Today (Sep 11th), a very important day in the History of Bharat and Hindu society. First, on 1893 Swami Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, USA and by his thundering speech won the hearts of the men and women of the world. The second one relates to Mahakavi Bharati who departed from this world on 1921. Thus, this day makes us to recall us with reverence the two great sons of Bharata Mata.
Swamiji later narrated of the thoughts that were running in his mind when he stood up to speak in the conference dais. He said that, his tongue was dried, his mind went blank and he had forgotten all that he had planned to speak. After a few seconds, when he gathered himself, and paid respects to Goddess Saraswati and his Poojya Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, words flowed through from him. Similarly, Mahakavi was a gifted child of Saraswati. We may have to remember that when he first publicly presented his poem extempore, he was just 9 years old which earned him the sobriquet ‘ Bharati’ which is another name for Saraswati. Thus, they were sons of Ma Bharati as well.
Swamiji and Mahakavi were many things in common and though their languages differed, thoughts were one. Looked closely, it is not by chance or a coincidence by fluke. What is there to wonder, when we know that both of them were soaked in the Sanatana Dharma, history, civilisational glory and ancientness of Bharat and a shared longing for making Bharat a Viswaguru.
We can make a long list of points of similarities in their expressions which could turn this article into a voluminous thesis document. However, due to paucity of space and time, we will restrict to a few of them.
Both of them had utmost respect for all religions and their guiding lights of the world. However, they would not waste a second in giving a fitting reply to the evil tongues who spoke ill of Sanatana Dharma.
Swamiji in a lecture calls Buddha, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed as Avatara Purushas who had some purpose in respective parts of the world relevant to their times. Mahakavi in a poem beginning ‘ Aati choodi, Ilam pirai aninthu’ (ஆத்திச்சூடி இளம்பிறை அணிந்து), he establishes his catholicity by paying tributes to Jesus and Prophet. As said earlier, they were following the principles of Sanatana Dharma which categorically enunciates the principles like Aakashat Patitam Toyam (As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, unbiased seekers can realise the Truth wherever from they may emerge) and ‘ Ekam Sat Bahudaa Vipraahaa vadanti’ (Truth is one while experienced souls describe the same differently).
Then, we can see their condemnation of evils that were plaguing in the Hindu society and the role of education in eradication of such evils. Swamiji through Sister Nivedita influenced Bharati’s thoughts on Education embracing the scientific advancements of the time and at the same time built on the bedrock of the national ethos. They came down heavily upon the McCaulay system of education which made us to forget our Rishis and Sages. Worse was it made us to call our forefathers as barbarians and thieves. (We are yet to fully come out is another misfortune)
Swamiji considered all of us ‘Sons of immortal bliss’. He would not accept calling anybody a sinner and more so us, the Hindus. Mahakavi, said that he would strive to bring back Krita Yuga to this world through his poems. Further in his poem Jayaberigai kottada, he says that with active collaboration of Bharatiyas having imbibed the nectar of Vedas and living by those lofty principles will guide the whole world in attaining immortality.
Swamiji lived only for 39 years and Mahakavi lived for 38 years. However, their vision guided many youngmen and women in liberation struggle. Later through RSS and its associate organisations fondly called by our media as “ ‘ Sangh Parivar’, those great souls’ speeches and writings adopted as Sangh’s mission are getting executed in various forms to realise the goal of making our Motherland acquiring exalted status of leading in every walk of life.
In spite of all stumbling blocks put up by inimical forces, without fear, without hesitation, with no curse on their lips towards the critics, Sangh is progressing consistently and constantly in fulfilling the works planned by Swamiji and Mahakavi.
Who knows, Swamiji and Mahakavi as Amarajeevis, could be living amidst us and guiding us through various pracharaks and swayamsevaks !
