was looking after the welfare and solved the problems of the family; on account of this, the household affairs did not come in the way of Karve's activities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Women's University</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">About the year 1915 he get by post the book, 'Japanese Women's University'? As he was going through that book he drew up an outline for an 'Indian Women's University'. The University was to have these objectives: (1) to give women education which would develop their personalities; (2) to equip them to become wives and mothers if they married and (3) to educate them to participate as citizens in nation building. He visited Bombay, Ahmedabad, and Madras, Bangalore, Salem and other places and made speeches explaining the need for a Women's University, he met people and collected funds. The Indian Women's University was established in 1916 in the Mahilashram of Hingne. Again Karve wandered from place to place with a begging bowl. Within four years, the University had a balance of over two lakh rupees, after meeting all expenses. One special feature of the University was that the mother tongue was the medium of instruction. If a student has to learn through another language and not through his mother tongue, it will be a needless burden. Karve had realized that only the mother tongue is the easiest means of acquiring knowledge. Large funds are required to run a huge organization like a university. Karve was constantly touring to collect funds. Sir Vithaldas Thackersey of Bombay was a very rich and generous man. He was always ready to help men of genius in the country. When he visited the women's university in Japan he remembered the university established by Karve. When he returned from his world tour he said he would donate fifteen lakh rupees to the Indian Women's University. The name of the Indian Women's University was changed to 'Shreemati Nathibai Thackersey Indian Women's University'. (Shreemati Nathibai was Vithaldas's mother.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Greatness Recognized</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve was seventy years old. By then all his dreams had more or less been fulfilled. On Karve's seventy-first birthday, that is, on 18th April 1928, the Pune Municipality honored him by presenting an address. A prominent road in Pune was named 'Karve Road'. On this occasion an eminent poet appropriately described Karve as 'Maharshi'. He had led Indian women from darkness to light and from ignorance to knowledge, and freed them from the shackles of cruel and blind practices; is not such a man a Maharshi - a Great Sage?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Travel In Three Continents</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1929 Maharshi Karve visited several countries in the continents of Europe, America and Asia. During this tour he attended the International Conference on Education at Elsinore. In Berlin he exchanged views on education with the world-famous scientist Einstein. In Japan he paid a visit to the ‘Women’s University’. And all the time the work of collecting funds for his institutions went on. In that tour after meeting all expenses of his travel, he had a balance of about fifteen thousand rupees for his institutions. He toured the countries of the African Continent and collected thirty-four thousand rupees for his institutions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A New Venture At Seventy-Eight</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Within three or four years of Karve’s return from travel abroad, the Thackersey Trust had taken over the management of the Women’s University. Karve had enough leisure. He was then seventy-eight year’s old-an age at which a man seeks rest. But Karve’s enthusiasm for public service had not waned. He turned the attention towards the education of children. In numerous villages of Maharashtra there were no primary schools. He determined to make an organized effort to start schools in villages. For this purpose he established the ‘Primary Education Society’. Karve was running the schools till the government itself took them over in 1948. There is no difference between man and man; all are equal. Karve wanted to instill this attitude in all people. So he started the ‘Society for the Promotion of Equality’. He was then eighty six years old. Karve toured all over the country to bring home to people the lesson of the equality of all human beings.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sacred 'Mantra'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karve had devoted his entire life to the service of others. The government and several institutions expressed the gratitude of the people of India in several ways. The Benares Hindu University and the Women's University honored him by conferring the degree of Doctor of Literature on him. The Government of India decorated him with the title of 'Padma Vibhushan' in 1955. The Maharshi's 95th birthday fell on 18th April 1953. On that day, in an inaugural address of ten minutes to the Maharashtra Social Conference, the Maharshi said: "March forward- bravely to remove social differences and to establish social equality. In 1958 his hundredth birthday was celebrated with great jubilation. A postage stamp was issued with his picture. The same year the highest title, any citizen, of India can receive, the 'Bharat Ratna', was awarded by the President of India. The country showed its gratitude and honored him in every possible way. Karve passed away on 9th November 1962. He said on his deathbed: "If Swarajya (or self-government) is to lead to the welfare state, there is one ‘mantra' (sacred utterance) - a mantra proclaimed in our ancient writings, the mantra of the consideration for the good of all."</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-83066095463148998162007-12-15T14:22:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:24:47.637-08:00JIJA BAI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoCMzzhwLCSWmxcUpaxX8xW1kGMkdUCoJluBxKfhn0ZJlGgVhGTnjbLOW68oj4ehhBz9T1T3UqWcivD0hym3xHiYvDnbRtKtuO-cHlGdjok8rj9AM5IoEIC9HkfYaV315Jax88C7E2JJg/s1600-h/Jijabai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoCMzzhwLCSWmxcUpaxX8xW1kGMkdUCoJluBxKfhn0ZJlGgVhGTnjbLOW68oj4ehhBz9T1T3UqWcivD0hym3xHiYvDnbRtKtuO-cHlGdjok8rj9AM5IoEIC9HkfYaV315Jax88C7E2JJg/s320/Jijabai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144328903912423506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" >The mother of Shivaji who was the protector of the country as well religion. She was the embodiment of self - respect. That great mother suffered in silence and became a source of inspiration to her heroic son </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Is there any one in India who has not heard the immortal name of Chatrapati Shivaji? His glowing story has always been a fountain of inspiration to Indians and will continue to inspire them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone knows the story of those who brought glory to the land. The stories of their mothers are not so well known, but they are equally inspiring. The mothers, who strengthen the lives of such great men by refining their natures, and who, by great sacrifice, kindle the heroism in them and so shape the history of the land, occupy a proud place. The part played by the heroic mother of the epoch making Shivaprabhu is as thrilling as it is sacred.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One Ranga- panchami Day</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai was born in the town of Sindhkhed in Maharashtra. She was the daughter of a Maratha Sardar by name Lakhuji Jadhav Rao. Jadhav Rao and his wifeMalasa Bai brought up the childin great love.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An incident occurred in their house on one Rangapanchami day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Whatever may happen, the Sardar's daughter cannot become the daughter- in-law of a Shiledar," said Lakhuji JadhavRao.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Up rose a radiant Maratha hero, in great anger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"A Maratha hero is always bound by his words. Your words are a great insult to me. Henceforth our meeting will be according to our worth. I shall not cross the threshold of your house till I acquire the worth." So saying the Maratha hero left the hall. Firmness and anger were writ large on his face.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lakhuji Jadhav Rao was the first great Sardar 'in the Nizamshahi, administration. He was known for his great valor. During those days many Maratha Sardars were serving under the Nizam. They had small armies of their own. They had obtained lands, high positions and ranks from the</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nizam, according to their abilities. They found supreme satisfaction in serving him. But these Maratha Sardars ' hated one another.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enmity with members of their own clan, but keen competition to serve the Nizam loyally - such was the condition of the Marathas at that time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why This Bitterness</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the Holi festival (the festival held in honor of the God of Love) in the month of PhaIgun. They were celebrating the Ranga- panchami festival in the big hall of Jadhav Rao. Sardar, Darakhdar, Shiledar, Bargir, Chopdar -many such officers had assembled. Maloji Shiledar, the son of Babaji Patil of Verul, was also present.The splendor of Lakhuji Jadhav Rao was well known. At the center was seated Sardar Jadhav Rao. Around him were seated the invitees according to their ranks. The celebrations came to a close. Then they began to throw colored water on another in the spirit of the Holi festival. Just then, Jija, the beautiful daughter of Jadhav Rao, came out of the house ready to throw colored water, Shahaji, the little son of Maloji, was sitting in the lap of his father. Jija at once began to pour the colored water on Shahaji. He also poured colored water on Jija. Shahaji was fair and looked like a handsome prince. Jadhav Raoliked the boy immensely. He drew the boy to his side with deep affection. He looked at th assembled men and light-heatedly asked, "Don't Jija and Shahaji make a fine couple?" Everyone nodded his head saying, "Ah! What a fine couple!" Maloji was watching all this. His affection for his son was stimulated. He said, "Sardars, did you hear what our Sardar Jadhav Rao said? Henceforth we are related to each other as parents of the bride and the bridegroom. Jija is my daughter- in- law." But Jadhav Rao attached much importance to his rank and position. He did not relish these words. After all he had spoken only in jest. He never meant that they should become relatives. He said harshly, "My daughter can never become the daughter-in-law of an ordinaryShiledar." Maloji had a sense of self-respect. He stood up in great fury on hearing the words of Jadhav Rao. He declared that Jadhav Rao's words were a challenge to him and left. And he gave up his post under Jadhav Rao.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maloji Is Worried</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having given up service under Jadhav Rao, Maloji went straight to his native place, Verul. His mind was very agitated. He was always lost in thought. Some days passed in this manner. One night,after supper, Maloji was lying in the corridor of his house. His mind had become the battlefield of clashing ideas. The insult he had suffered in Jadhav Rao's house had shattered his peace of mind. Pondering over these things Maloji fell fast asleep.It was the calm hour of four in the morning. It is said that an extraordinary thing happened at that hour. Maloji had a dream. A deity of exquisite beauty and supreme splendour stood before him. She held the conch, the wheel, the lotus and the trishul ( the trident) in her hands. She said, " My dear child, Maloji, arise. Do you know who I am ? I am the protecting deity of your family. A great epoch - making hero is going to be born in your clan. His fame will spread far and wide. Arise, do not delay. Act and strive. You have my fullest blessings".So saying, the deity disappeared. Maloji woke up from his slumber and lookied around. There was no one. He felt the thrill of a new strength and a new spirit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Devi's Blessings</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is said that on the very next day Maloji had the proof of the blessing of the deity. The following night Maloji went towards his fields in a bullock cart, along with his brother, Vithoji. They wanted to keep watch over the crop on that moonlit night. The hours passed. It was midnight. Vithoji fell asleep. But Maloji did not get sleep. Before his eyes he could still see the very form of the goddess he had seen in his dream. The words of Jadhav Rao were piercing his mind. He was restless. He got up and with a spade in his hand he began to dig a mound in his fields.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As he dug with great force, the spade struck something, and there was a metallic sound. Maloji became curious. He dug out the earth and looked - there was a large pot glittering in the moonlight. The pot was full of gold mohurs to the brim. Seven pots followed one another. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes. He offered silent prayers to his family deity. Now the treasure had to be carried home before daybreak. He woke up his brother Vithoji. When Vithoji saw the treasure he danced with joy like a mad man. Together they managed to carry the seven huge pots of treasure home in a cart. They offered worship to the Goddess of Wealth, with great joy.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai Becomes Maloji's Daughter-In -Law</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Immediately after he got the huge wealth, Maloji began to think of the future. He bought one thousand horses of the finest breed from Sheshova who was a merchant friend. He built up a powerful army of one thousand soldiers. His influence grew in the neighboring regions. More and more villages began to serve Maloji with great respect. Maloji, now a very rich man, could have led a life of pleasure and ease. But he had a clear and high ideal before him. He had to accomplish a great deed. Maloji knew that a selfish man would not be honored. Only those who gave they’re all - body, mind and wealth - to the service of others were honored. So he used his wealth for noble purposes. He built free lodges for travelers and dug wells. He also renovated temples and mutts. He arranged for the poor and the needy to be fed freely. He renovated the famous temple of Ghrishneshwara at Velur. He constructed the large tank at Shinghanapura. And so every one was full of praise for Maloji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maloji's fame reached the ears of Jadhav Rao. His wife Malasabaj had a high appreciation for his personality and valor. His acts of generosity and charity deepened her affection.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jadhav Rao was a proud man. His pride in his rank had not</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">diminished. Maloji now owned a contingent of two thousand horses. His army numbered three thousand-horses and soldiers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He began to give Jadhav Rao pinpricks. He also made serious attacks on the Nizamshahi. Gradually Maloji grew more and more powerful. The Nizam, too had some idea of his courage and strength. He wanted to make Maloji somehow or the other one of his Sardars so that his state might be secures. He conferred the title of 'Mansabdar Raje', the Commander of twelve thousand horses, on Maloji. He made him the Sardar of the villages around Shivaneri Fortress. Now Maloji became 'Sardar Maloji Rao Bhosle'. The Nizam also Compelled Sardar Jadhav Rao to give his consent to the marriage of his daughter Jija with Maloji's son Shahaji. 'No doubt Maloji had won his aim. But Sardar Jadhav Rao nursed his anger. His hatred for Maloji increased as Maloji's strength and fame grew.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maloji breathed his last at the age of seventy. Shahaji Raje succeeded his father as Sardar and continued to serve the Nizam.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Burning Heart</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like his father, Shahaji was courageous and diplomatic. He was known as a seasoned politician and warrior. Though he had married Jija, his relations with his father- in- law had not improved. There was hatred between the two families. Jadhav Rao could not bear the growing fame of his son-in-law. As time passed he left the Nizamshahi. He joined the Moguls in order to revenge himself on his son-in-law. He spent his entire life in this attempt Jija was filled with sorrow over the enmity between the two families. And she was also unhappy because both her father and her husband were spending their lives in the service of the Muslims. Jija's heart had become a volcano. She had a strong love of liberty. The benevolence of the Nizam or the Moghuls to the Maratha warriors seemed to her like fetters of gold. Her own husband was one of them. The very thought of their humble and helpless condition burnt her heart with fires of fury. But she was helpless. As a model housewife, she had to put on a calm appearance. It is not that Shahaji could not understand his, wife's displeasure. But tie could not do anything single-handed. He had to bow his head to circumstances and serve his master with loyalty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her Father's Prisioner</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the meanwhile the Mogul Emperor Shahjehan invaded the Nizam's dominions. At that time there were only two brave Sardars on the side of the Nizam - Mallik Amber and Shahaji Raje Bhosle. Just at this time Mallik Amber passed away. So the entire responsibility fell on Shahaji. Then Shahaji was in the fort of Mahuli. Taking advantage of this, Jadhav Rao joined the Moghul army against the Nizam and lay seize to Mahuli fort.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shahaji fought heroically for six months and saved the fort. The father-in-law himself had set out to destroy the son-in-law. At that time Jijabai was also in the Mahuli fort. In the midst of all this a plot was brewing against Shahaji in the Nizamshahi. Shahaji did not receive timely help. He had no choice. He secretly left the fort with Jijabai. As soon as he heard of Shahaji's escape Jadhav Rao pursued Shahaji. Jijabai was then in the fourth month of her pregnancy. As her horse raced down the dangerous slopes she suffered much. She got off the horse and said to her husband, "My Lord, the enemy is quite near. I cannot move. Going at this pace may prove dangerous. Leave me here and go. Do not be worried about me." Shahaji realized the seriousness of the situation and rode on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In no time Jijabai fell into the, hands of her father. After all she was his daughter. She was also with child. Observing her condition, Jadhav Rao said, "Jiju, my child, why do you suffer so much? Go at once to my house in Sindhkhed. I will arrange for a palanquin."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai was the wife of a hero. How could she relish such suggestions? She answered her father fearlessly: "Baba Saheb, you still wish to be revenged on the Bhosle family, don't you? Here I stand before you. You may fulfil your desire. I have no business in your house. On the very day I got married and crossed the threshold of your house and stepped into my father-in-law's house, I ceased to belong to your family. Now I am the heroic daughter-in-law of -the Bhosle family. The bread prepared out of husk in my husband's house is more tasteful to me than the cakes of pearl in your house. I shall die as a heroic wife of the Bhosle family."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When he heard these words, Jadhav Rao was filled with fury.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He roared like an angry lion:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Jiju, do you know before whom you have been blabbering?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jija answered with equal resoluteness, "Yes, I do know it. I have blabbered in the presence of a friend of the Moguls, and an enemy of the Marathas - in the presence of one whom is an avowed enemy of my husband. Father, what do you take me for? Do you think that I am still a little child? A Maratha woman is not afraid of any one but her husband. Go at once. Capture your prey and win a prize from the Moghuls. After all, that will be the glory of your life, will it not? Why are you standing still? I do not need your protection. Look, there is the fort of Shivaneri. That is my home. I will spend my days in the worship of Jagadambe, the Mother of the Universe!" So she insulted him to his face. The father was speechless. She appeared like Durga Devi, the Goddess of Power. Thinking it was meaningless to remain there any longer, Jadhav Rao went away.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'I Must See An Independent Emperor'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When he left Jijabai in the woods, Shahaji had asked one of his trusted soldiers by name Sreenivasa Rao to hide himself near by. This person took Jijabai safely to Shivaneri.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai was the very embodiment of self-respect. She had the courage to face any difficulty. She was pained at the sight of holy places and secret shrines in ruins. She now-lived in luxury; she had pearls and diamonds, palatial mansions which offered every comfort, servants and workmen, elephants, horses, palanquins and wealth. But she cared for none of these.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She used to sit before the idol of Jagadambe, lost in thought. She prayed to Her, "Oh Rudramba, give me the strength of one of your arms. Put an end to the pride of the Marathas in the service of others. I want to see an independent and powerful Maratha Emperor shining in the glory of his own flag and his own army. Grant that my wish may be fulfilled!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What a vision! If the Nizam had come to know that such a woman lived in his own kingdom,he would have ordered her house as well as the whole town to be burnt to ashes. A sovereign Hindu throne in the Kingdom of the Nizam! Absurd and impossible!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Jijabai was discontented. She was indignant with the Maratha Jagirdars and Sardars. Had they no sense ofself-respect in them? Men without any knowledge of their religion and culture! Men without any anger for the shame heaped on them! What kind of Sardars are these who cannot protect their own motherland and religion!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The time needed a hero like Sri Rama to organize and lead the sturdy but ignorant Maratha Mavalas to fight against the Sultan. If only such a hero was born..!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai loved the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. She had heard the stories of heroines like Draupadi, Kunthi and Vidula. They affected her in a peculiar way. Oh, if only she could give birth to a son like Bhima or Arjuna! How blessed she would be! How she pined for such a son! Would Goddess Thulaja Bhavani be able to fulfil her wish?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a matter of great sorrow for Jijabai that Shahaji was serving the Nizam. But this did not affect her love for him. In every way she was the light of his house. But her mind boiled at the thought of the servility of the Marathas.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pining For A Heroic Son</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai was studying the most intricate political problems in the company of elderly and experienced politicians and diplomats. She had acquainted herself with the state of her country and of the world. She could see the poor brave Maratha Mavalas trembling under the highhanded rule of the Sultanshahi. She only wished to have a son who had the strength to bring them together.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Perfect arrangements had been made to look after Jijabai who was pregnant. Everyone was eager to fulfil every wish of hers. But she had unusual wishes. Pregnant women usually want sweet dishes or perfumes or delicious drinks. But Jijabai desired none of these. She wished to climb up to forts on tops of hills, to wield swords, to discuss difficult political questions and to put on mail and ride on horseback. The most amazing thing was that she wished to fight armed, with tigers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her Parent's House Reduced To Ashes</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the midst of all this, most crushing news reached Shivaneri and struck her like lightning. The family of Jijabai's parents was blighted. Lakhuji Jadhav Rao who had made friends with the Moguls decided to return to the service of the Nizamshahi. Along with his three sons, he waited on the Nizam and offered obeisance to him. The Nizam's Sardars cut off their heads as they bent down to salute the Nizam. Within a few seconds the entire family of Jijabai was destroyed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai’s mother Malasabai and the wives of her elder brothers performed ‘sati' and burnt themselves with the bodies of their husbands. These terrible happenings burnt her very heal. The Mogul Badshah of Delhi had sent Raja Jai Singh to the South at the head of a huge army. The Nizam had no faith in Shahaji Raje Bhosle, too. No one could know when he would be in danger. But Shahaji was quite shrewd. He became wary before it was too late. He, too, joined hands with the Moguls. But the Moguls wanted to keep Shahaji away from Sahyadri. So they appointed him as the Sardar of Karnataka Jahagir and sent him to Bangalore. This became his Jahagir.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stories of the cruel deeds of the Nizam and his officers reached Shivaneri one after another. Whole villages and the families of poor Marathas were being wiped out. Kheloji Rao was a young relative of Shahaji Raje Bhosle. Sardar Mohabat Khan forcibly carried away his young and beautiful wife when she was bathing. When such was the fate of the daughter-in-law of the famous Bhosle family, what could not happen to poor and helpless Marathas? When Jijabai heard all this, she became furious.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji On His Mother's Lap</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The festivities of Dasara, Divali and Sankranthi were over. The day when Jijabai would become a mother was approaching. One day Jijabai had labor pains. Worship was offered to God Vighneshwara and Goddess Jaga dambe. On an auspicious day, Friday, the eighteenth day in the month of Phalguna of the Hindu year Shukla, 1551 of the Shalivahana Era, (Corresponding to the 19th February 1630 of the Christian Era) Jijabai gave birth to a son. It was a day of festivities and great jubilation in Shivaneri. It was the Twelfth Day after the birth of the baby. Mother Jija clad in a yellow, gold- bordered sari and bedecked with ornaments, sat with the child on her lap. The child was to be given a name. Elderly ladies joyfully performed the customary rites. Then came the question: What name was the child to be given? All eyes turned to Jija Matha. She prostrated before Jagadambe, and serenely said: "Shivaji." The cradle was swung. The infant with the three-syllable name carried in it the power to shape the history of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Architect Of Liberty</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Jijabai's strong wish that her son should become a great hero. She wanted him to put an end to the shameless life of the Marathas and begin a new chapter of liberty and self-respect. Now a son had been born to her. It was her duty to mould his nature and to make him the savior of his country. She had a high sense of self-respect, a heart as strong as steel, and a deep religious consciousness. With these virtues she seemed born for such a difficult and sacred task.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shahaji arranged to send Mother Jija and Shivaji to Pune with Dadaji Kondadev. Pune was then a small village. It had been completely destroyed by the attacks of the forces of the Nizamshahi, the Adil Dynasty and the Moguls. Not a single holy shrine was left standing. The idols had been broken to pieces. Under the able administration of Kondadev, Pune was rebuilt. It was fortunate that Dadaji was there to assist Jijabai.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the midst of corrupt officers Dadaji earned a good name as an honest and straightforward officer. At a time when even men in high places silently suffered disgrace and humiliation he gave protection to the common man. He also narrated to the boy Shivaji stories of the past glory of India and the deeds of ancient heroes so vividly that they were printed on his mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Under the orders of Jijabai many temples were built in Pune. Shivaji's education was mostly in her hands. Listening to stories selected from the immortal epics of India, namely the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha and the Bhagavatha, from the lips of his dear mother was a part of young Shivaji's daily life. As he listened to the accounts of the exploits of Sri Rama, Hanumantha, Krishna, Abhimanyu, Arjuna and others, the mace, the bow and shafts seemed ever before his eyes. Whenever any holy men came to Pune Mother Jija used to make Shivaji offer them service. There great refinement, their teachings and blessings infused new strength into Shivaji's body.Under the able administration of his Guru Dadaji and in the cool shade of Jija's culture, superhuman strength grew in him. The Mavale boys became his friends. They were poor but loyal and they became his intimate companions. He played with them the game of building forts and laying siege to them. Mother Jija's strict discipline and her regard for justice became the very breath of Shivaji. Even as a boy Shivaji issued orders for cutting off the hands of the sinner who slaughtered the sacred cow. He sentenced to death a man who insulted a woman.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pune acquired a new look after the arrival of Mother Jija. She laid foundations for the prosperity of the neighboring villages by her orderly administration. She herself settled disputes and meted out justice in the open court. Shivaji used to sit with her on such occasions. He had lively discussions with her. He was particularly interested in political matters and exchanged views with his mother. He watched Dadaji Kondadev at work and learnt much.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like Seetha And Shakunthala</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One after another troubles over-whelmed Mother Jija. In 1630 Shahaji Raje married Tukabai, as his second wife in Bangalore. After this marriage he visited Jijabai and his son Shivaji only now and then. He spent his time mostly with Tukabai and her son. But Jijabai did not lose heart. She spent all her time in the education of Shivaji. No doubt Shahaji was a valiant man. But the love of liberty had dried up in him. He had completely given himself to the service of others. Jijabai knew that her ideals could not be achieved if the boy Shivaji lived with Shahaji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The far-sighted Jijabai brought up her son in such a way that his father's aloofness did not cause young Shivaji unhappiness or pain. Love of his country, his religion, freedom and a good life - this was the firm foundation on which she raised the structure of Shivaji's great life. As Shakunthala taught her son Bharatha and as Seetha shaped the lives of her sons, Lava and Kusha, Jijabai completed the difficult task of modeling the future independent sovereign of the Maratha State in the shade of her motherly care and love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Treachery</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An incident took place while Jija was in Pune. Maldar Khan, a close associate of Shahaji, came to Pune. At that time Shahaji who had given up his service under the Nizam, was living in Bangalore in the service of the Moghul King. Maldar Khan came to Pune under the pretext of trying to win over Shahaji to the side of the Nizam again by appointing him to a high office. He tried to meet Jija Matha. She knew him and agreed to give him audience. Maldar Khan took this chance to deceive her. He captured Jijabai and kept her prisoner in Pamalghar. Sardar Jagdev Rao came to know of this. He was furious. Fortunately Shivaji was then at Shivapuri. Therefore he escaped. Jagdev Rao had friendly relations with the Nizam. The Nizam feared that he might rebel in his anger and join the Moghuls; so, to please him, the Nizam agreed to set Jijabai free. After she was set free Jagdev Rao arranged for her safe stay in Gandapur. Jijabai was a proud woman and a woman of firm resolution. This incident affected her deeply. Shahaji also came to know of this. The efforts of Dadaji Kondadev and Vishwas Rao brought back the Jahagir of Pune to Jijabai the danger that threatened Pune was thus averted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Farsightedness</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jija Matha was a woman of great foresight. To quote an instance, she played a great part in bringing back to the Hindu fold brave soldier like Bajaji Nimbalkar who had embraced Islam. He was a valiant general. To allow such a person to remain on the side of the enemies would weaken the Maratha Kingdom. In those days many people were opposed to such a move. They argued that once a Hindu was converted to another faith he could not be admitted again to the Hindu faith. It required much courage to say that if a Hindu converts wished to return to Hinduism, he should be welcomed. Jija Matha persuaded every one that her view was reasonable. She did not stop at that. After getting Nimbalkar back to the Hindu faith she also gave Shivaji's daughter Sakhubai in marriage to his son Mahadaji. What love of her religion And how liberal-minded!</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An Inspiration</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shivaji grew up and began his fight for freedom. At the young age of sixteen he captured the fort of Thorangadh. Jijabai could not contain her joy. Shivaji would not take any important decision without consulting his mother.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai had to face difficult situations -again and again. The sultan of Bijapur captured Shahaji. Shivaji cleverly got him released. Before this Afzal Khan, the Sardar of Bijapur, had come with a large army. He was determined to crush Shivaji. Afzal Khan was a giant-like figure, seven feet tall and as strong as a rock. He smashed the idol of Thulaja Bhavani, the family deity of Shivaji. He also destroyed many other temples. He thought that these acts would provoke Shivaji and he would come out into the open. He thought that then, with his powerful army, he could easily defeat Shivaji. In this critical hour Shivaji consulted not only his trusted friends but also his mother Jijabai. Many were of the opinion that a meeting with the Khan would prove dangerous and that it was better for Shivaji to keep away from him. But Jija Matha was one of those who said that he should not be afraid of danger and that he should meet the dreaded Khan. Accordingly Shivaji went out to meet Afzal Khan. Jijabai sent him with her blessings.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To Shivaji’s companions Jijabai was a source of inspiration. She treated them as affectionately as she did her own son. She felt very sad like a mother whenbrave Maratha soldiers, after fighting heroically, fell one after another sacrificing their lives for their motherland. Thananji Malsure was a brave and noble given away Simjhagadh (the Lion Fort) to the Moguls. But Jijabai argued vehemently that such afort should be in the hands of Shivaji. She said to Thanaji, "Ifyou free Simhagadh from the enemies you will be like Shivaji’s younger brother to me." Thanaji went forth determined to win back simhagadh before daybreak on the following day. The fort was quite strong, almost invincible. It was under the protection Of a brave Rajput by name Udayabhanu Rathod. Thanaji climbed up the terrible fortress at the dead of the night. He killed Udayabhanu in a fierce duel. But unfortunately Thanaji himself met with death. He died like a hero. By day break the Bhagava Jhanda (the saffron flag of Shivaji) fluttered over the fort of Simhagadh. The whole night Jijabai had been watching from the top of Shivaneri; her eyes were fixed on the fort of Simhagadh. When she saw the Bhagava Flag fluttering pleasantly over Simhagadh fort, her eyes were filled with tears of joy. She forgot herself in her joy over Thaanaji’s victory. The very next moment the most sorrowful news of the death of Thanaji was brought to her. She was utterly miserable. Another loyal hero, Baji Prabhu, fought with great valor and terrible fury at Pavankhindi to save the life of Shivaprabhu. That his heroism had saved Shivaji should have comforted Jijabai; but she wept with sorrow as if she had lost her own son.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The King's Mother</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jijabai who had pledged her son Shivaji to the protection of the country and the Hindu religion had to suffer sorrow after sorrow. Her affectionate son Shivaji was always in the jaws of danger. He was compelled by circumstances to go to Agra in order to meet the Moghul King, Aurangazeb. It was very difficult to foretell what would befall Shivaji who was at Aurangzeb ‘s mercy. Shivaji, too, had realized that he was entering a dreadfully dangerous den. Who was to look after the state till his return from Agra? Who would be able to think calmly in the face of difficulties and take wise decisions? Jijabai also knew that her son was walking into the jaws of death. In such circumstances Shivaji placed the reins of the state in the hands of his mother, Jijabai.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both Shivaji and his son</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sambhaji were thrown into prison at Agra by the Mogul ruler. What anguish must Jijabai have suffered! And yet the administration of the state went on smoothly till Shivaji returned from Agra. Jijabai suffered silently all the sadness of her long separation from her husband and offered her life itself at the altar of the country for her son Shivaji.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In January 1664 Shahaji fell from his horse when he was hunting and died. The news of Shahahi’s death was a bolt from the blue to Shivaji and his mother Jija. She was so overcome by sorrow that she decided to perform ‘sati’, burning herself on the pyre. But Shivaji begged of her to give up the decision and finally she agreed. A free state was about to be born; what would its fate be if this great mother, the source of inspiration, was to perform ‘sati’?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day dawned when sacrifice was to flower into fulfillment. On that auspicious day Jijabai witnessed the coronation of her son. On the thirteenth day in the month of Jyestha of the Hindu year Ananda (1674) Shivaji bowed to his noble mother at Raigadh, received her blessings and ascended the golden throne.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even in the midst of such rejoicing there was peircing pain and sorrow in a corner of Jija Matha’s heart. She remembered Thanaji, Baji Prabhu, Suryaji and a host of other heroes who had sacrificed there all for the establishment of ‘Swaraj’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jija Matha became Rajjmatha, the King’s Mother. But fate was cruel. On the twelth day after the coronation of Shivaji this great and noble mother passed away. The light was extinguished. Shivaprabhu wept like an orphaned child.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To this day Raigadh has remained a holy place. Splendid statues of Mother Jija and the boy Shivaji have been installed there. The young men and the children of our land should climb up to the fort of Raigadh. They should draw inspiration from these magnificent figures</span></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-271992145207920572007-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:20:30.248-08:00Dr.KESAVA BALIRAM HEDGEWAR<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75sVJP9W2I6Xi2wtiJnib0krZHIsrBmMdnq0r_GRDAMF9uvaP-kQt-ziqiGIaEiz_BEQoz_TwJBEBJfwtAGJ76jUSehyJVY1Gde1HVkrrjVVj0jik3Nbw9w4qe62v_EP3RFF5O596nYPv/s1600-h/Keshva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75sVJP9W2I6Xi2wtiJnib0krZHIsrBmMdnq0r_GRDAMF9uvaP-kQt-ziqiGIaEiz_BEQoz_TwJBEBJfwtAGJ76jUSehyJVY1Gde1HVkrrjVVj0jik3Nbw9w4qe62v_EP3RFF5O596nYPv/s320/Keshva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144327692731646018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > Founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His strong desire was that all the people should dedicate themselves for the service of the Motherland forgetting the differences of caste creed. etc He shone simple and loving personality. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshava Baliram Hedgewar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">22 June 1897. On that day, Queen Victoria of England completed exactly 60 years of her ascent to the British Throne. Naturally, an atmosphere of pompous festivity of that Diamond Jubilee prevailed everywhere. The British Government had arranged grand functions in all villages, towns and cities in Bharat too. Among other things, they distributed sweets among the school children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The poor were served with food. The prominent in society were conferred with decorative titles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A mood of revelry among people in Nagpur (Maharashtra) was evident from their new attire, etc. Children were hurrying to their schools in groups in eager anticipation of the sweets which were to be distributed there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But amidst all this, one young boy was not happy. He threw away the sweets given to him, and sat alone in a corner brooding.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His elder brother came and asked him, "Why are you downcast? Didn't you get the sweets?" 'What's there in that sweet?" - the boy pointed to the sweets thrown away by him and added, "But why should we celebrate the jubilee of the Queen who has snatched away our Bhonsle's kingdom?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sweets, which were sweet to others were bitter for this boy. He had perceived nothing but bitterness in the sweets. He was barely eight at that time. Patriotism had found lodgment in his heart even at such a tender age, Such was Keshav. The boy was eventually to become famous as Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a nationwide organization. He gave a new orientation to the country. He awakened self-respect and patriotism among the Hindus</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lineage</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami. The first day of April 1889. Keshav was born in Nagpur. His mother Revatibai hailed from the Paithankar family. She was married to Balirampant Hedgewar. Keshav was their fifth child. They had six children in all. Revatibai was serene and composed by nature. She adjusted herself to the temperaments of all her in-laws. Balirampant was extremely short-tempered. Added to this, the family was in dire poverty. However, this did not come in their way of leading a happy family life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The three Hedgewar brothers were adventurous by nature. Their spirits rose whenever they were confronted with an impossible task. Once the well in their backyard was to be readied for an annual worship. It was full of dirt and mire. The three brothers took it upon themselves to clean the well by removing the entire dirt. They did not inform about this plan to the elders in the house, fearing that they might prevent them. The same night they addressed themselves to the task. They first ascertained that all others were fast asleep. Then the trio drew out all the soiled muddy water from the well, removed the accumulated dirt, and quietly went to bed before morn. The others in the house were surprised to find fresh and clean water shining in the well the next morning.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hardship During Childhood</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the close of the nineteenth century, the epidemic of plague used to play havoc in the country every few years. No medicine nor cure was available for the disease at that time. People were greatly distressed. And to add insult to injury, the British’s began to intentionally target the people for harassment, which was more severe than the dreaded disease. As an unavoidable consequence, many people died a most tortuous and harrowing death. Nagpur then had a population of a hundred thousand; and out of them two to three hundred people succumbed every day to plague.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being an orthodox priest, Balirampant was attending to funeral ceremonies of the deceased every day. Many others in the city had deserted their homes and were living in hutments in the outskirts. But Balirampant did not budge from his house. He scornfully remarked: "What can the plague do to me?" But dead rats were soon found in his house too. Both he and his wife caught the disease. Treatment was started. One day, his son Sitarampant went out to bring medicines. On his return, shock awaited him. His father and mother had both died! Keshav was just thirteen thens.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the sudden and simultaneous demise of both parents, Keshav's hardship knew no bounds. The eldest brother Mahadev Shastri had taken to loose and unbridled ways. All the household chores like cutting wood, drawing water, cooking, etc., fell to the lot of Keshav and his elder brother Sitarampant. Sometimes they had to go without food. Often they had to roam about with torn clothes on their person. As if this were not enough, their short tempered eldest brother heaped abuses and thrashed them often. Keshav began to spend most of his time in his friends' houses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Keshav was full of self-respect. Often even when he was hungry, he would not approach his friends for food. It was not in his nature to stretch his hand before anybody for anything. Despite travails, his attention to his studies was never affected. He was always ahead in his class. He was sober and spoke sparingly. He established instant rapport with others, and others too longed for his company. He was a favorite student of his teachers. The daily four-mile run to the school never proved to be a problem for him</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was deeply inspired by incidents from the heroic life of emperor Shivaji.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gallant Fighter For Motherland</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Patriotic personalities like Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, etc., were fighting to put an end to the oppressive rule of the British.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshav was ever eager to listen to the speeches of such great leaders. He nourished a desire to become a speaker like them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshav and his friends formed a discussion group for the purpose.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1905 Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of Bharat, partitioned the Bengal Province into two. This provoked thousands of youths to revolt against the British. Foreign clothes were burnt. A few British officers were killed. How could the British’s tolerate this? They rained lath blows on the protesters, and shot many. They arrested the freedom fighters and dumped them in jails.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was the time when "Vande Mataram" had become the refrain of the freedom struggle. It turned out to be the war cry of millions of youths, reverberating in the skies of Bharat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshav was then studying in Neel City High School of Nagpur. The very mention of Wande Mataram" used to enrage the British. It was as, if molten lead was being poured in their ears. They had banned the singing of Wande Mataram" 'in schools. Severe punishment awaited those who brazenly sang it. Such was the terror- stricken atmosphere prevailing then.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day during 1908, an officer of the Department of Education arrived for inspection of the Neel City High School. The students were already occupying their seats in the respective classes. The atmosphere in the school was rather serious and disquieting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Inspector set out for inspection along with the Headmaster of the school. They wanted to first visit the matriculation class. Barely had they reached the threshold of the classroom when, like a bolt from the blue, a deafening cry of Wande Mataram" rang out of that classroom piercing the ears of the duo. The Inspector was angry beyond words. Shutting his tears, he moved to the next class. There too, the same scene awaited him: same resounding roar of' Vande Mataram' greeted him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Inspector thundered, "This is treason. Who have been singing Vande Mataram'? Debar all those fellows from the school. They should be punished mercilessly." Passing strict orders, he left the school in a huff.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The question which occupied the minds of all was, who might be the brainy chap who was so bold as to organize the singing of "Vande Mataram" in chorus?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The teachers held out threats to the students. When this method failed, they begged of them to reveal the secret. But to no avail.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They declared that they would order mass rustication if the name were not revealed. The students remained unmoved.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As none disclosed the name of their leader, all the students of both the classes which had sung Vande Mataram' were summarily removed from the school. But all of them came out of the school and marched like victorious warriors singing in unison Vande Mataram', this time with an even louder voice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshav never set foot in that school again. He was a blossoming youth of just nineteen then. His was a well-built, tall, muscular body: a result of regular workouts in the gymnasium: rather dark in complexion-, face pitted with small pox marks; a bright pair of eyes. It was the same Keshav who had kindled the flame of patriotism in the bosoms of his fellow-students in the Neel City High School to sing Vande Mataram'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After leaving the Neel City High School, Keshav joined Rashtriya Vidyalaya of Yeotmal. The leaders had started such schools at several places for providing national education to students. It was a model school with ideal teachers, who were content with low salaries, but evinced very keen interest in imparting good education to students. Since it was inculcating a national outlook through education, the Government was naturally unhappy, On account of perpetual harassment by the Government the Yeotmal School was eventually closed down. But Keshav remained unperturbed, He went to Pune to continue his studies. Thereafter, he took up his Entrance examination of Calcutta Rashtriya Vidyapeeth at Amaravati in Maharashtra. In those days of extreme hardship, it was a miracle that Keshav had progressed so far in studies. It was indeed a remarkable achievement on his part. Steeped in poverty, the household never knew when the next meal would present itself to them. But it was not this condition that was worrying Keshav. His anxieties were different. What caused immense sorrow to him was that the Motherland was under an oppressive foreign rule. Many felt that armed revolt against the British was the only way for freeing the country.Persuaded thus, Keshav chose to go to Bengal, which was the cradle of revolutionaries, in order to gain experience in their close association. In fulfillment of the desire of Keshav, the elders of Nagpur like Dr. Moonje came forward to provide the necessary help for Keshav's further education. He was sent to the National Medical College of Calcutta - to a strange land 700 miles away from Nagpur, in mid-1910.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Keshav' become 'Keshavrao' with his admission to the Medical College at Calcutta.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Strong In Mind And Body</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soon after joining the college, Keshavrao developed intimate friendship with students coming from different provinces. He utilized his leisure in cultivating them. He soon became the most sought after friend of all. Hardly was there any one who was not drawn to him. Such was his affable and amiable disposition.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As in Nagpur, he continued with his daily physical exercises without break. Milk was taken in plenty to cope with the exercises.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thereby his body became well built and shapely.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Intolerant Of Egoists ' Friend Of Sufferers</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Righteous indignation was a special -trait of Keshavrao. He was prompt to react to injustice or oppression of any kind. Once during the college vacation, he had gone to Yeotmal Keshavrao was on an evening stroll with his friends in the Civil Lines area. On the way they saw that a British Deputy Commissioner was approaching them. The British officers in those days were full of arrogance. An unwritten code required that the local people were to move away to make way for the British officers and salute them. This was intimated to Keshavrao by his friends. He, however, did not care and went ahead in the usual way without saluting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Deputy Commissioner came close, but Keshavrao remained passive. The former then had to move away him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But how could the high-strung D.C. swallow such an insult? He turned back and burst out, "Don't you know the etiquette here?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With his hands in his coat pockets, Keshavrao retorted, "What have I to do with the manner here? I come from the Capital City of Nagpur. Nothing like this is observed in Nagpur. And mind you, it's not proper to salute an unknown person." Seething with anger, the D.C. departed helplessly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao never tolerated any insult either to the nation or to national leaders. Once a public meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deshbhakta Moulvi Liyaqat Hussain. One of the speakers passed some disparaging remarks about Lokmanya Tilak. This was enough for Keshavrao to burst forth with indignation, He rushed to the dais and slapped the errant speaker in full public view!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao was full of sympathy for those caught in any kind of distress. In 1913, river Damodar in Bengal was in spate. People, animals, homes, and huts were inundated under the floods. Keshavrao with his friends swung into action. They rushed to the spot for protecting the sufferers and bringing succor in their hour of travail. He served food to the hungry and spoke words of courage and confidence as they had lost all hopes about their life. Keshavrao busied himself day and night. No barriers of language or region stood in his way of service to the people.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prudence And Caution</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao had close contact with the revolutionaries in Calcutta. His friendship with the prominent revolutionaries like Shyarnsundar Chakravarti, Motilal Ghosh and others were very intimate. Not all were admitted easily to the main organization of revolutionaries, called the 'Anusheelan Samiti'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the moment he left Nagpur, Keshavrao was constantly shadowed by the Intelligence Agents. Keshavraosensed it immediately and remained watchful. Once a police officer named Ketkar came to his room under the guise of a student. He began to develop fake intimacy with the other students. But Keshavrao was suspicious. He tried to convince others that Ketkar was a police agent and cautioned them to be careful while dealing with him. But hardly any one believed him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Narayanrao Savarkar, brother of Swatantryaveer Savarkar, was released from jail in June 1920. He had thereafter decided to join Calcutta Medical College for his further studies. One day, after ascertaining that Ketkar had gone out, Keshavrao broke open the latter's box. He found a confidential letter from the Government, which said, "N.D.S. is coming there. Keep him under surveillance."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao showed that letter to his friends and retrieved it to its original place. They all were astonished. They thenappreciated the prudence and alertness of Keshavrao.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of these involvements, Keshavrao never allowed his studies to suffer. He always secured good marks in his examinations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He passed the final examination and obtained an L. M. S.' degree in 1914. Soon thereafter he received an offer of a handsome job from Bangkok. But he turned it down, as he had already decided to dedicate his whole life for the cause of the nation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The financial condition of his house had worsened. Naturally all the people hoped that Doctor Keshavrao would open a dispensary and help his elder brothers. In fact, doctors in general commanded great respect of the people in society in those days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Their income also was substantial. But Keshavrao did not bother at all about it. Many people insisted on his marrying. He did not show the slightest inclination in that direction. He wrote to his uncle: "I want to work for the country and hence wish to remain unmarried. While doing this work, anything -may happen. Knowing this fully well, it is not good to risk the life of any girl."</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Revolutionary</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On his return to Nagpur, Hedgewar busied himself in various political and social activities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bapuji Kavre was a friend of Hedgewar. He was deeply involved in the revolutionary activities in the Central Provinces since 1908.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hedgewar joined him wholeheartedly. Keshavrao met several prominent persons in Nagpur for the purpose. He delivered speeches wherever he went, deploring the slavery thrust upon the country. His earnest expression and appeal touched the hearts of the people. He also collected some money from sympathetic people secretly and with it he purchased pistols, bullets and gunpowder, for distribution among the young revolutionaries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a town called Kamathi near Nagpur. An army establishment was camping there. Keshavrao, developed contacts with the personnel there. One day, a few of the revolutionaries donned the military uniform and went to the Railway Station. In broad daylight, they unloaded some boxes of ammunitions, meant for the Army, from the railway wagon and vanished with the booty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao arranged subsequently to burn all those uniforms lest it come to light as a result of some inquiry at a later date.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the Government undertook a countrywide search for the hideouts and headquarters of the revolutionaries, to exterminate them. This did have a dampening effect on the minds of the revolution ray activists. Some of them bade good-bye to the country's cause. The hold of discipline on them had become slackened. Selfishness came to the fore, and confidence melted away.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keshavrao gained experience of both the bright and dark sides of a national worker's life through all these activities. He began to seriously ponder about the condition of the society. His incisive thinking brought him to the final conclusion that unless the people are given proper training and good samskars for leading a disciplined life, their love of the country and readiness for sacrifice would never remain firm or last long.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thereafter Hedgewar plunged into several types of programs for awakening people. Political activities were being carried out under the banner of 'Rashtra Seva Mandal', which was founded at the instance of Lokmanya Tilak. Hedgewar was the youngest member of that group.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hedgewar also formed 'Rashtriya Utsava Mandal' for generating fervor and enthusiasm among the youths, Program of Shivaji Jayanti, Ganesh Utsav, Shastra- pujan, Sankraman Utsav, etc., were celebrated under its auspices. His speeches during these functions thrilled the hearts of the youths.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whiter Justice</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the year 1919. The situation in the country was hooting up on account of the Khilafat and Non-cooperation movements. It was in that year that the All-India Congress Committee held its session in Amritsar. Keshavrao participated in that conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The task of mobilizing a strong band of 1,500 volunteers for the Congress session scheduled at Nagpur in the month of July the same year was entrusted to Doctor Hedgewar. He strove day and night for the purpose. He and his colleagues Campaigned for the passage of a resolution declaring 'Poorna Swaraf (complete self-rule) as the goal of the Congress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Non-cooperation movement was spreading. People responded enthusiastically to the 'Swaraj in one year' slogan of the leaders. Keshavrao undertook a brisk tour in village after village in the Central Provinces for mass awakening. The British Government naturally could not remain a silent spectator. They imposed restrictions on Doctor Hedgewar that he should neither participate in nor deliver speeches in any public meetings, nor even converse in a group consisting of more than five persons.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hedgewar totally ignored these impositions. He went on unhindered with his itinerary. The Government then charged him with treason, dubbing his speeches as objectionable. Hedgewar argued his case himself in the court and said:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Hindusthan belongs to the people of this country. Who gave the Englishmen right to trample on the native people and rule over them oppressively? The British claim of being the rulers of Hindusthan is a brutal murder of justice, morality and Dharma."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On hearing the fierce arguments of Hedgewar the Judge remarked: "Your arguments in the court are even more seditious than your original speech."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doctor Hedgewar was punished with one year's rigorous imprisonment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After his release from the jail, Doctor Hedgewar was accorded a hero's welcome. He was honored by the people at several places.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mothers performed 'aarati'. Khadi clothes were presented to him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Final Decision</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sampoorna Swaraj movement was in full swing. Hedgewar brought out a journal in cooperation with his friends titled 'Swatantrya'. It was full of fierce articles demanding complete Independence. When the paper began to limp due to financial losses, Doctor Hedgewar himself took over the reins of its editorship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But as time passed, the Non-cooperation movement cooled down. In-discipline and selfishness had reared their ugly heads in the society. The conspiring Britishers created rifts and rivalries between Hindus and Muslims.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After observing all this, Doctor Hedgewar came to the conclusion: If the yoke of the British slavery has to be overthrown, we have to mainly trust the Hindus. We have to awaken patriotism, discipline and bravery. Then only will the Muslims shed their separatist tendencies and stand shoulder to shoulder with the 'Hindus in the nationalist movement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hedgewar intensified his contacts and established personal rapport with a large number of people. In 1925, he founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From little acorn grows the mighty oaktree. Little droplets make the vast ocean. One heart joining with the other hearts, the strength of Sangh soon grew. People began to attend the Sangh Shakhas irrespective of their being rich or poor, no matter to what caste they belonged. Hedgewar maintained personal contacts with them all. He busied himself in the thought and work for the Sangh day and night. In fact, poverty in his house was unredeemed. How to run the house with the meagre and uncertain earnings from his elder brother's priestly profession? Doctor Hedgewar had a number of very close and well-meaning friends.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">They all were concerned about him and his household. He never sent anyone back without some kind of hospitality. This did involve expense; and resources were scarce.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some friends of Doctor Hedgewar decided to collect some amount every month to help in the upkeep of the house. But Keshavrao politely and firmly declined the offer and told them, "No money should be collected from the society and spent for my sake." There the matter rested.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gradually all his associates had begun to endearingly call Keshavrao Hedgewar as 'Doctorji'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wherever he went, he created a lively atmosphere full of mirth and enthusiasm around him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His working method was not showy and pompous. He was walking miles together to reach a village or town for informing the people about the country, its plight and their duty towards it. He was meeting rich people as also the illiterate poor even in small hamlets.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Discipline Personified</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doctorji was not only trying to inculcate discipline in others; he himself was discipline incarnate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once he had gone to Adegaon for the Upanayan (sacred-thread) ceremony in a friend's house there. Soon after the function, Doctorji informed his intention to return to Nagpur immediately. But his friends insisted that he stay with them at least for three or four days, as they enjoyed his pleasant company. The next day was a Sunday, the day of the weekly Sangh parade in the morning at Nagpur, which Doctorji wanted to attend at all cost, Though late, he left Adegaon with his companions in the night itself. There were no buses at that late hour from Adegaon, an oddly situated village. The distance between Adegaon and Nagpur was 32 miles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But undaunted, Hedgewar started on the journey along the muddy track strewn with thorns. In the dead of night, he walked for about twenty miles and reached the main highway leading to Nagpur, which was still some ten miles away. As he was in a hurry, he could not afford sloth. After some time, however, there came a late running Nagpur-bound bus. They took it and reached Nagpur early next morning. This was how he participated in the weekly parade. The Swayamsevaks had thought that he would not be able to attend the parade. It was a sweet surprise to them all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doctorji was thus setting his own example of discipline and determination before all of them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Growth Of Sangh Work</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sangh was growing in Nagpur and the surrounding districts. It soon began to spread to other provinces too. Doctorji went to a number of places and inspired the youths for taking up the Sangh work, He personally traveled to Kashi (Banaras), Punjab, even distant Karnataka, and planted the sapling of Sangh work there. His advice to the Sangh Swayamsevaks desirous of pursuing their higher education was, "Go to other provinces and pursue your studies there. While studying, start the Sangh Shakhas also."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His plan for expansion of Sangh work in such a natural and unobtrusive way bore fruit. Swayamsevaks went to far-off cities like Kashi, Lucknow, etc., for their further education. They started the Shakhas they’r too. Thus the Sangh work grow in leaps and bounds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi gave a call far 'Satyagraha' against the British Government. It echoed in the far corners of the country. Doctorji decided to participate in the proposed Satyagraha. He also wanted to use the prison-stay to cultivate youths from other places, as that would enable him to spread the Sangh ideology to different parts of the country. He participated in the famous 'Jungle Satyagraha' along with others. They were promptly arrested by the Government. Doctorji was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment and sent to Akola jail.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Appreciation By Gandhiji</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was an incident in 1934. A Sangh camp of about 1,500 Swayamsevaks was held in Wardha. Just facing the camp was the Ashram of Sevagram. Gandhi happened to be staying there for rest. He was observing the various programs of the Swayamsevaks on the ground in the morning and evening every day. It aroused his curiosity to have an insight into the working of the Sangh camp personally. Jilla Sanghchalak Appaji Joshi came to Know about this. He welcomed Gandhi to the camp.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mahatma arrived in the camp exactly at 6 a.m. the next day as planned. Swayamsevaks were standing in file with perfect discipline.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bhagwa flag was hoisted. Along with the Swayamsevaks, Gandhi too did Dhwaja-pranam (salutation to the flag). Then, with a scanning eye, he went round the camp. He saw that all the Swayam sevaks were staying together, dining together, without any differentiation of any kind. Seeing that blend of body and mind of thousands of countrymen in all their activities in a most natural way, Gandhi was greatly impressed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But he nevertheless was not too sure. He inquired from a few Swayamsevaks, "What is your caste?" All of them answered, "I am a Hindu"!There were people belonging to many castes like Brahmin, Maratha, Mahar, Tailor caste, Barber caste etc., among them. But there were absolutely no caste barriers and no sense of high or low, not even a faint shadow of it. Gandhi was very happy to know this. During the course of the meeting with Doctorji, he said, "Doctorsahab, you have built a really marvelous organization.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are silently carrying out the work which I wished to do myself."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many years later while addressing the Sangh workers in Delhi in 1947, Gandhi recollected his experiences about the Wardha camp and said, "You are straightforward people. You don't have even an iota of feeling of untouchability amidst you. An organization like the R.S.S., drawing its inspiration from an attitude of sacrifice and service, is bound to grow and achieve success."</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blessings By The Eminent</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doctorji desired that all the leading personalities of our country should know and appreciate the need for the Sangh work and should be persuaded to be involved in it to the extent possible. Towards the end of 1928,he met Subhash Chandra Bose in Calcutta. Doctorji's way of presenting his ideas and his deep insight into the problems faced by the country did not fail to have an impact on the sharp mind of Subhash Babu.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was one of the greatest patriots of our country. Once Doctorji invited him to the Mohitewada Shakha. Observing the Shakha amid the dilapidated structure and broken walls, Malaviya inferred that the financial condition of the Sangh was not sound. He was famous for collecting funds for any national or social cause. He said to Doctorji, "Doctorsahab, I am called a royal beggar. If you approve, I shall be happy to collect some funds for Sangh also."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Panditji, Sangh does not need money. Your blessings are more valuable for us."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The reply of Doctorji came as a surprise for Malaviya. He said, "My experience is that all organizations pay more attention to funds than to persons. But your approach is quite different. You have given the first place for heart. I shall proclaim this greatness of yours, wherever I go."</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Opposition Weakens</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Opposition to Sangh had grown almost in proportion to its spread. The Government of Central Provinces promulgated an order banning the participation of the Government servants in Sangh programs. In 1933, it further suggested that the administrations of the local self- government institutions should also pass such orders forbidding their employees from participating in the activities of the R.S.S.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Under such trying circumstances, Doctorji went on cogently putting forth the policy of the Sangh before all: "Sangh is away from politics. Our organization is not against anybody. Without animosity to any one, the Sangh is striving to make the Hindu society strong and efficient. In the name of the Almighty, we are engaged in this work."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Kesari' of Pune and other newspapers from Nagpur wrote strong articles in support of the stand taken by Doctorji. People belonging to various parties and sections of society protested against the vindictive attitude of the Government. Public meetings were also held at several places. Hot discussions took place in the Assembly Council of Nagpur about the said Notification. Even members of Muslim, Parsi and Christian communities took the Government to task on this issue. Finally it was put to vote. A resolution condemning this decision of the Government was passed by a majority Consequently the Government itself collapsed, thereby indicating the collapse of haughty opposition to the Sangh.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simple, Lovable Personality</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of his popularity among the people, Doctoirji never posed himself as a great person. In fact, he shunned publicity. Doctorji's life was, simple and austere. Ordinary chappals on his feet; a simple dhoti-, an ordinary shirt on his person: a coat with collar, and a high cap on his head this was all that constituted his attire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Doctorji was available in Nagpur, many acquaintances were coming to his house. It was his habit to welcome all respectfully and make kind inquiries about their welfare. If he found that the visitors had no arrangements for staying else where, he would invite them to stay in his house, and to partake in the humble roti available in his house. In case the food available was insufficient, he would say, "I have had my meal. Kindly come and have food." That he had to serve never bothered him. He never allowed the dire poverty to show up in his face or in his manner.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Quick temper was a family trait of the Hedgewars. The father Balirampant was almost dreaded for his irascibility. His eldest son Mahadev Shastri too breathed fire. No less short tempered was Doctorji himself in early days. However, after the beginning of Sangh work, there appeared a total change in his nature. He became mellowed. He thereafter used to speak with others in a most sweet and affable manner.He brought about a metamorphosis in his nature as it were for the sake of the organization.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last Days</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By 1939, Sangh Shakhas had been started in most of the provinces. Day and night,Doctorji struggled hard for expansion of the Sangh work throughout the length and breadth of the country. He traveled remaining totally unmindful of rain, sun, cold or floods.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He took in his stride both praise and abuse by the people. He faced fun and starvation with equanimity. He struggled hard against odds and crises. During a short span of 15 years, he successfully laid a sound foundation for Sangh work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Such continuous and strenuous spate of activities naturally began to tell upon even his steel-like body. His health went on deteriorating. Often he suffered from chronic back pain. Fever would invade him suddenly. In January of 1940, he was taken to Rajgirh in Bihar for the hot-spring treatment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">By the time he returned from Rajgirh to Nagpur, the annual 'Sangh Shiksha Varg' training-camp had already begun.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Swayamsevaks from all the States were participating in that camp Doctorji desired to be close to them. Put his hands on their shoulders and talk to each of them. But due to burning fever, it became impossible for him even to move out of the bed. In spite of this, he gathered all his strength, went to the camp and spoke a few words before the Swayamsevaks, saying: "Today, I am seeing a mini-Bharat before me. Let there be no occasion in the life of any of you to say that you were once a Sangh Swayamsevak some years ago." This was his last message.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As days passed, his illness went on aggravating. He saw that he was not going to live much longer. He called Guruji -Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar - near him and in the presence of others said to him, "Hereafter the entire responsibility of the work of the Sangh is on your shoulders."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the morning of 21st June 1940, at the age of 51, Doctorji breathed his last. People from all walks of life and parties in Nagpur participated in his funeral procession in large numbers. His last rites were performed in Resham-bagh. Today there stands a lofty memorial dedicated to his memory. It has been a perennial source of inspiration to all that go there to pay their homage.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Torch-Bearer Of The Country</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hedgewar did not wear the robes of a sannyasin; nor did he run away from the normal way of life in the society. But his inner being enlarged itself to include the entire society: the society at large became his family. He remained a life-long celibate to be able to apply himself totally to the task he had charged himself with. He was indeed a sannyasin in essence, though not in external form.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He lived only for 50 years. But the fragrance of his life will permeate the society for hundreds of years to come. Persons influenced by his thoughts, words and deeds are countless indeed. The incense-stick burns itself into ashes, but spreads its aroma in the surroundings. By wearing himself out, Doctor Hedgewar created a generation of dedicated social workers with unsullied nationalist spirit, character, and total identification with Hindu society, ever willing to sacrifice themselves in the nation's cause.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A tiny lamp lit seven decades ago has now become an effulgent star shining in the national horizon surrounded by a galaxy of millions of shining stars in the expansive skies, illumining cities, villages, hamlets, homes and hearths. With every passing day, the star shines brighter and brighter.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-91184342231599629282007-12-15T14:13:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:16:04.555-08:00NANDALAL BOSE<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdoUHxsOJUYyloh6ugqZmF6RhoXXQkHimZ33rebG1O6xIBaN3h5Glbps7bH3gYyqC7kbmLsTtfPCPNo_Xyc3awv3Z-ZHRBhhxbthg6WF5AAx_R07QU3_EWnBgxdk2_DDmQPSa2bvJ8_41/s1600-h/nandalbose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdoUHxsOJUYyloh6ugqZmF6RhoXXQkHimZ33rebG1O6xIBaN3h5Glbps7bH3gYyqC7kbmLsTtfPCPNo_Xyc3awv3Z-ZHRBhhxbthg6WF5AAx_R07QU3_EWnBgxdk2_DDmQPSa2bvJ8_41/s320/nandalbose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144326631874723890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > A Celebrated painter of modern India. A genius who was admired in many countries. His was an attractive personaity, which combined boundless learning and a unique genius with unaffected modesty and gentle humour. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">NandalalBose</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mahatma Gandhi used to call Rabindranath Tagore 'Gurudev'. To Tagore Gandhiji was 'Bapu'. They were great friends and they respected each other. Once their conversation got heated and it disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of Visvabharati, an institution that Tagore had nourished. Some were on Tagore's side, some were on the side of Bapu.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At that time one of the devotees of Gandhiji tried to provoke the painter Nandalal Bose. When he was repeatedly asked, 'On whose side are you?' Nandalal Bose replied I am an artist; if you ask me which color I like most, what can I say? I like all the colors. I like both Gandhiji and Tagore. They are like the two eyes of our country. There is no question of choosing between them."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose who grew up in the lap of Nature loved all the 0olours. The dawn and the evening, river and mountain, bird and animal all filled him with wonder. Growing up as a member of a big family he learnt to love all the notes of the music of life. He developed a human approach so that he could share in the joys and sorrows of others.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Loveliness All Round</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal's ancestors came from Banupur, which is ten miles from Calcutta on the western bank of the river Hooghly. During his great grandfather Krishna Mohan's time the family was very rich and then its fortune declined.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal's father, Purnachandra Bose, was the manager of the Karagpur Tahsil of the Raja of Darbhanga. On 3rd December 1883 Nandalal Bose was born in Kharagpur, in Monghyr District of Bihar Province. His mother Kshetramani Devi died when he was eight years old. But her influence on him was strong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kharagpur was a small village. The beauty of nature in Kharagpur made a profound impression on the young mind of Nandalal. The river that divides the village, the blue mountain range to the south, and all around, the paddy fields that changed colors every season; river, lake, forest, birds and animals - with this background naturally Nandalal was attracted to art.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Influence Of Parents</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Purnachandra Bose's family was a large one. It was an undivided family of a hundred members. His mother Kshetramani Devi was an orthodox woman. She had great faith in the worship of God and the rituals on the days of religious festivals. She loved village crafts. Nandalal Bose used to watch her with great wonder, drawing figures with 'rangoli' (colored earth), embroidering, making moulds in sugar and making dolls.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal used to be thrilled as he watched beauty-taking shape before his eyes. He learnt Bengali and the language of line drawing from his mother.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also inherited the virtues of his parents. His father Purnachandra Bose was a disciplined man and used to work hard. The diary he wrote regularly bears witness to his systematic work. Kshetramani Devi was a simple woman; but she was a woman of refinement and sympathy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose tended to take more interest in artistic creations than in reading and writing. While he was in the class his eyes would wander, beyond the windows and look for the paddy fields, the sky, the mountain range and the birds. He loved animals and took great interest in -his pets.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Boy Artist</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose never felt tired of watching the making of dolls. He made friends with doll-makers and tried to make. Dolls; and when he succeeded he was thrilled.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a mad man who used to draw pictures on walls. He would draw if he were paid. Once Nandalal Bose gave him three paise and asked him to draw. The mad man drew only two lines and stopped. "Why?" asked Nandalal and the mad man said, "That's all you get for three paise." Every time Nandalal paid three-paise, the drawing progressed. When the picture was complete Nandalal's happiness was unbounded. The figure the mad man drew was that of Nandalal Bose. The material he used was charcoal and water. His brush was a piece of rag. Later on Nandalal used this technique for the famous fresco 'Natir Puja' in the Cheena Bhavana of Santiniketan. (Fresco is one way of drawing on walls.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though Kharagpur was a village it was well known. The nearest railway station was Bariorpur at a distance of twelve miles. Kharagpur was on the way to the railway station. Many people passed through the village. Some used to ride horses. There were also carts drawn by men. Merchants and laborers used to pass through Kharagpur. To Nandalal Bose, these scenes of every day life looked like pictures drawn in colors.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal As A Student</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal was found of colored pictures. He used to look for them in old books and magazines. Making copies of them was the beginning of his apprenticeship in drawing. When he went to school, instead of taking notes he was busy sketching. When he was taught Words-worth's poems, he drew in his note book sketches of the poet. He remembered 'Hithopadesha' stories because of the colored pictures he had drawn.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The lessons at school seemed dull to Nandalal. The question was not whether he liked or disliked a particular subject. He liked mostly what appealed to the eyes. Though he disliked mathematics, later on, when he studied in Calcutta, he did not miss a single class because of the teacher who taught him, Gowrishankar Dey; his personality attracted him. Mr. Dey was trim and tidy. He dressed well. His hair was Grey. He buttoned up his jacket up to his neck. His snow-white dhoti came an inch or two below his knee. He was an image of dignity. It was not mathematics but the teacher that attracted Nandalal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His mother tongue was Bengali but his medium of instruction was Hindi. Since he had learnt Hindi while quite young, it had become a part of his personality. When he was very happy or very sad he tended to express himself in Hindi and not in Bengali. It was in Hindi that he conversed with his old friends and told stories to his grandchildren.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unimportant differences never mattered to Nandalal. Teacher and student, high and low - such considerations never occurred to him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was a great artist and the Director of an Art Gallery; but he did not ignore his old friends. He treated every one equally and never felt superior -to others. He felt one among his village friends. Once a friend of his childhood went from the village to see him. Nandalal spent the whole day happily in his company. Between the two of them there was no barrier of culture or education. He was so human that he could be a child among children. This was a mark of his greatness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Calcutta</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At fifteen, Nandalal went to Calcutta to continue his education. There he studied at the Central Collegiate School for his Entrance Examination. Then he joined the General Assembly College to study for the F. A. examination. His heart was in art. He spent all his time collecting books and magazines to be able to study the works of great painters. He spent even the money meant for his school fees on art. Besides, in his house in Hatibagan he reared a number of pets. After he failed in the F. A. examination he joined the Metropolitan College. Even there he did not pass the examination. But his repeated failures did not lessen his interest in art.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">To escape from the noises of the city he would often go to Banupur. At that time Banupur was undergoing a change and Nandalal noticed it. The new jute factory had ruined the beauty of the surroundings. Another factor that disturbed him was the condition of the laborers. He used to visit them where they lived and he felt sad. In addition to the exploitation of the poor, there was the British rule and the evils of casteism. Under such circumstances, naturally, he turned a revolutionary. At this time Devavrata Bose, who was his friend, relative and also Aurobindo's follower, had a great influence on Nandalal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was married in his 20th year, when he was still a student. His wife Sudhira Devi was the beautiful daughter of Prakashchandra Pal. Pal was a rich man; he lived on one bank of the river, Nandalal on the other bank. After his marriage, his father-in-law took interest in his studies. Nandalal joined Presidency College. Even here he could not concentrate on his studies because he was passionately interested in drawing and painting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath Tagore</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal tried unceasingly to learn topaint. From his cousin Atul Mitra he learnt model-drawings, still-life and sauce painting. He copied the paintings of European masters. One such painting was Raphael's 'Madonna'. At this time Nandalal was also enthusiastic about Raja Ravi Varma's paintings. One of Nandalal's original paintings, 'Mahasveta', shows the influence of Ravi Varma. When he was yet feeling his way, Abanindranath's paintings like 'Buddha'and 'Sujata' and 'Bajra-Mukut' suddenly lit up his path. Nandalal was overjoyed; and he recognized his Guru (the Master) in Abanindranath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath was the brother of the poet Rabindranath Tagore. He had devoted his life to painting and he was the Guru to a number of artists He was the Vice-Principal of the Government Art School and was working under E. B. Havell. Havell had earned a good name as the Principal of Government Art School in Madras. He had shown great interest in the handloom industry and had helped in its revival. After he came to Calcutta he replaced the European paintings on the school walls with Mogul and Rajput paintings. He started a department of fine arts and invited artists from all over India. He made stencil cutting and origami (the art of folding paper) compulsory for all students. He invited well-known artists and made it possible for the students to meet them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Havell freed Abanindranath from European influences. He drew his attention to Moghul and Rajput styles. The influence of these styles can be seen in his later work. Later on, Abanindranath learnt about Japanese art from Okakura. Okakura was a great Japanese artist and art-critic who had come to India with Swami Vivekananda. Okakura declared that the spirit of a nation expresses itself in its art. He also said that from the point of view of art, all Asia is one. After he returned to Japan, Okakura sent to India two other Japanese artists, Taikoan and Hilsida. Abanindranath studied Japanese art under their guidance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath, who had a large number of students, has a high place in the renaissance of Indian painting. What Swami Vivekananda was to Ramakrishna, Nandalal Bose was to Abanindranath Tagore.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meeting The Guru</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose had heard that Abanindranath was a kind man. He wanted to ask him to accept him as a disciple. He was shy to go alone. His classmate Satyen agreed to go with him. Satyen spoke to the Guru on Bose's behalf: "Please accept him as your disciple." Tagore looked at Bose. Bose was twenty-one. He had thin curly hair, an attractive face and bright eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath at once made up his mind but asked him mischievously, "Have you played truant? Did you not go to School today?’ Bose replied in a quivering voice, "Excuse me sir. I am a college student." "Show me your certificate" said Abanindranath. Later, Bose went to Abanindranath with his certificates and we some paintings. Not only Abanindranath Tagore but Havell and Lala Iswari Prasad scrutinized them. Some of them were copies of European paintings. Among the original paintings 'Mahasveta' won Havell's admiration. Lala Iswari Prasad appreciated the picture called 'Ganesh'. He said, "Look at his lines. They are almost mature." Abanindranath was happy to see his future disciple. Bose's experiments attracted him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'I'll Take Care Of Him'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal had one worry. Would his elders approve the path he had chosen? His father-in-law went to Abanindranath. He was worried whether an' artist could earn enough to support his wife and children. "Don't worry about Nandalal. I'll take care of him" assured Abanindranath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One opinion Abanindranath used to express often: The disciple does not become an artist because of teacher; the disciple has to shape himself into an artist. But the Guru takes care of the disciple just as the gardener takes care of the sapling.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Flowering Of The Genius</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Under such a Guru, Bose grew into a fine artist. Abanindranath was not just a teacher, he was a devoted artist. He was a learner with the students. Bose absorbed this quality from Abanindranath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The teacher showed keen interest in Bose's studies. In the early stages Harinarayan Basu and Iswari Prasad guided him. Later on Abanindranath himself supervised his studies. At that time, Bose was his only student. Later on he had many students. Among them was K. Venkatappa from Karnataka, who earned much fame.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose spent five years as a disciple. He was given a monthly scholarship of Rs. 12.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath's method of teaching was simple and delightful. His disciple used to listen to him with rapt attention. There was no dull classroom-atmosphere.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The history of India, mythological stories, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha had a special place in his teaching.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Buddha's stories provided themes for the artists; Siddhartha tending the wounded swan, the sorrow of Dasharatha, Goddess Kali, Sathyabhama, Krishna, Shiva's Thandava Dance, Bheeshma's Oath, Gandhari, Dhritharashtra, Sanjaya - these pictures were shaped by Nandalal's imagination. There were others inspired by 'Bethala Panchavimshathi' stories. His 'Sati' was a work, which won much praise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Havell had great faith in Bose's genius. When Abanindranath suggested to Bose that he should make a few changes in his picture 'Siddhartha', Havell said, "No, let it be as it is" and justified Bose's conception.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On account of his illness Havell had to return to England. Percy Brown who succeeded him was a disciplinarian. He not only ordered that every one should come in time, but also got the doors closed when it was time. On the very first day Bose had to stay out. Abanindranath had to get special permission to enable Bose to come in.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sister Nivedita</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At this time he was greatly encouraged by Sister Nivedita. She came with Jagadishchandra Bose to see Nandalal's paintings. She became a great friend of the artist.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose was excellent not only with his brush but also with his pen. When Sister Nivedita died, his words competed with his colors: "There was a rare kindness in her face. There was the radiance of purity and strength. Any one who saw that face once could never forget it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All that I can say about her encouragement to me will be too little. In her death I have lost my guardian angel. I was introduced to Ramakrishna and Vivekananda by her."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose was not only a great painter; he played a leading role in the renaissance of art. He was one of our renaissance figures along with Asit Kumar Halder,Surendranath Ganguli, Samarendra Gupta, Kshitindranath Majumdar, Surendranath Kar, K.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Venkatappa, Hakim Moh ammed Khan, Shailendranath Dey and Durga Simha. Abanindranath Tagore was the source of inspiration to all these.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Indian Tour</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose's genius and his original style were recognized by famous artists and art critics like Gaganendranath Tagore, Anand Coomaraswamy and 0. C.Ganguli these lovers of art felt that objective criticism was necessary for the development of painting and founded the Indian Society of Oriental Art. Nandalal Bose was awarded a prize of RS. 500 at the first art exhibition organized by this Society.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose used this money for a tour of the country, with another artist, Priyanatha Sinha (who was also a friend of Swami Vivekananda). Bose visited Gaya, Benares, Agra, Delhi, Mathura and Brindavan. Later on he went to the south with Ganguli to see the holy places and temples. For him this meant the study of both life and art.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He recorded his experiences on this tour in his diary and sketchbook.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath's Companion</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose was invited to join the staff of the Government Art School, but he did not. He helped Abanindranath to prepare a catalogue of works of art in his house. This rare collection had art works of various styles, statues of stone and metals, ivory carvings, dolls from different parts of India and. costumes and works of art brought from Nepal and Tibet. Bose made copies of some of the oldest works.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abanindranath's Art School was not just a school but a center of various activities. In addition to the study of classical art and folk art, there were recitations and discussions. Its object was to extend and deepen the enjoyment of the arts and to find out their values.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An event, which is important in the history of Indian art, took place in 1907. As a result of the efforts of Havell, Sir John Woodroffe, Sister Nivedita, Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore and others, the Indian Society of Oriental Art came into being. Nandalal Bose had a close contact with this organization. This Society had several objects. Some of these were to create interest in fine arts in the general public, to organize art exhibitions for this purpose and to help artists.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many-Sided Development Of The Artist's Life</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose's life as an artist developed many facets. He made no distinction between the big and the small. The goat of this earth and the horse of heaven were of equal interest to him. When he sketched the 'Goat', which was dear to Gandhiji, 'Rabindranath Tagore wrote a poem about it. He said in the poem, "0 Shepherd, this is not a goat which you tend, this is a new creation."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Art for the people's sake - which was his principle. He wanted the common people to have paintings in their homes. Once when he went to Banupur he drew a number of pictures and sold them at four annas (25 paise) a picture. When Abanindranath heard of this eccentricity he went to Banupur and bought the whole lot.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rabindranath Tagore was very fond of Nandalal Bose. He used to ask again and again, "Nanda, when are you coming?" When Nandalal Bose took charge of the Art Department at Santiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore was extremely happy. Tagore honored Nandalal Bose with a welcome song.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose's students always addressed him as 'Master Maashay'. Bose treated them with great affection. He encouraged his students to follow their imagination and taste. His pure life, his devotion to art, his gentle speech, his tenderness and delightful humor made him dear to his students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Abanindranath saw Nandalal Bose's 'Swayamvara of Damayanthi' he said, "I can smell the sweet scent wafted from the marriage mantapa." (A mantapa is a special structure for an auspicious occasion.) The Japanese artist Okakura commented on Bose's painting 'Agni' (Fire): "It has every thing, but the only thing it lacked was fire."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose painted tirelessly. Once he spent a month in winter in Rabindranath Tagore's estate. The river Padma was frozen. Bose went on painting the beautiful scenery. Finally he had no material left.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sister Nivedita persuaded him to make copies of the Ajantha Frescoes. (Ajantha is a village in Maharashtra. In the caves near this village there are great paintings on the walls and ceilings.) Venkatappa, Halder and Samarendra Gupta went with him to assist him. Then he made copies of the frescoes of the Bagh caves in Gwalior. The frescoes in Saranath were very dear to him. Since he was not a Buddhist, he was not given permission to make copies. This made him sad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the Basu Vijnana Mandira and Cheena Bhavana Nandalal Bose painted murals. The Maharaja of Baroda invited him to do the fresco work.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Travel Abroad</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose illustrated many of Rabindranath Tagore's works. 'Chayanika', 'Crescent Moon', 'Gitanjali' and 'The Fruit Gathering' are some of these works. Tagore wrote a poem about a painting called 'Diksha'. Nandalal used to prepare the stage setting for Tagore's plays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1924 Bose traveled with Rabindranath Tagore in China, Japan, Malaya and Burma. Ten years later the visited Ceylon (Sri Lanka) together.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal was a great scholar. "His company itself is an education," said a friend of his. Nandalal Bose had keen powers of observation. During his travels he recognized elements common to Indian music and painting, and Chinese music and painting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">With Gandhiji</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gandhiji and Nandalal Bose were great friends. To this day there is a painting drawn by Nandalal Bose on a wall in Gandhiji's Ashram in Sevagram. The painting shows Buddha carrying a lamb, which was chosen to be sacrificed at Bimbasara's yajna, and which he saved.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once Gandhiji asked Bose to draw the portrait of Saint Tukaram. Bose did the portrait and it pleased Gandhiji very much. Nandalal painted a number of scenes connected with Gandhiji's life. He painted one about the historic Dandi March. (In 1931 Gandhiji walked for 21 days to a place called Dandi to break the British law by making salt from sea water.) When Gandhiji visited Santiniketan, he painted his famous pictures, 'Gandhiji at the Prayer meeting', 'and Christ Carrying the Cross' and 'Sree Durga'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day Gandhiji went with Bose for a walk on the Tital beach. Something interesting happened then.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal had left his shoes on the beach. Gandhiji stood nearby keeping watch. When Nandalal came out of water he felt embarrassed and decided to give up wearing shoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another incident. Once Nandalal did not have colors to paint. And they could not be got anywhere nearby. Then Gandhiji said, "Use the earth here." Nandalal used earth of different colors and painted a number of post cards.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gandhiji invited Bose to decorate the special structures put up for the Congress sessions at Faizpur, Lucknow and Haripur.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the Haripur session, Nandalal and his friends drew 83 pictures depicting the life of the people. In preparation for this he visited villages nearby to acquaint himself with the life of the people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal used a variety of subjects and materials for his paintings. His imagination could deal with material drawn from the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha, Sanskrit poems, the Puranas, from the lives of Buddha, Christ and Gandhiji and from Nature, and human life. He used different kinds of paper, cotton and silk canvasses. He used a 'variety of colors. Sometimes instead of brush he used rags. His paintings were of various sizes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Gratitude Of The People</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose was given all the honors, which an artist can get. At the Allahabad Paintings Exhibition he was awarded a silver medal, and later, at Lucknow, gold medal. The Lalit Kala Akademi of India honored Bose by electing him as one of its fellows.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Several universities conferred honorary Doctorates on him. Visvabharati University honored him by conferring on him the title of Veshikottama'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Government of India confers awards like 'Padmashri', 'Padmabhushana' and 'Bharatha Ratna' on those who have rendered meritorious services to the country. Jawaharlal Nehru asked Nandalal Bose to prepare the emblems for these awards. In 1954 Bose himself was given the award of 'Padmavibhushana'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose wrote an important work on painting called 'Shilpa-Charcha'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Academy of Fine Arts in Calcutta honored Nandalal with the Silver Jubilee Medal. The Tagore Birth Centenary Medal was awarded to Nandalal Bose in 1965 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gentle Humour</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose liked laughter. He did not want laughter that hurts. Once he asked one of his students, "Why is the first of April called All Fools' Day?' Poor fellow, he did not know. Then Bose said, "I too' do not know. So both of us are fools."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On another occasion Mukul Dey and Rabindranath Tagore became the objects of his friendly joke. Those were days when people were very fond of articles made in foreign countries. Bose gave a bottle of ink to Mukul Dey and said it had been made in Japan. Mukul Dey gave it to Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore used it to write a poem welcoming Bose. No mark appeared on the paper! Mukul Dey imagined that the ink would become visible after sometime.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally Nandalal Bose revealed that it was only carbon, and it was given to pull his leg. The situation became all the funnier because Tagore had used Chinese paper (and hand made, at that!) with golden edges and pictures on the borders. When he came to know what had happened, Bose felt embarrassed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Great Personality</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose retained his simplicity and gentleness till the end. He attended the daily prayer at Visvabharati. But he was always in the last row.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose created a world of his own in his forty years of painting. It is as vast and deep as his personality. How much water can we drink from a lake? How many flowers can we pluck in a garden?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many twinkling stars can we count? Nandalal Bose's personality and works are beyond measurement and comprehension.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bose was like the Kamadhenu of Indian legends. (Kamadhenu was a cow, which granted whatever one desired.) If anyone asked him for a painting, he gave it away. His works have spread far and wide like his fame. Some of them have been lost. Once a ship bound for London carrying a number of Bengali paintings sank and all the paintings were lost. Among them were some which were very dear to Bose. This loss made him very sad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His 'Sati' was printed in Japan and became very famous.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose loved the early hours of the morning. One bit ofadvice he often gave his pupils was: " ' there is no time like the early morning to draw your pictures."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose used to get up at 3 in the morning. He would read works like the Geetha. And then with a bag in hand, he would go for the morning walk. All through the walk his eyes would be busy. "Ah! How wonderful is this pebble! How wonderful is this bead!" He would put them in his bag. He used to collect lovely little things, like a small boy. He had named the bag 'the one-lakh-rupee-bag'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">If he saw pieces of glass or nail on the ground he would throw them away lest they should hurt little children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">How could people not love such tender man?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Deathless Creation</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nandalal Bose died on April 16, 1966 at the age of 83.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the melody lingers in the ear even after the song is over, the fragrance of Nandalal Bose's personality survives though he has become a part of history. He has become immortal by the vast treasure of art he created.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239414924012812288.post-78949499373735696732007-12-15T14:08:00.000-08:002007-12-15T14:11:13.826-08:00BAHUBALI<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3QfbtCvlMSgPdbpWc6SNuyPRo-DyFLn14YZn5JHkqiLk-ixUvO5wy1wulDuwGz93FqksgtO4lKI_1wo-oC4DK4UFw6ny-YbR7_L03DRccn5Hj3FiNPE2RgnD7e9K55M9l1i8Chu8kLw2/s1600-h/Bahubali.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3QfbtCvlMSgPdbpWc6SNuyPRo-DyFLn14YZn5JHkqiLk-ixUvO5wy1wulDuwGz93FqksgtO4lKI_1wo-oC4DK4UFw6ny-YbR7_L03DRccn5Hj3FiNPE2RgnD7e9K55M9l1i8Chu8kLw2/s320/Bahubali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144325429283880994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:100%;color:#814000;" > Bahubali defeated his elder brother who was puffed up with pride, but at that very moment understood his life's aim. He gave back the kingdom to his defeated brother and went away to meditate the God. He enriched the lives of his fellowmen with the light he received. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">shravanabelagola in the Hassan district of Karnataka State is a sacred place of pilgrimage to Jains. There is a splendid and lofty statue of stone on the top of a hillock there. When one stands at its foot and looks up, one sees it against the vast sky; and one feels that the sky is the most appropriate background for that statue. The figure is lofty like the sky, and again, like the sky, has no equal. And the serenity of the face is unique.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This statue of Gommateshwara is carved out of a single stone. It is fifty-seven feet high. There is no statue of this height anywhere in the world, except in Egypt. In 981 A.D., Chavundaraya, the minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla had this statue carved. Bahubali is another name for Gommateshwara.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali is a great name in the Jain legends. His story is an example of the inner strength of the entire culture of India. He won everything from his brother and could have become an emperor; and yet, in utter selflessness he returned everything to the brother. Bahubali is the ideal man who conquers selfishness, jealousy, pride and anger. This is his story, the story of a great soul.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vrishabhanatha</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jain religion speaks of twenty-four Theerthankaras. They were holy souls; they came to the earth in human form with a purpose. When evil and injustice grew strong in the world, they came to save men by their example and their preaching.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vrishabhanatha was the first of twenty-four such Theerthankaras. He was Bahubali's father.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before becoming a Theerthankara, Vrishabhanatha was a king. Ayodhya was his capital. Vrishabhanatha had two queens, Yashaswathi Devi and Sunanda Devi. There was peace, contentment and prosperity everywhere in his kingdom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As time passed, the elder queen Yashaswathi gave birth to a hundred sons. The eldest was Bharatha. Later a daughter was born and she was called Sundari. The younger queen Sunanda Devi had only one son, Bahubali, and a daughter by name Brahmi.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The joy of the king and the queens, who had more than a hundred bonny children, knew no bounds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three or four years passed. It was time for the royal children to begin their education. Not one or two but a hundred of them were there, and so it was not easy to organize their education. The king himself taught them. He taught Bharatha dramatics and economics. Bahubali was taught medicine, weaponry, the lore of the horse and the elephant and some other branches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The king taught all his sons like this, each according to his choice and aptitude.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even as a boy Bharatha showed signs of becoming a great emperor. Bahubali was an expert in wrestling. His very name meant one with strong arms, that is, a man of great strength. He had a keen interest in warfare. In wrestling or in any other kind of duel with his companions, Bahubali was always the victor. He would forget himself in playing with elephant cubs. He was very brave. He was not afraid of anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Great was the delight of the parents as they watched the progress of their children.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once it happened that Devendra, the Lord of Heaven, arranged in Vrishabha-natha's royal court, a dance by a nymph of his own court. The nymph's name was Neelanjane. Her performance was superb.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But as the dance was in progress, the nymph's life came to an end.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was about to fall; Devendra, with his divine power, made her continue, so that the king's enjoyment might not end abruptly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">No one in that big gathering understood what had happened. But the king recognized the change.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That very moment he developed strong disgust towards life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'So human life means only this!' the king thought, 'Nothing in this world is permanent. All things must die. Life is just like a bubble of water. Every thing is beautiful like a rainbow to outward view. And man's life is just like the rainbow; life too appears and then suddenly disappears. Nothing lasts forever.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vrishabhanatha decided that he had had enough of this kind of life. He resolved to give up his kingdom, his queens and his children, and go away to perform 'tapas', that is, to meditate on God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A small, unexpected incident thus transformed the mind of King Vrishabhanatha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Regime Of The Sons</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">If the king gives up his kingdom and goes away, others must take up his responsibilities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vrishabhanatha made his eldest son Bharatha the King of Ayodhya. He decided that Bahubali was to rule in Paudanapura. Vrishabhanatha gave smaller kingdoms to each of his other sons. He gave them this advice : "Rule justly and righteously Look after the welfare of your subjects with affection. And earn a good name." He blessed them all, gave up everything and went away to begin his tapas or meditation for the attainment of salvation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His sons took up the responsibilities of their several kingdoms. Hadn't they been trained by Vrishabhanatha? So they ruled well and wisely. They lived in wealth and grandeur. The subjects were happy, cheerful and contented.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many years passed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One day Bharatha was on his throne in the royal court. Glad tidings came to him - that his father Vrishabhanatha had received 'Kevala Jnana' (the supreme knowledge that can see all and understand all). Just then another messenger ran in and gave another bit of happy news - which a potent missile had appeared in the king's armory. Bharatha was delighted and also astonished.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The discus or 'Chakra' was an extraordinary weapon. The supernatural power of this 'Chakra-ratna' would conquer any enemy, however strong. Its appearance was a good sign indicating that Bharatha would become an emperor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Along with it certain other unique objects of great power also appeared in the royal armory. These were the 'Chatra-ratna', a great umbrella which would give protection to the army against ferocious storms, heavy rains and the burning sun; the 'Charmaratna' or the magic boat which would enable the army to cross rivers or the ocean in its march for conquest; the 'Danda-ratna', a magic staff which could easily make a road for the army through forests and hills ; and also the 'Kakini-ratna', the gem of gems, which could give very bright light even when it was pitch dark. In addition the king received the fourteen 'bests', like the best horse and the best elephant, each of unequalled excellence in its class. He also received the nine treasures. His was indeed great fortune!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even as the news of the appearance of these great objects in his armory was brought to him, the king received the happy news of the birth of a son. The King's joy was boundless.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha who had reached the pinnacle of happiness, first went to visit his father who had acquired the supreme knowledge. People had thronged in large numbers to worship Vrishabhanatha. All the sons and daughters of Vrishabhanatha went there, and worshipped him with devotion. He spoke to them of the path of virtue. They listened to him in reverence and returned happily.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soon after his return, Bharatha celebrated the occasion of giving his son a name. Then he worshipped with devotion the extraordinary and potent missile, the 'Chakra-ratna'.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha's Quest Of Victor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The celebrations all ended, now. Bharatha resolved to march forth with his army to subdue other kings. He was himself a mighty warrior. And now he had so many unique acquisitions giving him tremendous power. Who could oppose him? Victory was just in the palm of his hand. All preparations were completed for the conquests. His entire army consisting of the infantry, the cavalry, the chariots and the elephants got ready. Before he set out, Bharatha worshipped the Lord and received blessings. The sound of the war-drums rent the air.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The King ascended his mighty chariot and set out to defeat all the kings. The army was huge like the ocean, and seemed to occupy all the earth. And all faces were bright with enthusiasm.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 'Chakra-ratna' rolled on and the army followed it. The army first marched towards the east.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha's march was a garland of victories. Powerful kings like Magadha, Vijayardhakumara and Kritamala were defeated and they surrendered. Bharatha knew no defeat. All the monarchs who opposed him had to accept defeat, and to surrender, and offer Bharatha precious stones and other gifts and. tributes. The huge army marched on and on with resounding cries of victory.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha, who conquered all other monarchs of the world, became an emperor. Thus, with the help of the great 'Chakraratna', he marched from victory to victory and was now near the end of his journey. The victorious army with its joyful shouts proceeded towards Ayodhya.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And Bharatha thought 'Never before had there been a powerful king like me. There is none now to equal me, and there will never be one. Who can oppose me? I am verily the unquestioned emperor of all the earth!’</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This thought gave rise to another: 'my name should live eternally in the minds of men. I must therefore have it carved on Mount Vrishabhachala. People of all ages should know that there was never another monarch like me.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the way he came to Mount Vrishabhachala. He wanted to have his name carved on it; but Bharatha found that there was no blank space at all on that huge and lofty mountain;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before him had come and gone many thousands of emperors in this world. All of them had their histories recorded on this mount, each thinking that he was an unequalled king. The entire mountain was full of the stories of their conquests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha had thought that there never had been, and there could never be another emperor as powerful, valiant and as great as he was. But he now saw that numberless were the emperors who had lived and paraded their glory like him! Vrishabhachala stood a witness to all their empty vanities. Bharatha now felt ashamed of his earlier pride and arrogance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still the desire to have his history carved persisted in him. So he had some of the earlier writings erased by means of his potent staff, the 'Danda-ratna', and using the great diamond 'Kakini-ratna' had the grand story of his conquests recorded in that space.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then he went to his father Vrishabhanatha. He worshipped him and obtained his blessings. Finally he returned to the capital with all the gaiety of victory.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Why So?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Great was the joy and excitement of Bharatha's subjects. The citizens made befitting preparations to welcome the victorious king and awaited his return. The sound of musical instruments filled the air. Bharatha and his army were about to enter the portals of the city. But lo! The 'Chakra-ratna' which had all along been moving in advance, suddenly stopped! Everyone was stunned. Princes and kings had trembled before this matchless weapon. It had so easily vanquished so many heroes unequalled till then. But now all of a sudden it had came to a dead stop! Everybody was bewildered. And Bharatha's mind was filled with anxiety and worry. It was clear that there was still a rival whom he had not conquered. 'I have conquered the whole world; who then is this unknown foe? He asked himself perplexed. The Emperor who had known no defeat was stunned. Bharatha had defeated all the enemies outside his kingdom. Still if the Chakra stopped outside the city, it naturally meant that there were enemies within. Bharatha at once sent for the priest of his royal court and asked him, "Why has this 'Chakra-ratna' stopped at the gates of the city, though I have conquered all my foes in the world? Who is this enemy in my own kingdom?" The priest pondered for a while and replied, "0 great King, with this all powerful wheel, any enemy can be subdued. No enemy has survived outside your kingdom. If there are any, they must be your own brothers. They think, 'We got our kingdom from our father just as Bharatha got his. We are in our kingdom. Why then should we bow to him?’ And of all of them, Bahubali has a strong sense of self-respect. He thinks that though you have become the emperor, he need not care, and is proud." Hearing this, Bharatha could not contain his wrath. He shouted, "They must all come and surrender to me. Or else I shall show my strength in war." At once he had royal commandments written and sent to all his brothers. 'Everyone should come and surrender to me. Any one who fails should be prepared to fight' - so read the royal order. All the one hundred brothers of Bharatha received his writ. Ninety-nine of them thought -'Of course, we can salute our eldest brother, who is like our father. But we cannot accept him as an emperor and be his vassals.' But the thought also came to them: 'Why fight with our own eldest brother for the sake of a kingdom?' They became disgusted with life. They gave up everything and went away to perform tapas with their father. The news reached Bharatha. He was surprised. But in his heart he was full of admiration for their self-respect and their greatness. But there was one thought, which brought anxiety also. If these other brothers acted so, what about Bahubali ? He was strong, and had a strong sense of selfrespect. Would he surrender? Most certainly he would choose to fight! Bharatha's expectation was not belied. The messenger who went to Paundanapura met Bahubali. Bahubali's raidance surpassed that of Bharatha. With wonder and pleasure, the messenger prostrated before him, and then gave him Bharatha's message. Until then Bahubali had been hearing of the valiant deeds of his brother Bharatha, and had been very happy. Bull the royal command brought by the messenger filled him with anger. He said to the messenger, "Even if Bharatha is the Emperor of the entire world, he is not my overlord. Being in my kingdom, given to me by my father, I am not obliged to him. I can never be his humble vassal. I am ready for a war, if a war is forced on me." The messenger carried the reply Bharatha. Bharatha ordered his army to get ready for war. His entire army with its four wings marched on Paudanapura. As the huge army advanced with the potent 'Chakra' in the forefront the very sky was totally covered with the dust it raised. The news of Bharatha's march reached Paudanapura. Bahuball also stood ready for war with his army. The two armies seemed poised to pounce on each other for mutual destruction. The fight was about to commence. But meanwhile the wise and farsighted ministers of both sides met and had consultations. Bharatha and Bahubali were both unequalled heroes. If there was a war, neither could win until both the armies were entirely destroyed. If only the two brothers fought a duel accepting the outcome as decisive a terrible tragedy could be averted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Duel Between The Brothers</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The two ministers went first to Bharatha. They described the horrors of war. They appealed to him, "The two of you must agree to fight a duel, and prevent this tragedy." Bharatha was not happy – because this course would not give any chance to display the might of his great army. But he concealed his thought and agreed to the suggestion of the ministers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The ministers then went to Bahubali and made the same request. Bahubali said, "Bharatha is proud that nobody in this world can defeat his army. So first his army has to be defeated, and then there can be any kind of duel."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The ministers would not leave it at that. They described the deaths of thousands and the suffering and the agony that would result if the two powerful armies clashed. "In a duel, victory and defeat will be decided without sorrow and death. Bharatha has already agreed to this suggestion. You must also be pleased to agree," they appealed to him again. Unable to disregard the words of the elders, Bahubali also agreed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha and Bahubali were mighty heroes, and each seemed to excel the other. What a fight would this be-this duel between them!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha was confident thinking, 'I have conquered the entire world. Will it be difficult for me to overcome Bahubali T And Bahubali proudly thought, 'Defeating me is not as easy as defeating others.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The trumpets of war blared. And the duel began.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This kind of fight is called 'Dharma -Yuddha' or moral war, because it prevents death and suffering on large scale.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">In such a duel, first there is a battle of eyes. The two have to stare hard at each other without moving their eyeballs or bating the eyelids. The one whose eye moves first is taken as vanquished.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the duel began between Bharatha and Bahubali, it looked as if each would suck the other through the eyes. Each glared at the other as if he would burn him. Finally Bahubali won.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second stage was the water fight. In this, each had to splash water against the other with his hands. Bharatha and Bahubali entered a lake like two angry elephants. Bahubali was much taller than Bharatha. In the anger of defeat Bharatha threw the water with all his strength but the water would reach only Bahubali's chest. But the water splashed by Bahubali beat upon the face and head of Bharatha and increased his anger. Unable to bear the force of the splashes, Bharatha had again to accept defeat. He became more incensed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Only one stage remained - a wrestling match. The desire to defeat Bahubali at least in this match raged in Bharatha.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The wrestling began. Both were masters of the art of wrestling. And both were determined and unyielding. It looked as if neither could be defeated. At last Bahubali once lifted up Bharatha high in the air. The onlookers trembled - would Bharatha dash the Emperor to the ground?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Bahubali gently set his elder brother on the ground. As he touched the earth, Bharatha's body was trembling with anger at his own fate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He, Bharatha, had subdued the whole world and had become the emperor; but now, as two armies looked on, he had been defeated by his own younger brother ! The shame of this defeat was intolerable. At once he turned to his powerful 'Chakraratna' and commanded: "Go forth and kill Bahubali!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The blazing wheel flew towards Bahubali.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The two armies and the citizens shuddered. ' What has Bharatha done?' they thought, 'is this "Dharma-Yuddha"? After he has been defeated is it fair to use the "Chakra" against his brother? It will certainly kill Bahubali now. What injustice!' Wide - eyed and breathless, they looked on in terror.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 'Chakra' approached</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali. It went round him once, and came to a halt on his right side.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The people shouted in joy. The angels showered flowers from above.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha stood with his head bent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali looked at him. This was Bharatha, the son of Vrishabhanatha, and the lord of the great 'Chakra-ratna', one who became Emperor by conquering many kings; and now he stood with his head bowed in shame, before the two armies. Pity welled up in Bahubali at his condition. All his anger melted away.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali reflected further. Bharatha and he were brothers, were brought up together, and had lived in afffection. But now they had fought with each other. Bharatha had made up his mind even to kill his younger brother. What was the cause of all this? For the sake of a kingdom men even forget that they are brothers, and also not hesitate to kill each other. beside, he felt, is evil. He grew weary of life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Keep The Kingdom'</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali thought, 'I do not want this position. I do not want this desire. The best step is to give up everything and go to perform tapas.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He prostrated before his elder brother Bharatha and said, "Kindly pardon me, brother. I did wrong to fight with you. I also put you to shame. I do not want this kingdom. Let it be yours. I shall go away to perform tapas, and wash off my sins. Please permit me."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha's desire to be the emperor, his anger and his obduracy - all evaporated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He saw the nobility of his brother and he was filled with pain that he was going away to perform tapas. Tears rolled down his eyes and he raised his prostrating brother, and said, "Brother, I have sinned. Because of my pride and rashness, all the other brothers went away to perform tapas. If you also now go away, who will be with me? You are the only brother left to me. How can I live if you also go away? What do I do with this kingdom? I beg of you, do not go away from me." He held Bahubali's hands and implored him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Bahubali's mind was unmoved, in spite of the entreaties of many. He renounced everything and went to perform tapas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali went to Vrishabhanatha and got initiated for tapas. He gave up even his clothing and stood completely naked in rigorous meditation. Many days rolled by. But he did not move from where he stood. He had no food or sleep. Big anthills grew around him and covered his entire body. Snakes crawled all over him. Various creepers entwined his limbs. Birds made their nests in the creepers. Bahubali's hair became matted. But Bahubali did not flinch. He stood firm, his naked body exposed to storm and rain, to lightning and thunder. With a will of iron he continued his severe meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many years passed but Bahubali did not receive the supreme and ultimate knowledge.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali thought, 'I do not want this position. I do not want this desire. The best step is to give up everything and go to perform tapas.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He prostrated before his elder brother Bharatha and said, "Kindly pardon me, brother. I did wrong to fight with you. I also put you to shame. I do not want this kingdom. Let it be yours. I shall go away to perform tapas, and wash off my sins. Please permit me."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha's desire to be the emperor, his anger and his obduracy - all evaporated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He saw the nobility of his brother and he was filled with pain that he was going away to perform tapas. Tears rolled down his eyes and he raised his prostrating brother, and said, "Brother, I have sinned. Because of my pride and rashness, all the other brothers went away to perform tapas. If you also now go away, who will be with me? You are the only brother left to me. How can I live if you also go away? What do I do with this kingdom? I beg of you, do not go away from me." He held Bahubali's hands and implored him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Bahubali's mind was unmoved, in spite of the entreaties of many. He renounced everything and went to perform tapas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali went to Vrishabhanatha and got initiated for tapas. He gave up even his clothing and stood completely naked in rigorous meditation. Many days rolled by. But he did not move from where he stood. He had no food or sleep. Big anthills grew around him and covered his entire body. Snakes crawled all over him. Various creepers entwined his limbs. Birds made their nests in the creepers. Bahubali's hair became matted. But Bahubali did not flinch. He stood firm, his naked body exposed to storm and rain, to lightning and thunder. With a will of iron he continued his severe meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many years passed but Bahubali did not receive the supreme and ultimate knowledge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">'Brother, Give Up Self-Love</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha was now very perplexed that despite such severe tapas, Bahubali did not receive enlightenment. He went to his father Vrishabhanatha and asked him why it was so.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vrishabhahatha said, "True it is that Bahubali ' has been performing the most exacting type of tapas. But he has not given up his self-love. He still has this thought - that he is standing on ground, which belongs to his brother, because he gave the entire kingdom to you, his elder brother. This sorrow haunts him. If he does not give up this pride, how can he get enlightenment?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bharatha then went to Bahubali. He prostrated before him and said, "Dear brother, give up this feeling that you are in my kingdom. Such a thought, too, is a kind of attachment. This kingdom is not mined. It is what you, the victor, gave back to me liberally. In a way this earth does not belong to anybody; it is nobody's property. Please renounce this thought of prestige, and continue the tapas."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then, even the little thought of self in Bahubali's mind disappeared.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once, earlier, the younger brother had destroyed the pride in the elder brother's mind. Now the elder cleansed the mind of the younger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali continued his meditation without this thought of self. Then he got enlightenment. There was the glad sound of celestial drums. The people all praised Bahubali's greatness. They worshipped him with devotion. Listening to his teachings, they felt happy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali went to many lands and taught people the way of righteousness. He showed them the way to lead meaningful lives. Finally, this ideal man attained salvation earlier than his father.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahubali, who was very valiant and full of self-love, could have himself become the emperor, having crushed his elder brother's pride. But he returned the kingdom to his brother. And he found out the true path for himself. He became a splendid soul, attaining salvation. He illumined the darkness in the minds of men with the light of his knowledge. He became a great saint praised by the whole world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Emperor Bharatha wished that such a brother's fame should last for all time; he had a statue of Bahubali made of emerald in Paudanapura. It was worshipped with great grandeur.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is said that the statue has sunk in the sea. There are statues of Bahubali now at Shravanabelagola,Venooru, Karkala, Shravanagudda, Bastihalli and Dharmasthala. The tallest and the most important is the magnificent statue at Shravanabelagola.The story of the installation of this image is interesting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Dream And The Image</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rachamalla of Ganga Dynasty was the King of Talavanapura.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chavundaraya, his Prime Minister, was very intelligent, very brave and heroic, and devoted to God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">His mother was Kalaladevi and fat Mahabalaiah.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once Kalaladevi heard from the priest a discourse on Sharatha and Bahubali. From the discourse it seemed that the emerald image of Bahubali which was got made by Emperor Bharatha was perhaps still in Paudanapura. She felt a keen desire to see that image. She vowed that she would not drink even a cup of milk until she saw the image.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thousands of years had passed since Bharatha had that icon sculptured. Both the icon and Paudanapura had disappeared.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even if they existed, there was no one who had seen them. People Said that they had become submerged in the sea or were perthaps in the midst of thick jungles full of fierce animals, where no human being could go. How could he get at that idol? Chavundaraya was worried. But Kalaladevi would not listen. Whatever the difficulties, she was determined to see that idol.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At last, Chavundaraya started with his mother and a few followers to find Paudanapura and satisfy his mother’s desire. There seemed no end to their journey. They could not find Paudanapura.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a long journey, they came across a hill by name Chandragiri. They halted at the foot of the hill, and lay down to rest.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That night Chavundaraya had a dream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A supernatural being by the name of Kushmandinidevi appeared to him in the dream. She said to him, "Human beings cannot see again the Bahubali idol got prepared by Bharatha, however hard they may try. Even Paudanapura will not be found. Instead of all this, if you stand just here on the hill and shoot a golden arrow at the peak of the Indragiri hill opposite, you can see Lord Bahubali."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">At once Chavundraya did as he was asked to. He picked up his bow and arrow, aimed straight at the top boulder on Indragiri and shot the arrow. With a terrible sound, the huge stone split into two. Between the parts was a magnificent figure of Bahubali.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And what a beautiful statue!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But at that moment Chavundaraya woke up. When he opened his eyes there was nothing before him. He rubbed his eyes, and looked all round.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">No, there was nothing. There was no Goddess, and no statue. It had all been a dream. Chavundaraya became very sad. ‘How nice it would have been if the dream were a reality!' he thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He narrated everything to his mother in the morning. All of them looked at Indragiri. There on the peak was a huge boulder, as in his dream. 'How wonderful it would be if I shot an arrow and the Lord appeard!' he thought. But how was it possible?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But soon the meaning of the dream was clear - that the figure of Lord Bahubali should ' be carved out of that same huge stone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But, how could one go near that boulder? All around was the thickest forest. The place was full of pits and ravines, stones and thorny shrubs. How to cross all these? It looked impossible. But Chavundaraya did not lose heart. He determined that his mother's wish should be fulfilled at any cost. He resolved that whatever the difficulties, a statue of Bahubali should be sculptured there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The people around came forward to help, and the work began. The pits and ravines were closed. Stones and shrubs were removed. Thus with great difficulty a path was cut to go upto the top of Indragiri.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then, the statue had to be carved out of that boulder. Hundreds of sculptors from different parts of the country were invited by Chavundaraya. The boulder was piously worshipped by one and all. The work of sculpturing began at an auspicious time. Everyone worked day and night. It was extremely difficult to carry on the work in that jungle and amidst wild rocks. However, God's blessings strengthened human effort and a figure, such as Chavundaraya had seen in his dream, finally took shape.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A lofty and majestic statue of great beauty, fifty-seven feet high. A gentle smile on the face, and broad shoulders. Creepers with blossoms encircling the hands and feet. Tall ant-hills around the feet, and snakes peeping out of them. Such was the matchless statue, which took shape.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chavunclaraya was proud that he had got such a beautiful figure carved. Kalaladevi was very happy that her wish was fulfilled. People gazed and gazed on the statue but could never feel satisfied. They danced with joy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chavundaraya's dream had come true. Lord Bahubali whom he had seen in his dream now stood before his eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Millions of people gathered to see that magnificent figure. Every one praised that great wonder. Chavunclaraya now felt proud that he had accomplished what no one had been able to do before him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Cup Of Milk</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The statue was not be consecrated according to religious rites.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chavundaraya performed the prescribed rites and ceremonies for the installation of the image. He also arranged the first ritual of the great ablution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is an interesting story about that. Hundreds of vessels full of milk were brought for the ablution of the statue. Vessel after vessel of milk was poured on the head of the lord's idol. The head was bathed, the face became wet, and the neck and chest also. But - No matter how much milk they poured on the head, the figure was not completely bathed. They poured more milk, and still more milk, but all that milk was absorbed at the navel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A thousand years have passed since this image was installed. And the majestic and benevolent figure still stands atop the hill, with the vast sky as its background -reminding generations of human beings of the heights which man can reach if he gives up selfishness, desire and pride.</span><br /></div>muralikrishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13767851556109570465noreply@blogger.com0