THE NEED FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION

THE NEED FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION

BY BAL GANGADHAR TILAK

(Extract from the Speech delivered in 1908, delivered in Marathi, translated into English by unknown)

I shall speak here this evening on National Education. We are not accustomed to this term and hence this explanation. To be able to read and write alone is not education. These are simply the means of its attainment. That which gives us the knowledge of the experiences of our ancestors is called education. It may however be through book or through anything else. Every business needs education and every man has thus to give it to his children. There is no business indeed which does not require education. Our industries have been taken away by other people, but we do not know it. A potter knows how to shape a pot of china-clay but does not know what this clay is made of, hence his industry is lost. Similarly is the necessity of Religious Education. How can a person be proud of his religion if he is ignorant of it? The want of religious education is one of the causes that have brought the missionary influence all over our country. We do not think of it until very lately, whether we get the right sort of education or not. The tradesman who are present here this evening send their sons very reluctantly to school and some of them do not send at all. Because, they do not get the education they need. Besides their sons educated in the present day system turn out fashionable. They wish to become clerks. They feel ashamed to sit on the “gaddi” where their forefathers earned the whole of their estate. It has become now almost clear that it is not the fault on our part that even after getting so much education we remain unable to satisfy our bare necessities. But, the fault goes direct to the education that we receive. Naturally therefore the question as to how to reform the present system of education stood before us. If the educational department had been under our control, we could have effected in it any necessary changes immediately. At first we asked the Government to transfer it to our control – the selection of text books for the schools. We feel the necessity of such education which will prepare us to be good citizens. However, we are not given such education as may inspire patriotic sentiments amongst us. In America, the Proclamation of Independence is taught in V or VI classes. In this way they train their children in politics. Some eighty or ninety years ago, the industries of German declined on account of rivalry between England and that Country. But the German Govt., at once started scientific and mechanical education in that country. In this way Germany became so powerful in commerce she has now become an object of dread to other countries. Properly speaking these things ought to be done by Govt. by itself. But, the commercial interests stop the country from doing. We have come to conclusion that for proper education national schools must be started on all sides. We must start our own schools for this kind of education. We must begin our work selflessly. Such efforts are being made all over the country. Money is greatly needed for this work. I am sure, if you realise the necessity and importance of this subject you would encourage the organizers generously. So far I have told you about the subject. Now, I turn to tell you what we shall do in the schools of National Education.

Of the many things that we will do, therefore religious education will first and foremost engage our attention. Secular education only is not enough to build our character. Religious education is necessary because the study of high principles keeps us away from evil pursuits. Religion reveals to us the form of Almighty. Says our religion – “that a man by virtue of his action can become even a God.” When we can become Gods even by virtue of our action why may we not become wise and active by means of our action like the Europeans? Some say Religion begets quarrel. But I ask, “Where is it written in religion to pick up quarrels?” If there is any world that advocates toleration of other religious beliefs and instructs one to stick to one’s own religion, it is the religion of Hindus alone. Hinduism to the Hindus, Islamism to the Musalman’s will be taught in these schools. And it will also be taught there to forgive and forget the differences of other religions.   

The Second thing that we will do, will be to lighten the load of the study of foreign languages. Inspite of long stay in India, no European can speak for a couple of hours fluent Marathi, while our Graduates are required as a rule to obtain proficiency in the English Language. One who speaks and writes good English, is said in these days, to have been educated. But, the mere knowledge of the language is no true education. Such a compulsion for the study of foreign languages does not exist anywhere except in India. We spend twenty or twenty five years for the education which we can easily obtain in seven or eight years if we get it through the medium of vernaculars. We cannot help learning English; but there is no reason why its study should be made compulsory. Under the Mahomedan rule we were required to learn Persian but we were not compelled to study it. To save unnecessary waste of time we have proposed to give education through our own vernaculars.

        Industrial Education will be the third factor. In no school this education is given. It will be given in these schools. During the whole of this century, we have not known how a match is prepared. In Sholapur matches are manufactured from straw and straw is found abundantly in our country. If therefore this industry is taken into our hands the importation of matches will largely decrease in India. It is the same with the sugar industry. We can produce here as good sugar cane as is found in Mauritius. It is seen by scientific experiments that the sugarcane found in the suburbs of Poona can produce as much sugar as is found in the sugarcane of Mauritius. Six crores of rupees are drained out every year from this country only for sugar. Why should this be? Well can we not get sugar cane? Or, the machinery necessary for its manufacture? The reason is that we do not get the necessary education in this industry. It is not so in Germany. The Department of Industry investigates there as to which industry is decaying and if by chance there be any in a decaying state substantial support at ones comes forth from the Government for reviving it. The British Govt do the same thing in England. But, the British Govt does not do it here in India. It may be a mistake or the Govt may be doing it knowingly but it is clear that we must not sit silent if the Govt is not doing it. We are intending to start a large mechanical and scientific laboratory for this purpose. Sugar produces “Rab” and from “Rab” is extracted liquor, but the Govt does not permit this extraction. Hence we cannot get here cheap sugar. Mauritius imports to this country twenty thousand tons of sugar every year. All this is due to the policy of the Government, but, we do not know it. The Govt (British) will be obliged to change it if we put pressure upon it. We have come to learn these things not earlier than 25 year after leaving the College. Our Young men should know them in their prime of life.

        Education in politics will be the fourth factor. We are not taught this subject in the Government (British) Schools. The student must understand that the Queen’s Proclamation is the foundation of our rights. The British Govt is trying to shut our young men from these things. What has been proved by our Grand Old Man – Dadabhoy Naoroji, after a ceaseless exertion for over 50 years, should be understood by the students in their youth. Every year some 30 or 40 crores of rupees are drained out of India without any return. We have therefore, fallen to a wretched state of poverty. As the dawn of the Sun cannot be stopped so it is with this. Our poverty has not yet reached the Zenith. If no one man can improve the standards of Indians here, let us do it unitedly for we are 30 crores of people. To fear difficulties is to lose manliness. Difficulties do us immense good. They inspire in us courage and prepares us to bear them manly. A Nation cannot progress if it meets no difficulties in the way. We do not get this sort of education for want of self-government. We should not therefore await the coming of these rights, but we must get up and begin to work.

Discussion on the Speech by the Blogger:

The speech given by Sri Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the year 1908 is highly relevant in the current times as well. Tilak was particular about National Education to attain Swaraj. But, having achieved Independence in the year 1947 and for almost 73 years passed by, yet the spirit of “Swarajya” as coined by Bal Gangadhar Tilak is so far from its reach. The practical ideas of National Education could not be achieved during British rule. This is because, British administration does not want the natives to realize their greatness and fight for their rights under British leadership. Yet, after we achieved Independence, still India is unable to remove the hurdles for achieving the spirit of “Swarajya”. In the following lines, the blogger highlights those points that Tilak expressed and their relevance to Millennial Generations.

        In the introductory lines, Tilak said - That which gives us the knowledge of the experiences of our ancestors is called education. Tilak was trying to revive the forgotten past of Indigenous system of Education that India was proud of. When Tilak mentioned ancestors experiences, he means those Indians starting from Great lineage of Rishi Order. The Rishis (also called Seer), could contemplate on the absolute “Truth”, the Supra Energy that brought out this Universe of Universes in order. Tilak was referring to achieve that state of mind wherein Indians who are natural heirs to the great Rishi lineage can achieve such kind of contemplation through a process of “Yoga”. Yoga is one of the 6 Schools of Vedic Philosophy. The other 5 are – Nyaya – the school of logic, founded by Gautama Rishi, Vaisesika – the atomist school, founded by Kanada Rishi, Samkhya – the enumeration school, founded by Kapila Acharya, Mimamsa – the tradition of Vedic exegesis, founded by Jaimini Rishi and Vedanta – the Upanisadic tradition, founded by Rishi Veda Vyas. The school of Yoga, was founded by Rishi Patanjali. Students in the inital years may not gain the depths of the truth from the 6 schools of philosophy. The Education to reach the highest knowledge can begin by teaching school children the moral, ethical values through “Story telling”. The Hindu Scriptures contain Puranas such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. These puranas have profound moral, ethical and intellectual values that an individual or society or the country should learn to raise to the highest form of living. Only when a student could grasp the essence of truth through stories, then slowly, the higher levels of truth are introduced by the Guru/School. Tilak believes that, National Education has to be revived to recall the lost glory of India. Indians should once again be exposed and at certain times be experienced about indigenous education. Only then faith in our own system of living will foster among Indians. The 6 Schools of Education provided a strong base for furthering our metaphysical interests and allowing us to gain practical solutions.

      Vedanga Jyotisha, India’s most ancient extant scientific text (dated to about 1400 BCE) spells out the notion of calendar, seasons, equinoxes and solstices and discusses the 27 nakshatras or lunar mansions; a little later, the Shulba Sutras describe elaborate geometrical constructions of Vedic fire altars, spell out the so called “Pythagorean theorem” and yield precise values for the square roots of 2 or 3.  

·        The Vaisheshika Sutras indulge in bold speculations on time and space and are the first Indian texts to discuss the concept of atoms.

·        The term “infinity” was introduced by the great mathematician Brahma gupta as “khachheda”.

·        The velocity of light was figured out by an Indian called “Sayana”. As far as we know it was measured for the first time by the Danish astronomer Ole Roemer in 1675, with an error of about 25 per cent, and more precisely in the 19^th century. But, there is a curious comment by the 14^th century Vedic Commentator Sayana on a hymn of the Rig-Veda addressed to Surya, the Sun-God.

“Thus it is remembered: O Surya, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.”

        In much of the ancient literature, the yojana is equated to 8000 human heights, or 13.6 km taking an average height of 1.70 m ( there are variants for the yojana’s value, but this is the most common). And the nimesha’s value is generally 16/75^th of a second. With these values, Sayana’s statement yields a speed of 280,755 km/s, remarkable close to the known velocity of light (229, 792 km/s, thus some 6 per cent too small).

(Source: Indian Culuture and India's Future by Michel Danino)

To quote Rawlinson, “It is more likely Pythagoras was influenced by India than by Egypt. Almost all the theories, religious, philosophical, and mathematical, taught by the Pythagoreans, were known in India in the 6^th Century BC.

·        What not Indians did not touch upon? Be it Art and Architecture or Governance or Science or Medicine or Technology or Craft or Language everything and anything was learned and applied at the highest level. Hence, an assumption that Indian Religious texts indicate dogmatic rituals and idol worship is highly mis-interpreted with ignorance or foolishness.

This is the highest form of education that Tilak wants to revive through National Education by relating to the country’s needs and aspirations.

At some point later, Tilak mentions – “A potter knows how to shape a pot of china-clay but does not know what this clay is made of, hence his industry is lost.” What does he mean by this? Does he want every worker to know the technicalities of the job? For example, a Car Servicing person doesn’t require him to learn about “Thermodynamics”. He needs a pipe full of water, detergent and cloth to dry it. This kind of opinion underestimates the vision of Tilak. According to Tilak, every country should have the knowledge of its own resources – physical and material. The Education Sector can play a major role in studying, investigating and offering reports on the raw materials, the process and the technical know-how to bring the final product to market requirements. Basing on the research conducted by the academic institutions, a feasibility report can be prepared and offered to the Govt for establishing a Small Scale Unit that will help the worker at a micro level to work proudly in an institutional set up. Not only, he gets a wage, but he will also be compensated on his invaluable services through health insurance or subsidised loans for personal needs. Let me give you a live account of market situation in the year 2020. We scarcely see any Cobbler on the payments. We used to see earlier, sitting under a tree or under umbrellas. What happened to them? Where did they go? What are they doing now? A typical cobbler not only can he mend a shoe but he can as well design a shoe. During my childhood, I am aware that most of my friends went to a cobbler not just to repair our chappals but also to customize a shoe that exactly fits our feet dynamics. But, today, we have to buy shoes imported from foreign countries. If the design is good, the cost has to be compromised. But if the cost is affordable, the design or fit is compromised. Finally, we purchase a shoe or a chappal at the mercy of the company and not exactly as per our psychological needs. This situation could be avoided by arranging all the cobblers a common platform under a roof. You can call the roof a small scale unit. The cobblers need not be academically qualified, but, rather, they can be trained to the needs of footwear industry. The cobblers basing on their efficiency can also be trained in stitching bags, belts and other areas where their expertise can be complemented. Autonomy can be given to the cobblers to execute their designs and paid on the basis of their innovation. In doing so, a small scale unit can become capable of exporting their products to foreign countries, thereby generating source of revenue to the country. However, the sad part is, the efficient cobblers lost motivation towards design as there are no customers for them. They have to turn themselves to less skilled jobs where the physical activity is much exploited than nurturing their mental abilities. This is exactly the idea of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. “Swarjya” doesn’t only mean Independence from British, but, a Freedom to be “Ourselves”. To respond to our own needs and develop a robust economy to cater to the needs of other countries also.

         In another context, Tilak says – “The want of religious education is one of the causes that have brought the missionary influence all over our country.” Before Tilak could speak this to Indian public, much earlier, Swamy Vivekananda, while addressing at Chicago said that India doesn’t require Religion. In his words – “We have enough religions in our Country”. When he said that, he was mentioning about the religious diversity in India.  In India, we not only have Hindus, we have Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists etc. None of the religions are asking for more number in their community but are seeking harmony and brotherhood between the religious communities. Similarly, Tilak wants a National Education that consists of educating Hindus the essence of their Hindutva. He also made a point that, Muslims should also be taught about Islam. Especially for Hindus (as the civilization started alongside Sindhu River), he laid stress on educating why they are Hindus, What it means to be a Hindu and how Hindus can play an important role in fostering a healthy culture for mutual co-existence with other religions. Tilak opines that in such schools where religious education is imparted past differences should be ignored and mutual cooperation and patriotism towards the country should be fostered.  When British started ruling India, English language was introduced to disturb the rich fabric of vernacular languages of India. Education doesn’t mean to learn English but to learn to live happily. British not only introduced their language, but also tried to substitute their religion to ours. They invited historians to India to study the Indian culture. British wants a white guy to speak about religious texts of the natives authoritatively and capture the natives attention and confidence. While it surprises the natives, many of them might also follow the white guy as he speaks their language and culture. Once, a group of (British) people could gain the confidence of the natives, it becomes easy for the British Administration to persuade them and change their belief system. That’s how, in the current times Missionaries operate in India. In the name of philanthropic activities, the missionaries visit India and target those individuals or groups who are vulnerable to sustain their own Dharma. By offering incentives or blaming the native Gods for their pathetic situation, the below poverty line people succumb to conversion. If missionaries are interested in conversion, why can’t they indulge in a Dharmic Debate with Hindu Philosophers. In the ancient India, several kings allowed secular debates in the court. The debate was healthy not to criticize the weakness of other religions, but, to bring out the essence of religions in improving the standards of life of an individual, society and the kingdom. Some missionaries complain that when the local Govt doesn’t care for the weak and downtrodden, it is they who come to the rescue and uplift the weaker section lives. But, in this case, Yes! I agree that given the country’s population, touching the lives of every single person below the poverty line is impossible due to selfishness by politicians from Gross to Local levels. Taking this as an excuse, there is no need for missionaries to convert the individual religion. If the goal is to uplift the weaker sections of the society, then join hands with the govt and create systems at the grass root level. But, there is no need for the innocent in the want of meeting their both ends, succumb to conversions. The solution to improve the weaker section lies in the public and not just limited to Govt and Foreign Institutions. It is the responsibility of the people in the society to turn to weaker sections and offer them the necessaries of life. If people of society don’t care for other less privileged then over a period of time, we can witness drastic division of society between haves and have not’s. There are chances when the majority of have not’s take law in their own hands and turn violent against haves. Hence, Tilak strongly advocates a National Education that contains deep rooted values of Hindu religion. As we know from our ancient texts, the everyday prayers naturally contain a request to Isvara – “Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu”. Which means, “The entire beings of Earth should live safely and happily”. The prayer doesn’t reflect Hindus interests only only but, all the people who are part of the Sindhu land and also elsewhere and other living beings also. The religion of Hindu also offers prayers not just for Gods, but also to Mother Nature. Hindus regard all the rivers to be sacred. Infact, this is universal truth that, there is no life without water. Hence, offering prayers to river indicates respecting its nature. People complain that Hindus pollute water by sinking and offering food material in the rivers. Let’s keep the rituals aside. How much of Industrial Pollutants are entering the rivers and disturbing the aqua-culture? No doubt, Govt is blamed for giving licenses for private organizations to their business irresponsibly. But, there are many cases where Govt has come down when the public got united to act against those organizations which are polluting the bio-diversity. If at a Unit level, we do not keep our things clean, we cannot think of criticizing the Govt for its faults. As the saying goes – “Charity begins at Home”. In the current situation, all the governments from different countries are managing to sustain their economies. In fact, the big business houses’ drives the economy. Govt has very negligible control. Hence, if we have to change the system, the change should start from our thinking patterns. The basic unit of thought – that What is the Purpose of Life? For whose sake are we working, should be learned at the subtle level. The attitude of a young Indian should change when he meets the industry. He should think of working in an Industry if he thinks that the industry serves the needs of the society. If not, he should think of working on his ideas that will help address the problems of the society. Slowly, this momentum will transform as a movement that will realize in Swarajyam as dreamt by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. To conclude, if the religion doesn’t teach us the essence of life and truth and if the sacred texts doesn’t not help in realizing the ultimate goal in our every day walk of life, then we need to doubt the texts which are binding or conditioning our lives for want of nothing.

In the words of German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer – “The Indian air surrounds us, the original thoughts of kindred spirits.....And O! how the mind is here washed clean of all its early ingrafted Jewish superstition! It is the most profitable and most elevating reading which is possible in the world." 

Schopenhauer was in search of a "philosophy which should be at once ethics and metaphysics." India did not disappoint him. He found it in the Upanisadhic "tat twam asi", "that thou art". 

"From every sentence (of the Upanishads) deep, original and sublime thoughts arise, and the whole is pervaded by a high and holy and earnest spirit...."In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. They are destined sooner or later to become the faith of the people." 

Schopenhauer, who was in the habit, before going to bed, of performing his devotions from the pages of the Upanishads, regarded them as:

"It has been the solace of my life -- it will be the solace of my death."

(Source: The Discovery of India - By Jawaharlal Nehru Oxford University Press. 1995. pg 92 and The Upanishads Translated for the Modern Reader By Eknath Easwaran Nilgiri Press. 1987 p. 300 and Outlines of Hinduism - By T. M. P. Mahadevan - p.30)

The U.S Philosopher and Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, it was the Gita, he had a similar impact –

Emerson, talking of the Upanishads and the Vedas, said that having read them, he could not put them away. "They haunt me. In them I have found eternal compensation, unfathomable power, unbroken peace."

(Source: The Commemorative Sanskrit Souvenir 2003 of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan  p. 28).

"When Confucius and the Indian Scriptures were made known, no claim to monopoly of ethical wisdom could be thought of" Emerson joyfully proclaimed. "It is only within this century (the 1800's) that England and America discovered that their nursery tales were old German and Scandinavian stories; and now it appears that they came from India, and are therefore the property of all the nations."

(Source: Hinduism Today - April/May/June 2004  issue  p  59). 

Mark Twain, one of the most widely loved celebrated American Writers wrote –

"So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked." 

 "Land of religions, cradle of human race, birthplace of human speech, grandmother of legend, great grandmother of tradition. The land that all men desire to see and having seen once even by a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the globe combined."

"India had the start of the whole world in the beginning of things. She had the first civilization; she had the first accumulation of material wealth; she was populous with deep thinkers and subtle intellects; she had mines, and woods, and a fruitful soul."

(Source: Soul of a Nation - The Hindustan Times).

France's greatest writers and philosophers, Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire, said –

“We have shown how much we (Europeans) surpass the Indians in courage and wickedness, and how inferior to them we are in wisdom. Our European nations have mutually destroyed themselves in this land where we only go in search of money, while the first Greeks travelled to the same land only to instruct themselves." 

Voltaire concluded, "I am convinced that everything has come down to us from the banks of the Ganga (Ganges), - astronomy, astrology, metempsychosis, etc."

"It is very important to note that some 2,500 years ago at the least Pythagoras went from Samos to the Ganga (Ganges) to learn geometry...But he would certainly not have undertaken such a strange journey had the reputation of the Brahmins' science not been long established in Europe..."

(Source: The Invasion That Never Was - By Michel Danino and Sujata Nahar  p. 12 - 13 and 18 and 90 - 91).

        To conclude, it’s natural for the blogger, a staunch follower of Hindutva to speak great about India and convince the readers. Anybody can do it as long as they are patriotic to their Dharma. But, its difficult for someone from other faiths and regarded as tallest personalities in their fields, praise Hindu Dharma. What kind of intellectual exercise they would have undergone to know about Hindu Dharma which may sometimes defer to their own faiths. Yet, when a genuine person irrespective of religious background discovers truth in the text, he submits not to the text but the Truth itself. In this case, Hindu Dharma was admiredaadmired highly by greatest personalities in the world. Hindu Dharma is not one persons or community’s philosophy only. It is the collective wisdom of mankind. Everybody from other religions can find truth as long as they have the natural inclination to find so. Hence, Tilak in his address voices his opinion to have National Education that preserves the Truth of the Land. Tilak is worried that the younger generation may miss the treasures of wisdom from Hindu Dharma due to fashionable education that Europe is trying to influence. Let’s hope and pray that the sincere prayers of Rishis, National Freedom Fighters such as – Tilak, Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and the likes are answered by Almighty and the great glory of India will once again springs back holding tightly to its roots. I hope and pray Isvara that one day not far as I think, India becomes the moral leader of the world directing the human mankind in reaching its purpose of existence.  

"Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu"

Dr. B. Ravikanth

Max Muller thoughts on Bharat

Introduction

I am placing herewith without any changes the thoughts of Max Muller on Bharat. I wish, that the reader's would be motivated to know who is Max Muller and his contributions. There are many who say that Max Muller did NOT regard India, Hindus and Vedas high. This may be possible. I reserve my positive opinion on Muller because there are chances that British Administration would have hacked him to write according to their vested interests. I am firmly believe that at places where Max Muller did not project India well naturally, chances are that HE IS GOING AGAINST HIS FREE WILL. In a nutshell, I recommend the readers to go through Max Muller's anthology - India, What it can Teach Us? to know how a German was impressed about our Indian Civilization. I will also be honoured if the reader will contemplate on the expressions Max Muller uses to describe India in his words. By the end of the reading, I urge the reader to be curious to know more about Bharatavarsha or Aryavarta or Bharatakanda or the land of Sindhu or finally what we now call our our country as INDIA.

Max Muller on Bharat

"If I were to look over the whole world to find out the country most richly endowed with all the wealth, power, and beauty that nature can bestow—in some parts a very paradise on earth—I should point to India. If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant—I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what literature we, here in Europe, we who have been nurtured almost exclusively on the thoughts of Greeks and Romans, and of one Semitic race, the Jewish, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life, not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life—again I should point to India.”

Max Muller on True Character of Hindus

“It was from a simple sense of justice that I felt bound to quote this testimony of Colonel Sleeman as to the truthful character of the natives of India when left to themselves. My interest lies altogether with the people of India, when left to themselves, and historically I should like to draw a line after the year one thousand after Christ. When you read the atrocities committed by the Mohammedan conquerors of India from that time to the time when England stepped in and, whatever may be said by her envious critics, made, at all events, the broad principles of our common humanity respected once more in India, the wonder, to my mind, is how any nation could have survived such an Inferno without being turned into devils themselves. Now, it is quite true that during the two thousand years which precede the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, India has had but few foreign visitors, and few foreign critics; still it is surely extremely strange that whenever, either in Greek, or in Chinese, or in Persian, or in Arab writings, we meet with any attempts at describing the distinguishing features in the national character of the Indians, regard for truth and justice should always be mentioned first.”

Max Muller on Hindu Idol Worship

“But that Self, that Highest Self, the Paramâtman, could be discovered after a severe moral and intellectual discipline only, and those who had not yet discovered it were allowed to worship lower gods, and to employ more poetical names to satisfy their human wants. Those who knew the other gods to be but names or persons—personae or masks, in the true sense of the word—pratîkas, as they call them in Sanskrit—knew also that those who worshiped these names or persons, worshiped in truth the Highest Self, though ignorantly. This is a most characteristic feature in the religious history of India. Even in the Bhagavadgîtâ, a rather popular and esoteric exposition of Vedântic doctrines, the Supreme Lord or Bhagavan himself is introduced as saying: “Even those who worship idols, worship me.”

Max Muller on Sanskrit

“I shall not attempt to prove that Sanskrit literature is as good as Greek literature. Why should we always compare? A study of Greek literature has its own purpose, and a study of Sanskrit literature has its own purpose; but what I feel convinced of, and hope to convince you of, is that Sanskrit literature, if studied only in a right spirit, is full of human interests, full of lessons which even Greek could never teach us, a subject worthy to occupy the leisure, and more than the leisure, of every Indian civil servant; and certainly the best means of making any young man who has to spend five-and-twenty years of his life in India, feel at home among the Indians, as a fellow-worker among fellow-workers, and not as an alien among aliens.” 

Again, in conclusion, he reiterates the importance of studying Sanskrit and its literature thus: “I do not mean to say that everybody who wishes to know how the human race came to be what it is, how language came to be what it is, how religion came to be what it is, how manners, customs, laws, and forms of government came to be what they are, how we ourselves came to be what we are, must learn Sanskrit, and must study Vedic Sanskrit. But I do believe that not to know what a study of Sanskrit, and particularly a study of the Veda, has already done for illuminating the darkest passages in the history of the human mind, of that mind on which we ourselves are feeding and living, is a misfortune, or, at all events, a loss, just as I should count it a loss to have passed through life without knowing something, however little, of the geological formation of the earth, or of the sun, and the moon, and the stars—and of the thought, or the will, or the law, that govern their movements.”

Blogger's Conclusion

To conclude, for an average Indian, the knowledge about India means a test of memory on few names of rivers, mountains, sacred places and fragments of thoughts on India struggle for Independence. An average Indian may not know anything about the Aryans, Indus Sarasvati Civilization, the Great Sindhu Rulers and the scientific, medical, astrological, spiritual accomplishments of Sages of Bharat. The millennial student might not be aware of Nalanda and Taxila Universities which attracted great number of foreign students across the world to teach, train and develop their minds to the highest order. An average student might not be aware that when all the countries in the world are evolving, Bharat during the remote past has evolved to the highest order. Unfortunately, the repeated invasions by foreign countries on India left irrecoverable scars on Indian Psyche and we are left unconscious about the glories of the Remote Indian Richness. Soon after India's Independence, the school curriculum was designed on the backdrop of Indian Freedom Struggle. The only dominant party struggling to revamp the country to normalcy was Congress. Hence, the school text books have included names such as Gandhi, Nehru, Indira but silent on Nationalist Leaders before Gandhi such as Dadabhai Nauroji, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Hedgewar, Aurobindo Gosh, Gowalkar etc. The problem is that before British invaded India, Moghuls occupied India and devastated the great Hindu Temples which were manifestations of rich ancient wisdom. Hence, few Moghuls whom we cannot say that they are great admirers of Hinduism were selected and glorified in the history text books for school curriculum. The modern historians who are favourable to Nehru / Gandhi dynasty purposefully did not pick important National Leaders before Gandhian Era. They knew that by doing so, the future generations would forget Gandhi and the people who are carrying the label of Gandhi will not have political mileage. Hence, the blogger feels that it is a planned arrangement by Fake Gandhi's in India to un-consciously remove nationalism and nationalist leaders from the minds of countrymen. 

There should be a serious doubt by every Indian student to question how Rajiv, Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka have/are using "Gandhi" word suffixed to their names? According to Hindu Customs, the women will takeover the bridegroom surname after marriage. If we have to follow this tradition, why did Indira who married muslim person called, Feroz Jehangir Ghandy from a parsi family has to change her surname to Gandhi from Ghandy? The fact is that "Ghandy" is the surname of Feroz Jehangir. Feroz, who claims himself to be a freedom fighter was impressed with Mahatma Gandhi and changed his surname from Ghandy to Gandhi. This was the only logic we can see from the facts that Indira Nehru became Indira Gandhi. As Rajiv is son of Indira, naturally, Gandhi name got prefixed to Rajiv thus becoming Rajiv Gandhi. Sonia married Rajiv and became Sonia Gandhi. Rahul and Priyanka were born to Sonia and they carried Gandhi to their names. However, the big surprise is how come Priyanka who married Robert Vadra, born to a Punjabi family still didn't change her name after marriage to Priyanka Vadra as the tradition should continue to be observed? Why is Priyanka Vadra still carrying Gandhi legacy? What are the motives? Why did she modified her hair-cut to look like Indira? Is it due to the fact that the last generation of self-claimed Gandhi family is fearing to be vanished from history books? Or, does self-claimed Gandhi family does not want any other person to rule India other than from Gandhi Dynasty? It's important that, we leave our hate among castes or religions at some point of time and really think of being Nationalists. We need to be and become what we are naturally. At a time when all the countries in the world are thinking to grow their economies without depending on other countries, its time India and Indians look back and deeply introspect the needs and aspirations of Indians for India. There is very less to be done by India as we know from our collective unconscious that we are the highest evolved civilizations of the world. What we have to do is to know who we are and naturally our psyche will be absorbed to be Indian and to work for the brighter side of Indian-ness. The current generation of students should know about the great India which Alexander could not conquer, and take the heritage to the next generation.   

BHARAT MATA KI JAI

BHARAT MATA KI JAI

BHARAT MATA KI JAI

LET'S PROTECT SANATANA DHARMA

LET DHARMA PROTECT US

DHEERGAYUH BHARAT

LOKA SAMASTHA SUKHINO BHAVANTU!

Isvara, Gods, Guru and Human Being

A small clarity on Isvara, Gods, Guru and Human Beings

There is always a doubt among us on the following:

1. Who is Isvara?

2. Who are these Gods?

3. Why do we need Guru?

4. As Human Beings, what should be our attitude towards the above all?

I am not an authority to describe Isvara. Infact, I have not realized Isvara. But, if someone asks me if you believe Isvara, then, I would say, I don't believe Isvara. I know that he Exists. When I say, I don't believe, for some of you, a doubt arises. How can a person know, when he do not believe? The answer is - the word "belief" is a beaten to death word. In fact, there is in most cases - "a blind belief". A blind belief can be there for a person who do not have capacity to learn about Isvara. But, when we have the time, opportunity and right attitude, the question of belief that someone has talked very positively about Isvara and hence we have to believe is out of question. Hinduism is our way of life. Since times immemorial, we have followed a "Sampradaya" to pray God or Goddess without questioning the source. However, as the time is passing by and while India is unfortunately evolving as a Secular Country, the credibility of Hindu Legacy is doubted not by other followers of religion but by our own Hindu Millennial Generation. 

The young generation is not so comfortable to pursue daily worship or follow rituals as per the Hindu tradition. The biggest challenge for Hindu Parents is to teach the young generation the spirit of Hindu Religion not as they learned but how the young generation can learn. The Puranic stories from the Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam may be treated as myths or fiction by the young generation. Hence, there is a need by the Hindu Religious Institutions to bring the essence of Sacred Texts and position them in such a way that a Young Scientific Mind will try to pursue knowing the truth without doubting the text. 

The purpose of the article is to give some of my insights on Who is Isvara, Gods, Guru and how a Human Being should know the spirit of the three eternal concepts. But, as I mentioned in the earlier paragraph that, it is our prime responsibility to teach the young scientific mind about the spirit of any Hindu Ritual. Hence, I wish to offer the insights or Dharma behind some of the rituals we experience in our Hindu way of life.

1. Why should we go to a Temple?

Discussion: Since ancient times, Temple is regarded as place of learning. During ancient times, people visited temple not just to look and pray at the idol, but, also clarified some of their personal issues from the priest who stayed in the temple for long hours. It is important to know that the Priest is not just a wage earner who stays in the temple to offer "Prasadam" to the devotees but, the so called "Priest" is a Scholarly Person who devoted time and energy to learn the Vedas from the Guru Sampradaya. The Vedas elaborates the energy permeated in the Universe. Hence, the Priest, during the 3 "Sandhyas" (Morning Sandhya, Afternoon and Evening Sandhya) offers prayers to the Supreme Energy permeated in the Universe. He doesn't think for anything else other than deeper contemplation of the supreme source of energy. He is called as "Brahmin". Brahmin is the person who wants to know "Brahman" (the supreme source of energy). Brahmin is one of the four Varna's. The other three are Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. In Bhagavat Gita, Lord Sri Krishna mentioned it very clearly that, the Four Varnas did not evolve on the basis of BIRTH. But, Lord Sri Krishna emphasized that Varna is based on the "Gunas or Karma's" that a person does. 

There is a myth in the society that Brahmins by and large dominated the Vedic Learning. However, the truth is any person from any Varna is eligible to learn about "Brahman". Let me share with you a story about what Hindu Puranas authoritatively mentioned about Vedic Learning. This story is one of the many puranic stories which emphasize that Varna's are based on the Gunas and Karma (activities that a person does) and not just based on the birth. 

The Story of Satyakama Jabali

Satyakama was the son of a woman named Jabali. He had a strong wish to study and so he left home in search of a guru. He went to the ashram of sage Gautam and requested him to make him his pupil. Gautam questioned him, "Before I make you my pupil, I need to know about your family." This puzzled Satyakama, as he had no idea about his family except his mother. But to join the ashram he would not lie. He told the sage that he would ask his mother. So he went to Jabali. His mother told him, " Go to the sage and tell him that her Mother doesn't know who her Father was. 

Jabali went back to Sage Gautam bowed with respect and said - "My mother said to tell you that her name is Jabala and my name is Satyakama – and I know nothing more about my family," Satyakama explained without fear. "So I am Satyakama Jabala."

Sage Gautama was happy with the Truthfulness of the Satyakama and appreciated his mother for teaching his son to be Truthful. He agreed to teach Satyakama about "the knowledge of Brahman".

There are many instances like this which proves that our Sanatana Dharma doesn't bias people basing on birth. For example - the followers of Hindu Religion regard "Ramayana" & "Mahabharata" as sacred texts. There are legends about Valmiki who authored Ramayana. It was known from the legends that Valmiki before becoming the "Rishi" was a road-side thief. Sage Veda Vyasa has authored Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. Rishi Vyasa was born to a fisher-woman. What caste does fisher-woman represent in today's context? Did our Hindu Dharma reject the sacred texts by looking into the background of Rishis? Absolutely not! 

The word "Sanatana Dharma" means Sanatana = eternal and Dharma = Righteousness. The land of Bharat believed in the Sanatana Dharma which was there since times immemorial, which is there now and which will remain after. If God is regarded as one, then all the faiths should merge into that "Oneness". If for instance, monotheistic religions emerge out of an "Individual" who is regarded as "Saviour", even then these monotheistic religions should converge into the "Absolute". Every sacred text which comes out from the faiths, should not be the end by itself but should direct the intellect of the devotees to the "Absolute" who is beyond our sensory capacities. Hindu Religion believes that "the Purusha", the absolute, has permeated in all living and non-living beings. Hence, in Hindu Religion, mountains, trees, snakes, rivers, rocks are worshiped. People who are new to this religion or those who do not know the spirit of Hindu Religion may feel embarrassed by observing people praying a snake or a rock or a river. But, the attitude is that Hindus see the "Absolute" in all which includes "Saviours" from other religions. 

Advaitha (no second), is the philosophy offered by Adi Sankara. The principle of Advaitha says that there is no second but everything boils down to "Oneness". From that "One", "Many" are manifested. "Avidya" or "Ignorance" hinders us to know that Truth. It is our Duty to know the Truth by conquering "Avidya".  

Let's come back to our mainstream question about "Why we need to go to Temple". We discussed that the Temple Priest is a scholarly person and always contemplates on "Brahman". His mind is filled with the "Truth" and nothing else. In his Prayers, he invokes the Gods and seeks the Almighty to Save his Country and Countrymen from Evil and Bless the Country and King with Prosperity. 

The Vedic Prayer after invoking all the God's goes like this --

"Sarve sujana Sukhino Bhavantu

Sarve jana Sujano Bhavantu"

&

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!

The prayer meant that - All men (both genders included) who are practicing Dharma or struggling while practicing Dharma should be protected and allowed to be safe. Alternatively, All men who are going away from practicing Dharma or moving away from being Dharmic should be transformed to be Good. Finally, the prayer ends by saying - "The entire Loka and beyond should be Safe and Protected by the Grace of Almighty". 

Isn't it profound to know that Hindu Dharma extends its prayer not just for the safety of its own members but the safety of all people on the land and elsewhere in the universe? Hindu Dharma embraces all people from different sections of the society. There should not be any doubt from any other community that their religious interests will be at stake. If we look at the world right now, Christians are not safe in USA due to Terrorism from ISIS. Muslims cannot peacefully follow their religious rituals in communist countries like China. The Dalai Lama, a Buddhist Monk, who earned Nobel Peace Prize, is banned in China. Likewise, many ethnic sections may not have the privilege to exercise their Freedom of Religion safely in other countries except in India, the Land of Bharat. 

The Constitution of India made it very clear that India follows "Secular" principles for Religious Harmony. A Hindu in Pakistan cannot get justice in Pakistan court due to his minority status in Pakistan. A Muslim cannot offer his prayers in public places in China. Yet, a Buddhist, a Jain, a Christian and a Muslim can preach and practice his religion just like any majority religion practices. The Supreme Court in India protects the interests of minority religious institutions. 

As Jiddu Krishna Murthy, a great philosopher from Madanapalli, Andhra Pradesh said - "Truth is a pathless land". Which means that there may be many faiths, but finally, the destination is "One". Hence, Bharat is the only place in the world where religious harmony is assured. However, due to softness in the laws of constitution there are times and even now when people from outside took interest to disturb the rich secular fabric of India. Missionaries from the West are engaged to convert as many people as possible to Christianity. The question is - Is India short of religions? Or is it true that Christianity is failing in West? The goal of a missionary is to help the weaker sections of the people recognizing their needs. There is no need for conversion from one faith to another. A simple question is - by converting we assure that "God is not that...But, God is this..." It is foolish to say that God is only that "Single Person". When a God is not that, How can a God be this? It means that by few ignorant people for fulfilling their vested interests or to disturb the rich fabric of Bharat, they resort to such kind of cheap tricks. Why can't the individual be left to his judgment with regards to his Spiritual Interests? Why can't people be left alone to their own Conscience to know the Truth?  By offering commercial incentives with an assurance that innocent people get converted, is it right on the part of concerned religious heads to encourage conversion? What does the Sacred Text say? Does it say that - Let all people believe "Me and only Me"? If those who do not believe me, I order, "Convert them or kill them"? If the religious text says the same, then we should doubt the basic philosophy of that religious text. And, I am confident that no religious texts say anything like that. Hence, the problem is not in the religious texts, but, in the people who are involved to disturb the secular fabric and the institutions that support for the undesirable cause.

So, a Hindu Priest, while always contemplating on the almighty and seeking for peace is gifted with the knowledge of "Vivekam" (discrimination between right and wrong). Hence, people approach the priest in the temple to take a decision that favours the family interest. 

The Second reason for visiting a temple is to know its Archaeological Significance.  How the temple was constructed?What material was used? What special features are there in the temple to appreciate the craftsmanship of the sculpture. Not only that, the temple is a representation of the culture of the region and temple expressed the value and significance of the king through "Sasanas". Hence, there is more than the religious sentiments to know from a temple. There is no doubt that an Idol of a specific God is installed by following Agama Sastras. People visit to offer their prayers to the Idol in the Sanctum Sanctorium. The prayer offered to the God is in a way showing gratitude to the invisible force which is taking care of the devotees well being.

2. Who are these Gods?
Discussion: The Shastras mention that after the creation, the One Absolute, has appointed Gods such as - Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, Rudra's, etc to manage the creation. Hence, devotees do Yagnas or Homams to please the Gods and seek "Phala" for healthy living in the society. Unlike Monotheistic Religions which disregard "Idol" worship, Hindu religion follows Idol Worship but doesn't stop there. Worship in Hindu Religion is a Process. To know and experience the "Absolute" requires deeper contemplation of the "Truth". It's not so easy given the fact that Human Being's Mind is engulfed with Manas (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Chittam (consciousness) and Ahamkaram (I'ness). Proper training of these faculties to know the "Absolute Truth" will result in "Yogam" (the relationship with the absolute). Ancient Rishis or Sages moved away from the daily living (distractions), wandered in forests and established Ashrams to have solitude and achieve the state of "Yogam". Rishis could achieve Yogam but, in the current worldly affairs, its not possible to still our mind for a minute. When a Mind cannot be stilled without any thought, how is it possible to imagine the "absolute" by an ordinary person. Man is not just Rational, but also an Emotional Human Being. He loves to speak and express his desires. Hence, for the sake of devotees who could not pursue 'meta-thinking" capabilities to know the Brahman, Hinduism came out with "Forms" that characterize the "Divinity". Every name that is meant to a God is not just a name but an important quality of the God. When we say, Vishnu Sahasranama, it doesn't mean that Lord Vishnu has 1000 names. Sahasra not only indicates 1000, but also means unlimited. Every "Nama" is a quality of the Diety. By chanting the name of the diety, the Devotee is trying to gain the quality of the Diety in himself. As a matter of Truth, Sanatana Dharma says - "Aham Brahmasmi", I am Brahman. Every individual born on this planet is "Brahman". The individual has to discover this truth in his life time. Hence, when we chant the qualities of the Deity, we are actually knowing or recognizing our own qualities. Once, we fully become aware of the divine inherent qualities within, we cease to exist. Our life ends, but our living continues. 

3. Why do we need Guru?
Discussion: When Isvara, created this Universe by providing all the necessaries of life sustenance. We know this fact, people in stone age lived their life as wanderers, living in the jungle and eating whatever then could get from the nature. But, the conditions have changed. Yet, there is enough in the nature to be offered to the mankind by the grace of Isvara. Isvara, when he created human being, he was given all the necessary abilities for our own development. Philosophically speaking, Isvara made us understand that - What we sow, so shall we Reap! Which means that if we do good, we receive good and if we do bad, we receive it as well. Good or Bad are called "Punyam" and "Papam". Whatever Man, enjoys in this material world, is because of his Good Deeds (Punyam) and the suffering is because of ill deeds (Papam). As Hindus believe in re-birth, hence, the suffering that I experience today, might not be from the same time period of existence, however, the suffering can also because of accumulated from previous birth. Hence, by knowing the cause of suffering, we should not attribute the cause (good/bad) to Isvara. He left us free and we can determine our own fate. 

If Isvara is not the cause of our actions, then for what is he meant for? This needs a better understanding. Every being on Earth carries his life in fulfillment of his desires. But, if any being thinks beyond the normal desires of life and contemplates on supreme knowledge in an anticipation that life for him is trivial and curious to  know above the materialistic living, then the role of Isvara is essential. Isvara, will now has to incarnate himself as a "Guru" at a right time, at a right place, and thus offer the Wisdom of Life and Beyond to those beings who are qualified enough to know about life, living and beyond. The Guru, who is none else than Isvara, will take a human birth and live an ordinary life. He with his discourses and activities will set an example to the ordinary about the Art of Living. The Guru can recognize the being's internal state of preparation on the spiritual aspects and will set a path that will help the being to finally achieve the Truth. The Guru also recognizes the factors that hinders the spiritual journey and offers the devotees the essential wisdom to understand the factors and take control over them. 

To summarize, We Need a Guru, to raise our spiritual awareness and lead us to the Truth. We should Pray Isvara to grant us such Guru. In our normal prayers to Isvara, we should pray about something what Isvara has the capability to offer us. It is our ignorance that we seek in our prayers - a house, a bride/groom or job or house and the list goes on. But, is Isvara who has created the Universe of Universes to help us with a job or a hourse? Absolutely not. Hence, our prayers should be more than what we are capable of doing. So, according to my Guru, Sri Sivananda Murthy Garu, we should pray Isvara like this -

Oh Isvara, Let People of Bharat Live in Peace and Harmony
Let Bharat achieve Prosperity
Let the people of Bharat follow the Dharma 
Let the people of Bharat Unite towards safeguarding and protecting its country from negative internal and external forces
Let the people of Bharat protect the Nature (also the natural beings in the nature such as trees, animals, rare species etc)
Let Bharat be the Moral Leader of the World.

The above is a small prayer which only Isvara can bestow us. At an individual level, I cannot think of achieving it. I can do a Dharmic activity at a micro level. But, can I get assurance that all will follow the way I am doing! Hence, let me do my duty and seek the support of Isvara at a Macro level. Once, an individual prays for the good of Society, Country and World, automatically, Isvara will take care of our responsibilities. Hence, our prayers should be at a higher level that will support Isvara's objective.

With this I end this elaborate article.

Sarve sujana sukhino bhavantu
Sarve jana sujana bhavantu
Om Santi Santi Santi

The RSS Guruji - Sri Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar on "Matrusakthi"!

Remembering RSS Guruji - Sri Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar!

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a Doctor in the city of Nagpur on 27th September 1925. The organisation promotes the ideals of upholding Indian Values and Culture and thereby spreads the ideology of Hindutva. After reading V. D. Savarkar's Hindutva, published in Nagpur in 1923, and meeting Savarkar in the Ratnagiri prison in 1925, Hedgewar was extremely influenced by him, and he founded the RSS with the objective of strengthening the values of Hindutva in the society.

Hedgewar apparently began grooming Golwalkar for leadership and he was placed in charge of the All-India Officers' Training Camp from 1937 to 1939. Golwalkar's abilities (managing complex details of the large camp, public speaking, reading and writing) were appreciated. In 1938, he was asked to translate G. D. Savarkar's 1934 Marathi language Rashtra Mimansa (Nationalism) into Hindi and English. The resulting book, We, or Our Nationhood Defined, was published in Golwalkar's name and regarded as a systematic treatment of RSS ideology. Golwalkar made RSS one of strongest religious-political organisations in India; its membership expanded from 100,000 to over one million, and it branched out into the political, social, religious, educational and labour fields through 50 front organisations. The RSS extended to foreign countries, where Hindus were recruited into organisations such as the Bharatiya Swayamsevak Sangh or the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. 

There was a subtle, important shift in the RSS worldview. One of Golwalkar's major innovations was an anti-communist, anti-socialist ideology, with the slogan "Not socialism but Hinduism.

At one stage, when Gandhi was Assasinated, in January 1948 by Nathuram Godse, there was widespread apprehension (despite Golwalkar's condemnation of the murderers) that the RSS was involved. Golwalkar and 20,000 swayamsevaks were arrested on 4 February, and the RSS was banned for promoting "violence" and "subversion". Godse said that he acted on his own initiative, and no official connection between the RSS and Gandhi's assassination has ever been made. Golwalkar was released on 5 August, after the six-month statutory limit expired. The RSS ban continued, and Golwalkar tried to negotiate with Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel about having it lifted. The mass arrests, violence against members and the ban by an independent Indian government of what was understood as a patriotic organisation was a shock to the RSS membership.

Although Patel asked the RSS to join the Congress, Golwalkar disapproved. Patel then demanded, as a precondition, that the RSS adopt a written constitution. RSS leaders Eknath Ranade, Bhaiyaji Dani and Balasaheb Deoras suspended the satyagraha in January 1949 and, in collaboration with liberal leader T. R. Venkatarama Sastri, wrote an RSS constitution of which Patel approved. The ban was lifted on 11 July 1949. The government of India issued a statement that the decision to lift the ban had been made in view of Golwalkar's promise of loyalty to the Constitution of India and acceptance of India's national flag explicitly in the RSS constitution. Organisations founded and supported by RSS volunteers became collectively known as Sangh Parivar.

Important Note:

Sardar Vallabhai Patel, a Hindu Nationalist, served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India. He brought together 565 self-governing princely states by the Indian Independence Act 1947. His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet "Iron Man of India". It is Patel who insisted Golwalkar to adopt a written constitution of RSS that should respect and follow the spirit of Constitution of India. The purpose of mentioning this point is that, Indian Heritage and Culture is deep rooted to Vedic Times. The essence of sacred texts is to follow "Dharma". By Dharma, we mean "Righteousness". According to Sanatana Dharma, the ruler has to uphold the Dharma for maintaining law and order. In Ramayana, Sri Rama accepted the doubt expressed by a washer man on the integrity of Sita. Sita, entered the fire to be proved that she is pure. The rest of the story is history. Let's not doubt why Sita has to enter into the Fire and why Rama did not stop her. I can explain the insight of Rama in a different article of "What is Dharma?" Similarly, Vallabhai Patel, also made it a point that RSS abide by the constitution. He was not biased to the Hindutva. This clearly shows that Nationalist Leaders believed in Unity of India and there is no room for prejudice or discrimination. Today, we can see that there is un-rest in some sections of the society. There are lot of forces which are working against the Country Norms. Sometimes, we doubt that the enemy lies inside than outside. Its difficult to identify an enemy who appears to be an Indian but working for outsiders ulterior motives. There are communities in India, who have problem to accept any Hindu Leader at the Center. This is a big disappointment given the fact that India is a Hindu Rashtra. 

When I say Hindu, I mean not only to the "Religion", but the way of life that dates back to "Aryans" and all the descendents who lived alongside Sindhu River. India, which was once called Bharat is not just a Country but a Great Civilization. Our's is the only Civilization that could preserve the richness of its ancient civilization till today. The World is turning to India to learn the concept of Inward Learning. The West might have mastered "the art of living", but, it is India, and in India, the highest form of knowledge called as "Yoga" evolved. We, Indians, believe in "Art of Leaving". We believe that Material prosperity is just an outcome of ego satisfaction. However, the refinement of "Jeeva" inside can be acccomplished by following the principles of Sanatana Dharma.

I remember my Guru "Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Murthy Garu" who taught how to pray to God for wanting of a Leader. His thought process is insightful and worth to share. We should pray to God not to select a particular party or an individual basing on our community feelings rather, we should pray God as follows:

Oh Lord Eshwara! I bow in front of you with utomost humbleness and respect for a desire to be accepted and granted. We Indians need a Leader or a Political Party which understands the richness of Indian Heritage and Culture. We need a Leader who is Dharmic in his thoughts, actions and has the intellectual power to discuss, debate and convince opposition for the sake of upholding peace and harmony in the society. We need a Leader, who is a true representation of Indianness to the outside world. We need a Leader who can instill patriotism among members of the country. We need a Leader, who can discipline our countrymen and channelise the energies of young generation to work for their motherland. We need a Leader who works for reviving the lost glory of Bharat. Hence, we need a Political Party, which consists of members that share similar characteristics of the Leader.  

The above prayer is only a small fragment of our noble intentions towards our country. Afterall, we are children of a great land called Bharat and because of our vested interests, we should not allow dis-equilibrium in the country.   

Lets come back to the mainstream topic about Sri Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, one of the founders of RSS. Before, any outsider comments on RSS as a radical institution, there is a need to bring out the spirit of founders who established RSS. 

By knowing the spirit of the founders, we can estimate or value the purpose of the organization. 

I tried to summarize the essence of Sri Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar talk on "the Greatness of Women in the Indian Society". 

1. According to Vedic Indian tradition, Women is regarded as Matrushakthi. Lord Shiva has offered one half of his body as a representation of Sakthi. This indicates that every Man is able to perform due to the grace of invisible Sakthi operating within the personality of human being. The outer manifestation of Sakti is in the form of Mother, Sister or Wife in our house or society. The disrespect or oppression on women means the weakening of ones own personality at a micro level and weakening of integrity and character at a macro (country) level. In the West, Women are observed as products. Hence, they are always looked upon to be exploited. There is a need in the West for Women to raise their value. 

Here, I wish to draw your attention on Betty Freidan, a Feminist and Founder of Women Liberation Movement in USA.  Throughout her life, she raised her voice on improving the quality of women's life. In her publication called "Feminine Mystique", she spoke of the problem that “lay buried, unspoken” in the mind of the suburban housewife: utter boredom and lack of fulfillment. Women who had been told that they had it all—nice houses, lovely children, responsible husbands—were deadened by domesticity, she said, and they were too socially conditioned to recognize their own desperation.

Note: In India, urban women may have nice house. But, I doubt whether they have responsible husbands and lovely children. When I say responsible husbands, I do not mean responsibility to be...... taking to shopping malls and spending pleasurable time with wife. But, how much responsibility the Husband takes towards bridging the gap between parents and children. Why do children look upto their peer group to solve their problems? Can we imagine that our children can solve their own problems without discussing with parents? Will parents be happy if children take irrational decisions? The problem is while parents are busy shaping their careers, who cares for understanding the thought process of their children? Can we be so confident on schools which are busy burying the syllabus without acknowledging the differences in the learning capabilities of the children? Who cares for the next generation society? It's history, when houses consists of grand parents. Now that couples are eager to spend their lives in cities, the grand parents find it difficult to adjust to the culture in the cities. Hence, they distant themselves from their children. Hence, there is no scope for the Grand Parents to teach young kids some moral values or life lessons. By the way, in many homes Young Couple are also not so comfortable to have old parents in the house. They feel their privacy is disturbed. Grand Parents according to them is a summer destination to relax and enjoy, but, they do not feel the fact that society is breaking into fragments due to family distancing. Hence, there is a need for the Parent(s) in the house to teach their children:

a. What is not taught in schools?
b. How to learn, unlearn and relearn?
c. Make children learn self-control
d. Importance of family, values and character formation
e. Goals of life
f.  How to deal with loss / failure?
g. Pro-social behaviour etc.,

Can you recollect, whether, all the above aspects are taught to us in schools or by our parents? Yes, may be in some homes. But, in majority cases, its not. Should we leave our children with a hope that future is going to be good? Or are we not responsible to shape our children to deal with uncertainty, complexity and risk. This is only possible, if either of parents learn the above important aspects, then only then can teach to their children. By staying indoors, nobody can take the merit of women's identity. A teacher can mould the student for better careers, whereas, a mother in the house can make a better holistic personality which can enable healthy society.

2. Golwalkar ji was not against Women working. But, the problem is to define "Work". When the husband works for living, a Wife has a much higher responsibility of working for higher ideals of life. What are these ideals of life? What did our Sanatana Dharma speak of our Ideals? If both, husband and wife compete to work out and leave children for toss, what kind of society is being designed for the next generation to sustain for a harmonous living? A doubt arises - Why can't nurturing of children be the work of husband? The answer is simple. The Women are designed by God in such a way that they have the best inherent quality to be soft and convincing. Women also has the greatest gift of having the deeper levels of patience as compared to men. Hence, nurturing the children for best results is only possible by Women in the society. Hence, the highest job, that Women can do where Men fail is to nurture next generation for highest ideals of living such as preparing the mind for higher order functioning and character formation. 

3. A mother can mould the children as heroes, cultivate in them devotion to God and love for country and an inclination to serve the society.

4. Mother in the house should not limit her role to her home only but in her individual capacity should care for the less fortunate women and the children in the vicinity.

5. Women can and should also work in an organized way. Organized work alone can increase the pace of work in the society. 

This is only a glimpse of attitude of Golwalkar ji on Matrusakthi. The Spine of RSS is the Matrusakthi. Every member of RSS are trained to respect Women in the society. Their minds are conditioned to work for superior values of society and country. 

In the process of working for the country, RSS tries to imbibe the values of Dharma and Karma as essentials in all RSS members. Unfortunately, today, whenever we hear about RSS, we hear a complaint against them from left wings or liberals of this country. RSS members are trained to possess highest levels of patience and tolerance which are the most important characteristics of Sanatana Dharma. However, the tolerance has its limits. When, the Country is being pulled by hidden forces that work for breaking the spine of this country, then every member of RSS comes forward to protect its motherland from the negative forces. 

JAI HIND, BHARAT MATA KI JAI, LONG LIVE BHARAT!

References:

1. "RSS to abandon politics" (PDF). The Hindu. 24 May 1949. Retrieved 14 October 2014.

2. Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement 1996, p. 88-89.

3.  Curran, Jean A. (17 May 1950), "The RSS: Militant Hinduism", Far Eastern Survey, 19 (10): 93–98, doi:10.2307/3023941, 

JSTOR 3023941

4. Noorani, The RSS and the BJP 2000, p. 43.