Sri Dayanidhi Tirtha Swamiji

  When I write this, I am filled with reverence, Love, affection and  a mixed bag of all divine feelings. Sri Dayanidhi Tirtha Swamiji,  of Sripadaraja Mutt, Mulbagal, was my father's Vidya Guru. He selected him as a Shishya, imparted all Shastra Knowledge to him, liked him, called him ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ  I never understood the conversation between the Guru & Shishya, many times.

He came to our poor abode, most of the mornings to take my Anna, for a Divine Walk. They went up to the small Hill, near the Town, behind my House. Some times, I was woken up by his arrival exactly at 5.30 AM.

He was always very punctual, smiling like a Child, very rarely, clad in a Kasmiri  Shawl. He had a golden complexion, sweet smile, never frowned with any one like other of his contemporaries. 

In fact I was afraid of all Swamijis except him, as a boy.  Most often, he was dressed in rough Cotton, one piece Cotton Safron  cloth. He was a Mathadhipati, a Great Scholar of repute of his times, a  retired Sub Registrar of Madras Presidency, studied at Presidency College, did his BA.BL., and was an erudite scholar in English literature. I have a Book  note written in his hand, where he wrote  in Pencil, the famous quote of Churchill or some one,.. This too will go away...  

He studied Madhva Siddhanta, under his revered scholarly father, Sri Sudhinidhi teertha Swamiji. His life was extremely simple. As I remember, he would wake up at 3AM, did his ahnikam, Japa & other Sanyasa rituals, went out for a walk with my father, or some trusted shishya. Some times, he went towards Narasimha Tirtha, have Darshan of Sripadaraja Brindavanam, return by 8 Am. Later, Patha,  Japa & Pooja till 12.30. Then he would have some Prasada, offered to Gopinatha Devaru and  Ranga Vitthala. He would never sleep in the afternoon. Again Shastra Patha to another group of Students. 

How my father came to his fold is also very interesting. My father had completed his SSLC, Kannada Vidvat, and was  working as a Teacher in a nearby Village. In fact,  his family had migrated from a nearby village, Tayalur, might be due to plague or Cholera.  He used to carry water each morning from a Pond near the Mutt, as Agrodkam, for Pooja. Whenever he saw the Swamiji, he prostrated to him. This turned out to a close bond one day. He sent word for my father, asked him to come to Shanti Patha, the next Day. Then,he was taught each day, Swamiji hardly toured except to Srirangam or Erode. He did not make Mutt rich by money. He made it Spiritually Rich. He was like a Philosopher's stone. Whatever he gave as Prasadam would become more & more.... 

He  was like a child divine,  loved children, accessible to one & all in the Town. We took His blessings whenever we went to write our Exams,  even in Primary School. Sripadangalu was like a walking God to our family. He inquired about each Shishya who approached him for Shastra Learning, took care of his maintenance till he completed his learning. It was an informal Gurukulam, without any Income. He used to get Pension, which he spent on such things. 

He blessed  a gardner, farmer,  why even a menial,  whom he called Chinnabidda. He had conducted many Sudhamangalams to students from other states also. He   read The  Hindu Newspaper   regularly, had an excellent English and so on.. He had knowledge of Modern Science, Law, Mathematics, my brother learnt Geometry from him. etc.... . In fact once I asked my father, Why not we change our Mutt? What is the use of  UM, which never helps any of the disciples, any way? He  just smiled at me. He  never insulted poor & middle class Madhvas,  he never used to get angry on his helps, Edabalasevakas.  

I was too small to recollect about him. But never forget what he taught me as a child. I was crying bitterly. I wanted to do pooja at home. I was given a small Hanuman Idol for my Worship. I knew only one Shloka, i was afraid whether I can recite it or not !! Those are the days when we weren't supposed to recite all Mantras, without Guru's Upadesham, after Upanayanam. He called me, Magoo, why are you crying? I said some thing. He thrusted some dry grapes & Sugar candy into my hand, and gave me a small Mukhyaprana Idol. I was overjoyed!!! I got what all I needed at that time. The Mukhya Prana idol with smiling face, eyes half closed even now reminds me of our great Guru, when I sit for Pooja. 

He called me to his side, very hesitatingly I approached him. He made me to sit on his lap, closed a shawl, as it was  a cold morning, taught me 

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव | 

त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव त्वमेव sarvaM मम देव देव || 

- ಓ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮ! ನೀನೆ ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ ತಂದೆ, ನೀನೆ ಬಂಧು, ಬಳಗ, ಗೆಳೆಯ, ವಿದ್ಯೆ, ಹಣ, ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ನೀನೆ ಆಗೀದ್ದೀಯೇ. 

..and asked me to repeat it. . More I repeated, more Drakshi, Kharjoora & Kallusakkare were given to me. I was wonder struck!!! Some elderly men were waiting for their Daily Patha. He made gestures to them to wait ! He called me Mari, I will give you more, when you come next to Mutt. Be coming to Mutt, whenever you feel like, he added with a divine Smile. 

His another favourite Shloka was

अयम् सर्वेष्ट दाता मे सर्वारिष्टनिवारक:।

सर्वोत्कृष्टोयमेवैक: तदीयोहम् स मे पति: ॥

(विष्णुरहस्यम्) - which he made me repeat again and again  

One day, he made me to read some letter written by some shishya to clear a doubt of his. I read it clearly, as my language command was very good in those days. I was just a literate in Kannada, knew bit of Kannada & Rama shabdam, in full. My Math knowledge was zero. By his Grace, I learnt many stotras, shlokas very rarely known to all. He blessed me. If I live on... I shall teach you Madhva Shastra, are you interested? he asked me one day. I had heard of Acharya Madhva, never knew what this Shastra was !! I nodded my head, as I hoped for some reading, sugar candies, dry grapes, Rupee Coins, and might be some small  idols of Krishna or Mukhyaprana. . I was given a Prana  idol with a peta on head. I used to call Maravadi devaru, in ignorance. 

Alas! one day,  my father was in tears. I have never seen him in tears even when my mother passed away. He said, Namma  Swamiji is no more. He attained God's abode early in the morning. He took me to see his mortal remains for the last time. I also cried, without any effort, as I liked him. I was unfortunate to miss such a great Soul, Guru, Philosopher and walking God to me. He lived for 97 years. He shed his mortal coil on 25.12.1961. 

When I rarely visit Mulbagal, I bow to his Brindavanam,(  now its Shila is changed to a polished granite one)  remember his glowing, smiling face radiant with Brilliance of His yogic Power. I remember Him always. Many remember him each morning. He is a Pratahsmaraniya Yati. A great soul. 

M.M. T. Ganapati Shastri, who brought Bhasa to lime light.

 T. GANAPATI SASTRI

 Bhasa, the great Sanskrit playwright was known only by name till  Dr. Mahamahopadhyaya T. Ganapati Sastri (1860–1926), a renowned Sanskrit scholar, discovered the manuscripts of his 13 Sanskrit plays, in a remote village in Kerala.  Dr Shastri had very humble beginnings in Tharuvai, ( Taruvagraharam) in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.  He belonged to the celebrated family of Appayya Deekshitar, a reknowned scholar of 16^th Century.

Ganapati Shastri,  son of Ramasubba Iyer  left the native town for further education and livelihood, to nearby city of Maharajas,Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) in his 16th year.  

Birth Place

Located on the banks of Tamraparani river, about 10kms from Palayamkottai, Taruvai village has its own  interesting history.

According to an  Inscription on the walls of the Shiva  temple, scripted in Tamil and Grantham, the village temple was given as a grant by king Sundara Pandyan(1216-1239) about AD 350 acres of land. The temple was built by the said King with Vaazha Vallabha Pandeeswarar as the main deity (Shiva) and his consorts Akhilandeswari(Devi).

The Inscription also indicates this village was known as Koopaka Raya Nallur. It is understood from the Inscription that the village was granted to the king's cheftain Koopakarayan.

The inscription also indicates that rice and milk were supplied from his temple to the Gangaikondan village temple in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.

 Early Career As A Scholar

In 1903, His Highness Sri Moolam Thirunal appointed Dr. T. Ganapathy Sastri, on looking at his mastery over the Sanskrit language. He was  then Principal of Sanskrit College. He was provided with a   Scribe to  help him to publish the manuscripts under the royal collection.

Next year the first of the Trivandrum series, "Daivam" with Purushakara commentary was published. Though "Bhaktimanjari", the book of hymns composed by His Highness Swati Thirunal, eulogizing the family  deity, Lord  Sri Padmanabha, was printed first, the King wanted the book to be combined along with, "Syanandurapuravarnana prabandha", a realistic portrayal of the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.

  In the year 1908, the Sanskrit  department came into Independent existence with Dr.T.Ganapathi Sastri as the Head at Lakshmi Vilasam Bungalow,  with an aim to publish not only the royal collections, but also with the view of bringing into light those manuscripts  in the private libraries of ancient  scholarly families.

The department was proud in celebrating its centenary. It is really noteworthy here that Mahamahopadhyaya Dr.T.Ganapathy Sastri, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Tubingen University, Germany for his edition of Bhasa plays for the first time.

Ganapati Sastri was the Principal of the Sanskrit College at Trivandrum, as well as the first Head of the Manuscripts Library of the University of Kerala. He contributed extensively to research and writings in Sanskrit, and is best known for his discovery of the lost plays of Bhasa in 1912, in a small village written in Malayalam Script.  He later edited and published these plays, for which he was awarded a Doctorate in Sanskrit from the University of Tubingen. 

In January 1922, the then Prince of Wales, Edward presented a gold medal to Ganapati Sastri for “literary eminence in Sanskrit”. For all these achievements and more, he was given the title of Mahamahopadhyaya by the Government of India.  

Discovery of Bhasa Plays

While touring Kerala State, searching for Sanskrit manuscripts, Dr Ganapati Shastri came across a palm-leaf codex in Malayalam in a village near Trivandrum.

 Although they carried no name of the author,  he deduced based on internal evidence  like that of Rajasekhara of 9^th century who quotes Bhasa’s Svapna Natakam, that they were all written  by the same author, and concluded that they were the lost plays of Bhasa. This produced a sensation in the scholarly world, and Ganapati Sastri's work was widely applauded. This has been considered "the most important event in the twentieth century Sanskrit literary scholarship".

Last Days

He was involved in bringing to light several other Sanskrit works as well. He discovered and edited the Trivandrum edition of the Arthaśāstra , much before than the Mysore ORI Edition. in 1924–25, with a Sanskrit commentary by himself.

He pointed out that the name of the author was more likely Kauṭalya, which has since been supported by other scholars.

He also wrote Bharatanuvarnanam, a history of India.

 Dr M. M.  T. Ganapati Shastri passed away peacefully at his daughter’s house in the year 1926, in Chennai. His descendents are spread over the globe now. I am indebted to his great grandson & Great grand daughter for most of the above information on this great scholar.

Teachers' Day

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Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

 Today happens to be  the Teachers' Day to commemorate the birth day of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a Teacher par excellence and Statesman. He has left us a legacy of dedicated Teachers, who are still there some where, hidden and unnoticed. 

EARLY DAYS 

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888 at the temple town,  Tirutani, Madras in a poor Brahmin family. As his father was poor Radhakrishnan supported most of his education through scholarships. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had his early education at Gowdie School, Tiruvallur and then went to the Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati for his high school. He joined the Voorhee's College in Vellore and later switched to the Madras Christian College. He chose Philosophy as his major subject and did his B.A. and M.A. in it.

 IDEAL TEACHER 

After completing his M.A., Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, accepted an Assistant Lectureship at the Madras Presidency College in 1909. In college, he mastered the classics of Hindu philosophy, namely the Upanishads, Bhagvad Gita, Brahmasutra, and commentaries of Sankara, Ramunuja and Madhava. He also acquainted himself with Buddhist and Jain philosophy and philosophies of Western thinkers such as Plato, Plotinus, Kant, Bradley, and Bergson.

In 1918, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was selected as Professor of Philosophy by the University of Mysore. In 1921, Radhakrishnan was nominated as Professor of Philosophy at the Calcutta University, 1921. In 1923, Dr. Radhakrishnan's book "Indian Philosophy" was published. The book was hailed as a "philosophical classic and a literary masterpiece."

A MESSIAH OF INDIAN THOUGHT

In 1931, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was elected Vice Chancellor of the Andhra Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was  invited to Oxford University, to deliver a series of  lectures on Hindu philosophy. He used his lectures as a platform to further India's cause for freedom. He also argued that Western philosophers, despite all claims to objectivity, were biased by theological influences from their wider culture. He showed that Indian philosophy, once translated into standard academic jargon, is worthy of being called philosophy by Western standards. He thus placed Indian Philosophy on  the world map.  Radhakrishnan became the Vice Chancellor of the Benaras Hindu University. In 1946, he was appointed as Ambassador to UNESCO. After Independence Dr. Radhakrishnan was requested to Chair the University Education Commission in 1948. The Radhakrishnan Committee's suggestions helped mould the education system for India's needs.

In 1949, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was appointed ambassador to the Soviet Union. He helped laid the foundation for a strong relationship with Soviet Union.  STATESMAN IN SERVICE OF THE NATION  Dr S. Radhakrishnan was elected the First   Vice-President of India in 1952. He was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. After serving two terms as Vice-President, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was elected President of India in 1962. During his tenure as President,  India had to face war with   China and Pakistan. As President he helped see India through those trying years safely. He retired as President in 1967 and settled in Madras. He spent his time in writing Books on Indian Philosophy and lecturing.

I had a rare opportunity to visit Dr Radhakrishnan  in 1973 in his home,  at Chennai, a couple of years before his demise. He was unable to speak to us. Tears of joy rolled down from his eyes as we told him that we are fro Mysore University, which he loved very much. He was also happy to learn that we were from the PG departments of Sanskrit  and  Philosophy. Unfortunately,  due to his failing health, he was advised not to try speaking, by his daughter-in-law, Dr Janaki, who looked after him in his last days. 

His face was lit up with happiness to pass a message to us who were students of his second generation students. Our Professors always used to recall or quote Dr Radhakrishnan' message in his mannerisms, ease in teaching a dry Subject like Philosophy, three hours at a stretch.  He was a fountain of energy, known for his sense of humour, good countenance, Punctuality and love for exhaustive reading.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan passed away in Chennai after a prolonged illness,  on April 17, 1975. 

His Birth Day is remembered for ever as Teachers Day, the best way to remember a man who had a passion for Teaching. Today's Teachers who are well paid,  much more than Professors of that generation. Most of them are not much bothered to inculcate good habits, mannerisms, love for Reading, Passion for Knowledge in their Students. They put the blame on the media for their distraction, and  keep aside most of the values  and Commitment he stood for. It is a tragedy indeed. 

Vishvagunadarsha Champu

 A couple of years ago,   Text Book in Sanskrit  for  BBM II Semester  Classes, Bangalore  University,  was supposed to teach my  Students prescribed by the Bangalore University, Vishvagunadarsha Champu, written by by Venkatadhvari of 17^th century,   appeared very sectarian and partisan in its content and  presentation. Such a book is most unwelcome in a University Syllabus. I had made  some  of my observations as below: . 

VENKATADHVARIN   

History records that  Venkatadhvari,  or Venkatesha  Deekskhitar  was born in  Adayapalyam, a small village near Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu in the family of  noted scholar Appayya Deekhitar. He later served   in the Court   of a Mughal King, in about 1650 A.D.( Probably Jehangir)   There are many anecdotes on his powers of Bhakti to mother Piratti, Mahalakshmi. Once, some miscreants tied stone to his neck in jealousy against his scholarship. He composed Lakshmee Sahasranama stotram and got relieved of the hardship.  He is believed to have travelled widely across India and visited many Pilgrim centers, in India. 

CONTENT 
The Champu has two imaginary characters, Krishanu and Vishvavasu, travelling in sky visiting and in conversation, record their observation in  various pilgrim centers in  South India and commenting on its people and their behavior. One is praising the place of visit  and  people  there,  and  the  other deplores the same, citing their drawbacks and short comings.  There are some derogatory comments on the State of Karnataka and  its people, particularly the Madhva sect of Brahmanas.

The Book opens with a statement by a narrator: 

 हन्त! कथमभिनन्दयसि निन्दनीयमिदं देशं? 
 Hanta kathamabhinandayasi Nindaneeyamidam desham? …
The land  of Karnataka is highly deplorable. How can you praise it?  The Chapter has a title  Karnaataka Desha Varnanam !

The Book has 2 sections. The First Chapter is about Karnataka, followed by Kancheevarnanam , where the poet is highly respectful and  mild. But when he comes to the description of Rajatapeethapuram, present Udupi,  in Karnataka, he is highly derogatory about the Mathadhipatis there  and describes them as rich and luxurious:
 graavavyoodamate sthitijusho dhanyaa hi sannyaasinah  

ग्रावव्यॊढ मठे स्थितिजुषो धन्या हि संयासिनः! 
-  He gives a report that they have built strong stone buildings, blessed are they  and  common people  are seen begging on streets !! I doubt whether Venkatadhvarin, a great scholar ever visited Udupi at all !! He might have mistaken Haridasas, saints of Karnataka as beggars. He spits venom on people of Udupi, for reasons best known only to him, as a Tamilian. 

He says, people of Karnataka, fail to differentiate between a Pandita and a fool!!

I am not aware of such a poverty in Udupi, anytime. This might be a sarcastic reference to Haridasas of Karnataka.  He also feels that sanyasis  in Udupi  travel in carriers, carried by men. That was the custom of those days of every king or swamiji. Even swamijis of Advaita and Vishistadvaita tradition  were travelling this way. Walking was always there, when they visited Temples & Pilgrim Centers.

Alongwith this, he passes personal remarks on Ekadashi, a fasting day once in 15 days, till today for pious Madhwas. Venkatadhvari concludes the chapter with a remark:  व्रात्या इहात्र अमी - vraatyaa ihatyaa amee, People all are devoid of Vedic customs (Heretics!)  in  the state of Karnataka! He says they do not even offer  Morning and Evening  prayers to Sun God.  ( Sandhyavandanam) 

The champu itself has a weird ending! When one of the narrators  comments on  several malpractices at Sri Venkateshvara Temple at  Tirumala, both of them lose their eyesights. It was later regained by prayers to Goddess Mahalakshmi. 

The events what  might have happened in Seventeenth  century in South India, among different sects of Brahmin community  and others are  totally irrelevant to the present day Students. They do  not convey any Social Message to them  either. 
They only tell us how people of different sects quarrelled each other which later lead to the British to rule us for nearly 300 years! !!!

Sri Raghavendra Swamy

Sri Raghavendra Swamiji  is a magnetic force to many devotees even if they have not heard of Him. He is not just a  a Guru of a sect of Madhva Vaishnavites. He is Jagadguru for all who seek his grace and blessings. His Brindavan is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra, Andhra Pradesh,  on his own selection. It is not easy to put in words the greatness of Swamiji who has blessed and cured millions of devotees around the world. He only likes child-like faith in him   and Sri Rama, his adorable God.

EARLY LIFE

Sri Raghavendra was born in a poor Brahmin Family endowed with great Scholarship and piety. As per tradition, he was a great devotee of Sri Vishnu, as he was  King Prahlada in his previous birth.  All the virtues he has earned in that avatar, is being gifted to faithful devotees as Raghavendra Swami  even now. Earlier he was Sri Vyasarajaru, who was an advisor to Krishna devaraya , the celebrated ruler of Vijayanagar empire and saved him from death.

He was born as Venkatanatha to Timmanna Bhatta and Gopikamba in Bhuvanagiri of Tamilnadu. His date of avatara is 1598 A.D. As a child prodigy, he learnt all subjects with ease and perfection. As all great people are put into difficulty and poverty by God, to  test their intensity of Bhakti, pure Devotion,  Venkatanatha lost his parents. He was educated by his brother- in law Sri Narasimhacharya, a great Scholar.  
 Venkatanatha's Upanayanam was celebrated in 1606 A, D. He became a versatile scholar in all branches of spiritual learning. He was married to Saraswati in 1616.

Venkatanatha was well known as a scholar. But poverty was his companion. That is why he is so kind to help people who are suffering from many ailments, sometimes incurable by doctors even now. He had a pair of Dhotis to wear and and an old house to live in. But as a man of self-respect, pious and firm believer in God, he never sought anyone’s help. He did not approach any Swamijis of those days for help, as he believed in Karmayoga.  Meanwhile,  a son was born to the couple who was named Lakshminarayana, who later wrote Sri Raghavendra Vijayam in Samskrit.


One day, as any home maker would do Saraswati Bai advised her husband to approach Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji, well known to the family,  for help. Hence, the family shifted to Kumbhakonam, where Sudheendra swamiji was running a Gurukulam. As a fast learner, Venkatanatha understood even a difficult concept in Philosophy, was  called Ekasandhigraahi in those days. He could easily defeat stalwarts in Grammar, Logic, Philosophy and was always a winner. He got a title Mahabhashyacharya, a master in Samskrit Grammar.  He was an authority on Memamsa, a Science of Karma, and wrote Bhatta samgraham later. The King of Tanjore Raghunatha honoured him profusely. 

A poor boy was now rich by  the grace of Sri Rama whom he always worshipped. Now, Sri Sudheendra yati was getting old and decided to nominate Venkatanatha as his successor to the Madhva peetha, then called Purvadi Mutt. . Though Venkatanatha was not interested in heading  the Mutt,  he was given all assurances and help to perform Upanayanam to his only son. Now Venkatanatha entrusted the family responsibility to his brother Gururajacharya.

INITIATION INTO SANYASA

Sri Sudhindra yati performed Pattabhishekam to Venkatanatha, near Tanjavuru  as his successor in 1621 A.  D. He named him as Raghavendra tirtha. Sri Raghavendra soon after started touring and preaching Madhva’s Philosophy.  Wherever he went,  he got innumerable disciples due to his compassion, knowledge, accessibility to all devotees and gifting away to the needy whatever he had. In fact he supplied grains for a year to Bijapur when there was  severe drought there. Many instances and innumerable miracles by the grace of God made him nearer to devotees. Indeed he was not resting at all. His routine started at 3.30 am,  followed by bath in the river, japa, teaching disciples, meeting farmers, public, scholars, performing Pooja to Sri RAMA-NARASIMHA-VEDAVYASA idols and meditating for the welfare of the state. He received many gifts even from Muslim rulers, Nayaks, Shivaji and many rulers of Mysore also. But he did not store anything. Whatever he got, he offered it to God in deserving people.

SOCIAL SERVICE

Sri Raghavendra did not confine himself to Mutt administration. He built ponds and canals where there was scarcity of water and taught people the simple, holistic spiritual way of karma yoga. He wrote 41 Works on Dvaita Philosophy, Tippanis  on  Sri Jayatirtha,  in his inimitable style and made it popular in South and North of India. There were many disciples to him in North, South, East & West of India. 
 His masterpiece, Srimanyayasudha  Parimala, made devotees call him Parimalacharyaru. His simplest works are Rama Charitryamanjaree & Krishna Chaaritrryamanjaree, Pratahsankalpa Gadyam, a must read for all Vaishnavas, Commentary on Sumadhvavijayam, and several stotras. 


MIRACLES 
 He saved the life of a boy in Hubli, helped shishyas to get married, and saved many from snake bite, like the son of nawab of Savanoor, to list out his miracles is near to impossibility. He made a literate Venkanna, the Diwan of Adoni, and many things which are to be remembered by us till today. He is a celestial Tree giving away whatever you want if you deserve in a shortest possible time. He is called Kamadhenu and Kalpavriksa by devotees. In Sri Raghavendra Stotram, composed by his dear disciple Appanacharya, it is said that a recital of this Stotram, 108 times can cure any illness of Mind & Body, which has come true many times to many Devotees. his Miracles are those of God, as he was blessed as King Prahlada in his previous birth. 


 Enters Brindavanam  

Sri Raghavendra Tirtha  thus ruled the spiritual world for 50 years from 1621-1671 and decided to call off his physical appearance. He chose a small village Manchale, where he had performed a yajna when he was Prahladaraja, and ordered a Brindavan to be made well before. He entered  alive Brindavan in August 1671 by giving charge of Mutt to Sri Yogeendra Tirtharu.

Now his Mrittika Brindavans are over  1.000 around the world,  worshipped regularly by devotees who are never disappointed. To us, who believe in him  he is a friend, Philosopher and Guide in the Spiritual Path of Life. Just remember Him whenever you are depressed, He is right there to help you. He is a messenger of God to save us from physical & mental worries, It only depends on our degree of Belief we have in Him. This year  happens to be his 339th Aradhana, a day to revere and follow his ideals of Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya. 

Subhashchandra Bose

Subhash Chandra Bose, affectionately called as Netaji, was a born leader and one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle. Though Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have much of the credit for successful culmination of Indian freedom struggle, the contribution of Subhash Chandra Bose is no less. He has been denied his rightful place in the records of Indian history.


He founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to overthrow British Empire from India and came to acquire legendary status among Indian masses.

EARLY DAYS & EDUCATION


Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. His father Janaki Nath Bose was a famous lawyer and his mother Prabhavati Devi was a pious and religious lady. Subhas was the ninth child among fourteen siblings. He was a brilliant student right from the childhood. He topped the matriculation examination of Calcutta province and graduated with a First Class in Philosophy from the Scottish Churches College in Calcutta. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student. To fulfill his parents’ wishes he went to England in 1919 to compete for Indian Civil Services.


In England he appeared for the Indian Civil Service competitive examination in 1920, and came out fourth in order of merit. However, Subhash Chandra Bose was deeply disturbed by the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, and left his Civil Services apprenticeship midway to return to India in 1921.
HIS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
After returning to India, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress. On Gandhiji's instructions, he started working under Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, whom he later acknowledged his political Guru. Soon he showed his leadership qualities and gained his way up in the Congress' hierarchy. In 1928 the Motilal Nehru Committee appointed by the Congress, declared in favour of Domination Status, but Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru opposed it, and both asserted that they would be satisfied with nothing short of complete independence for India.


Subhash also announced the formation of the Independence League. Bose was jailed during Civil Disobedience movement in 1930. He was released in 1931 after Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed. He protested against this and opposed the suspension of Civil Disobedience movement especially when Bhagat Singh and his associates were hanged.
PARTICIPATION IN FREEDOM MOVEMENT
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was soon arrested again under the ugly Bengal Regulation. After an year he was released on medical grounds and was banished from India to Europe. He took steps to establish centers in different European capitals with a view to promote politico-cultural contacts between India and Europe. Breaking the ban on his entry to India, Subash Chandra Bose returned to India and was again arrested and jailed for a year.


HIS POLITICAL LIFE


After the General Elections of 1937, the Indian National Congress came to power in seven states and Subash Chandra Bose was released. Shortly afterwards he was elected President of the Haripura Congress Session in 1938. During his term as Congress President, he talked of planning in concrete terms, and set up a National planning Committee in October that year. At the end of his first term, the presidential elections to the Tripuai Congress session took place early 1939. Subhash Chandra Bose was re-elected, defeating Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya who had been backed by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Working Committee


ESTABLISHING INA


Clouds of World War II were on the horizon and he brought a resolution to give the British six months to hand India over to the Indians, failing which there would be a revolt. There was much opposition to his rigid stand, and he resigned from the post of president and formed a progressive group known as the Forward Block.


Subhas Chandra Bose now started a mass movement against utilizing Indian resources and men for the great war. There was a tremendous response to his call and he was put under house arrest in Calcutta. In January 1941,


AN EXTREMIST IN PATRIOTISM


Subhas Chandra Bose disappeared from his home in Calcutta and reached Germany via Afghanistan. Working on the proverb that "an enemy's enemy is a friend", he sought cooperation of Germany and Japan against British Empire. In January 1942, he began his regular broadcasts from Radio Berlin, which aroused tremendous enthusiasm in India. In July 1943, he arrived in Singapore from Germany. In Singapore he took over the reins of the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia from Rash Behari Bose and organised the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) comprising mainly of Indian prisoners of war. He was hailed as Netaji by the Army as well as by the Indian civilian population in East Asia. Azad Hind Fauj proceeded towards India to liberate it from British rule. On the way, it lliberated Andeman and Nicobar Islands. The I.N.A. Head quarters was shifted to Rangoon in January 1944. Azad Hind Fauj crossed the Burma Border, and stood on Indian soil on March 18 1945.


LAST DAYS


However, defeat of Japan and Germany in the Second World War forced INA to retreat and it could not achieve its objective. Subhash Chandra Bose was reportedly killed in an air crash over Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) on August 18, 1945. Though it is widely believed that he was still alive after the air crash not much information is known about him. Indeed he is the unsung hero of Indian Independence.