(2048,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Lines of Tantra</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b>\r\n<font size=\"4\">Lines of Tantra</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>(Charyapada)<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>AT least the names,\r\n&quot;Natha-yogis&quot; and &quot;Siddhacharyas&quot; must have been familiar\r\nto you, perhaps you may have heard about their writings too, the body of poetry\r\nknown as <span class=SpellE><i>caryapadavali</i></span><i>. </i>Today\r\nI would like to say something on this subject. This introduces us to a\r\nparticular epoch in our history and its peculiar training and culture, where\r\nthe human consciousness has found a particular expression for which one cannot\r\nfind a parallel. It<b> </b>was what is known as the age of Tantric Buddhism.\r\nDuring this period, a special kind of spiritual discipline and culture had been\r\ngrowing as a result of the Buddhist influence. It extended mainly over\r\nnorth-eastern <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nbut the whole of north <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand to a certain extent the South too came within its orbit.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\npoetry is the record of an inner empire which, it is supposed, may have lasted\r\nfrom the eighth to the eleventh centuries. The story of the discovery of these\r\nwritings is a fascinating one. Just a little over half a century ago, Pandit\r\nHaraprasad Shastri, a, truly gifted scholar and lover of the Bengali language\r\nand literature, had been doing some researches into the ancient history of\r\nBengal and was earnestly engaged in the collection of old manuscripts in the\r\nvillages and the libraries. In<b> </b>this connection he once went to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Nepal</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand there he chanced across some ancient manuscripts, among which there was one\r\nthat drew his particular attention. At first he thought it might be some work in\r\nan earlier form of Hindi and did not accordingly give it much <span\r\nclass=SpellE>atten<span\r\nclass=GramE>tion</span>. </span></p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 113<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span class=SpellE>But afterwards, when out of curiosity he read\r\nthrough the manuscript with care, he made the startling discovery that here was\r\nthe earliest and a beautifully poetic form of the Bengali language. The\r\nmanuscript contained fifty poems or songs; they were the work of a Tantric\r\nBuddhist group known as Siddhacharyas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Later\r\non, he made the further discovery that there was a Sanskrit commentary on these\r\npoems, for without a commentary it is difficult to get at their true import.\r\nThey abound in suggestive symbols and illustrations of a line of spiritual\r\ndiscipline. Another curious thing about these poems was that he could discover\r\na complete translation of these poems in Tibetan. This in itself indicates the\r\nimportance and influence of these verses. In fact, these are not ordinary\r\npoems. They have the power of the <span class=GramE>Mantra,</span> they are\r\nrecords of spiritual experiences and are helps to their realisation. Another\r\nthing: several pages were found missing in the particular manuscript that the Pandit had discovered, with the result that one or two of the poems were not\r\nto be found at all and one or two others were available only in fragments.\r\nLuckily, the commentary in Sanskrit and the Tibetan translation were available\r\nfor the entire series, and with their help the missing parts have been\r\nreconstructed in full.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nspiritual <span class=GramE>discipline followed by these Siddhacharyas as also\r\ntheir culture were</span>, as I have said, of a peculiar character. They did\r\nnot follow the ordinary rules of conduct prevalent in society and normally\r\naccepted by all. There was no aura of tradition about them, like the aura that\r\nsurrounds the Vedantic tradition; their science was not that of the learned\r\nand respectable upper strata of society, the Brahmin or the Kshatriya class.\r\nThe science of which we speak here is an esoteric science; the path of\r\nspiritual discipline and inner practice to which it leads is not the Righthand\r\nbut the Left-hand path. The Vedantist, one who follows the Vedantic path, says\r\nin clear terms: &quot;That which</p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;text-indent:12.2pt;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\n– 114<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:7.65pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>is</span> Thy Face turned to the Right, by That protect me&quot;, <span\r\nclass=SpellE>yat</span> <span class=SpellE>te</span> daksnia-mukhamh tena <span\r\nclass=SpellE>mam</span> <span class=SpellE>pahi</span> nityam.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Vedanta\r\nis the path of Knowledge and of one who has the Knowledge; it is a Path of the\r\nawakened and enlightened intellect. Tantra, especially the Tantra of the\r\nLeft-hand Path, has sought to guide and train man through another kind of\r\ndiscipline, along the lines of the vital, even the physical-vital movements\r\nthat are common to all menthe natural lines of the natural man. Buddha had\r\nproclaimed his message to the common man, in the Prakrit dialects understood by\r\nall; he did not address it to the cultured and learned intelligentsia, in\r\nSanskrit, the language of learning. Tantra follows in its discipline this line\r\nof popular appeal. That is why we find it so popular particularly in the lower\r\nstrata of society. The Prakrit texts of Tantra as well as the Charyapadavali\r\neulogise the &quot;untouchables&quot; –<b> </b>the Radi, the Dom, the Bede, the\r\nChandala and the Sabara, they occupy the chief place. It is however true that\r\nafterwards, when the learned elite came to realise the importance and utility\r\nof this line of spiritual discipline, they laid their hands on it and sought to\r\nturn it round towards the Right-hand Path.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:8.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Thus,\r\nif Vedanta was the Path of the educated elite, Tantra was a discipline meant\r\nfor the generality of men.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\nshall now look a little deeper into the peculiarities of each and try to find\r\nout their distinctive features. The ultimate state of consciousness in the view\r\nof the Buddhists and those influenced by them is that of the Non-Self. Vedanta\r\non the other hand takes its stand on the Self, the Conscious Being who is\r\nextra-cosmic and beyond all manifestation. Buddha did not take cognisance of\r\nthis Self, the Buddhists have altogether denied <span class=GramE>Its</span>\r\nexistence. The followers of Tantra, whether Buddhistic or otherwise, have not\r\nsought to escape from the world into some extra-cosmic state, Nirvana or Self.\r\nThey have brought down into this world and established here another kind of <span\r\nclass=GramE>Self</span>, an inner</p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 115</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>conscious</span>\r\nbeing. In their experience, Shiva has his abode (as the Jiva in the form of the\r\ninner Witness) within man and this earth. Creation or the manifested worlds\r\ninclude the earth, the earth includes man, and man is primarily the human body\r\nand life, his mind being an obedient servant of these two. The Tantrics have\r\nsought for the Power that rules over man\'s body and life.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Vedanta\r\nregards Brahman, the Supreme Reality, as if aloof from the created universe,\r\nabove it and utterly transcending it. The result has been to declare the world\r\nto be a falsehood and an illusion, <span class=SpellE><i>mithya</i></span><i>,\r\n<span class=SpellE>maya</span>. </i>Akin to this line of Vedantic\r\nthought is the doctrine of Sankhya which makes the Purusha or Conscious Being\r\nseparate from Prakriti or Nature, places Purusha outside or above Prakriti,\r\ndeclares the Purusha as entirely conscious whereas Prakriti is unconscious.\r\nTantra on the other hand places Purusha not outside or above Prakriti, but\r\nrather brings Him down into the heart of Prakriti and establishes Him there;\r\nShakti is not transcended by Shiva, Shiva is within Shakti. Not even satisfied\r\nwith that, Tantra reverses the position altogether by placing Shiva under the\r\nfeet of Shakti.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nVedantic discipline is in a sense comparatively simple and easy. For it takes\r\none straight path to the heights by rejecting all with its formula of &quot;not\r\nthis&quot;, &quot;not that&quot;, <i>neti, neti, </i>its method is to fix the\r\nconsciousness in the head, at the centre of knowledge, and from there to move\r\nto the higher levels with the Purusha-consciousness as the mainstay. Tantra has\r\nclung to Mother-Nature, that is, it has not sought to reject and deny the\r\nexistence of the vital and physical movements. Its aim has been to establish on\r\na sound basis these so-called lower but stronger movements, by controlling\r\nthem and purifying them into their true elements. The ordinary man, every man\r\nin fact, has to live with his body and vital being, with the physical life and\r\nthe vital force as his main supports. Since these things exist, they must have\r\na purpose. They alone can delve into the mystery of the</p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 116<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>ordinary</span>\r\nlife who have been living the ordinary life. That is why this line of\r\ndiscipline is described as the line of the natural man; this is the Natural\r\nPath, the Way of Sahajiya. This Path has had greater attractions for the\r\ncommonalty of men than for the learned men of intellect with their education\r\nand culture. It is among the lowest classes that it has found most votaries;\r\nthere its influence has spread, there it has been best known.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nhis inner make-up and outward activities man is a biune entity; here too as in\r\nthe universe, there is an upper and a lower half. The upper half extends from\r\nthe head to the chest, the lower from the navel to the feet. The upper half is\r\nrepresented by the Brahmin and the Kshatriya, and to the lower belong the\r\nVaishya and the Shudra, including the Untouchable; the Shudra, says the Vedic\r\ntext, was born of the Creator\'s feet, <span class=SpellE>padbhyam</span>\r\n<span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>sudra</span> ajayata. The Veda and the Upanishads glorify the\r\nBrahmin and the Kshatriya; in Tantra, especially in the popular Tantra of the\r\nSiddhacharras, the greatness of the lower orders has been brought out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nthere is also another point to note. If we look at the question, not merely\r\nfrom the point of view of man\'s inner and outer make-up, but also take into\r\naccount the lines of its historic evolution or development, we may plausibly\r\ncome to the conclusion that the Tantric discipline represents a continuation or\r\nperhaps the remnant of a much older practice. Man did not come to live by his\r\nintellect from the very beginning, he at first lived by his vital instincts; he\r\ndid not start on his march on earth with an assured knowledge and a refined\r\nmind, he had to begin his journey with his body and vital being as the main\r\nprops. Therefore his first problem was to solve the riddle of his body and\r\nlife. He did not at first seek for the Self or Supreme Being, first he had to\r\ndiscover his inner self, the indwelling lord of his body and life. I have\r\nspoken of Shiva in the form of Jiva within man, it would perhaps be more\r\ncorrect to speak of Shakti or Nature</p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 117<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>assuming</span>\r\nthe form of Jiva. In fact, it is when Earth-Nature with matter and life as its\r\nbase and primary instrument assumes a conscious form in man that we have the\r\nhuman soul. The awakening of this inner soul has been the driving force behind\r\nman\'s progress and development, his earthly evolution and inner unfolding. The\r\nsecret Man dwelling within man, this Jiva in the form of Conscious Being, is\r\nwhat the follower of the Sahajiya Path have called the Beautiful Man, the\r\nChoicest Man, the Natural Man. With what affection and respect and in how many\r\ndiverse ways have these followers of the Sahajiya Path, the Siddhacharyas,\r\nlifted the veil off this mysterious Entity! Herein <span class=GramE>lies</span>\r\nthe central principle and the keynote of their life and spiritual discipline.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nis said that the Way of Knowledge follows the Way of Works, Vedanta comes after\r\nVeda. This is as true from the outward, historical point of view as it is true\r\nof the lines of inner change. As I have already explained, man begins his\r\ncareer as a vital-physical being, becomes a mental being at a later stage. But\r\nthe trouble is that when he goes beyond his vital being into the mental, he\r\ntends to pass beyond mind into the gnosis and forgets his life and body; this\r\nis what is known as Nihilism or the Vedantic Illusionism. But as a social\r\nbeing, man has remained what he was, a being of the physical and vital <span\r\nclass=GramE>planes,</span> and these cannot be ignored, nor is it proper to do\r\nso. It is here that Tantra steps in. That is why I have said that Tantricism\r\nhas found a ready acceptance among those who are concerned particularly with\r\nthe physical life, the &quot;natural men&quot;. These men have been derided and\r\ndespised by orthodox Vedantists and by men at the top of the social hierarchy.\r\nThat is why the Tantrics have had to form esoteric groups and often remain for\r\nages hidden like an underground stream; they have been submerged in the lower\r\nreaches of society. They have taken as their chosen deity, not Durga or\r\nLakshmi, nor Brahma or Vishnu, but Kali and Karali, Chandi and Baguli. In the</p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;text-indent:11.5pt;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\n– 118<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<span class=GramE>words</span>\r\nof one of these poets: <span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\"\'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\"\'>&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/119.gif\" width=\"280\" height=\"63\" border=\"0\"></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:257.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For an\r\nentire epoch, the line of this particular form of spiritual discipline was\r\npractically restricted to people who were beyond the pale or on the fringes of\r\ncivilised society. If you want to know in what manner, <span class=GramE>then</span>\r\nlisten to what one of its teachers, the poet Kahnupada has to say.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:257.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>O thou Dom Woman, thy\r\ncottage is beyond the city </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:3.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>limits</span>,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>Where\r\nshaven-headed Brahmins roam.</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\nI shall keep thee company,–<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I who am a Kapalika Yogi,\r\nnaked and without<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:5\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nclass=GramE>compunctions</span>. <o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There is only one Lotus\r\nwith its sixty-four petals,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>On which dances this Dom\r\nWoman with myself, the <o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:6\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nclass=GramE>Jiva.</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Dom Woman, I ask thee a\r\nstraight question:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>On whose boat art thou\r\ncoming and going?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This poor fellow no longer\r\nsells baskets or cat-gut,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For thy sake alone he has\r\ngiven up his actor\'s robe.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Thou art a Dom Woman and I\r\na Kapalika;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Yet for thy sake have I\r\nput away my garland of bones.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\nI have broken into the lake and robbed it of its lotus<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;\r\n</span><span class=GramE>stalks</span> to eat them. <o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I have given thee a\r\nbeating, taken thy life.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/119a.gif\" width=\"250\" height=\"138\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n		<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n2.6pt;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:25.9pt 45.35pt 118.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\r\npadding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\n\'>Page – 119<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/120.gif\" width=\"260\" height=\"170\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Kahnupada\r\ngives here a vivid sketch, attractive and neat and clear, of the rural life of\r\nhis age, the conditions of village society. And with this as the background, he\r\nlets us have an insight at once deep and clear into some details of his sadhana\r\nor spiritual endeavour. This sadhana, as I have already\r\nmentioned, was unacceptable to the upper reaches of society; derided by the\r\nlearned elite, it was the esoteric sadhana of the\r\n&quot;depressed&quot; classes. That is why the Dom Woman has been taken as the\r\nForce behind the sadhana, the symbol of the Cherished Deity.\r\nThe dark lady, this untouchable beauty may draw perhaps the greedy attentions\r\nof the learned elite and &quot;high-class&quot; Brahmins. But their enormously\r\ndecorous attire, their learning and knowledge of scripture, their rites and\r\nobservances have served to keep them away from that secret Power of\r\nMother-Nature without an ornamental garb. That is why we find Kahnupada saying\r\nthat he has divested himself of all kinds of decorative wear, has renounced\r\nall positions and titles, and has become a naked Kapalika, a nude ascetic in\r\nhis body, mind and life. It is in this way that he has qualified himself\' to meet\r\nhis Supreme Beloved. What is to be their trysting-place? In the sanctuary of\r\nthe inner heart where has blossomed forth a superb lotus with its sixty-four\r\npetals spread out to the sky. The sixty-four here must have been meant to\r\nsymbolise the integrality of consciousness: four are the main levels or planes\r\nof consciousness – body, life, mind and all that is above<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<div class=Section2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 120<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>mind</span>\r\n– and the number sixty is their multiple and various divisions or lines of\r\nexpression.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.35pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nordinary ignorant man passes through life, plying the boat of his ignorant\r\nordinary consciousness with its cargo of worldly cares. But the free inner\r\nconsciousness moves along other paths. Kahnu would sail on the boat of that\r\ninner consciousness and take to those paths.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.8pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nworld is as if a lake where lies hidden a lotus-stalk which is no other than\r\nthe Cherished Deity of Kahnu. So we find him saying: &quot;I shall churn the world-lake\r\nin Thy quest; it is like a prison-house, I shall break it and rescue Thee from\r\nthere.&quot; This is as if one has to snatch away the Beloved Lady from the\r\ngrasp of the enemy after a fierce fight. To claim and possess by sheer force\r\nheaven and its Deity – this is the heroic way of the hero-aspirant, <span\r\nclass=SpellE>vira-sadhaka</span>.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now\r\nlook at another picture by another poet of this path. Here too taken as\r\nbackground is the daily life of the common man in his village environment:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The world-stream flows by,\r\ndeep and fast,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Between its muddy banks\r\nthe water is full to the brim. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A bridge has been built\r\nacross by Chatilapada<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>for</span> the sake of Dharma; </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now one can cross over to\r\nthe other shore without fear. By cutting down the tree of Delusion its wooden\r\nfloor<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:2.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:\r\n.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>has</span> been framed. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The axe has\r\nbeen your Self of Nirvana, grasp it firmly<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:\r\n.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>to</span> strengthen your sense of\r\nUnity. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Get on to\r\nthe <span class=GramE>bridge,</span> turn not to right or left.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Knowledge is near at hand,\r\nwhy go afar?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Those of you who wish to\r\ncross over,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:231.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Better ask Chatila, the supreme master,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:1.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>the</span>\r\nSelf-realised man without a peer.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.6pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/121.gif\" width=\"280\" height=\"66\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.6pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 121</span><span style=\'font-family:Arial\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.6pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/122.gif\" width=\"280\" height=\"199\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:8.85pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.35pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nart of living is to move forward in a continuous progression; this is what\r\ngives value to life. But the spiritual seeker and Yogin <span class=GramE>aims</span>\r\nnot merely at movement and progress. What he seeks is a crossing over, from\r\nthis shore of the ordinary consciousness to the other shore of another kind of\r\nconsciousness. This is commonly pictured as a ferrying, but the crossing can be\r\ndone by building a bridge as well. The poet here speaks of such a bridge. He\r\nsays, this world, this worldly life of ours is like a deep rushing stream bounded\r\nby muddy fiats, a play of all kinds of movements with their deep subconscient\r\nroots. You are to build a bridge across. For that you will need rafters. Man is\r\ncaught in the network of delusions which firmly knit together like <span\r\nclass=GramE>a tree have</span> spread their shadow over the world. Tear it\r\ndown, cut it up, get together the little bits of dead longings with the little\r\nlife still left in them, gather them up, make them one-pointed, make of them a\r\nsolid mass. The tree of Delusion felled down, the heart of desire having found\r\nthe peace of Nirvana, a sense of solid Unity will dawn on this Nirvana\r\nconsciousness. Just as the axe is indispensable as an implement for making a\r\nbridge, so is this urge to Nirvana essential for building the inner bridge,\r\nbetween the lower and the higher consciousness. You should move straight\r\nforward with this one-pointed aim, you are not to disperse the consciousness, <span\r\nclass=GramE>your</span> feet are not to waver in doubt. You will then find that\r\nthe knowledge and experience that you seek will<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.35pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 122<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.35pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>not</span>\r\ntake you far away from the world; they are here within your heart, near at\r\nhand. This is the unique truth that has been revealed by this Siddhacharya\r\nwithout a peer.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:8.85pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\nhave seen something\' of the symbolic images of the life <span style=\'font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>of \r\n<span style=\"font-family:\'Times New Roman\';\">siidhanii\r\nas they have been taken from the village life and natural\r\nenvironment of the times. I shall now give a few samples both amusing and\r\ninstructive of the way in which the social and family customs of the age have\r\nserved the same purpose with these poets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\nare familiar with the position occupied by the young wife in the household of\r\nher in-laws, not only in this but in other countries as well, although there\r\nare in this matter certain special peculiarities in our system. <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>the language <span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>of </span>these\r\npoets, the household of the in-laws represents the confines of the ordinary\r\nignorant consciousness; into these, confines has been introduced and kept\r\nimprisoned the inner Deity who is the Divine Being and Cherished Godhead. That\r\nis why the poet urges in tones of thunder: Give a good beating and make a clean\r\nsweep of all the in-laws, the father, the mother, the sister and the sister-in-law\r\nof the husband:</p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:34.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/123.gif\" width=\"300\" height=\"37\" border=\"0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:34.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The wife will reign there\r\nin her glory without anyone to share her power. The in-laws\' house is the body\r\nof man, the vehicle of his life and mind. Its ancient master and mistress have\r\nto be displaced, it has to be made neat and clean, and there you have to set up\r\nyour Cherished Goddess, your innermost Self, the Divine Being – the Buddhists\r\ncall her by another name, the Godhead of the Nihil or Non-Self.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There\r\nis another thing that we find interesting here. Even in those days the\r\ncondition of the ordinary Bengali was perhaps as miserable as it is now. The\r\nSiddhacharya has introduced himself as a Bengali, and he says: Bhusuku, your\r\nlot is now truly that of a Bengali; for the robber bands have come and robbed\r\nyou of your boat, broken into your house, even abducted your wife. Bhusuku, you\r\nhave now become<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n8.15pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 123<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n8.15pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>a</span>\r\nveritable Bengali!</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nthis is not all that he means; the inner sense is this: O seeker, what you have\r\nlost through the robbers is your worldly possessions, the chains of ignorance.\r\nThe robbers who came and did all the havoc were really a sign of Divine Grace.\r\nYour wife whom they have taken away was no other than your ignorant ego. Your\r\ntrue family and friends will be the companionship of your inner Self, the\r\nBeloved within.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\ninner mysteries in every path of spiritual discipline are difficult to grasp,\r\nthey are beyond all language and the mind. Words do not express them, mental\r\nthought cannot grasp them. The secrets of the sadhana of these\r\nSiddhacharyas are still more mysterious. One cannot understand them oneself,\r\nfar less make them intelligible to others. So, we find Kahnupada saying: on\r\nthis path the teacher is as if dumb, the disciple is like one who is deaf:</p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/124.gif\" width=\"280\" height=\"61\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now\r\nlet us pass on to a different kind of feeling and tone, – a softer feeling and\r\na sweeter tone, with a more intimate touch of the heart:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There is an incessant\r\ndownpour of the streams of Grace; Gone is the strife of &quot;Is&quot; and\r\n&quot;Is not&quot;;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In mid-heaven arises a\r\nstrange <span class=GramE>Something</span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Bhusuku, now look at your\r\ntrue Natural Being;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A glimpse of this breaks\r\nall the bonds of sense,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The heart is filled with a\r\nsecret spontaneous delight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>By purification of the\r\ncontacts with the objects of sense I now understand what <span class=GramE>is\r\nDelight</span>:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It is as if the skies are\r\nbright with the moon.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This is the Essence of the\r\nthree worlds.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Yogi Bhusuku has rent the\r\nDarkness asunder.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 124<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:8.15pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/125.gif\" width=\"260\" height=\"231\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:8.15pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nDivine Grace is descending from on High in a continuous stream, thus is\r\nobliterated the sense of Being and Non-Being, all doubts and difficulties as to\r\nwhether It exists or not. On the screen of the individual consciousness there\r\narises a strange Form, like Uma-Haimavati of the Upanishad. Bhusuku, this is\r\nyour true Natural Form. Once you know and recognise <span class=GramE>It</span>,\r\nall the bonds of sense are broken, the heart fills of itself with a supreme\r\ndelight. This is the real purification of <span class=GramE>sense,</span> this\r\nenables you to establish with the objects of sense, with all objects, your true\r\nand pure relation, giving as result the emergence of supreme Bliss. This is\r\nthe Moon in your inner skies, the Delight within the three worlds of mind, life\r\nand body which spreads its moonshine on all your consciousness. Lo, there is\r\nleft no trace of darkness in the Yogic mind of Bhusuku.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let\r\nus move a little farther, into the realm of a deeper principle, into the\r\nmysteries of a mote complicated symbolism. Here is a specimen of riddling verse:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It does not become an\r\n&quot;Is&quot;, nor does it <span class=GramE>turn</span> out to be<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:right 3.6in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>&quot;Is\r\nnot&quot;:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Such being the Supreme\r\nKnowledge, who can put his<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:right 3.6in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nclass=GramE>faith</span> in It?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Luipada says it is an\r\nincomprehensible Science.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 125<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n8.15pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Its Illumination consists\r\nof three elements,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But <span class=GramE>It</span>\r\ncannot be grasped.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I do not know what colour <span\r\nclass=GramE>It</span> has, what signs, what<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:3.0in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>form</span> –</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>How shall I explain it\r\nwith reference to scripture?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Whom shall I ask, and\r\nwhat?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It is as if the shadow of\r\nthe moon in water –<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-indent:148.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>neither</span> real nor unreal.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Lui says: what shall I\r\nmeditate on?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Of <span class=GramE>That</span>\r\nwhich makes up my &quot;I&quot; I find no hints.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src=\"_Gif%20Image/126.gif\" width=\"260\" height=\"234\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\ncannot be said that <span class=GramE>It</span> exists, it cannot be said that\r\nIt does not exist. Can such a thing be grasped by any hidden faculties? It is a\r\nLight made up of three elements, and yet <span class=GramE>It</span> has no\r\ncolour or form or distinguishing marks. The reason is that the outer\r\nsense-organs cannot reach <span class=GramE>It</span>, nor can the mind grasp\r\nIt no matter how well-versed in scripture it be. The reflection of the moon in\r\nwater looks fine and cool and sweet – it exists and is yet unreal. Likewise, in\r\nthe inner skies of our consciousness <span class=GramE>It</span> appears as\r\nBeauty and Delight, but It transcends all thought or image; who then can unravel\r\nIts mystery?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nthree elements here may well represent the body, life and mind, and the Light\r\nis the inner Consciousness that rules over them. The Vedantin may say that this\r\nLight is no<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 126<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span class=GramE>other</span>\r\nthan his Brahman whose attributes are Existence, Conscious Power and Bliss,<i> saccidananda.</i>\r\nIt is remarkable that the Rishis of the Upanishads too speak somewhat in\r\nanalogous style and. language of an Ineffable Something, which is\r\n&quot;difficult to be seen, a secret immanent lying as in a cave or deep\r\ncavity&quot;, <i>durdarsyam gudham-anupravistam guhahitam\r\ngahvarestham</i><span style=\'font-family:Arial\'><i>.</i> </span>Long before the\r\nUpanishads, the Rishis of the Rigveda also have spoken of a similar experience:\r\nNon-Being was not there nor was <span class=GramE>Being</span>. Who was, or\r\nwhat it was, who can tell? Only He can tell who is the overlord of all this. Or\r\nperhaps, He too cannot tell – ye <i>asya adhyaksa parame vyoman</i>, so <i>anga <span\r\nclass=GramE>veda</span> yadi va na veda.</i><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So\r\nwe see that our ancient Rishis were not so far removed after all from these\r\nSiddhacharyas. There was something about these non-conformist Tantriks that was\r\nof the essence of Vedanta; those who to an apparent view seem to have lived\r\nbeyond the pale have shown themselves to be the peers<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>of</span>\r\nthe &quot;respectable&quot; classes in their manner and style as in the\r\nrichness of their experience; the untouchables have made themselves as worthy\r\nof respect as the Brahmins. As we read of their experience and listen to their\r\nwords, there come to mind the lines of Rabindranath:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:3.1pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:41.0pt center 106.8pt left 142.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/127.gif\" width=\"260\" height=\"52\" border=\"0\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:3.1pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:41.0pt center 106.8pt left 142.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But,\r\nas I have said in the beginning, in one respect the realisation of these\r\nSiddhacharyas has gone farther than that of the Upanishadic seers, they have\r\ntaken two or three steps ahead. The Upanishads and the Vedantins stop with the\r\nrealisation of the Ananda plane; <i>saccidananda</i> has been their limit.\r\nBut these Siddhacharyas of the esoteric cult have passed beyond the realm of\r\nDelight to that of Divine Love; this Love too has changed from an inner\r\nexperience to a divine Passion and Joy in the physical body. In other words,\r\nthey have arrived at the experience of bodily delight with the full consciousness\r\nof the heights, effected a unique mar<span\r\nclass=SpellE><span class=GramE>riage</span> </span>\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 127<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:214.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nclass=SpellE>of pure consciousness with\r\ngross matter. Theirs is not the lotus that blooms in heaven without a <span\r\nclass=GramE>stem,</span> it blossoms on earth with its roots deep in the mud.\r\nWith the beauty and fragrance of the lotus petals have mingled the sap and\r\nscent of earth\'s soil.<span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nNihilism of the Buddhists and the Illusionism of Shankar a have cast a long\r\nshadow on these Charyapada verses. Nihil and Sahaja are often taken as being\r\none and the same. But actually the two elements run like water and oil in\r\nseparate streams in both. Nihil is no other than the Illusion of the Vedantin,\r\nbut Sahaja gives a definite form to the mystic principle of the Body. That is\r\nwhy the Siddhacharyas say that Nihil is not an entire Negation, it is the\r\nperfect Integer, Illusion is not Unreality, <span class=GramE>it</span> is the\r\nindivisible Whole. One of them says in clear terms that the true Nihil is that\r\nfrom which all irrelevant parts and fractions have fallen off: it is not the\r\ncomplete negation of things. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>the\r\nwords of Kahnu:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>My mind has found the\r\nfulfilment of Nihil in Sahaja. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Who says, Kahnu does not\r\nexist?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He is always immanent in\r\nthe universe,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-indent:167.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>as</span> cream is in milk. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Are things wholly\r\ndestroyed when they get broken? </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Does the unending breaking\r\nof the surf make the ocean dry?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:167.75pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'font-family:\r\nArial\'><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/128.gif\" width=\"180\" height=\"34\" border=\"0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 128<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-15_Lines of Tantra','','publish','closed','open','','15_lines-of-tantra','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/15_lines-of-tantra/',0,'post','',0),(2049,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Sri Ramakrishna</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">Sri Ramakrishna</font></b></p>\r\n		<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>SRI Ramakrishna represents\r\nspirituality at its absolute, its pristine fount and power. In him we find the\r\npure gold of spirituality at a time when duplicity, perplexity, deceit and\r\nfalsehood on the one hand and atheism, disbelief and irreverence on the other\r\nreigned supreme.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>When\r\nspirituality had almost disappeared from the world and even in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nit existed, as it were, merely in name, there was the advent of Sri Ramakrishna\r\nbringing with him spirituality in its sheer plenitude and investing it with\r\neternal certitude and infallibility.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He\r\nproclaimed the quintessence of spirituality casting aside all husk and\r\nrejecting all that was irrelevant. Sri Ramakrishna is the very embodiment of\r\nthis true and unadulterated spirituality.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nfirst word about spirituality is this that it is a clear realisation, an\r\nunveiled intuition of truth, God-attainment. It is not a mere concept or a\r\ndoctrine or an intellectual conclusion, but a living experience, a concrete\r\nrealisation. Philosophers and scholars are at pains to prove the existence of\r\nGod and the Self with the help of reason, argumentation and syllogism. But it\r\nis ridiculous to try that way. You stand before me face to face. Yet should I\r\ntry to prove your presence? Or to prove my own? Truth is self-existent. It is\r\nrear since it exists. The existence of God, the Self, is the truth of all\r\ntruths and is axiomatic. It is a matter of experience, insight and intuition.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The spiritual world is as\r\nreal as this physical world –<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 223<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>even more real,\r\nRamakrishna says. It is a different sphere of consciousness. One has to come up\r\nto this level to know of it and one has to settle here for good, leaving behind\r\none\'s earthly dwelling. Not merely the field of action in life and not just one\r\npart of the being but the whole life and being have to be consecrated to the\r\nattainment of that only Goal. To know the Truth, the Self or God, one has first\r\nto realise them, one has to merge in them, one has to <i><span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>become </span></i>these\r\n– as the Upanishad says, &quot;Verily the knower of the Brahman becomes the\r\nBrahman Itself.&quot; The essential truth of spirituality consists not even in\r\n&quot;doing&quot; something but in this \'becoming\'. Man manifests his inner\r\nsoul through his actions. His external conduct reflects his inner becoming. In\r\nthe words of Sri Ramakrishna, a man breathes out what he eats.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Perhaps\r\nwe have a mission in the world, but before that we have to realise God. He\r\nalone has the right to act, and his deeds alone achieve fulfilment, who has\r\nbeen chosen and authorised by God. The spiritual practice of Sri Ramakrishna\r\nlaid great stress on Yogic <i>trance. </i>It signifies that the outer mind\r\nshould be withdrawn from all sense-attraction, not going out in all directions\r\nbut focussed on the pure spiritual truth, like an arrow shot into its target.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>What\r\nabsurd ideas do we not cherish in the name of spirituality? Firstly, according\r\nto the common notion a spiritual figure, a Yogi, a sadhu is he who is endowed\r\nwith some miraculous powers - as for instance, walking over water, flying in\r\nthe sky, living without food or eating an enormous quantity, healing diseases\r\nat a puff of breath, telling the ins and outs of a man at sight or at the mere\r\nmention of his name. Any accomplishment of this kind commands our humble\r\ndevotion. The eightfold occult powers are considered the very acme of\r\nspirituality. In <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> too the measure and the proof\r\nof a saint lie in miracles. Sri Ramakrishna\'s advent demonstrated the simple\r\ntruth that miracles have nothing to do with spirituality; performing miracles.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 224<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>becomes rather an obstacle\r\nto spirituality, and it is a proof of the want of true spirituality. Such\r\npowers lead the aspirants astray from the straight path into blind alleys. The\r\nmeasure of spirituality is not the display of occult power but the attainment\r\nof discrimination, dispassion, devotion and love of God and such other\r\nwell-known but eternal qualities.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>On\r\nthe other hand, spirituality does not consist in any doctrine whatsoever.\r\nSpirituality is not based on a credo or a mental deduction or a dogma. Real\r\nspirituality is not a rational conclusion, but a realisation in the heart and a\r\ndirect intuition. A spiritual man may not express his realisations through a\r\nnew doctrine or relate it to some already existing doctrines, but that will not\r\nin any way diminish his spirituality. Again many people hold that the observance\r\nof ceremonials and rites comprises spirituality; this too is far from the\r\ntruth. The truth does not lie in any of these things. A spiritual aspirant may\r\ntake their help if necessary, but the spiritual realisation is far above them\r\nand quite a different thing.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>One\r\nthing is ever associated with the name of Sri Ramakrishna – it is the\r\nsynthesis of all religions. He has synthesised all religions within him. By\r\nsynthesis we usually mean finding out the essential principles of different\r\nreligions and harmonising them. But Sri Ramakrishna\'s work was not of this\r\ntype. Every religion leads to the same goal. However different and\r\ncontradictory may appear the outer forms of spiritual disciplines,\r\nfundamentally each derives from the same source and culminates in the same\r\nTruth. Sri Ramakrishna has proved this unity and has brought about, so to say,\r\na unification, not merely a union, of all religions.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.35pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Religions\r\nare at variance, not on the conception of God or spirituality, but when\r\nsomething else is adored in their name or in their stead. When we take some\r\nphysical miracle or vital power or mental dogma as the object of our devotion,\r\nthen we deviate from the true spiritual path and become worshippers of\r\ninferior gods or spirits of the lower\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 225<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>order. The spiritual\r\nworld, or God as He verily is, is beyond the domains of the body, life and\r\nmind. Further, transcending these there is a fourth realm and its truth and\r\ndharma alone constitute God-realisation and true spirituality.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Another\r\nvery important characteristic distinguishing Ramakrishna is that he has taken\r\nspirituality in a simple, straight, common-sense view and has attained it in a\r\nvery matter-of-fact way. He is generally depicted to a great extent as one who\r\nwas rapt in a state of inwardness and devoid of external and worldly knowledge.\r\nWhatever his behaviour in the conduct of daily life, he was marvellously\r\npragmatic in his inner consciousness and in the practice of his spiritual\r\nsadhana. Dogmatism, nebulous fantasy and sophistry eclipse the truth, the\r\nthing in itself, and in the place of truth a semblance of truth or something\r\nquite non-essential is interpolated. The amount of common sense that is needed\r\nfor success in ordinary life is also equally required for victory in the domain\r\nof consciousness. Sri Ramakrishna was endowed with an inborn, alert, practical \r\nsense. So nothing could delude him in the name of spirituality and nothing could \r\nentrap him in any way. Moreover, by virtue of this quality he has brought about \r\nan immense reconciliation between the physical and the spiritual worlds. In a \r\ngood many cases men, devoted too much to spirituality, are found to be inept in \r\nkeeping up with the physical world or to res<i>pond </i>to <i>it </i>adequately.\r\n<i>Sri </i>Ramakrishna <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-style:italic\'>is<i> not </i></span>to\r\nbe classed among them. The ideal of Sri Ramakrishna would not admit stupidity as\r\na qualification for saintliness.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Sri\r\nRamakrishna\'s advent took place in a scientific age, in the world of modern\r\ncivilisation, amid a deluge of atheism, when the physical consciousness was the\r\ndominating principle everywhere. He appeared before such a world in all his\r\nrusticity, for he was to demonstrate by the very example of his own life that\r\nthe highest aim of human life is to find God, to find him dwelling in the heart.\r\n&quot;Know Him alone and give up all thought and speech and act that are of no<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;text-indent:11.25pt;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n226<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>value.&quot; However great\r\nmay be the external education and culture, there is something still higher\r\nbefore which all these dwindle into insignificance and even their complete\r\nabsence does not matter at all if one gets at the one heart of all things.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So\r\nwe see that an ultra-modern youth born and brought up in the atmosphere of\r\nmodernism had to offer all the accomplishments of modern life at the feet of\r\nan artless, rustic soul, with the prayer, &quot;I am thy disciple, deign to\r\nteach me.&quot; Further, inspired by his Master\'s unique power he, Vivekananda,\r\nthrew himself, like a thunderbolt, upon that very country where modern\r\ncivilisation had reached its acme. In Vivekananda modernism received the\r\ninitiation of the supreme spirituality to become its instrument and servitor.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Sri\r\nRamakrishna, at the very outset, proved in his own life the conquest of the\r\ninner over the outer, of Consciousness over Matter, of the spiritual over the\r\nmundane. And then he sought to impress that high truth on the life-plane of\r\nhumanity. He sowed the seed of a new future creation. That is why he is the\r\nconfluence of two epochs. The past ceases and the new future is ushered in him.\r\nHe seems to have assimilated the essence of all the different spiritual\r\npractices of the past and discarded as husk and skin all the non-essentials\r\nwhich vary according to the variations of time and place and person. He brought\r\nforward and revived for the future the real truth, the quintessence of\r\nspirituality, which means also the supreme felicity. The fundamental nature of\r\nthe spiritual perfection of Sri Ramakrishna consists in the realisation of God\r\nin his Absoluteness. He exemplified, philosophically speaking, the unity and\r\nsynthesis of the Self and Nature, existence and power, the immutable and its\r\ndynamis. He used to say that the Eternal and its manifestation .always go\r\ntogether. The Transcendent is inherent in the manifest; again, the manifest is\r\ninherent in the Transcendent. Ascend to the Eternal through the stages of the\r\nmanifestation and come down from the Eternal into its manifestation – its\r\ncreation which should not be looked<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 227<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>upon as an illusion but\r\nonly as a form of the Eternal. Therefore Sri Ramakrishna was the worshipper of\r\nthe Divine Power, the child of the Mother. The Mother herself is the Power of\r\nthe Brahman.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\ndynamic Vedanta of Vivekananda, its application in life, is based on this\r\nfoundation. Spirituality and life are not two separate things – spirituality\r\nshould be established and made to flower and bloom in life itself. This great\r\ntruth always inspired Vivekananda in all his activities. Before the advent of\r\nSri Ramakrishna the word &quot;religion&quot; or &quot;spirituality&quot; used\r\nto convey an otherworldly pursuit to the aspirant and to the public as well.\r\nWherever there was some real spiritual practice, the aim and the impulse\r\nnaturally tended to illustrate the dictum that Brahman alone is the truth and\r\nthe world an illusion. Sri Ramakrishna shook to its roots the then prevailing\r\nconception of illusionism when he made the great Vedantin Totapuri give up the\r\nnegative path, &quot;Brahman is not this, not this&quot;, and accept all this\r\ntoo as Brahman. He further showed Totapuri the glory of the Mother of the\r\nuniverse. Vivekananda seized upon this fundamental realisation of Sri\r\nRamakrishna to turn the tide of religion. His endeavour was to bring down\r\nreligion or spirituality on the surface of the earth, into normal society and\r\ninto the ordinary ways of life-activities. Sri Ramakrishna was a genuine\r\nSannyasin at heart but he had never appeared in the garb of a Sannyasin.\r\nVivekananda in spite of his hoisting up the banner of a Sannyasin was a mighty\r\nworker in his heart and conduct. He was a worker, but inwardly in communion\r\nwith the spirit. No doubt, Sri Ramakrishna laid great stress on Samadhi,\r\ntrance, for the achievement of the unalloyed, pure spiritual truth, but he\r\nnever accepted the Nirvikalpa Samadhi as the sole self-sufficing goal for all\r\nor even for the many. He did not want, personally, to melt away as a salt-doll\r\nin the ocean. Like Ramprasad he would rather not become a lump of sugar but\r\ntaste it instead. The aim of his dynamic personality<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 228<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>was to purify and\r\ntransform the egoistic \'I\' into the real ‘I’, and take part in the play of the\r\nDivine Mother in her creation.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nfuture spiritual realisation will follow this line of development; all efforts\r\nwill seek to make this great realisation still more manifest, widely\r\nestablished and universally practised. Sri Ramakrishna opened this immortalising\r\nfount of true spirituality and Vivekananda spread it abroad to create a living spiritual\r\natmosphere. The spiritual leader of the future will fix for ever its concrete\r\nand permanent form.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 229<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-28_Sri Ramakrishna','','publish','closed','open','','28_sri-ramakrishna','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/28_sri-ramakrishna/',0,'post','',0),(2050,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>OCR Document</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in;text-justify-trim:punctuation\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">Rabindranath the Artist</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>(I)<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>TO-DAY we just want to\r\nstudy Rabindranath the man and not the poet Rabindranath. The poet may raise a\r\nslight objection – he may say that if we want truly to evaluate him we must\r\nconsider him as a poet. What he has done or not done as a man is insignificant;\r\nhe has stored up in his poetry whatever eternal and everlasting was there in\r\nhim, in his true being and real nature. The rest is of no real significance or\r\nvalue. In that respect he may not have a good deal of difference from others,\r\nany marked speciality. The greatest recognition of a poet lies in his poetical\r\nworks. To give prominence to his other qualities is to misunderstand and\r\nbelittle him.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.7pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nin dealing with Rabindranath the man we are not going to concern ourselves with\r\nhis worldly and household life. We are going to study the real man in him whose\r\none aspect has manifested in the poet Rabindranath. Perhaps that real man may\r\nhave had his best and greatest manifestation in his poetry; still the truth,\r\nthe realisation, the achievement of the inner soul that wanted to reveal\r\nthemselves through that manifestation are our topic.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Beauty\r\nis the chief and essential thing in the poetic creation of Rabindranath. He\r\nappreciates beauty and makes others do the same in a delightful manner. He has\r\nmade his poetical work the embodiment of all beauties culled from all places little\r\nby little, whether in the domain of nature or in the inner soul, or in body,\r\nmind and speech. Beautiful<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><span class=GramE>is</span>\r\nhis diction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 147<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Mellowness of word and the gliding rhythm have perhaps reached\r\ntheir acme. Charming is his imagination. Varied and fascinating are the\r\nrichness and intricacy of thought and the fineness and delicacy of feeling. The\r\nthemes of his narratives are attractive in themselves. He has made them more\r\nbeautiful and decorative by clothing them in the most graceful words of subtle\r\nsignificance.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The mango buds fall in\r\nshowers, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The cuckoo sings.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Intoxicated is the night,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Drunk with moonlight.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;Who are you that\r\ncome to <span class=GramE>me,</span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>O compassionate one?&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Asks the woman.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The mendicant replies:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;O Vasavadutta, the\r\ntime is ripe </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>To-night; so to you I\r\ncome.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Or<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The stars drop in the lap\r\nof the sky<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>From the chain hanging\r\ndown to your breast. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The heart is overwhelmed\r\nwith ecstasy<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:\r\nbold\'>In<b> </b></span>the core of Man\'s being:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Blood runs riot in his\r\nveins.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Suddenly your girdles give\r\nway<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>On the horizon, O naked\r\nbeauty!<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>What\r\na visionary world of matchless and unique beauty is unveiled before the mind\'s\r\neye! That is the true Rabindranath, the creator of such magic wonders. Perfect\r\n\'perfection of beauty is inherent in the nature of his inner being. The\r\nadvance he has made in respect of knowledge and power has been far exceeded by\r\nthat of beauty. Knowledge and power have a subordinate place in his\r\nconsciousness.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 148<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>They have been the\r\nobedient servitors of beauty. Rabindranath\'s soul seems to have descended from\r\nthe world of the Gandharvas who are the divine Masters of music. This Gandharva\r\nsaw the light of day to express and spread something of real beauty in the\r\nearthly life. His mission and performance were to manifest beauty in all\r\npossible ways. Many have contributed to the creation of beauty in poetry and\r\nthere are works which are supreme in poetic beauty. There is no doubt that Tagore is one of the foremost among them. But the especiality of Rabindranath\r\nlies in the fact that the poet in his inner soul permeated his whole being.\r\nEven if he had not written any poetry his life <span class=GramE>itself</span>\r\nwould have been a living work of beauty. He himself was handsome in person.\r\nSweet was his speech. Attractive was his decorous demeanour. Beauty was\r\nstamped on his inner nature and outer activities.¹ He was all along creating\r\nbeauty around him and. proceeding from beauty through higher beauties towards\r\nthe supreme Beauty.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nhas been already said that Rabindranath\'s inner Being was a creator of beauty.\r\nBut this beauty he has expressed more through the vibrations of rhythm than\r\nthrough the modelling of form except in some of his supreme utterances. We\r\nnotice that the greater stress of his fine art has been laid on movement than\r\non static beauty and more on the gesture of limbs than on their limned outline.\r\nWe find that his poetic creation has been more akin to the art of music and of\r\nthe dance than that of sculpture and architecture. He has attained to sheer\r\nbeauty through movement and not through immobility, not so much through sight\r\nas through sound. The poet eagerly wants to listen to and seize upon the tunes\r\nof rhythms that overflow in a silent urge behind the external forms or\r\nstructures, the life-vibrations that have manifested in the creation echoing\r\nwith<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:8.85pt;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>¹ <span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>Here we are reminded of the\r\nwords that Rabindranath himself used in his eulogy of Ramendra Sundar Trivedi:\r\n&quot;O Ramendra Sundar! <span class=GramE>beautiful</span> is your heart,\r\nbeautiful your speech and beautiful your smile.&quot;</span><span style=\'font-size:\r\n10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 149<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>sounds</span>.\r\nThe poet wants to bring out the suggestiveness behind the significance of\r\nwords, the incorporeal import comprised in the sentence otherwise framed in\r\nordinary words.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The poet says:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>His Face my eyes have not\r\nmet, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Nor have I heard his\r\nVoice. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At each hush do I <span\r\nclass=GramE>hear</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The sound of his\r\nfootsteps.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.55pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Further:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.55pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He who is beyond the\r\nflight of mind,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>His Feet through my songs<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Do I barely <span\r\nclass=GramE>touch,</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But myself I lose in the\r\necstasy of melody.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:162.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We note that even where he has given a definite form to\r\nbeauty he has not put it forward as a fixed point of concentration. He has set\r\nforth beauty in its moving liquid form. For example –<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:162.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The showers come rushing\r\nto the fore, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The tender paddy plants\r\nmove to and fro </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>With no respite.</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\ndance, the rhythmic movement have given whatever form beauty has. On the whole\r\nwe can describe the goddess of poetry of Kalidasa as standing, in his own\r\nwords, \'immobile like a movement depicted on a picture,\' but in the creation\r\nof Rabindranath we see that \'the singing nymph passes by breaking the trance –.\'<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>every turn of all these\'\r\nvaried forms of cadence and vibration there is an ecstasy, the dying curve of a\r\nsoft tune that gathers in its fall all the sweetnesses that the movement<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 150<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>was</span>\r\ncarrying – the whole merging as it were into a sea of rich peace and silence.\r\nThe poet\'s eloquence is most intimately married to his silence. On one side,\r\nhis vital being, athirst for delight, is overwhelmed with the mass of Nature\'s\r\nwealth, luxuriant in colours and smells, in peals of laughter and rhythms of\r\ndance; his senses enamoured of beauty are eagerly prone to hug the richness of\r\nexternal things; he wants to seize upon the Self, God, through the embrace of\r\nthe senses and the fivefold life-force. Still, there is the other side where\r\nthrough all these varied vicissitudes, his aim finally settles in &quot;the\r\nvast peace that lies in the core of peacelessness.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.1pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nthe midst of his play with the world of action and commotion in which gross\r\nwords play about loudly and ruthlessly, often he leaves them behind and in his\r\nideas and suggestions he climbs up to a subtler plane where the rhythm, the\r\ntune, not the vocable comes to the forefront. The music, the pure music fills\r\nup the background and is not overwhelmed by the concatenation of words and\r\nphrases that lead perhaps to a physical preciseness but also to a certain grossness.\r\nThat music has in it a purity, serenity, lightness, sweetness and beauty that\r\nuttered syllables have not.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For,\r\nthere<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Unheard voices innumerable\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Exchange their whispers in\r\nthe void.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In their silent c1amour<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:19.2pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Unformed thoughts move\r\nforward<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:-.25in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:\r\n1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span class=GramE>Band by band.</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So the aspiration of the\r\npoet is:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I would go\r\nwith the lyre</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Of my life\r\nto the One</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n6.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nwhose measureless halls<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n6.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 151<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n6.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Songs not\r\naudible to the ear </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Are sung\r\neternally.¹<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There is something here\r\nlike what the ancient Greeks used to call the music of the spheres.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\ndiscover almost the primal urge of beauty and the fount of rhythm. It seems we\r\nare at the point when the creation began to assume forms at the first\r\nvibrations of life – all proceed from the vibrant life – <i>Sarvam pranam\r\nejati<span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>\r\n</span>nihsrtam </i>– this mantra of the Upanishad was very dear to\r\nRabindranath and he cited it very often. Rabindranath was a worshipper of\r\nBrahman, but more of the Brahman as the primal sound, the original wave, the\r\nvibrating note that is to manifest in creation. And the unique success he attained\r\nin the cult of this Deity of his heart is the speciality and glory of his\r\npoetical creation. In the following mantra Rabindranath depicts the image of\r\nhis Deity as experienced in trance:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The note has ceased<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But it would linger still\r\nceaselessly, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The lute plays on although\r\nin silence, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Although without\r\nnecessity.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>(2)</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There\r\nis an inner discipline for the attainment of Truth and Good. Truth and Good\r\nwere the objects of sadhana to Rabindranath from the aspect of their beauty and\r\ngrace. He did not worship them so much for their own sake as because the real\r\nTruth and Good are really and supremely beautiful. And they attracted him only\r\nbecause of their beauty.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'mso-line-height-alt:10.55pt;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>¹ <span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\nmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>Here we may recall:<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:\r\n12.0pt\'>&quot;Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard <span class=GramE>Are</span>\r\nsweeter.&quot;</span><span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\nmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\nmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 152<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Love\r\nis a main theme of his poetry and he is a loving personality. In the terms of\r\nthe Vaishnava sadhaka he is a graceful personality, \'Supurusha\'. But his love\r\ntoo is the quintessence of beauty. So his love speaks to him:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>You have taken me by the\r\nhand to the Elysian garden of bloom,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>the</span>\r\nabode of immortality – to shine in my eternal youth there, like the Gods.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Limitless is my beauty\r\nthere.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:right;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.35pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Rabindranath\r\ndid not enjoy love for its own sake as did Chandidas. Beauty has found its\r\nhighest revelation and acme in love. So he had to become a lover. The ultramodern\r\nexperience has separated love from <span class=GramE>beauty,</span> rather it\r\nis trying to bring about a union with ugliness. In that sense Rabindranath is\r\nvery ancient, treading the Eternal Path.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nbeauty depicted by Rabindranath consists in harmony, synthesis, contentment,\r\nserenity and tranquillity. Wherever there is conflict, roughness, crudity,\r\nharshness, there no beauty is found, there a rhythm is broken, the flow is hampered,\r\nthe tune is disturbed, <span class=GramE>here</span> is some flaw in the\r\nmovement. It is why Rabindranath\'s God is supremely beautiful, loving and\r\ngraceful. And</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.8pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nentire abode is flooded with the charm of His face.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Therefore the daily prayer\r\nto his Beloved is also:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:-31.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:-31.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Make me pure, bright and beautiful, <span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>O\r\nmy Lord!<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:19.9pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:10.05pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:-13.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Let all things beautiful in life\r\nresound to the melody of music.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\n\'>Page – 153<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-top:0;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-bottom:0\'>God is God because He is\r\nthe golden thread running through all things of the universe.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>All are\r\nunified in your consciousness wide awake.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Rabindranath\'s\r\nphilanthropy or altruism is the outcome of this union; it is brought about by\r\nthe attraction of the beauty of this union. The whole creation is adorable, a\r\ndesired prize. &quot;We live and move and have our being in the effulgent\r\ndelight of the ether.&quot; For a supremely sweet harmony pervades the\r\ncreation. Rabindranath\'s ideal of the vast human collectivity has also been\r\ninspired by this sense of harmony. All the nations, all the countries of the\r\nworld, keeping\' still their speciality and distinction, will stand united with\r\none another – the human society will thus attain to a flawless beauty. The\r\nrivalry among equals, the tyranny of the superior over the inferior; again, the\r\nslave-mentality of the low before the high – all such abject habits must be\r\nrenounced, because they are harsh, ugly and devoid of beauty. Peace, love,\r\ngenerosity and friendship can make men beautiful individually and collectively.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At\r\nthe root of Rabindranath\'s patriotism also there lies the same love for beauty.\r\nThe lack of beauty in slavery tortured him more than anything else. The\r\nugliness of poverty was more unbearable to him than the actual physical\r\ndestitution. If he could have viewed the wants of life at their own value like\r\nMahatma Gandhi then he would have at least once plied the spinning wheel. But\r\nto him ease or affluence by itself has no importance. Affluence would have its\r\nreal value if it contributed to the rhythm of life. That is why his patriotism\r\nlaid a greater stress on construction than on destruction. To settle things\r\namicably, instead of attacking the enemy, instead of wrangling with the\r\nforeigners, to put one\'s own house in order, to repair and beautify was\r\nconsidered by him a real work to be- done. To build is to create. To create is\r\nto fashion a thing beautifully. The<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 154</span><span\r\nstyle=\'color:blue\'><o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>ideal</span>\r\nof his patriotic society has to foster all limbs of the collective life of the\r\nentire nation, to make it a united organism, to endow it with the beauty of\r\nforms and rhythm in action.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So\r\nwe say that the beautiful poetry and the poetry of beauty written by him are even\r\nsurpassed by the beauty that he brought down into our life, particularly in the\r\nlife of Bengal. The whole contribution of Rabindranath is not exhausted by his\r\npoetical works. Firstly, his was the inspiration that formed around him a\r\nworld of fine arts, a new current of poetry, painting, music, dance and\r\ntheatre. Secondly, his was the life-energy whose vibration created in our\r\ncountry a refined taste and a capacity for subtle experience. Through his\r\ninfluence a consciousness has awakened towards appreciation of beauty. Thirdly,\r\nthe thing which is, in a way, of greater value is this that if there has been a\r\ngradual manifestation of order and beauty in our ordinary daily life, in dress\r\nand decoration, in our conversation and conduct, at home and in assemblies, in\r\narticles of beauty and their use, then, at the root of it all, directly or\r\nindirectly the personality of Rabindranath was undoubtedly at work.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Among\r\nIndians, the Bengalis are supposed to have particularly acquired a capacity\r\nfor appreciation of beauty. That this acquisition has been largely due to the\r\ncontribution of the Tagore family can by no means be denied. We do not know how\r\nwe fared in this respect in the past. Perhaps our sense of beauty was concerned\r\nwith the movements of the heart or at most with material objects of art.\r\nPerhaps, we had never been the worshippers of beauty in the outer life like the\r\nJapanese. Yet whatever little we had of that wealth of perfection within or\r\nwithout had died away for some reason or other. The want of vitality, the\r\nspirit of renunciation, poverty, despair, sloth, an immensely careless and\r\nextreme indiscipline made our life ugly. At length the influence that had\r\nespecially manifested around Rabindranath came to our rescue and opened a new\r\nchannel to create beauty.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 155<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Why\r\nshould we speak of our own country alone, why should we try to keep his\r\ninfluence confined to Bengal or India only? I believe Europe, the West, have\r\nhonoured him so much not primarily for his poetry. The modern world, freed from\r\nits life devoid of beauty due to the <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>un</span>avoidable\r\nnecessity of technology and machinery of utility and efficiency, was eager at\r\nlast to follow in the footsteps of Rabindranath to enter into an abode of peace\r\nand beauty, a <span class=GramE>garden</span> of Eden.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 156<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-19_Rabindranath the Artist','','publish','closed','open','','19_rabindranath-the-artist','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/19_rabindranath-the-artist/',0,'post','',0),(2051,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>I Tried Sannyas</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">I Tried Sannyas</font></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>NOT once, not twice, but\r\nthrice, – three times did I have the urge to take to the life of an ascetic, <i>sannyasa.\r\n</i>But whether it was the bad luck of asceticism or out of my own good luck,\r\nI had to give up the idea .on all the three occasions, though each time it\r\nhappened in a different way.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\nwas how it came about the first time. I had just come out of jail. What was I\r\nto do next? Go back to the ordinary life, read as before in college, pass\r\nexaminations, <span class=GramE>get</span> a job? But all that was now out of\r\nthe question. I prayed that such things be erased from the tablet of my fate, s<i>irasi\r\nma likha, ma likha, ma likha. </i>But before I could come to any\r\nfinal decision as to the future, I had to do something at least to while away\r\nthe time. So I gave my parents and relatives to understand that I would be\r\ncontinuing my studies and so be on the look-out for a suitable college – for\r\nany and every college would not dare to admit me, a live bomb-maker just out of\r\nprison.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>After\r\ngoing about a bit, I came to <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nand put up with a friend at his Mess. One day, I felt a sudden inspiration. It\r\nhad to be on that very day: on that very day I must renounce the world, make\r\nthe Great Departure, there was to be no return. I decided to try the Belur Math\r\nfirst. <span class=GramE>If they took me in, so much the better.</span> They\r\nhad a good library too, I had heard. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b>\r\n</b></span>case they refused, well, one would see. It was about four in the\r\nafternoon when I left the Mess. I had of course been to the Math before, and to\r\nDakshineshwar as well, but always by river in a country-boat. I had since been\r\ntold there was a railway-station at Belur. I thought the<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 383<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Math must be somewhere <span\r\nclass=GramE>near</span> the station, so I should go by train this time. With\r\nexactly two and a half annas in my pocket, I left for the <st1:City><st1:place>Howrah</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nstation, bought a ticket for Belur and kept the change, a pice or two. On\r\nalighting at the station I was told the Math was quite a distance from there, a\r\ncouple of miles at least. I had to set out on foot and finally arrived at the\r\nMath. A few inmates – Sannyasis – sat on a bench in the verandah. They asked\r\nme about the object of my visit. I blurted out straightaway, &quot;I have come\r\nto stay here. I wish to take up the spiritual life, the life of <i>sannyasa.&quot;\r\n</i>&quot;In that case,&quot; they said, &quot;you had better consult the\r\nauthority in charge.&quot; This authority was Sarat Maharaj. He received me in\r\nhis room and bade me sit by him. He listened to all I had to say. Then he spoke\r\nto me in a most unassuming and affectionate tone and explained a number of\r\nthings.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He\r\nasked me, &quot;What precisely do you want to come here <span class=GramE>for\r\n?&quot;</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nsaid, “This is a sacred spot dedicated to the memory of Swami Vivekananda. I\r\nhave a deep attraction for Swamiji, and I want to follow his idea1.”<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;To\r\nhave an attraction for Swamiji,&quot; he said, &quot;is a very good thing. But\r\nit is not enough. It is easy enough, especially for Indian youths, to adore him\r\nand do him worship. What is more difficult is to know and understand his\r\nMaster, Sri Ramakrishna. And he who does not know and understand Sri\r\nRamakrishna cannot know and understand Swami Vivekananda wel1. In any case, you\r\nwill agree that anyone cannot be admitted to the Math just like that. You pay\r\nus a few visits, let us get to know each other better, <span class=GramE>then</span>\r\nperhaps we might decide something.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:-.25in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;But I have no intention of going back,&quot; I said.\r\n&quot;On that I am determined.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Debabrata Basu and Sachin\r\nSen had already joined the Ramakrishna Mission before I came. Both of them had\r\nbeen with me in Alipore Jail among the accused in the Bomb case.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 384<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let me here in parenthesis\r\nnote a few things about Debabrata Basu. He had been a contemporary of Barin, U\r\npen and Hrishikesh and was among the leaders of our group. He was one of the\r\nwriters. Indeed, it was he and Upen who gave a characteristic stamp to <i>Yugantar\r\n</i>by their writings. His was the mind of a meditative thinker. His thought\r\nwas wide in its range, rich in <span class=GramE>knowledge,</span> he had\r\ninsight and inner experience. And all this he could combine with a fine sense\r\nof humour which did not, however, as in the case of others always explode in\r\nlaughter. Nor did his appearance belie his mental stature; he was a<i>kara-sadrsa-prajña,\r\n</i>a tall figure of a man. One would often find him seated in a meditative\r\npose, gathered silently within. When he came back to his waking self he would\r\nsometimes impart to those around him something of the knowledge he had gained\r\nin the world of thought or of his experiences in the inner worlds. He had a\r\nsister, Sudhira, who was also well-known to us, for in spite of her being a\r\nwoman she too had shared in her brother\'s work as a revolutionary. On his\r\njoining the Ramakrishna Mission, Debabrata Basu was given the name of Prajnananda.\r\nHe has written a book in Bengali, <i>Bharater Sadhana (The Spiritual Heritage\r\nof </i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i>India</i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i>),\r\n</i>which is well-known to select circles.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhad to bring up the names of Debabrata and Sachin for I thought – I had also\r\nbeen told something to this effect&nbsp; – <span class=GramE>that</span> the Math\r\nmight feel a little nervous or perhaps even get into trouble with the police\r\nbecause of my connection with the Bomb case. But Sarat Maharaj gave me finally\r\nto understand that he could not accept me as an inmate. So I had to leave.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.8pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now,\r\nwhat was I to do next? I decided to start off straight along the Grand Trunk\r\nRoad, the road of the Mughals, which they say would take one as far as <st1:City><st1:place>Agra</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nand <st1:City><st1:place>Delhi</st1:place></st1:City>. <span class=GramE>So, on\r\nto the march now, never to return.</span> I could very well repeat the words of\r\nthe poet,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 385<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;Thou hast found a\r\nshelter for everyone, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>O Shankara, O Lord of the\r\nWorlds, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But to me thou hast\r\nassigned the road alone.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Or the words of Christ,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;The\r\nfoxes have holes and the birds of the air have nest but the son of man hath not\r\nwhere to lay his head.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So\r\nI trudged along. The township was passed, human habitations grew thin and the\r\nmeadows stretched wider or both sides of the road. But what was this coming all\r\non a sudden? It started drizzling. I had no <span class=GramE>umbrella,</span>\r\nthere were no houses to offer me shelter, only the shades of wayside trees. I\r\nbegan to get drenched and the rain damped my body and the inner spirit too\r\nalong with it. I now said to myself, &quot;Hang it all, but what is the point\r\nin this useless suffering? Is this spiritual discipline? And is it essential to\r\nthat discipline to get oneself drenched in the rain out in this wilderness?&quot;\r\nThe answer came, &quot;No, it is not at all essential. Can\'t you recall Sri\r\nKrishna\'s words, \'He who afflicts his body afflicts me too who dwell in that\r\nbody\'? <span class=GramE>Now then?&quot;</span> Well, I thought I should now\r\nturn back. If my resolution was not a sound resolution, there could be no harm\r\nin going back on it. So I turned back.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nturn hack how? There was not enough money to pay for the train fare. In any\r\ncase, it would be easier to take a country-boat, from the place where I had\r\nreached, – so I gathered from enquiries. I came to the riverside. It was\r\nalready getting on to eight and the last of the ferry boats was about to leave.\r\nI ran for it and jumped in. And we crossed over to <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nAs I prepared to get down, the boatman said, &quot;Your fare, please?&quot; I\r\nrummaged my pockets and found there the two pice left. I offered them to the\r\nman. But he said, &quot;Not two pice but four, the fare is one anna.&quot;\r\n&quot;But I have nothing more.&quot; <span class=GramE>&quot;That I don\'t know,\r\nyou have</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 386<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE><span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:Arial\'>to </span>pay\r\nthe<span style=\'font-family:Arial\'> </span>full fare.&quot; &quot;But I have\r\ntold you I have nothing more, how can I pay?&quot; &quot;I don\'t know about\r\nthat.&quot; &quot;All right, I can give you my pair of slippers.&quot;\r\n&quot;No, they won\'t do. If you give me the <i>chuddar </i>you have on, I might\r\nconsider,&quot; It was a good shawl I had on, and I said, &quot;No, my dear\r\nfellow, that I am not going to part with.&quot; &quot;But you will have\r\nto.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Our\r\nexchanges were well on the way to a dispute, when a gentleman suddenly appeared\r\nup on the river bank – it was a steep bank and the water had receded far down\r\nat the ebb tide – and he asked me, &quot;What is the matter?&quot; I told him\r\nall that had happened. &quot;Oh, is that all? Here, you fellow,&quot; he said,\r\n&quot;<span class=GramE>here</span> is your fare.&quot; He gave him an anna. I\r\nthanked him profusely, asked him <i>for </i>his address, but he went his way\r\nwithout another word.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\ntoo started on my way home and finally came back to my room at the Mess. My\r\nfriend was waiting for me to come before he sat down to dinner. I simply said,\r\n&quot;Sorry, I have been late, going about here and there.&quot; I did not give\r\nhim the faintest hint of the drama I had just been through, how<span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:Arial\'> </span>from a near-tragedy I had landed into high\r\ncomedy.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.1pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>That\r\nwas &quot;my first attempt at <i>sannyasa. </i><span class=GramE>Now about\r\nthe next chance.</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhave told you earlier that on our release from j ail, so long as we were in <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>,\r\nBejoy and I used to call on Sri Aurobindo regularly every afternoon at the\r\nresidence of his uncle at <i>Sanjivani </i>office. After a long deliberation\r\nand discussion the two of us finally decided that we should now set out on a\r\ncareer of wandering ascetics. I did not tell Bejoy of my earlier experiment.\r\nBut Up en had once told me while we had been in jail that in order to be able\r\nto love one\'s country, one must know it and see it with one\'s own eyes by\r\njourneying through it a little. Our sadhus and wandering ascetics too have a\r\ncustom of going the round of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nand visiting the four corners of the land. <span class=GramE>Hence, on to the\r\nmarch again, <i>caraiveti.</i></span><i> </i>Bejoy procured the necessary equip<span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE>ment</span>: </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 387<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span class=SpellE>that is, the blanket and the <i>lota </i>or\r\nwater-pot. The date of departure was fixed, only the itinerary remained.\r\n&quot;But before we start,&quot; he said, &quot;we must inform Sri Aurobindo\r\nand obtain his blessings. And then we leave,&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So,\r\none afternoon, in the course of one of our regular visits, we told him of our\r\nplan. He kept quiet for a while, <span class=GramE>then</span> he said,\r\n&quot;Well, you might wait for a few days.&quot; I was a little surprised, for\r\nI had thought that he would endorse our scheme without any hesitation. Anyhow,\r\nwe had to wait for a few days. He said to us one day, &quot;You wanted to go on\r\na tour of the country, didn\'t you? Well, you come with <span class=GramE>me,</span>\r\nI shall take you on a tour.&quot; We were taken aback and were delighted at the\r\nsame time. He was to leave for <st1:country-region><st1:place>Assam</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\non a political mission, first to a Provincial Conference to be held at a place\r\ncalled Jalsuka in the Sylhet area, and thence to the other areas of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Assam</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\non a tour.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\nprovided me with a fresh opportunity to see once again the beauty of old <st1:place>Bengal</st1:place>,\r\nthe land of the rivers, from a new angle of vision this time. Water, water\r\neverywhere, so much water you do not see at any other place, an endless sheet\r\nof water spread out below, matching the vast expanse of the sky above. From\r\nGoalando we went by steamer to Narayangunge along the Padma and the Sitalaksha,\r\nthence to the Meghna; one who has not seen the Meghna cannot imagine what it is\r\nreally like – it was, as it were, the living Goddess of the water, Jaleshwari –\r\nand next, the mighty Dhaleshwari and on to the Surma. We travelled by river\r\nsteamer for days on end without a break and we moved about by country-boat. The\r\nrains had come. The low-lying tracts – they call them Howr – which at other\r\ntimes are just dry lowlands were now all submerged under water. As far as the\r\neyes could reach, there was a vast expanse of water clear and still. Only at\r\nplaces here and there one could see jutting out of its midst a few houses or a\r\nvillage. One day, in the twilight of the evening, land and river took on a rosy\r\nhue in the crimson glow of the setting sun as we sailed along by a<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 388<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>slow-moving</span>\r\nboat. Sri Aurobindo was there and two or three other leaders. I was so\r\npowerfully moved by the scene that – the child that I was – I felt an\r\nirresistible desire to burst forth there and then into song:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>&quot;In front the clouds glow, over the setting sun.</span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Row on thy\r\nboat, for now it is too late to cross.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The golden land is\r\nhalf-seen through the gloam: </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Wouldst thou then take thy\r\nboat to the other shore?&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Somehow with difficulty I\r\ncontained myself and sat in quiet contemplation.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Out\r\non tour, Sri Aurobindo used to address meetings, meet people when he was free\r\nand give <span class=GramE>them</span> instructions and advice. Most of those\r\nwho came to his meetings did not understand <span class=GramE>English,</span>\r\nthey were common village-folk. But they came in crowds all the same, men, women\r\nand children, just to hear him speak and have his <i>darshan. </i>When he stood\r\nup to address a gathering, a pin-drop silence prevailed. His audience must\r\nsurely have felt a vibration of something behind the spoken word. It is not\r\nthat he confined himself to political matters alone. There were many who knew\r\nthat he was a, Yogi and- spiritual guide and they sought his help in these\r\nmatters too. I have myself seen as I spent whole nights with him in the same\r\nroom, at Jalsuka, how he would sit up practically the whole night and go to bed\r\nonly for a short while in the early hours of the morning.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\ntoured the country for about ten or twelve days and then we came back. On our\r\nreturn, Sri Aurobindo made us an offer: we were to have a home at the\r\nShyampukur premises of <i>Karmayogin </i>and <i>Dharma. </i>I have already told\r\nyou about that.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nstory of my third and last attempt at <i>sannyasa </i>can be briefly told.\r\nThe scene was here in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nand the time immediately before the final arrival of the Mother. Five of us\r\nlived here as permanent inmates then, not counting Sri<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><span class=GramE>Aurobindo\r\nof course.</span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 389<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We were indeed well on the way to <i>sannyasa </i>in\r\nthat life of Brahmacharya and single blessedness. The first time it had been <span\r\nclass=GramE>myself</span>, my own self or soul, who rejected <i>sannyasa. </i>The\r\nsecond time the veto was pronounced by the Supreme Soul, the Lord – Sri\r\nAurobindo himself. And the third time it was the Supreme Prakriti, the\r\nUniversal Mother who it seems scented the danger and hastened as if personally\r\nto intervene and. bar that way of escape for ever, by piling up against us the\r\nheaven-kissing thorny hedge of wedlock. Three of us got caught in this manner,\r\nalthough the other two did find a way of escape.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 390<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-53_I Tried Sannyas','','publish','closed','open','','53_i-tried-sannyas','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/53_i-tried-sannyas/',0,'post','',0),(2052,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text/html; charset=utf-8\">\r\n<title>My Athletics</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<h1 align=\"center\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<font size=\"4\">My Athletics</font></h1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>THERE is in the Upanishad\r\na description of the stage in man\'s life when he becomes so old and decrepit\r\nthat he cannot walk except on a stick, <i>tvam jÎ¯rÅ†o daÅ†dena\r\nva&ntilde;casi. </i>At precisely that stage in our life, we in the Ashram received a\r\ncall to plunge into the activities of our Playground. I was then perhaps the\r\noldest among the inmates, and had long passed the fifty year limit once set by\r\nthe ancients for repairing to the forest, <i>\r\n<span style=\'font-family:\"Times New Roman\";\r\nmso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>pa&ntilde;cÄÅ›ordhe </span>\r\n<font face=\"Times New Roman\">vanam vrajet</font>;\r\n</i>I was in fact in my early sixties.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For\r\nat least twenty years previous to that, we had been taking it rather easy and\r\nwere doing very little physical work or exercise. That had been what might be\r\ndescribed as a period of inner preparation, a time devoted almost entirely to\r\nmeditation and study. Lest however I should lose all elasticity of body, I had\r\nbeen making use of two opportunities for some kind of exercise. One was to\r\nride on a bicycle once a week to the local French Post Office and back. The\r\nMother used to receive her foreign mail in those days through that Post Office,\r\nand on me &quot;had devolved the task of bringing in the mail. That\r\nincidentally was how I got my famous headgear: it came in connection with this\r\nparticular item of work. During summer, the hot summer months of <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>,\r\nI had to go to the Post Office in the blazing sun. It was quite a distance in\r\nthose days and I felt I needed some kind of protection for my skull. I struck\r\nupon a device. The mail had to be carried in bags, one or two white canvas\r\nbags. I folded them up in two and put them on my head, the two corners of the\r\nbags sticking out on either side like a</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page - 459<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>pair of horns. This gave\r\nthe children of the local school an occasion for a hearty laugh one day:\r\n&quot;Quel bonnet! quel bonnet!&quot; â€“ &quot;What a cap! what a cap!&quot;\r\nthey cried. When I mentioned this to the Mother, she said, &quot;All right, we\r\nshall see.&quot; We had a French lady, called in the Ashram by the name of\r\nSarala, staying with us here at &quot;Belle Vue&quot;, with her husband who was\r\nknown as Shuchi. Shuchi died later and was buried in the public cemetery in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nThis Sarala was asked to devise something for my head. It was she who designed\r\nmy skull-cap which has since been the inspiration for many a subsequent\r\nimitation.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let\r\nme in this connection tell you another amusing story. One day there came to the\r\nPost Office a packet addressed to the Mother from <st1:country-region><st1:place>Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nIt was war time and the rules were very strict, leg. any kind of undesirable\r\nmatter should find entry. One of the Post Office employees, a Frenchman, opened\r\nthe packet in my presence. He found in it- nothing else except a single sheet\r\nof paper with something on it that looked like a sketch â€“ just the branch of a\r\ntree. The official handed me the paper with obvious disappointment, adding his\r\ncomment, &quot;Une branche quelconque&quot; â€“ &quot;some sort of a\r\nbranch!&quot; The &quot;branche&quot; happened to be a fine piece of Japanese\r\npainting. But who would appreciate that? Not in any case a detective of the\r\nPost Office. I mentioned the incident to Sri Aurobindo. He could never forget\r\nthe story; at the slightest opportunity he would come out with that &quot;une\r\nbranche quelconque&quot;.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now\r\nto come back to the point. I was speaking of the kind of exercise I had in\r\nthose days, that medieval period of our existence, perhaps you would call it.\r\nThe second item in my physical education programme was still more impressive.\r\nIt consisted in giving a very careful wash to my clothes when I took my bath.\r\nThis allowed some exercise to the limbs and body and I considered this as the\r\nminimum needed for keeping up the physical tone; it did duty for push-ups and\r\ndumb-bells and everything else. I should add another</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page - 460<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>item: that was walking, a\r\nkind of morning walk. Early in the morning every day I used to go out and\r\ndeliver to the sadhaks the letters written to them by Sri Aurobindo and the\r\nMother. In those days, of course, the Ashram houses were not so many and not so\r\nfar apart, so it was not exactly a 1500 or 5000 metre walking race.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhave told you, we received the call to join the Playground activities. I was\r\nenlisted in the Blue Group. In those days it was the Mother who decided who\r\nwould go to which group; in any case it was done with her knowledge and\r\napproval. Udar was our captain. We started learning the steps, &quot;Un, deux,\r\nun, deux&quot;. Ages ago, I had done some military marching with the Volunteer\r\nCorps, but that was only for a few days. I remember how in that enthusiasm for\r\neverything Swadeshi, they had started giving the marching orders in Bengali.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhad to start on this new athletic career without any preliminary practice or\r\ntraining. Many of you may recall how we joined in our first competitive\r\ntournament, on the site along the sea-face where the Tennis grounds stand â€“\r\nthey had not yet been built. I had no knowledge of the special technique, there\r\nwas no warming up or anything. We just walked in and took our positions along\r\nthe starting line, and off we went as soon as the whistle blew. We simply ran\r\nfor our lives, with the result that I sprained a thigh muscle in my first run.\r\nLuckily, this happened near the finishing line, so I could somehow finish the\r\nrace. The results were not bad: I shared the second place with Pavitra and\r\nYogananda â€“ the first position went to someone, a sadhu who is no longer with\r\nus. I took part in the long jump in the &quot;same manner, without any previous\r\npractice or warming up. Some people advised me to do a little preliminary\r\ntraining but my reply was, &quot;My sole events in the course of a whole year\r\nare a single race and three jumps. They do not deserve more.&quot; This is the\r\nopening chapter in my new career of athletics.</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; text-indent:12pt; line-height:150%; padding:0in; border-style:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\n- 461<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n<hr class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; text-indent:12pt; line-height:12.95pt; padding:0in; border-style:none;\">\r\n<div class=Section2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">At that time I had not the faintest notion that one\r\nday I would develop into a regular athlete, that is to say, undergo all kinds\r\nof training and exercise. I told you once about the difference between the\r\nphysical training activities here and the way we used to set about them in our.\r\ntime. This is an age of science and those were the days of untrained skill. Let\r\nme illustrate from an experience I had in football. We never observed the rule\r\nthat a proper warming up is needed before one joins the game. We entered the field\r\nstraightway, and it has happened\' several times that after the first long run\r\nat the beginning of the game I felt absolutely worn out and wondered how on\r\nearth I was going to last through the game. Of course, everything was all right\r\nafter a while and the body received a new influx of energy as it got warmed up\r\nâ€“ we used to call it &quot;heating up the blood&quot;. Today, the first and\r\nmost important principle of any kind of game or other exercise is\r\n&quot;training&quot;, a detailed and minute training. Formerly, one could pass\r\noff as a master by simply mastering the rules of the game. This applied not\r\nonly to games like cricket or football; even in our own native wrestling and lathi-play, &quot;training&quot; meant nothing more than getting acquainted\r\nwith all the tricks and applying them correctly in practice. But that is not\r\nwhat is now meant by &quot;training&quot;. &quot;Training&quot; implies a\r\nspecial preparation of the body, making it apt for a special kind of activity.\r\nFirst of all, One has to acquire a general all-round physical fitness. Next,\r\none has to find out which particular parts of the body and which of the muscles\r\nare specially called -into action in any particular movements and these have to\r\nbe specially trained with a view to give them the necessary strength, endurance\r\nand skill, exactly like a material instrument, as if they were bits of dead\r\nmatter. In whatever activity you wish to <span lang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:\r\nEN-GB\'>specialise</span>, â€“ for <span lang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>specialisation</span>\r\nseems to be the aim of physical culture today, â€“ you have to prepare yourself\r\nfor it; the preparation itself becomes the main objective, the end in view is\r\nrelegated to the second position. You take part in a 100 metres race,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;\'><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Page - 462<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>actually a matter of a few\r\nseconds only. But in order to prepare for the race, you have to train for\r\nseveral hours every day, for days on end over a period of months and perhaps\r\nyears.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Formerly,\r\nthe entire emphasis was on the game itself, not so much on the person who\r\nplayed the game; it used to be said that it was the game that made the player.\r\nBut now the scales have turned the other way: the player has become the main\r\ninterest. The concentration is on the player himself and his training is the\r\nmain thing. He has first of all to build up the body, next his vital forces,\r\nand finally even his mind and will power have to be geared to the end in view;\r\nthe inner psychological factors are taken particularly into account today. In<b>\r\n</b>science too the same \'thing is noticeable, even in the study of physical\r\nsciences. Formerly, the whole effort of science lay in discovering and\r\nestablishing the existence of the separate, self-existing and independent\r\nelements in Nature and in finding out the mechanism of their action through the\r\nmethods of observation and experiment. Now it is being said, observation and\r\nexperiment are all right so far as they go, but at the same time one cannot\r\nignore the person who makes the observation and experiment; he too has an\r\nimportance, perhaps a prime importance.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>To\r\na certain extent, I too have gone through this phase of modern\r\n&quot;training&quot;, as you all know. I have given up the old methods of\r\nlearning by rule-of-thumb and have tried to acquire some kind of proficiency\r\nthrough a process of regular training, following in the footsteps of many among\r\nyourselves, although I may not have been able to tread the lines of our Madanlal.\r\nHis theory seems to be that the more effort you put in, &quot;the greater\r\nbecomes your skill or ability and that there is no game on earth that you\r\ncannot master by sheer dint of hard work. Madanlal himself is a living proof of\r\nhis doctrine, for he is without a rival in this method of hard painstaking practice.\r\nThere are, as you know, two main types among those who do well in studies or â€“\r\nshall we say?<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.1in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\nâ€“ 463<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:.1in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>â€“ there are\r\ntwo ways of becoming a good student. There are those who, gifted with natural\r\nintelligence and ability, waste the whole year in all sorts of extra-curricular\r\nactivities and in pleasures and pastimes and then read up for days and nights\r\nfor a month or two just before the examination and get through the test and\r\neven secure high places. There is the second type who read and work hard throughout\r\nthe whole year, devote some time every day to their studies, and never run the\r\nrisk of falling ill or having a nervous breakdown about the time of the\r\nexamination on account of excessive work. Our Madanlal belongs to this second\r\ncategory. He is really out to prove by his own example that definition of\r\ngenius which makes it nothing but the capacity for taking infinite pains.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhave to mention another name in this connection. For much of what I have now\r\nachieved in the field of athletics I owe a deep debt to our Chinmoy. He has\r\nbeen my coach. What have I learnt from him? It<b> </b>is enthusiasm. What do I mean\r\nby enthusiasm? I shall explain. One of the secrets of physical training is that\r\nyou must always try to perform a little more than your capacity, or what you\r\nmay think is the limit of your powers. Perhaps it was with this end in view\r\nthat in our time when one had to exercise a particular part of the body, the\r\ninstructions were to go on repeating the movement until one began to sweat and\r\nfelt exhausted. For how long am I to manipulate the dumb-bells or the Indian\r\nclubs? Until you are tired, the chart said, that is, until you felt you could\r\ndo no more. Now of course nothing is done by such haphazard guesswork. You have\r\nto repeat the movements for a certain definite number of times, by actual\r\ncount, say, five or six repetitions for the first day, to be increased by one\r\nor two every day or week, a final limit being set in respect of each individual\r\naccording to his capacity. This is the method of scientific training today.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Whatever\r\nthe method you adopt, your strength and capacity have to be increased in this\r\nmanner. If you go beyond<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page â€“ 464<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>your limits, there is\r\nalways a chance of accidents, but some accept the risk. The carefree enthusiast\r\nasks you to hitch your wagon to a star whereas the more cautious would point to\r\nthe tragedy of Icarus. The legendary hero of Greek mythology had invented\r\nwings for man to fly, but he built them of wax. His aim had been to reach the\r\nsun, but as he came near that burning orb the wax got melted by the heat and\r\nhis wings vanished and he was hurled back headlong down to earth.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Well,\r\nit was from Chinmoy that I got the courage or the foolhardiness for an attempt\r\nof this kind. This has been of great help to me. But there was a considerable\r\nresistance born of old age, even though we are here precisely to get rid of\r\nthat. The resistance comes from two sources. It is there first of all in your\r\nown individual consciousness; you have heard of the adage about getting old\r\nbefore twenty. It is true that here in the Ashram we are often apt to forget,\r\nor we try to forget, to take count of our age. For example, even at the age of\r\nsixty, I did not quite realise or, rather, my body did not feel â€“ it is quite\r\nnatural for the mind not to feel, but the body itself must realise â€“ that it\r\ncarried any load of more than twenty-five or thirty years. This kind of feeling\r\nmust have come at one time or another to many among the older people here. This\r\nis indeed the root idea behind our desire to conceal the true age and reckon\r\nour age at less than the true figure. This recourse to a slight falsehood\r\ncomes. of an attempt to express and maintain the fact of our youth that is\r\nstill effective in our life and inner consciousness in spite of our years. But\r\nthe inexorable law of the external<span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;\r\n</span>physical nature is still in operation; It invades our mind and\' afflicts\r\nit at times. Moreover, in addition to this resistance in our own individual\r\nconsciousness 01.\' frame of mind, there is pressing upon us from all around the\r\ncollective resistance, a resistance that comes from the consciousness arid\r\nmental attitude of everybody else, the <span lang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:\r\nEN-GB\'>neighbours</span> with whom we live. Even if we manage to forget, they \r\nwill remind us of the pressure </p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:center;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<font size=\"2\">Page - 465</font> </p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>of advancing age. It\r\nis difficult ordinarily to escape from the influence of this double pressure.\r\nBut to get rid of this influence and pressure is after all the very aim of our <span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>endeavour</span> here.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Physical\r\nculture has its side of expenditure or <span lang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:\r\nEN-GB\'>utilisation</span> of energy when you execute a particular movement and\r\nfollow it to the end. But there is, in addition and precisely because of this,\r\nanother side to it; that is the gathering or accumulation of energy. The body <span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>utilises</span> energy, so it needs\r\nto recuperate it; that is the way it conserves its energy. A man works during\r\nthe day and sleeps at night; the energy he spends in the waking hours he\r\nrecuperates at night-time. You may want to know, &quot;But then what about the\r\nfood he takes?&quot; Food, that is, adequate nutrition, is a vital source of\r\nenergy, but I am not discussing the need for food in this particular context.\r\nI am not speaking here of the need for the material basis of physical\r\nsubstance. My point just now is about the life-force or physical energy in the\r\nbody. The method of acquiring and storing that energy is what may be called\r\nrelaxation, which implies a release of tension, a loosening of the limbs and\r\nmuscles. We are all familiar with the process; all I wish to do here is to give\r\na somewhat elaborate account of this relaxation, for in my experience I have\r\nnoticed some special features about it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nfirst thing to note is this. All those who take part in physical exercise are,\r\nno doubt, already familiar, or they have to get familiar, with the truth that\r\nrelaxation is not merely an end-product of exercise, it has a place in. exercise\r\nitself. Let me explain.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nall physical-culture activities and in every exercise, one has to pay\r\nparticular attention to one thing, for success depends on it to a large\r\nextent. Normally, we are inclined to work up all our muscles and nerves at the\r\nsame time, even when only a certain limited number actually come into play.\r\nThis means tension. And if the tension is excessive, it leads to what we call\r\nstiffness or rigidity. Instead of that, what we</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;text-indent:11.75pt;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\nâ€“ 466<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>should do is to give as\r\nmuch relaxation as possible to the other parts of the body and work up only\r\nsuch of the muscles as are actually called into play and for the time are\r\nneeded for the work. These too should remain passive, that is to say, relaxed,\r\ntill the very moment they are called into play. You have heard that story about\r\nthe watch. One day it suddenly became conscious about itself and discovered\r\nthat it had been working constantly without a break or pause for rest for\r\ntwenty-four hours a day. So it complained to the owner, &quot;My dear sir, all\r\nof you work no doubt but you take rest as well: if you work the whole day, you\r\nget the whole night for sleep. But I have to go on working throughout the day\r\nand night without a wink of sleep.&quot; And the owner replied, &quot;But don\'t\r\nyou see, you go on ticking and between the two ticks you take a good\r\nrest.&quot; This is a very fine analogy. When, for instance, we take part in a\r\nrace, that is exactly what takes place. It is not at all necessary to tense\r\nboth the legs at the same time. All that is needed is to use with all their\r\nstrength the muscles of the leg that is to strike the ground, but only for the\r\nduration of contact; they could be held relaxed until the next stroke. The\r\nother leg should in the meantime remain relaxed, and alert â€“ I say alert, not\r\nactive â€“ till its turn arrives. This applies to all the other parts of the\r\nbody. We might recall in this connection the two types of heart-beat, the\r\nsystole and the diastole, the movement of contraction and that of expansion,\r\nwith an interval or pause in between.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This,\r\nin fact, is the way to a right working of the body: right, first because it is\r\nefficient and secondly because it is harmonious. It is efficient in the sense\r\nthat it gives better results and acts with more power and <span lang=EN-GB\r\nstyle=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>vigour</span>. For, under this method, only\r\nthose muscles are brought into play that are needed and exactly when they are\r\nneeded. If other muscles get worked up by a sort of reflex action, that leads\r\nto the wastage of a good part of the energy through useless channels, it is\r\nnot <span lang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>utilised</span> in full\r\nwhen and where it is needed.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page â€“ 467<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And secondly, as I say it makes\r\nfor harmonious action which acquires the natural ease <i>of </i>a rhythmic\r\ngraceful movement. Relaxation is just another name for what is known as the\r\npause in the rhythmic movement of poetry; for after all, it is pause and\r\nmovement that make up rhythm.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nthis is not all. I have used the term relaxation in the sense <i>of </i>pause\r\nor rest, but I do not thereby imply that it is a going off to sleep. Sleep is\r\nnormally a lapse into inconscience and that brings inertia and rigidity. One\r\nmust remain equally conscious and awake during rest as during work. Unconsciousness\r\nin action renders the act mechanical, brings with it a lifeless rigidity. The\r\nmovements <i>of </i>the body have to be permeated by an awakened consciousness,\r\nso that the consciousness in rest is helped thereby to get infused with new\r\nforce. If the consciousness is of the right sort, the new force can descend\r\neven from supraphysical worlds and give to the movements <i>of </i>the body a\r\nsupreme beauty and strength.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nfact, relaxation is in truth what in our language, in the technical phraseology\r\nof Hathayoga, is known as Å›<i>avÄsan<span style=\'font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>a, </span></i>the\r\ncorps-like stance. But h could be made into a stance of life instead <i>of </i>death.\r\nAnd that indeed is its true object. In other words, it is not a negative\r\ncondition <i>of </i>doing nothing, it can be changed into a positive state. We\r\nare apt to think of it as a state <i>of </i>absolute inaction. That is not\r\ntrue, it has to be raised to a condition of<i> </i>positive action, at least\r\nwhen we are awake. Normally, to remain silent and still with all the limbs of<i>\r\n</i>the body in a state of complete relaxation means drifting into sleep. One\r\nis no doubt rested in sleep, but a conscious sleep is preferable to the unconscious\r\ntype. Conscious sleep means conscious immobility.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There\r\nare two or three steps in this process. First, there comes a general relaxation\r\nand immobility <i>of </i>the whole body. Next, there has\' to be a relaxation <i>of\r\n</i>each separate part, one after the other. One may begin with the toes â€“\r\nthere is a relaxation of the muscles and joints of the toes; then the muscles\r\nand joints of the ankles and legs, the knees, the thighs, <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:\r\n\"Courier New\"\'>\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n8.15pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;\r\nborder:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\n- 468<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>the abdomen and the waist,\r\nthe chest and throat and the face including the lips and chin, and finally the\r\nforehead and the eyelids and the scalp are all relaxed in turn and stilled. In\r\nthe same way one may come down step by step from one level to the next down to\r\nthe toes. All one has to do is to watch and see how everything gets relaxed and\r\nfalls quiet, just as the thought waves subside and grow calm.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This all of you can try\r\nand you can see for yourself how greatly. it invigorates the body, how fresh\r\nand alive it becomes.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nresults are still more deep and intense if you can rise a step higher; then it\r\nbecoms a part of yoga and spiritual training. To relax a part of the body means\r\nunravelling one of its knots or strands, widening and opening out what was limited\r\nwithin bounds and self-centred; that means putting it in contact with all that\r\nis around, with the universal. It is as if you had within you a pipeline which\r\nwas corked and, clamped and which you open up now to let in the gradual flow of\r\nthe universal life-energy. This, in more erudite language, is called <i>cakrabheda,\r\n</i>breaking through the six or, according to another count, twelve or more <span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB\'>centres</span> of consciousness or\r\nenergy that are there in the body; these are liberated and brought into play.\r\nThrough Å›<i>avÄsana </i>one becomes unified with the universal\r\nlife-energy; from head to foot there streams in the vitality inherent in all\r\nNature.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>. One may proceed still\r\nfarther, take a higher step. I have. just been speaking of ascending and\r\ndescending up and down the different parts and levels of the body, as it were\r\npolishing them smooth in the process, making them quiet and still. But when the\r\nbeing or consciousness reaches the level of the head and takes its firm station\r\nthere, it can not only widen itself out by opening horizontally on all sides,\r\nit can also rise to a higher plane, even without any definite knowledge, simply\r\nwith the feeling that it has reached somewhere. You may remember that somewhere\r\nin the Beyond is the Force and the Presence of the Mother. If you can get into\r\ntouch</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page - 469<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>with Her nearness and\r\npresence there in this manner, then you have already broken through the six\r\ncentres, accomplished the end of Hathayoga and Tantra. There comes pouring\r\ninto each limb not only a wide peace but also a strength and an illumination.\r\nThis you may say is an easy simplified method of breaking through the centres.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There\r\nis an enormous difference between consciousness and unconsciousness; they\r\nbelong to two different worlds as it were. The same work or. action, if done in\r\nan unconscious-manner, will give one result; the result will be very different\r\nif it is done consciously. The Mother once told you about this. How many times\r\nin the day we have to go up and down the stairs, but most of the time we do it\r\nin an unconscious manner, mechanically like inanimate things. Such unconscious\r\nor mechanical movements and exercise do not help the body much. But if you do\r\nthe same movements consciously, if the steps are taken and the legs moved with\r\nfull consciousness or concentration, two good results follow: first, you avoid\r\nthe possibility of an accident, for then there is little chance of stumbling or\r\nslipping down the stairs, and secondly, your muscles develop more strength and\r\ncapacity. Indeed, the entire body may gain in vitality by this little exercise\r\nif performed consciously.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nlower animals know of no such conscious exercise, in fact they have no\r\npossibility of any kind of voluntary training. Their bodies grow and the\r\nmuscles develop, naturally and inevitably, as they grow in years. And they\r\ndecline as naturally and inevitably with the coming of old\'</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>age. You know the story of\r\nthe animal in the fable who had lost its power to bite and scratch, <i>galita-nakha-dantah.\r\n</i>Man alone of all terrestrial creatures has the capacity of over-passing\r\nthe limits set by Nature, and he does that by virtue of his conscious power of\r\nwill and thought.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>That\r\nis why the Mother has often said that the real foundation of all work, of all\r\ntrue action is peace. The vast multitudinous movement of the universe has for\r\nits base an<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;text-indent:11.25pt;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page\r\n- 470<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<hr>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>unfathomable Peace; out of the Silence springs the\r\nrhythmic Word of the Truth.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Now to\r\nconclude. .</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:19.65pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>It is not true that an elderly person\r\ntaking part in exercises undergoes an unnecessary strain or should be made an\r\nobject of ridicule. It is not a mere waste of energy, there is a definite\r\nfeature of gain. An old man doting on his pretty young wife? Perhaps so, if you\r\nlike: you know the famous line of Valmiki on Dasharatha, how he held his young\r\nwife dearer even than life, <i>vrddhasya tarunÄ« bhÄryÄ prÄnebhyo\'pi\r\ngarÄ«yasi. </i>An old man may very well fall in love with exercise much in\r\nthe same way. To young people in the abundance of their youthful vitality, the\r\nneed for physical exercise is not always so apparent. How the children of our\r\nGreen Group shun like poison the rules and regulations of the Playground and\r\ntry to shirk work is known to their captains. But for an elderly person\r\naccustomed to regular training, to miss a single exercise-period seems like\r\nwasting a whole day: he feels so out of sorts.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\napart from the question of likes and dislikes, there is a real difference, a\r\ndifference in kind, between the old and the young. To young people physical\r\nexercise is something that is easy, spontaneous and natural; in their case the\r\nbodies. execute the movements out of a natural capacity for imitation, by\r\nvirtue of an instinctive reaction or habit. When a child learns to take his\r\nfirst steps, it does so because it sees others doing the same; one acts as one\r\nsees â€“ <i>yad-drstam tat krtam. </i>The movements are passed on to the limbs\r\ndirectly from the vision. It is not quite the same thing with an elderly\r\nperson. He has first to see the movements executed, he has to remember them and\r\nhis own movements follow upon a kind of reflection; it is the mind that has to\r\nact as intermediary. The mind has to commit them to memory and it is only then\r\nthat the body can be made to obey, like a servant taking orders from the\r\nmaster. This process has its points both good and bad.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page â€“ 471<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nfirst defect is that the body takes time to learn and, what is worse, the\r\nmovements it executes remain somewhat rigid, lifeless and inharmonious. But\r\ngood results may come and do come if one pays attention. <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>other words, the movements\r\nof the body can be performed consciously. Generally speaking, so long as we\r\nare young, our physical movements and exercises are carried out more or less\r\nunconsciously, just as the animals act naturally and automatically under the\r\nimpulse of habit. We are not always conscious of what we are doing. But as we\r\ngrow in age this spontaneity of the body disappears and one has to cajole it\r\ninto action. That is to say, the movements have to be done consciously. As I\r\nhave already remarked before, it is this conscious action that is one of the\r\ngifts of age. I should, however, add that this consciousness is not the same\r\nthing as the deliberate power of the intellect. Deliberation is only the beginning\r\nof conscious growth. But mere deliberation rather adds to the rigidity of the\r\nbody. Still, it is a necessary stage in the growth of consciousness, a first\r\nstep in that direction.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nvery aim of life is to grow in consciousness. We pass through life mostly in a\r\nstate of ignorance and inconscience, under subjection to Nature. <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>place of that we have to\r\nbecome conscious, not only in a general way, but by infusing consciousness into\r\nevery limb in its activity. The result will . be that there will manifest in\r\nthem a light, a beauty, and finally a light and force that are not of this\r\nworld, but come from the higher ranges.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page â€“ 472<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>','-60_My Athletics','','publish','closed','open','','60_my-athletics','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/60_my-athletics/',0,'post','',0),(2053,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>The Poet and the Yogi</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><span lang=EN-GB><font size=\"4\">The Poet and the Yogi</font><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><span lang=EN-GB\r\nstyle=\'font-family:Arial\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB>IT is at\r\ntimes said that a critic, at least a successful critic, is a poet who has\r\nfailed. Likewise the poet himself is a Yogi who has failed. That is to say, to\r\nbe a good and genuine poet one has first to be a Yogi. Is it really so? Just to\r\nprove it a French priest has even gone to the length of writing a book.¹ Of\r\ncourse, Abbé Brémond has not used the term \'Yogi\' but \'mystic\', and prayer, he adds,\r\nis the inherent virtue of a mystic. We can then hold that a Yogi, a spiritual\r\naspirant or even a mere aspirant – on the whole they mean the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:8.85pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>According to Brémond, a poet is he who has either fallen from the\r\nstatus of a mystic or has deviated from the path of inner discipline. He is of\r\nthe opinion that the fount of a poet\'s inspiration, insight and feeling is\r\neither a spiritual experience or an experience inclined towards spirituality.\r\nBut the poet has not marched forward in a straight line to the original Goal;\r\nnor has he even attempted to give it a shape. After covering half the distance\r\nhe halts for a time and then moves on through by-lanes, putting forward the secret\r\nexperience of his inner soul in the decorative dress of flowery words. He simply\r\nlooks upon the experience as something imaginary, dream-like and an object of fancy\r\nproduced by the intellect. At last it comes to this that he grows into a poet\r\nto the same extent as he has kept aloof from the path of a mystic. For to\r\nproceed on straight along the path of spirituality is to avoid the by-lanes of\r\npoetry, i.e., to <span class=SpellE>extin</span></span><span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE><span lang=EN-GB>guish </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:8.85pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB>¹</span><span lang=EN-GB\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'> Prière Poésie, par\r\nI\'Abbè H. Brémond (de l\'Acadèmie Française).</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.65pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;\r\nborder:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:\r\n0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span lang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:\r\n12.0pt;\'>Page – 101<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE><span lang=EN-GB>inevitably all poetry and poetic inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Let us pin our attention on the first thing first: whether the poet\r\nis at all a Yogi or a Sadhaka and, if so, in what sense. It is not quite\r\nuncommon that in the creation of almost every poet we observe more or less the\r\nindication of something beyond the grasp of the senses, something divine and\r\ninfinite. The aspiration of every poet flies to an immaculate realm of Beauty\r\nand Truth, to a world beyond. Milton, Wordsworth and Dante need no\r\nintroduction in this field, for they are undoubtedly spiritual. They seriously\r\nresorted to spirituality. But it is strange enough how Shakespeare, whose\r\ncreation is replete with nature\'s scenes and the experiences of man\'s\r\nday-to-day life, says:</span></p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>With\r\nthoughts above the reaches of our souls,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.1pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE><span lang=EN-GB>or,</span></span><span\r\nlang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>There\'s a divinity that shapes our ends </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Rough hew them how we will.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB>Do we not\r\nthen feel that Shakespeare\'s inner soul is in the closest touch with the\r\nConsciousness beyond, far surpassing the earth, and his poetic vision has been\r\nsurcharged with some intense superhuman delight? Even the poets who are most\r\nmaterialistic, who are averse to any Ideal, who are anti-divine, whatever may\r\nbe their outer utterance – are they not the descendants of Lucifer or\r\nPrometheus? Let us recollect what Baudelaire wrote about them, about the pangs\r\nof their hearts:<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:2.15pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB><span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:\r\n1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Une Idée, <span class=SpellE>une</span> Forme, <span\r\nclass=GramE>un</span> Être<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:2.15pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB><span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:\r\n1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Parti de I\' azur <span class=GramE>et</span> tombè<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Dans\r\n<span class=GramE>un Styx bourbeux et</span> plombé,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nclass=SpellE><span class=GramE>Ou nul oeil du Ciel ne pénètre.</span></span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n102<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>(An\r\nIdea, a Form, a Being<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>That\r\nsprang from the blue and fell<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span>In the muddy grey <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>river</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Hell</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span class=SpellE><span class=GramE>Unpierced by Heaven\'s seeing.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:9.8pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>In our country also Rabindranath Tagore\'s name needs no mention. A\r\nspiritual aspiration pervades his poetic inspiration. It is evident that this\r\nspiritual aspiration is the source of his poetic creation. But let us listen to Madhusudan, the so-called iconoclast:<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:9.8pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Where is the world of the Brahman?<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Where am I, a worthless creature of evil?<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>How can <span class=GramE>I</span>, a mere human,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Enmeshed in the world\'s illusion,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Like a bird in a cage,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Attain that world of Freedom whose vision<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Draws the Adept of the highest Yoga from age to age?<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:10.3pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Even at the very commencement of his immortal epic, Meghnadbadh he\r\ninvokes Saraswati the white-armed Mother of knowledge. The feeling or firm\r\nconviction is that the Mother of Knowledge is also the giver of liberation.\r\nThat is why the poetry that is a help and a means to attain liberation has a\r\nspecial appeal to our heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:10.3pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Of course, there are poets whose creations totally lack spirituality\r\nor even something akin to it. For example, Catullus, of whom Sri Aurobindo\r\nsays: &quot;He has as much philosophy in him as a red ant.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:9.8pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>A poet like Catullus can easily be put forward to contradict\r\nBremond\'s conclusion. Granted, such poets are very few in number, nevertheless\r\nthey appear to prove Bremond\'s conclusion quite baseless. But, as a matter of\r\nfact, it is not so. The aim of a poet is to create a living thing, a thing of\r\nconsiderable worth, a thing of beauty and delight with the help of words. Is\r\nnot this very act of his something <span class=GramE>supernal</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n103<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>aspiring for the world beyond?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>The very same truth has been uttered by Vishwanath Kaviraj. The real\r\nform or soul of poetry consists of delight. The delight one gets in the\r\nrealisation of the Brahman and the delight one derives from one\'s poetic creation\r\nspring from the same source. Both have an indivisible consciousness of\r\nself-expressive delight. Indeed it is a serious matter that demands our special\r\nattention. Both of them have no relation with outer objects, nor does their\r\nself-supporting delight of consciousness reckon on things of the material\r\nworld. I have already said that the theme of the poet may not be spiritual;\r\neven then he derives from a subtle consciousness all his poetic inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:10.55pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>The author of Sahitya Darpan (The Mirror of Literature) tells\r\nus something profound and significant as regards the spiritual nature or form\r\nin poetic creation. The delight of poetry can be grasped neither by impure,\r\nlifeless and rigid qualities nor by restless vitalistic movements; it is\r\nreflected in Sattwic virtues alone. Hence the poet creates something\r\nonly after he has been surcharged with Sattwic qualities. Further, the\r\npurpose of reading poetry is to arouse the qualities of sattva in\r\noneself and to move towards our nature\'s purification and emancipation, free\r\nfrom the evil contact of rajas and tamas. We may as well\r\nrecollect here the similar .conclusion the Greek thinker, Aristotle, arrived\r\nat, that a tragedy has katharsis, a power to purge the heart. However,\r\nit is doubtful if anybody has raised the greatness of poetry to such a pitch as\r\nVishwanath Kaviraj has done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Fundamentally there is no difference between Vishwanath Kaviraj and Abbe\r\nBremond. The difference that does exist is not about the source of poetry but\r\nabout its culmination. According to Bremond, the inner inspiration of the poet\r\nor the source of it is a spiritual experience. He also adds to it that the poet\r\ndescends into a lower level of nature the moment he endeavours to mould his\r\nexperience into words and tries to give it a metrical shape without following\r\nthe straight<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; text-indent:11pt; padding:0in; border-style:none; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span lang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\nmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 104<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>yogic process, without assimilating\r\nthe inner divinity into his entire being; he has spread it out and lost it in\r\nthe display of words. So he has to give himself up to falsehood and play\r\ntricks. The thing that has to be manifested with the effort of his life has\r\nbeen totally exhausted in easy trifles and meaningless words. He has grown\r\ninto an artist displaying false and baseless words instead of becoming an\r\nartist of life. In the place of having a genuine full realisation he becomes enamoured\r\nof the visionary illusive creation of a nine-day wonder. He has been\r\nfascinated, as it were, by the dance of the nymphs and has deviated from the\r\nreal path. It is not that at times the poet does not feel that his creation is\r\nsimply a jugglery of words. Strangely enough, with the help of fruitless words\r\na modern poet proves the worthlessness of words:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Je\r\n<span class=GramE>suis</span> <span class=SpellE>las</span> des <span\r\nclass=SpellE>gestes</span> intérieurs,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Je\r\n<span class=GramE>suis</span> <span class=SpellE>las</span> des départs intérieurs!<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span\r\nclass=GramE>Et</span> de I\'hèoisme a coups de plume<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Et\r\nd\'une beauté toute en <span class=GramE>formules !</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"margin-left:1.5in; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB>Charles\r\nVildrac – &quot;<span class=SpellE>Livre</span> d\' amour&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>(I\r\nam sick of imaginary gestures,<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I\r\nam sick of mental expeditions! <o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And\r\nof the bravery of the pen-stroke <o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And\r\nof a beauty all formulated.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span lang=EN-GB><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:8.6pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Aristotle\'s preceptor, Plato, draws our attention to this side of\r\npoetry – the illusory charming power of poetry. No doubt, the world of the poet\r\nis charming. But it is equally the world of falsehood. Plato was religious to\r\nthe marrow. The main cause of his looking upon the poets with considerable\r\ndispleasure is that in their creations </span><span lang=EN-GB\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>– </span><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>e.g.</span><span lang=EN-GB style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";\r\nmso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'> </span><span lang=EN-GB>Homer – the\r\ngods have an inferior nature even to that of a human being. It is an absurdity\r\non the face of it. Having turned falsehood and an evil ideal into a thing of\r\ngrace and delight<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n105<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>the poets place it before man and\r\nthus they keep him away from truth, beauty and bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Of course, it cannot be affirmed that in the poetic creation there\r\ncan be no illusory power of Ignorance. No doubt, there are poets who have\r\neither blurred their spirituality or their inner soul by resorting to poetry.\r\nBut in that case we can safely affirm that it is the poet and not his poetic\r\ncreation that is in fault. It is absolutely a personal affair. If things are to\r\nbe judged in this light, then there is not even a single object which does not\r\nstand as an obstacle to one\'s inner spiritual discipline.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12.2pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>So we cannot at once jump to the conclusion that a poet is he who\r\nhas either fallen from the status of a Yogi or who has slipped down from the\r\npath of yogic discipline. Just an example will dispel all doubts. The poets of\r\nthe Upanishads were at once seers and yogis in the fullest measure. As the\r\nUpanishads are wonderful in their poetic values, even so are they highly\r\ninspiring and soul-stirring in their mantric powers. Here the poet and the seer\r\nhave become one and with their mutual help they reveal each other. It is not\r\nthat vak (speech) <span class=GramE>must needs</span> be a covering\r\nof or an illusory substitute for truth. It can as well be the most beautiful\r\nand benevolent image of the Brahman as Sound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>Be that as it may, it can never be said that a poet and a Yogi are\r\none and the same, or that there is no difference between the poetic creation\r\nand the spiritual discipline. To say that they are one is nothing short of <span\r\nclass=GramE>an</span> hyperbole: The consciousness of the poet dwells in the\r\nworld of speech and this world belongs to the mental world. The light of the\r\npoet\'s inner soul illumines this mental world of speech and turns it into a\r\nseeker of spirituality. But the field of a Yogi is more spacious and more\r\nobjective. He endeavours to illumine the body and the vital nature with the\r\nlight of spirituality. The poet can start doing this work. He may even be an\r\naid to it; still more, at the end he may reveal or announce</span></p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; padding:0in; border-style:none; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\r\nmso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span lang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;\r\nmso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 106<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><span\r\nlang=EN-GB>the Victory. But the poet cannot sit\r\non the throne of a Yogi by dethroning him. Moreover, it is not obligatory that\r\nin order to be a Yogi one must be a poet first. Even if the Poetic Being is a\r\nbrother to the Brahman, yet it is not the Brahman itself.</span></span></p>\r\n<div style=\'border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\r\nsolid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in\'>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none;border:medium none;\r\nmso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nlang=EN-GB style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n107<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n		<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n		<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"59\" height=\"24\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-13_The Poet and the Yogi','','publish','closed','open','','13_the-poet-and-the-yogi','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/13_the-poet-and-the-yogi/',0,'post','',0),(2054,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Muraripukur - I</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<b><font size=\"4\">Muraripukur - <span\r\nstyle=\"mso-bidi-font-style:italic\">I</span></span></font></b></p>\r\n		<p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>AT last I made up my mind\r\nfinally to take the plunge, that I must now join the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Manicktolla</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>Gardens</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in Muraripukur. That meant\r\ngood-bye to College, good-bye to the ordinary life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A\r\nlittle while ago, Prafulla Chakravarti had come and joined. Both of us belonged\r\nto Rungpore, both were of nearly the same age, and intimate friends. This too\r\npushed me to my decision.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhad already taken a vow about a year ago, in front of a picture of Kali at a\r\nsecret ceremony at dead of night, a vow written out in blood drawn from the chest,\r\nthat I should dedicate my life to the whole-hearted service of the Motherland.\r\nWith me there was a companion, and also a local leader who had read out the\r\noath. This leader became a Sannyasin later on and rose to be the head of a\r\nMath; he has since given up his body, so I have heard. My companion of that day\r\nis still alive. He did not give up the world and in fact became a very\r\nsuccessful man; at present he is enjoying his rest in retirement.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nlived in a students\' Mess, one that had acquired quite a name. Among the\r\ninmates were Atul Gupta, Charu Bhattacharya (late of the Visvabharati), and a\r\nlittle before my time there was Naresh Chandra Sengupta. In my first year of\r\nCollege, Atul Gupta was in his fourth year, Charu Bhattacharya in his fifth\r\nand Naresh Sengupta had just passed out. I happened once to set foot in the\r\nroom he used to occupy and there I found scattered about the floor a few pages\r\ntorn<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 336</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>out of a note-book which\r\nread very much like love letters. This seemed to me a little strange, but later\r\nI realised these were some pages from the manuscript of one of his novels.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\ndecision to choose my path came while I was in my Fourth Year. That I would\r\ndefinitely join the Gardens was conveyed to Barin by Prafulla. He had already\r\ntold him about my antecedents, so one day I received a call – Barin would see\r\nme, as if at an interview for a post. Escorted by Prafulla, I arrived at his\r\nresidence in <st1:Street><st1:address>Gopimohan Dutt Lane</st1:address></st1:Street>\r\nat Goabagan. This place acquired some renown during the Alipore case as a den\r\nof the terrorists. Next to the house there was a gymnasium for the young men of\r\nthe neighbourhood where wrestling and boxing and all kinds of dangerous\r\nmartial exercises were practised.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\nhappened to be my first meeting with Barin. He received me with great kindness\r\nand had me seated next to him. I cannot now recall the details of the\r\nconversation we had, but perhaps there was nothing much to remember. One thing\r\nhowever I distinctly remember. He asked me if I had read the Gita. I said I had\r\nread it in parts. He handed me a copy and asked me to read aloud. I began\r\nreciting &quot;Dharmakhetre Kurukhetre...&quot; in a pure and undiluted Bengali\r\nstyle. He stopped me and cried out, &quot;That won\'t do. One doesn\'t read\r\nSanskrit here in the Bengali style. Listen, read like this.&quot; He gave a\r\nrecital in the Hindi style, that is, with the pronunciation current in the\r\nother parts of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>That\r\nwas my first lesson in Sanskrit pronounced in the Sanskrit way. Later I have\r\nheard the correct Sanskrit accent so often from Sri Aurobindo himself. I have\r\nheard him recite <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-style:italic\'>from </span>the Veda,\r\nfrom the Upanishads, from the Gita. Today, I too do not read from Sanskrit in\r\nthe Bengali way, even when reading from an article in Bengali.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nwas settled that I would join the Gardens and stay there, But I did not give up\r\nmy room at the Mess. My books and papers and furniture – a bedstead and the\r\ntable-lamp, for there was no electric light in those days – were all left in<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 337</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>charge of my room-mate,\r\nand I paid only an occasional visit. I attended College as well, but at\r\ninfrequent intervals. College studies could no longer interest me.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nwas about this time that I hovered around the newly founded <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>National</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nfor a short while. My aims were a little &quot;dubious&quot;. At the Gardens,\r\nthere used to be discussions about the bomb, so an idea came to my head: could\r\nnot the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>National</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>\r\noffer an opportunity to study the subject? I thought of reading Chemistry and\r\nby joining the Chemistry practicals learn the principles of explosives. At that\r\ntime the Superintendent (or perhaps Principal) was Satish Chandra Mukherji,\r\nFounder-President of the Dawn Society. I had met him several years ago in the\r\npremises of the Society.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let\r\nme then narrate this earlier story in the present connection. I had just come\r\nto <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City> and joined the First\r\nYear. Atul Gupta took me to a meeting of the Dawn Society. Benoy Sarkar was\r\nthere, Radha Kumud Mukherji too was there, I think – not his younger brother\r\nRadha Kamal who became one of my class-fellows in the Third Year after he had\r\npassed the F .A. examination from Berhampore. Here is a sketch of one of the\r\nSociety\'s meetings. Satish Mukherji took the chair. We were about twenty or\r\nthirty young men in all. He read out a verse from the Gita: \'yad yad vibhutimat\r\nsattvam, srimad-urjitam-eva va\' and gave a short explanation in a few words.\r\nThen we formed ourselves into small groups of four or five. We were to discuss\r\nwhat is meant by &quot;sriman&quot; and &quot;vibhutiman&quot;, where is the\r\ndifference between the two, what do we understand by &quot;urjita&quot;? Each\r\ngroup was to discuss separately, each member was to say what he had to say, and\r\nfinally all of us were to write out in the form of an essay our respective\r\nviewpoints. The essays would then be submitted to the chairman for his\r\nconsideration and judgment. I sat absolutely dumb in that first session, an\r\nignoramus among the learned, like a goose in the midst of swans. (I must have\r\nbeen about fourteen at that time). But I did not feel quite at<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 338</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>ease in that atmosphere, I\r\nhad an impression it was all fine talk and dry debate, purely academic, one\r\nwould say. Satish Chandra had no doubt wanted to use this as a means of forming\r\nthe character and not merely as an intellectual training, a way of moulding the\r\nlife, something that had been missing in our college education. I do not know\r\nto what extent he succeeded in actual fact.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This\r\nwas about the middle of 19°4. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>It </span>was\r\nthree years later, about the middle of 1907, that I met Satish Chandra again.\r\nHe could not have remembered about me, nor did I remind him. He asked me,\r\n&quot;You are a student of literature and philosophy. Why do you want to read\r\nScience?&quot; – &quot;I have read physics and chemistry for my F.A. (that is,\r\nIntermediate). I have a special attraction for those subjects, that is\r\nwhy.&quot; However, the matter did not proceed very far, for I was getting more\r\nand more engrossed in the life at the Gardens.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Almost\r\nabout the same period, I had thought of another childish plan, again in connection\r\nwith the making of a bomb: the thing had so much got into my head. I was a\r\nstudent of the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Calcutta</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Presidency</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> where the great Jagadish\r\nChandra was professor at the time. Here was the idea and it was approved by my\r\nleaders – could I not join his laboratory, as some kind of an assistant? Then\r\none could carry on research and experiments on bombs. But how to get hold of\r\nhim? I thought of Sister Nivedita. She was a great friend of Jagadish Bose and\r\nit was easy to approach Nivedita, for she was one among our circle of\r\nacquaintances. But the occasion did not arise for this line of advance, for\r\nthings had been moving fast at the Gardens.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let\r\nme say a few words about our life there. But may I preface it with an amusing\r\nincident? I have said that my attendance at College had been getting more and\r\nmore irregular. This attracted the notice of some of my class-fellows. One\r\nday, I found one of their representatives arriving &quot;on deputation&quot;\r\nto meet me at the .Mess. He began<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 339</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n		<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>questioning me as an\r\nintimate friend and well-wisher with a show of great kindness and affection.\r\n&quot;Tell me,&quot; he said, &quot;what has been the matter with you? What\r\nmakes you keep away from College? Has there been a mishap somewhere? You have\r\nbeen such a good student and \'so regular in your attendance, what could have\r\ncome over you all on a sudden?&quot; I could guess what he must have been\r\nsuspecting: surely it had something to do with my morals <span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>–</span><font face=\"Times New Roman\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'> <i>chercher</i></span></font><i><span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'> </span>la femme</i>! Was that the case here? Complaints and entreaties\r\nhaving failed, he finally sought to console and encourage me with these words,\r\n&quot;Don\'t you worry; If Calcutta does not suit you, let us leave the place\r\nand go somewhere else. The two of us could stay together, and if we worked hard\r\nfor, say, three or four months, we would get ready for the examination without\r\nfail. Our absence from College would make no difference.&quot; To this I\r\nreplied in a grave tone, &quot;\'Very well, I shall think it over.&quot; Lest\r\nthere should be similar attacks in the future, I practically gave up the Mess.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>One\r\nwould not say that life at the Gardens had settled down to a definite routine\r\nyet, for we had just begun. There were about a dozen or fourteen of us in all.\r\nThere were occasional visitors from outside who would come for a short stay and\r\nthen go back to their work. Naren Goswami had come like that for a couple of\r\ndays, so had Bhavabhushan who later became a Sannyasin. We began with readings\r\nfrom the Gita and this became almost a fixed routine where everybody took part.\r\nEven the local Inspector of Police expressed a desire to join in these readings\r\nwith us Brahmacharins. But he had to pay dearly for that. He did not realise\r\nthat these were no ordinary lessons in the Gita but served as a facade for our\r\npreparations for the bomb. For this he was, as we heard, later dismissed from\r\nthe service. The poor fellow had wanted to acquire a bit of spiritual merit\r\nwhich seemed to turn against him.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A\r\nbeginning however was made to introduce some kind of discipline and\r\norganisation. It was decided that the entire<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 340</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>group should be formed\r\ninto two sections, one &quot;civil&quot;, the other &quot;military&quot;. The\r\n&quot;military&quot; section was to include the active members and the others\r\nwere to serve as auxiliaries. The idea originally was to build up an armed\r\nforce, a regular army in fact, with its full complement of weapons and\r\nequipment and trained by regular drills. The &quot;civil&quot; side was to deal\r\nwith external work like journalism, propaganda and recruitment. The <i>Yugantar</i>,\r\nand later the Navashakti, became our publicity organs. I was not much attracted\r\nby this &quot;civil&quot; side; I wanted to become one of the\r\n&quot;military&quot; men. Prafulla who was one of those dreamy,\r\n&quot;introvert&quot;, intellectual types and a good writer and speaker took up\r\nthe &quot;civil&quot; work. They used to say with a touch of humour, no doubt,\r\nthat he was the Mazzini and I was his Garibaldi. But no provision had yet been\r\nmade to give this Garibaldi the necessary training in military drill or the use\r\nof weapons. So, I had to begin with the science of warfare rather than its art.\r\nBarin was at that time writing his series on The Principles of Modern Warfare\r\nfor the <i>Yugantar</i>. I too began my study of the subject. I started going to the\r\nImperial Library (now the National Library) in <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nfor my studies and research. Where could I begin? Well, it was a book called\r\n<i>The Art of War</i> by the German military expert, Clausewitz, a book where the very\r\nfirst sentence ran like this, &quot;The object of warfare is to destroy the\r\nenemy and finish with him.&quot; I am not sure how this helped me add to my\r\nknowledge of warfare or my skill in the art of fighting.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.35pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>During\r\nmy last days in College, I used to study Mazzini in place of <i>King \r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Times New Roman\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>John </span>\r\n</i>or\r\n<i>The Faerie Queene.</i> One day I suddenly discovered that they had removed my Mazzini from the shelves of the library, and even the \r\n<i>Life and Death <span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'>of </span>Socrates</i>\r\nby Plato had disappeared. These books were no doubt supposed to turn the heads\r\nof our Indian students!</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:9.8pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>About\r\nthis time, I had been several times to my home town of <st1:City><st1:place>Rungpore</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nThere at the local Library, I discovered a fine book on the history of Secret\r\nSocieties. The book gave<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 341</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>the story of how subject\r\nnations aspiring for freedom began their work in secret. <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In </span>it the story of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand <st1:country-region><st1:place>Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region> had\r\nbeen given a good deal of space. The secret societies in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nhad a system which was rather distinctive. It should have been taken over by\r\nus, so I have heard Sri Aurobindo say. They would divide the underground\r\nworkers into little groups of not more than five. No group could know the\r\nothers, only those belonging to a particular group would know its own members.\r\nEach group had a leader, who alone would know his immediate superior placed in\r\ncharge of only four or five of such little groups. Similarly, the leader of the\r\nhigher group would have dealings with the one next higher in rank who would be\r\nin charge of the bigger groups, and so on, right to the topmost man. Such a\r\nsystem was necessary, for in case someone got caught, that could not implicate\r\nthe entire organisation but only a handful of his acquaintances. One of the\r\nmain instruments in the hands of the police or the government for detecting a\r\nconspiracy is the confession extracted from the persons caught, whether by\r\ntorture, through temptations, from sheer bravado, or by whatever other means.\r\nUnder that system, no one could know anybody except the few members of his own\r\ngroup with whom he came into immediate contact through his work, nor could he\r\nknow anything about the general plan of work; he had to carry out only the part\r\nassigned to him.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At the\r\nRungpore Library I came across another book, namely, Gibbon\'s famous <i>Decline\r\nand Fall of the <st1:place>Roman Empire</st1:place></i>. I ran through the lengthy\r\nvolumes from end to end with tremendous enthusiasm and added a great deal to my\r\nlearning and knowledge. I had a hope that the book might throw some light as\r\nto how to bring about the &quot;decline and fall&quot; of the British rule in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nI fear much help did not come that way.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\nNow, to come back to the Gardens and our organisational system. Nothing could be \r\narranged by way of an armed force, for our work itself took another turn. A \r\nmilitary organisation </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 342</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>was now to give\r\nplace to a terrorist organisation. In the earlier stages, we did not have much\r\nfaith in terrorist methods, for, as we had seen about <st1:country-region><st1:place>Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nthis path led only to mutual assassinations; murder and revenge seemed to\r\nfollow in an endless succession, leading to no final issue. That is why we had\r\ndecided on the military solution. To that end, our efforts had been directed\r\ntowards forming a new military force on the one hand and on the other towards\r\nsowing the seeds of revolt among the British Indian troops. I remember about a\r\nmilitary police force stationed at Rungpore where the commandant had been won\r\nover to a large extent, although I could not say how it would have turned out\r\nat the .end.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nthe event, it was none of these methods that brought us independence. Indian\r\nindependence has come in another way, the inscrutable way of <st1:City><st1:place>Providence</st1:place></st1:City>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>As\r\nI was saying, we gave up militarism and turned towards the terrorist methods.\r\nThere had awakened in the country a keen demand and aspiration: must we bear in\r\nsilence and give no answer to this tyranny and oppression that seemed to go on\r\nincreasing day by day? So, we started getting ready for a fitting reply. It brought\r\nin the first place a greater courage to the general public, though it remained\r\ndoubtful if it helped relieve the oppression. And secondly, it gave some\r\nsatisfaction to men. Thus we directed our efforts to shooting at the Lieutenant\r\nGovernor, derailing his train, and assassinating tyrants in the official ranks.\r\nGovernor Andrew Fraser, the District Magistrates Allen and Kingsford, Mayor\r\nTardivel of Chandernagore, these became the targets of the terrorists. The\r\nmembers of the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Manicktolla</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>\r\ngroup were directly connected with these activities. But there is one thing to\r\nbe noticed about these attempts that at least in the earlier stages almost all\r\nof them failed, with only one or two exceptions.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>One\r\nof the activities of the Gardens, apart from the attempts to manufacture bombs,\r\nhad been to procure and<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 343</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>distribute guns and rifles\r\nand pistols. Purchase, theft and loot were the three methods of procurement. In\r\nthis manner one might gather materials for terrorist purposes, but it could\r\nhardly meet the needs of an armed force. At the Gardens there was some shooting\r\npractice too, with pistols. The trunk of a mango tree had been riddled with\r\nbullets – the police could very easily find that out later. This reminds me of\r\nPrafulla Chaki. He used to say taking a revolver in his hand, &quot;I for <st1:time\r\nHour=\"1\" Minute=\"0\">one am</st1:time> not going to live on if they get hold of\r\nme. I shall neither be tortured by the police nor will I let their offers of\r\nconfession tempt me. Look, this is the way I am going to finish myself.&quot;\r\nHe would then open wide his mouth, push in the revolver muzzle and press the\r\ntrigger with his fingers, adding, &quot;This is the one sure way. In the other\r\nmethods, one merely wounds oneself, very often with no serious danger to life.\r\nBut it is much more risky to live on after getting wounded, isn\'t it?&quot;\r\nPrafulla committed suicide after the Muzzaffarpur bomb affair in exactly the\r\nway he had rehearsed – I should not say &quot;suicide&quot;, for it was really\r\nan act of martyrdom.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now\r\nlet me come out with some of my own exploits. I did not, as I have said, want\r\nto be one of the law-abiding &quot;civilians&quot;; my aim was to be a\r\n&quot;military man&quot; with his law of the bomb. But first I must prove my\r\nmettle in that line. So, they set me a test. I was to carry a pistol and\r\ndeliver it to a gentleman in Jalpaiguri. You seem to laugh at the instance of\r\nmy &quot;military&quot; ability. But perhaps you cannot now imagine what it\r\nmeant in those days to carry a real pistol. The police had its secret agents\r\nall over the place always on the look-out for victims. If you happened to be a\r\nyoung man, if you dressed in a manner even slightly out of the ordinary, if\r\nthere was anything the least suspicious about your movements that might attract\r\nattention, it was enough. If the police came and gave you a search and found a\r\nlethal weapon like a revolver in your possession, you would get at least seven\r\nyears – of that you might rest assured.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 344</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Nevertheless, I managed to\r\ncarry the weapon in a perfectly easy and natural manner all the way to <st1:place>North\r\n Bengal</st1:place> and reached it to the address given. This was the way in\r\nwhich they used to distribute weapons for future use to the different centres\r\nat various places.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Now\r\nthat I had passed the first test almost without effort, there came a second\r\nhurdle to cross. Will you be shocked to hear that I was to join a gang of\r\ndacoits and take part in a real dacoity? &quot;Very well,&quot; I said to\r\nmyself, for everything is fair in love and war – although I did feel somewhat\r\nuncomfortable even without my knowing it, for there was something about the\r\nwhole affair that was not palatable to me. But this had been decided upon as\r\none of our methods of collecting funds, for the money that came from gifts was\r\nnot sufficient, and people rather shied of making gifts for the work of such\r\nsecret societies. So we had to fix on loot. The mail runner was to be waylaid\r\nand his bags looted, somewhat far away in a place in the <st1:City><st1:place>Khulna</st1:place></st1:City>\r\ndistrict. We left in a body and put up with a friend. There we had to spend a\r\ncouple of days arranging to stitch up the bags, for the money had to be carried\r\nback in bags, you see. But for some reason or other, the plan fell through and\r\nI for one heaved a sigh of relief. However there was one thing I had gained out\r\nof all this. It was a glimpse I could have of the river Kapotakshi, no longer\r\nlimpid like the &quot;pigeon\'s eye&quot; though, for it was all cluttered up\r\nwith weeds – on whose banks stood the birthplace of Michael Madhusudan and the\r\nmango grove where he used to play about as a child. I did feel as if the breath\r\nof his poetry still lingered about in the atmosphere.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:15.35pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nhousehold arrangements at our Gardens were of the most simple, natural and\r\nunpretentious sort, the aim being to avoid all unnecessary complications and\r\nsave our time and labour. The cooking was done perhaps only once a day and\r\nalmost every day it was Khichri. For the second meal, something ready-made\r\nbought from the market was found<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 345</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>enough. We did the cooking\r\nourselves and washed the dishes. The dishes and utensils were not of brass,\r\nthey were all earthenware vessels, I believe. And the washing was done in the\r\nwaters of the pond. What kind of pond it was could only be described by a\r\nKalidasa, but perhaps some idea could be had from Bankimchandra\'s description\r\nof the Bhima tank: &quot;The dark shades of the palms dancing to the rhythms of\r\nthe dark waters&quot; and so on. That is to say, it had more of weeds and mud\r\nthan water, not to speak of the fish and the frogs and other animal species,\r\nincluding a fair complement of serpents and things. But to us it seemed good\r\nenough and we used to take our dips there with great glee. In fact I had my\r\nfirst lessons\' in swimming in that very pool. There were actually two of them\r\nand not one, and it would be difficult to decide which was the more\r\n&quot;untouchable&quot; of the two. The gardens around were in an equally poor\r\ncondition. They were no gardens at all, for all was primitive jungle, a tangle\r\nof shrubs and trees and creepers, with all sorts of insects and reptiles\r\nroaming within. And the house where we were supposed to live was in ruins.<span\r\nstyle=\'mso-fareast-language:ZH-TW\'>¹</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nin spite of all, the place was absolutely quiet and silent, a reason being that\r\nit was practically outside the city limits. The lire we lived in such\r\nsurroundings could be compared with that of nomads. The strange thing is that\r\ndespite such irregular habits, or rather the habitual irregularities of our\r\nlife there, we never fell ill. The abundance of vitality and the enthusiasm and\r\njoy kept at bay all attacks of disease. It was very similar to the kind of life\r\nwe lived here in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City> during\r\nthe first few years. Motilal when he saw us then exclaimed in utter surprise,\r\n&quot;What! Is this the way</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.8pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>¹ <span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>I have been there once\r\nlater. It was no longer the old Gardens but a ploughed field. There was no\r\ntrace of the jungle </span><span style=\'font-size:10.0pt\'>left,</span><span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'> it had all been dug up. The\r\npools too had been drained and filled and the house razed to the ground. The\r\nBritish authorities had dug up every inch of the area to see if any weapons\r\nmight have been kept hidden anywhere. I found in the case of the Yugantar\r\noffice also which stood next to the </span><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><span\r\n  style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>Medical</span></st1:PlaceName><span\r\n style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'> </span><st1:PlaceType><span\r\n  style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>College</span></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'> that it too had been pulled\r\ndown and there was only a little plot of open ground left in its place.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.8pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 346</span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n9.8pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; text-align:justify; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>you live? And you keep him (Sri Aurobindo) too like\r\nthis?&quot; Perhaps some day I may give you a picture of that life of ours,\r\nthat life of utter freedom which looked so rustic in the eyes of\r\n&quot;civilised&quot; people.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let\r\nme end this story today with something nice and sweet. It was during my stay at\r\nthe Gardens that I had my first meeting and interview with Sri Aurobindo. Barin\r\nhad asked me to go and see him, saying that Sri Aurobindo would be coming to\r\nsee the Gardens and that I should fetch him. Manicktolla was in those days at\r\nthe far end of <st1:place>North Calcutta</st1:place> and Sri Aurobindo lived\r\nwith Raja Subodh Mullick near <st1:Street><st1:address>Wellington Square</st1:address></st1:Street>\r\nto the South. I went by tram and it was about four in the afternoon when I\r\nreached there. I asked the doorman at the gate to send word to Mr. Ghose – this\r\nwas how he used to be called in those days at the place – saying that I had\r\ncome from Barin of the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Manicktolla</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Gardens</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.\r\nAs I sat waiting in one of the rooms downstairs, Sri Aurobindo came down,\r\nstood\' near me and gave me an inquiring look. I said, in Bengali, &quot;Barin\r\nhas sent me. Would it be possible for you to come to the Gardens with me now?&quot;\r\nHe answered very slowly, pausing on each syllable separately – it seemed he had\r\nnot yet got used to speaking Bengali – and said, &quot;Go and tell Barin, I\r\nhave not yet had my lunch. It will not be possible to go today.&quot; So, that\r\nwas that. I did not say a word, did my namaskara- and came away. This was my\r\nfirst happy meeting with him, my first Darshan and interview.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 347</span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n</i><p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-49_Muraripukur_I','','publish','closed','open','','49_muraripukur_i','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/49_muraripukur_i/',0,'post','',0),(2055,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Boris Pasternak</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:\r\nnormal\'><font size=\"4\">Boris Pasternak</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>PASTERNAK. His name and\r\nhis novel <i>Dr. Zhivago </i>have leapt to the eyes of the world. This book has\r\nwon him two things: high appreciation from the world, topped by the Nobel\r\nprize; and, as a paradox, stern censure from his own countrymen, those armed\r\nwith political powers. I am not concerned with the resulting controversy.\r\nSomething else is my topic. I understand that the word \'Zhivago\' is cognate to\r\nour ji<i>va </i>(a living being or life itself). \'Doctor Zhivago\' may be regarded\r\nas embodying and illustrating the life-principle of the author himself – the\r\nsecret of life, as revealed to him. The <i>raison d\'être </i>of his book is the\r\nsignificance of life and its course as discovered by him.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nfirst principle, the guiding motto of Pasternak\'s vision of life is the unity\r\nof all life on earth. The march of life has been one and indivisible in all\r\nclimes and times. The same vibration of life, the same rhythmic movement is at\r\nplay in the universe. Man, animal and plant – in all there is only one golden\r\nthread that runs through. They are moved by the same tune, the same rhythm and\r\nthe same life-energy. They have a common nature, a common virtue, a common\r\nmovement and a common goal. The experience of this union is perhaps the fount\r\nof an urge towards Supreme Love. If one loses oneself in this cosmic union,\r\nthen and then alone will come peace, freedom and the <i>summum bonum </i>of\r\nlife, whatever that is :</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And life\r\nitself is only an instant,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 192<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:13.9pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Only the dissolving</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Of ourselves in all others\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>As though in gift to them.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Life loses all its burden,\r\nits obligation and becomes almost light as emptiness when we are able to merge\r\nand fuse it in the universe.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nbehind this conception of the universal life, declaring that &quot;there is no\r\nother thing here on earth&quot;, there enters a duality with its inner\r\nconflict. For individual freedom is the second note of Pasternak\'s\r\nlife-principle. No doubt, the whole creation is indivisible, yet it is a\r\nclose-knit unity in manifold diversity. Seeing in this light, when we focus our\r\nattention on the individuality of man we come face to face with quite a\r\ndifferent picture. Individuality means not only struggle but a veil of darkness\r\nas well – the ugly play of all the hungers and passions. Life becomes a chalice\r\nof poison. The individual is condemned to dash himself in vain against the\r\ncollective solidarity of which he is a part. And thereupon we begin to perceive\r\nthat the peace, the unity, the supreme identity Pasternak has realised do not\r\nbelong to the land of the mortals. Even if there is anything in his realisation\r\nthat belongs to this earth, then it must have penetrated it, passed through\r\nand gone far beyond to reveal something of another world. This world as a\r\nresult turns into a great illusion; and then when one can look upon it as such\r\n– wonderful to say – it assumes the beauty of a mirage! This beauty therefore\r\ncan last as long as the world is taken as a whole. But in an individual life\r\nthe illusion presents an aweful sight. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b>\r\n</b></span>spite of a unity in the creation the individual life is a bundle of\r\nsorrows and tragedies of which Christ, his Lord, is the very embodiment.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>&quot;What\r\ndo you want to know of the creation which is under the octopus of time and\r\nsubject to death?&quot; queries the poet.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 193<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Sorry that the world is\r\nsimpler</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:15.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Than some clever people\r\nthink,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Sorry for the drooping\r\nthicket,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:15.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Sorry that each thing\r\nhas its end.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:15.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>There\r\nare plenty of similar imageries which give the same lesson:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And white as ghosts, the\r\ntrees crowded into the road </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>As though waving good-bye</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>To the\r\nwhite night which had seen so much.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>What\r\nlife is with all its weal and woe as well as wants and satisfactions has been\r\nbeautifully illustrated by the poet in a fable wherein we find the true\r\nsignificance of living:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Once upon a time</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:15.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><b><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></b><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>a fairy-tale kingdom,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Spurring over</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:15.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The burs of the steppe,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:15.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A horseman rode to battle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:22.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Through the dust a dark\r\nforest</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:160.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Rose to meet him</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:22.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><b><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></b><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>the distance.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:22.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Uneasiness</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Scratched at his heart:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\'Beware of the water,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Tighten your girth.\'</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He would not listen,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Galloped</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Full tilt</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Up the wooden slope.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page\r\n– 194<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Followed the channel</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Of a dried-up stream,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Passed a meadow</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And crossed a hill,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Strayed into a defile,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:23.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Came on the spoor</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Of a wild beast</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:23.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>leading to water,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:23.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And deaf to the sound</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Of his own suspicion,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Rode down to the gully</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>To water his horse.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Over the water,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:16.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Across the ford,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The mouth of a cave</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Lit up like sulphur.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Crimson smoke</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Clouded his vision.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A distant cry</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Sounded through the\r\nforest.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The rider started;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.85pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In answer to the call,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Picked his way gingerly.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.85pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Now he sighted –</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.85pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And gripped his spear –</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The head,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Tail,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Scales of the dragon.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Light scattered</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>From its blazing mouth.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page\r\n– 195<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It had trapped a girl</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:24.95pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In three coils of its\r\nbody.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:24.95pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Its neck was swaying</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Over her shoulder</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Like a tail of a whip.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The custom of that\r\ncountry</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Allotted a girl,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Beautiful</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Prisoner and prey,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>To the monster of the\r\nforest.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This was the tribute</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:22.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The people paid</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>To the serpent, ransom</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:22.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>For hovels.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:22.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Free</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>To savage her</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The serpent twisted</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>About her arms and\r\nthroat.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The rider raised eyes</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And prayer to high heaven,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Poising his lance</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:.3in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>For battle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Eyes closed.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Hills Clouds.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Pivers Fords.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Years. Centuries.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Knocked down in battle</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.15pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The rider has lost his\r\nhelmet.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>His faithful horse</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.15pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Tramples the serpent.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.15pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page\r\n– 196<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.7pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.15pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Horse and dead dragon</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Are side by side in the\r\nsand,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The rider unconscious,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The girl in a daze.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Blue gentleness lights</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The vault of noonday.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Who is she? A queen?</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>A peasant? A princess?</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At times excess of joy</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Triples their tears.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At times a dead sleep</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Holds them in its power.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At times his health</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Comes home to him,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>At times he lies\r\nmotionless,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Weak with loss of blood.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But their hearts are\r\nbeating.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Now he, now she</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Struggles to awake,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Falls back to sleep.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.1pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Eyes closed.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Hills. Clouds.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Rivers. Fords.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Years. Centuries.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>To\r\nthe poet the Greek mythological story is not a temporal and spatial occurrence\r\nbut an everlasting symbol which repeats itself perpetually. The ballad narrates\r\nthe incomplete and tragic life of man. A youth hastens to save a damsel from\r\nthe clutch of a python. All the three are either dead or mortally wounded,\r\nreeking in blood – perhaps for eternity.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 197<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Is\r\nthere no escape from this pitiful fate of life? With a hardened heart and a\r\nmuffled voice one has only to say:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:19.4pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Don\'t cry, don\'t pucker\r\nyour swollen lips, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Don\'t gather them into\r\ncreases,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For that would crack the\r\ndryness </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Formed by the\r\nspring-fever.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:.15in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Verily life is but a\r\nconstant whirl of rise and fall – a wheel that moves forward but grinding slow\r\nand inflicting wounds.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And yet, the poet says,\r\nthat is not absolutely inevitable, there is always a choice, a way of escape:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>However many rings of pain\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The night welds round me </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The opposing pull is stronger,\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The passion to break away.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>fact, the figure of Christ\r\nis ever present before his vision. Christ himself is his master, the ideal of\r\nhuman life. The love for his Lord Christ has brought him liberation. When the\r\ngreat crisis came and He had to choose did He not too cry out:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Abba,\r\nFather, if it be possible, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Let this cup pass from me.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:22.05pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:7.9pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Still\r\nHe accepted the Dark Night and passed beyond. He was able to see its necessity\r\nand its utility. For calamities are blessings in disguise. Indeed, they should\r\nbe looked upon s a special Grace of the Divine. The poet cites a parable of the\r\nBible:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:7.9pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Near by stood a fig tree,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Fruitless, nothing but\r\nbranches and leaves.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 198<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n7.9pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He said to it: &quot;What\r\njoy have I of you?</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Of what profit are you, standing\r\nthere like a post?</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I thirst and hunger and\r\nyou are barren.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And meeting you is\r\ncomfortless as granite.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>How untalented you are,\r\nand how disappointing!</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Such you shall remain\r\ntill the end of time.&quot;</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>According\r\nto the poet it is the supreme Blessing that is capable of making the impossible\r\npossible. Is it not a cruel irony? No, it is not so. &quot;When our calamities\r\nreach their climax, He rushes upon us and covers us up.&quot; Therefore it is\r\nsaid that God appears before us not in the broad daylight but at the dead of\r\nnight like a thief on tiptoe. The virtue of a spiritual man lies in his\r\ncapacity to see weal in woe. Ordinarily sorrow is taken as an unmixed evil. But\r\nin the vision of the poet there are veins of delight concealed in sorrow, and\r\nin their discovery lies the secret of life. The poet says:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.05pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>That is why in early\r\nspring</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>My friends and I gather\r\ntogether</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And our evenings are\r\nfarewells</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And our parties are\r\ntestaments,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So that the secret stream\r\nof suffering</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:-9.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>May warm the cold of\r\nlife.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:21.35pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Sorrow\r\nis a form of austerity, though not voluntary but imposed. In winter all nature\r\nputs on an austere form. Perhaps, it is for this reason that winter is so dear\r\nto Pasternak. Of course, the Russian winter is well-known for its special\r\nfeatures, and its scenic effects have passed into\' the stuff of the Russian\r\nconsciousness. As is the wintry external nature, so is the life of man; from\r\nthe standpoint of esoteric truth, the world is all fog and mist and is but a\r\nshocking barrenness. In such conditions what is to be done? We must take\r\nshelter in the sanctuary of our heart lit up by our self-dedication.\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 199<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>God has thus\r\ngiven us a splendid chance for self-concentration. When we are alone,\r\nfriendless and deserted by everybody; God sends us His divine messenger:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He remembered the majestic\r\nmountain </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In the wilderness, and\r\nthat pinnacle </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>From which Satan tempted\r\nhim </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>With world power:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the wedding feast at <st1:place>Cana</st1:place>,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the company marvelling\r\nat the miracle, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the sea over which, in\r\nthe mist,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He had walked to the boat,\r\nas on dry land:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the gathering of the\r\npoor in a hovel, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the descent into the\r\ncellar with a candle,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the candle snuffing\r\nout in fright</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>When the resurrected mail\r\nstood up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It seems that the problem\r\nof life can be solved only through the two great sayings of Christ. And the\r\nlife-principle of Pasternak has developed on the basis of these two sublime\r\nideas. The first is:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The kingdom\r\nof heaven is within you.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It is\r\nin the depths of our heart that the peace, freedom, light and supreme Love\r\nabide. But that does not mean necessarily that our outer life too shall be all\r\npeace and freedom from disease and danger. This cannot be expected; nor should\r\nit be wished for. The outer life, the normal life and the movements of nature\r\nare naturally a play of duality, disharmony and conflict. Yes, in normal life\r\nthere can be a barren winter. And hence it is that Judas betrayed Christ and\r\neven his faithful disciple Peter denied him thrice before the cock crowed. And\r\nconsequently the second motto is:<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 200<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Render unto\r\nCaesar the things that are Caesar\'s,</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\ncalamities of nature cannot be evaded, they have to be bravely faced. One has\r\nto march through the stormy and tenebrous night to reach the Light and Peace\r\nbeyond – the supernatural – as did Sri Radha to meet Sri Krishna.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Beauty\r\ncan bloom only in and through courage. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>It<b>\r\n</b></span>is this courage that inspires us to achieve something noble. Calamities\r\nshould be turned into opportunities. We have to bear them as Christ bore the\r\nCross, ride on them as our Gods ride on the carrier beasts.¹<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:16.3pt;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:16.3pt;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>¹ <span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\'>The readers may refer to p.\r\n185, vol. 2 of this series for an article originally written in English by the\r\nauthor under the same title.</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 201<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.05pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:right; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:\r\n1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>\r\n	<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n</div></td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-24_Boris Pasternak','','publish','closed','open','','24_boris-pasternak','','','2021-11-23 17:58:54','2021-11-23 17:58:54','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/24_boris-pasternak/',0,'post','',0),(2056,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>In This Crisis</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center;line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">In This Crisis</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>THAT the world has now\r\npushed itself into the grip of a tremendous crisis admits of no doubt. And\r\ndifficult it is to fathom the depth of deformation and depravity in which human\r\nnature and human society have sunk. The scriptures speak of the darkest days\r\nof <i>Kali </i>when even the last traces of religion would be wiped out; man\r\nwould become irreligious to the last degree; even in his stature he would\r\nshrink to a pigmy. Today\'s man seems certainly to have diminished to such an\r\nextent; his life and consciousness have greatly narrowed down; a drop of water\r\nis now his ocean. From what is happening all around one can justifiably say\r\nthat the realities of <i>Kali </i>have overpassed its original conception.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Man\r\nseeks worldly advancement and prosperity. That means extreme selfishness; there\r\nis nothing that this lure of self-aggrandisement cannot make man do without the\r\nleast twinge of conscience; it means falsehood, pretence, cleverness, deceit,\r\nharshness, cruelty, rudeness, crookedness – all these seem to have become a\r\nuniversally approved state of things and accepted as the human way, as human\r\ntemperament and human nature. If anyhow there occurs an exception anywhere to\r\nthe general rule, it gives rise to surprise and suspicion.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Leave\r\naside worldly men. And look at the youth on whom the burden of the world has\r\nnot yet fallen and who speak of visions and ideals. What is their nature today?\r\nTheir liberty means licence, absolutism; any sort of obedience or observance\r\nof rules is, in their eyes, slavery; it takes away from<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 268<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>their self-respect. We see\r\nat each step everywhere how rude and arrogant have become the students of these\r\ndays. From men\'s life has passed away the sense of restraint, politeness of\r\nheart, gracefulness. It is not that want has impoverished human nature to such\r\na miserable extent. Even where there is no want we find the same play of desire\r\nand impulse. It seems that some black force from somewhere has possessed man,\r\nwhich tempts him into mean ways and mean things, which has given his outlook a\r\ndownward turn, towards whatever makes of him a beast, a fiend, a demon. And\r\nthis state of things is proudly accepted and propagated as an ideal, as a\r\nmodern materialistic \'scientific\' ideal.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nmay not be that the earth at any time was a paradise or her social order a <i>Ramrajya,\r\n</i>a well ordered life of peace and joy. Still there was, after all, a\r\nrestraining force, a discipline, a sense of <i>dharma </i>(\'that which upholds\r\nall\'). Those who did not keep within the bounds of order and discipline were\r\noutlaws. But now to break order is to break the chains; and the boast goes\r\nforth, &quot;I am the unbound tresses of the graceful damsel with flame-lit\r\neyes.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>A\r\nnew creation may demand a pulling down and a burning up of the old. But\r\neverything depends on by what power, in consonance with what ideal, on what\r\nlines and in what manner we do it.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\n<i>atyasrami sannyasis </i>(those who have surpassed\r\nthe four ashrams or the four prescribed stages of life) obey no social law,\r\nthey are outside the pale of law: But they have acquired that right, for they\r\nfollow a higher law, a spiritual discipline.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>That\r\nis why we believe that the fundamental reason why human beings have become so\r\ninfrahuman is that a demoniac influence has possessed them. An asuric force\r\nhas descended on earth; it wants to appropriate the whole earth, to engulf the\r\nentire humanity. Perhaps this is its last chance. That is why it is in the\r\nfield with all its powers and exerts all its strength. It is from this angle\r\nthat we view the strifes and tussles going on throughout the world. It is a\r\nstruggle<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 269<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.1pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>between two\r\nforces: one tamasic, the other resplendent; the one is for man\'s uplift, the\r\nother for his downfall; the one for creation, the other for catastrophe.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Hence\r\na great responsibility faces every one of us – every one\'s life has assumed a\r\nspecial value and a special fulfilment. Each of us must take his stand either\r\non this or on the other side. However small and insignificant we may be,\r\nwhether we consciously adopt some ideal or sadhana or not, practically each of\r\nour thoughts, feelings, urges, or actions must be either for one side or for\r\nthe other. So each of us has before him an immense responsibility which he must\r\naccept willingly or unwillingly. We all know that a modern war is a total war,\r\nit is not simply for the trained soldier but for all – men, women, children. <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>society there is no\r\ndistinction as between military and non-military. All have come straight to the\r\nfront line and taken their stand there. There is no more any chance, any way,\r\nany excuse to move aside or away into the background. \'You are military, so am\r\nI\' – this is the prevailing mood.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nthen we have to know clearly on which side we are – on the side of truth or of\r\nfalsehood, and what we want for the earth – light or darkness.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.7pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>For\r\nthose who are grouped round Sri Aurobindo, who have adopted his sadhana, or who\r\ndesire his light and blessings on the path of life, their course is clear. But\r\nthen on this very account their responsibility too is twice as much. While\r\nremaining in the midst of asuric surroundings, they have to show, in their\r\nthoughts, impulses, actions, in their mind, life and body, that here too one\r\ncan tread the path of light, can survive in the struggle for existence, and not\r\nonly that, even when \'the sky colours and the night is densely dark, when clouds\r\nroar and lightnings flash, when from moment to moment thunders crash and the\r\ntempest grows wilder and fiercer,\' we have to show that even through such\r\ndangers it is as reasonable as it is safe to take to the path of light, to walk\r\nthe way of the gods. Whatever the immediate gains offered<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 270<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:195.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>by the\r\nother path, proofs are not wanting that the ultimate end is terrible. We have\r\nto face the situation with a firm faith and conviction, a one-pointed devotion\r\nand determination, courage and spirit, and go through our day to day life, showing\r\nat every step that success, fulfilment and prosperity are not the exclusive\r\ngifts of the Asura; the Divine also has that power. What is more, the scope,\r\nextent and variety of that power is even wider and higher.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We\r\nwill not suffer the field of life and its richnesses to pass into the asuric hold.\r\n\'Give the devil his due\' or \'Render unto Caesar what is Caesar\'s\' – this will\r\nnot be our motto. That would be a betrayal of faith, an attitude of divided\r\nloyalty. The Divine alone is the Sovereign; He has no partner in this domain.\r\n\'I, thy Lord, am a jealous God\'. There can therefore be no compromise or\r\nfriendship with the Asura, with the untruth. Neither is it wise to avoid or\r\nbypass him. No, not that. We have to look the opponent in the face; we have to\r\nrefuse his demand and impose ours on him. Strong in the strength of our inner\r\nforce, calling down the divine Light of which we are devoted servants,\r\nprotected by its<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>power, we have to break\r\ninto the very ranks of the asuric forces and go on baffling and overcoming them\r\nand in place of their ways and doings we have gradually to establish the ways\r\nand doings of Truth, Light and God.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Thus\r\nwill be possible the creation of a new world; it will have its beginnings just\r\nwhen into the old vitiated, disintegrating forms, centres of the new have\r\nfound their way and made for themselves a place within and have started putting\r\ngradual pressure on them. Be these centres individuals or groups, their\r\nconnection and collaboration with divine forces and divine springs of action\r\nwill be easier and more effective in proportion as they become more and more\r\nsincerely devoted, more and more self-surrendered, more and more one-pointed in\r\nthought, word and deed. Then will they march on, armoured and protected,\r\nleaving at every step landmarks of their victory.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 271<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>these critical days of\r\ncatastrophic possibilities, everything is unsteady and unstable, nothing\r\ncertain and dependable. Whatever earthly support we may clasp or clamp to our\r\nbreast, whether rank and wealth, our near and dear ones, or even the observance\r\nof religious vows and ideals, all will prove fragile and unreliable, like\r\nfigures drawn upon water. Amid these all-enveloping instabilities there is only\r\none fixed object. Those who will hold on to it will have safety; it is they\r\nalone who will be able to save what is worthy of being saved; it is they who\r\nwill see the sunny day; centring round them will dawn the new happy Age. The\r\nbest friend of man is, the divine being in him, the divine consciousness, in\r\nother words, the divine Will – not ambition and desire for earthly things, for\r\npersonal care and comfort but the high purpose and urge of the World-Mother, <i>etadalambanam\r\n<span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span>srestham etadalambanam param </i>–\r\nShe is the best, the supreme Refuge.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 272<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\">\r\n<a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-37_In This Crisis','','publish','closed','open','','37_in-this-crisis','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/37_in-this-crisis/',0,'post','',0),(2057,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Fit and Unfit</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">Fit and Unfit</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><span style=\'font-family:\r\nArial\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>(A<span\r\nstyle=\'font-family:Arial\'> </span>Letter)<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>You have written that you\r\nare only an ordinary man, not out of the ordinary like me. You do not dare to\r\nbe above the average, for you believe that you are wanting in capacity and\r\npower that make a man extraordinary. And therefore you have to go through life\r\nas others. However, I ask you one thing, who has told you that you are a mere\r\nnobody? How are you so positive about the limits of your power without\r\nexercising it in the field of work? Have you understood yourself entirely? No,\r\nyou will say, and you will add that your shortcomings and aberrations are the\r\nproof. How can one be great with such imperfections? In order to be great, one\r\nhas to aspire and that aspiration you lack. But I see at the very outset, that\r\nyou have formed a wrong conception about yourself. May it not be that under\r\ncover of your despair there lies hidden the fire of your aspiration? But you\r\nhave found no chance to give it a practical form. It is there lying repressed.\r\nYou are only cherishing a feeling of self-depreciation. Well, have you probed\r\nit? You are wide awake to your shortcomings. Have you ever tried to see your\r\ngood qualities? Before you jump to a conclusion about your own capacities, do\r\nnot look only at your faults, but also at your good qualities. And in truth, I\r\nsee in you a number of good qualities. Faults you have, but have you no\r\nvirtues? You will ask, to what extent? Well, look at both the extremes of your\r\nmerits and demerits, and form no estimate of yourself in advance. Man is an\r\namalgam of<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 300<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>good</span>\r\nand bad. As there is in him <span class=GramE>an</span> <i>adhara </i>for\r\ngood qualities, even so there is another for bad. You call me an extraordinary\r\nman, but if you had seen me when I was of your age, you would have simply said,\r\n&quot;What a miserable fellow you are! You have gone to dogs. There\'s no hope\r\nfor you.&quot; And if you go through history you will find that no great\r\npersonality was born with an unqualified greatness. All of them, as it is with\r\nus, came into the world, burdened with hope and despair, desire and frustration.\r\nTo me the tall talk that you hear about the wonderful exploits of their\r\nchildhood and boyhood is no better than a cock-and-bull story. People fabricate\r\nsuch stories to attract our attention to them after they have become great.\r\nBefore they rose to greatness these had passed unnoticed. Be sure, you too will\r\nhear many such stories about your early life the moment you grow into a great\r\npersonality. You may, however, say that all and sundry cannot become great. It\r\nis only a few that are actually great and it is God\'s Grace or the results of\r\ntheir actions in their previous lives that have made them so. There\'s no\r\nbuilding on the sand. But who says that there is no power dormant in you? Or\r\nthat you have no virtues acquired in your past lives? Or that you have no Grace\r\nof God? Who says that you .are only sand? So I tell you, first try to know yourself.\r\nAnd before trying to do so bear in mind the words of <st1:City><st1:place>St.\r\n  Paul</st1:place></st1:City>: &quot;I know not what I am&quot;. Start life\r\nwith this approach. \'I know nothing about myself. I do not know whether I am an\r\nordinary or extraordinary personality. I will come to know of it at long\r\nlast.\' Just begin the experiment on you to know yourself. Scrutinise yourself\r\nwith a bold heart. Experiment on yourself like a scientist. Try to discover all\r\nyour virtues and vices. As a matter of fact, the more you bring to the fore\r\nyour vices, the more will you automatically see your virtues.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Man\r\nis a bottomless mine of gems. Above, there, are many layers of sand, stone,\r\nclay and Goal intermixed. The deeper you dive, the more you glimpse the real\r\ngems. The deeper<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 302<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>still</span>\r\nyou go, you will find less and still less of mixture – there\'s only the gem.\r\nYou have lost heart at the sight of sand, stone and coal that are on the\r\nsurface. Man, as man, is such a mine. I don\'t say that diamonds are found in\r\nevery mine. But be sure, something useful and valuable can be found in it. To\r\nan individual this precious thing is his individuality, I mean, his speciality.\r\nYou will be a great personage, but that does not mean that you will grow into a\r\nNapoleon or a Buddha. And even if you could, I think, you must not try to be\r\nso. <span class=GramE>For to be a mere Napoleon or a mere Buddha is not the\r\nideal of the world.</span> Everybody must be his own self. Your whole greatness\r\nlies in what you should be.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:17.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>You\r\nhave to recognise that you are a mass of energy. Indeed, you have potentiality,\r\nwhatever <span class=GramE>be</span> your failure to manifest it fully and\r\nintegrally. To be conscious of this power, to make it dynamic, to awaken this\r\npotentiality is to manifest your own individuality, your own uniqueness. Only\r\nyou are not to measure this power, this potentiality by something else. Do you\r\nknow the limit of the power that resides within you? In other words, this\r\nhidden power, this speciality of yours is the divine quality, is God himself.\r\nAnd surrender to the Divine means to let the hidden power act according to its\r\nwill within you to make you calm and quiet and free your inner being from all\r\nlimitations.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>One\r\nmore word and I stop for the moment. Just observe that our society lays great\r\nstress on modesty. If the word modesty means only to belittle oneself, to make\r\nnothing of <span class=GramE>oneself</span>, one need not be modest at all. But\r\nwhat is the true meaning of modesty? It is simply to keep off pride and vanity.\r\nBut pride, i.e., to boast, to give oneself airs, to look upon oneself as a big\r\ngun – all these we generally call vanity. Besides these, pride has other forms.\r\nThere is a rajasic way of displaying one\'s pride. Truly; to think <span\r\nclass=GramE>oneself</span> poor, sinful, miserable, inferior to all, is also a\r\nsign of pride. All this is called tamasic pride. The word pride actually means\r\nI am aloof and unique, other than all you people.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 302<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.15in;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Man\r\nis a bundle of virtues and vices. The root of pride either rajasic or tamasic\r\nmust be pulled out, for it does not allow us to see or manifest the Truth.\r\nBesides, there is another kind of-pride, called sattwic pride (illumined\r\npride). We must <span class=GramE>rise</span> above all the three modes of\r\npride. We do not want any kind of pride. What we want is self-surrender. Behind\r\nyour modesty there lies the pride of your ignorance and self-debasement. The\r\nrajasic pride is better than this tamasic one. For tamas makes you absolutely <span\r\nclass=GramE>inactive,</span> and owing to the influence of rajas you become\r\nfull of life, full of dynamism and self-confidence. What is wanted is that you\r\nshould purify this self-confidence. I hope, you will gradually be aware of all\r\nthe forms of pride and you will be able steadily to remove them so that your\r\nwhole being may be filled with the glory of your own true <span class=GramE>Self</span>\r\nthat resides deep within you.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 303<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-42_Fit and Unfit','','publish','closed','open','','42_fit-and-unfit','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/42_fit-and-unfit/',0,'post','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2058,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>REMINISCENCES</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">REMINISCENCES</font><o:p></o:p></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n10.8pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><span style=\'font-size:20.0pt;\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></b></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<div class=Section2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">The Initiation of Swadeshi</font></b><i><o:p><font size=\"4\">&nbsp;</font></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>THE Swadeshi Movement of\r\n1905 in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nwas a most astonishing event, something in the nature of a marvel; one might\r\nalmost call it a miracle. It was like those great upheavals of Nature, as\r\nsudden and irresistible.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Earlier\r\npreparations and abortive attempts there had been galore, with results that\r\ncounted for little. This huge mammoth mass of humanity lay inert, like Kumbhakarna of the epic story, for hundreds of years. Here and there once in a\r\nwhile an attempt had been made to pour into its ears fiery words of awakening,\r\nlike:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Who would\r\nlive a life bereft of all <span class=GramE>freedom,</span> <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Who would care so to live?<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.1pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>or</span>,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>this <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>land</st1:PlaceType>\r\n of <st1:PlaceName>India</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> there are thirty <span\r\nclass=SpellE>crores</span> of men, <span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;\r\nline-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>And the foreigner rules here supreme!<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>and</span>,<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><st1:country-region><st1:place>China</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis awake, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis awake,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\npersists in her sleep.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:20.6pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In sheer desperation, the\r\npoet had exclaimed:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Unless the\r\nwomen of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nare wide awake, <span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>This land\r\nof ours will never awaken.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 321<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:13.2pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>If\r\nthe Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was truly our freedom\'s battle, it was no more than a\r\nscratch on a solid block of stone. A few shots fired, one or two murders (like\r\nthose of the Chapekar brothers) – the whole thing had the dimensions of <span\r\nclass=GramE>a</span> flea-bite.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But\r\nwhat was this happening now? All on a sudden, almost overnight, the dark\r\naccumulation of centuries was shaken off, and with the speed of lightning,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The Mother\r\nwas up on her feet.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Over the entire land there\r\npassed a mighty flood, an earthquake shook all. We looked on in wonder, lifted\r\nour voices in splendid chorus:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>We know not\r\nwhen, O Mother, out of the heart of <st1:place>Bengal</st1:place>, </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>You\r\nsuddenly revealed yourself in your strange beauty. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Our eyes cannot\r\nturn their gaze from you, O Mother. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The doors\r\nhave swung wide open in the golden temple.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:199.65pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Almost\r\novernight again, how very different we became from what we had been as\r\nindividuals! We used to be just humdrum creatures, most ignorant and inert; now\r\nwe became conscious and <span class=GramE>alert,</span> our lives acquired a\r\nmeaning, an aim, a purpose. We used to move in the traditional ruts, dull and\r\ndesperate. Instead of that our lives now got <span class=GramE>a cohesion</span>,\r\nan orientation. Borne along the current and driven with the crowd, the most one\r\ncould hope for in the past was to become a Deputy Magistrate or Professor, a\r\nDoctor or Advocate, worldly men of sufficient means. In a moment, all this got\r\ntopsy-<span class=GramE>turvey,</span> our lives were rent in twain as if by an\r\nearthquake. There lay across the chasm the deathlike life of the dead <span\r\nclass=GramE>past,</span> and here loomed a life of the present that faced the\r\nfuture with new duties.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nwas at the time in the throes of a great turmoil. The press and the platform \r\nwere loud with cries of &quot;Free<span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE>dom</span>&quot; and &quot;Boycott&quot;: </span>\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;\'>Page – 322<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span class=SpellE>the British must\r\nbe driven out, <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nmust be rid of the Britisher. In the parks and wherever there was an open\r\nspace, crowds would gather to listen to lectures and orations, crowds mostly of\r\nboys from the schools and colleges – the girls had not yet come out and joined.\r\nSwadeshi, boycott, national education, rural uplift – these were the slogans\r\ndwelt upon everywhere. And with it all there went on, in secret, underground\r\npreparations for revolution and revolt and armed attack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nour country, it has not been at all a rare thing for an individual to arrive at\r\na turning point in his life which makes him leave the comforts of home and go\r\nout in search of something higher; such an event may be counted among the\r\nfamiliar and commonplace. But a whole nation rushing away from its old moorings\r\nin search of the unknown – this was a rather extraordinary spectacle. Something\r\nlike it had been seen during the French Revolution, in the storming of the\r\nBastille, for example, but the Indian awakening had a different form and\r\ncharacter.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nmyself attended a number of meetings, particularly at Hedua, in Panti\'s Math\r\nand <st1:Street><st1:address>College Square</st1:address></st1:Street>, in the\r\nevening after college hours. At one of those meetings in Panti\'s Math, I had a\r\nview of Rabindranath as a leader and high-priest of nationalism, calm and\r\nhandsome and sweet-tongued and self-possessed but breathing words of fire\r\ncharged with strength and enthusiasm. On another day I chanced to see, in the\r\nfading twilight of evening at a meeting in <st1:Street><st1:address>College\r\n  Square</st1:address></st1:Street>, Sri Aurobindo. He was wrapped in a shawl\r\nfrom head to foot – perhaps he was slightly ill. He spoke in soft tones, but\r\nevery word he uttered came out distinct and firm. The huge audience stood\r\nmotionless under the evening sky listening with rapt attention in pin-drop\r\nsilence. I can now recall only these few words of his: it was a matter of shame\r\nand regret for him that he was unable to speak in his native tongue, his early\r\ntraining and environment had been such as compelled him to express himself in a\r\nforeign language; he was asking<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 323<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>to</span>\r\nbe pardoned by his countrymen. And the other thing I remember was the sweet\r\nmusical rhythm that graced the entire speech. This was the first time I saw him\r\nwith my own eyes and heard him.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nevents of another day come to mind. Perhaps it was on the occasion of the first\r\ndeclaration of Boycott, on <st1:date Year=\"1905\" Day=\"7\" Month=\"8\">the 7th of\r\n August, 1905</st1:date>. The <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Town Hall</st1:PlaceType>\r\n of <st1:PlaceName>Calcutta</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> was the venue of the\r\nmeeting. What a huge crowd had gathered there and what an oceanic movement! I\r\nhad been taken there by Atul Gupta, the friend, philosopher and guide of my\r\nstudent days; I had been his disciple in every respect, in my studies as in\r\npatriotic work. He made me sit by his side and gave me the necessary\r\ninstructions. The entire audience at one time stood up in a body and shouted\r\ntheir unanimous approval of a resolution: &quot;All, all,&quot; they cried. I\r\ntoo had to do the same. You will perhaps call it drama, but after all, the\r\ncritical moments of life are nothing but drama. There was no hypocrisy about\r\nthe <span class=GramE>thing,</span> it was just a manner of expression. One\r\nthing deserves to be mentioned here: the voices I heard of the many orators of\r\nthat epoch. The glory of those voices is now lost, thanks to the kindness of\r\nthe mike. Surendranath Banerjee, Ambikacharan Majumdar, Sachindranath Bose and\r\nof course Bepinchandra Pal – what high-pitched voices they had and how graceful\r\nin movement! How was it possible to combine in a single voice such power and\r\nstrength with so much sweetness! I had read about the orations of Demosthenes\r\nand <st1:City><st1:place>Cicero</st1:place></st1:City>, heard the eulogies of\r\nFrance\'s Mirabeau and Danton, of Burke and Gladstone of England. But it was\r\ntruly an experience to have heard with one\'s own ears a human voice of their\r\ncalibre. One cannot do without a mike today if one is to address an audience of\r\na thousand. In those days ten thousand people could easily listen to those\r\nsuperhuman voices. But why need we go so far? You have all listened to the\r\nvoice of our Sahana, a voice that held the heart of Rabindranath enthralled.\r\nLet me here tell you an amusing story in this connection, though it belongs to\r\na much<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 324<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>later</span>\r\ndate. There was a musical <i>soirée<span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";\r\nmso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'> </span></i>at the residence of one of\r\nDilip\'s relatives; it was at his uncle\'s I believe. I too was among the\r\ninvitees and there was a fairly big crowd. The performers of the evening were\r\nto be a virtuoso, one of the well-known ones though I forget the name, and our\r\nSahana. A question arose: who would sing first, Sahana or the virtuoso? It was\r\nagreed to have Sahana first and the virtuoso to follow; after all, a master\r\nmust have the last word! Sahana finished her songs and now it was the master\'s\r\nturn. But he dropped a bombshell! He said, &quot;One cannot sing anything after\r\nthat, it would fall flat!&quot; He did sing, though, after a while…. Those were\r\nthe days indeed.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span\r\nclass=GramE>Now to resume the thread of my narrative.</span> During the\r\nholidays I was back in my home town of <st1:City><st1:place>Rungpore</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nHere there was evidence of the same movement, with identical features. We\r\nroamed the streets singing, that is, shouting hoarsely at the top of our voices\r\nwe did the morning rounds with songs like<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Awake, O\r\nmen of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nhow long would you sleep?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>and</span> so on.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Perhaps\r\nit was in October, there was a day of special oath-taking. The day was to be a\r\nday of complete fasting, no smoke should appear over the top of any house, <span\r\nclass=GramE>any</span> house showing signs of smoke would be marked in black\r\nfor treachery. I too undertook a complete fast on that day – the first and the\r\nlast time I have ever done such a thing. I did not even touch a drop of water\r\nduring the twenty-four hours. But that did not keep me indoors doing nothing. I\r\nroamed the streets as usual, shouting &quot;Bande Mataram&quot; with the\r\nprocessions. The vital being in us, in its enthusiasm and excitement, cares\r\nnot a whit for anything.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Something\r\nrather out of the ordinary came to pass one day. There was an order served on\r\nthe town as a whole and on certain individuals in particular, forbidding all\r\nprocessions.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 325<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>No one was to take out a\r\nprocession or join in one. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In<b> </b></span>defiance\r\nof the order – defying orders was part of the programme of those days – groups\r\nof young boys came out and roamed about the streets singing. But that was all\r\nthey did, there was no occasion for any breach of the peace save the\r\ndisturbance that their shouts might have caused. Nevertheless, the \'Bande Mataram\'\r\ncry in itself was in the official view a symbol of resistance, of violence and\r\natrocity. So the police soon rushed after us, ordering us to disperse. We left\r\nthe main road and gathered in a garden-like empty space by the roadside. Many\r\nhad left, but about a hundred – I was among that number – squatted down. The\r\npolice sub-inspector Raicharan arrived on the scene with a mighty mien,\r\naccompanied by a few constables. As he kept on touching each of us on the head\r\nby turns, he muttered in his inimitable English, &quot;You arrest, you\r\narrest.&quot; We were taken to the Magistrate\'s bungalow, and as the day drew\r\nto a close we were released .on bail. The case came up before the court. The\r\nringleader of our group had been Atul Gupta. Our counsel pleaded on his behalf\r\nthat he was a man of position – he was at the time a student of the M.A. class –\r\nand should therefore be provided with a chair instead of having to stand on\r\nthe dock. The magistrate took no notice and dismissed the plea. Atul Gupta\'s\r\nfather happened to be a prominent nationalist of the town and the order\r\nbanning processions had been served in his house. This had the effect of\r\ndoubling or trebling the seriousness of Atul\'s offence; for he was an educated\r\nman, he claimed to be a leader, what he had done was done with full knowledge\r\nand deliberately. Hence the punishment he received was the heaviest of us all,\r\na fine of a hundred rupees. Thus he became a marked man, and it stood in his\r\nway when in afterlife his name was considered for a judgeship of the High\r\nCourt. There could be no place for him as a Judge in the <st1:place>British\r\n Empire</st1:place>, and he had to remain an advocate. This however did not\r\nhurt him in any way, either by way of pres<span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE>tige</span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 326<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span class=SpellE>or emoluments. We had in our group another person\r\nconsiderably older than all of us. We used to call him a member of the vagabond\r\ncompany, as he did no work or studies. He was asked by the Court, &quot;What is\r\nyour occupation?&quot; In order to keep up his dignity and position, he replied,\r\n&quot;General merchant.&quot; The Magistrate took him at his word and awarded a\r\nfine of fifty rupees. Fifty rupees! But the poor fellow was not even worth\r\nfive. I for my part might have escaped, as I was a mere boy, but I was fired\r\ntwenty-five rupees. The reason was that when they asked me if I had been aware\r\nof the Government order, I said without any hesitation that most certainly I\r\nwas. A deliberate defiance of the law! That was an unpardonable offence.\r\nAfterwards, during the Alipore Bomb case, this was cited against me on behalf\r\nof the prosecution in order to prove that I was an old offender. But the judge\r\nof the Alipore court, Beachcroft, had rather taken a fancy to me. He did not\r\ntake any note of this point and dismissed it as school-boy bravado. Nevertheless,\r\nthat confession of mine had been dubbed by many at the time an act of\r\nfoolishness, as they said, had I but mentioned that I knew nothing of the\r\nGovernment order, they would have let me off without further ado. My answer was\r\nthat I was embarking on a good and noble venture, how could I start off with a\r\nlie?<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nhave referred above to sub-inspector Raicharan. An ordinary sub-inspector, he\r\nwas nonetheless an interest colourful personality, exercising considerable\r\npower and influence as a strong man. Immediately after our so-called\r\n&quot;arrest&quot;, when he came to know who I was, he blurted out &quot;So you\r\nare Rajanibabu\'s son? But why didn\'t you tell me earlier? I would have let you\r\noff. Now I can\'t do anything about it, it is too late.&quot; He knew my father\r\nvery well and had been a sub-inspector at Nilphamari as well. As I was saying,\r\nsub-inspector Raicharan was a man with <span class=GramE>an individuality</span>.\r\nI can still picture him riding at a gallop, his chest proudly thrust forward,\r\nthe tail of his horse flying at the \r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 327<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>back</span>,\r\nin front his beard reaching to the chest, puffed up by the wind and parted in\r\ntwo. His mount too was a well-known race-horse of the town. They used to hold\r\nraces in the huge meadow near the Collector\'s office – we called it the\r\nCollectorate Math. It was Raicharan\'s horse that always came first; he was his\r\nown jockey.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Thus it was that I\r\nreceived a new initiation in my life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:13.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Within\r\na short while I discovered that my mind had taken a completely different turn.\r\nStudies offered no longer an attraction, nor did the ordinary life in the\r\nworld. To serve the country, to become a devoted child of the Mother, for ever\r\nand a day, this was now the only objective, the one endeavour. What would that\r\nimply?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.7pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nimplied that one must give up everything else: studies of course, and parents\r\nand relatives, all. I felt it was my duty to keep my parents informed of this\r\nirrevocable decision of mine. I thought it would be an act of treachery towards\r\nthem if I were to do anything so drastic without their knowledge. There was,\r\nno doubt, the old maxim of the sages, <i>yad-ahar-eva virajet, tad-ahar-eva\r\npravrajet, </i>&quot;one must leave one\'s home the day one feels the\r\nattachments cease to bind.&quot; The Buddha did that, Chaitanya did that,\r\nthough Shankara wanted to arrive at an understanding with his mother first.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nthought I should now break the news to my father. I distinctly remember the\r\nscene. I was then aged seventeen and a student of the Third Year, not exactly a\r\nkid, you see. One evening, as my father rested in bed after his dinner, I came\r\nand sat by his side. I had come determined to tell him, but there was a little\r\nhesitation about the way of putting it. I could not obviously just blurt out.\r\n&quot;I am going to leave home in order to do patriotic work.&quot; At last, I\r\nmanaged to put it like this, for we had a deep respect for our father: &quot;I\r\nshall not be studying any more at the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Presidency</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>; I shall join the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>National</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.&quot; To join the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>National</st1:PlaceName>\r\n <st1:PlaceType>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> had become a craze at the\r\ntime, and I thought that to put it that way would be to give the least offence.\r\nI<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 328<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>stopped</span>\r\nwith that one sentence. My father listened to me and then he began his\r\ndiscourse: &quot;Whatever you do, you should do after a good deal of thought.\r\nNever do anything under a sudden impulse, for that might later give you cause\r\nfor regrets. First, you must remember that you are the eldest son in the\r\nfamily. We are getting on in age and you have younger brothers and sisters of\r\nwhom it is incumbent on you to take charge, or else they would find themselves\r\nthrown out on the streets. Secondly, if you want to serve your country, that is\r\na good thing and I do not stand in your way. But if you can succeed in becoming\r\n<span class=GramE>a somebody</span>, in learning and position, then you would\r\nbe able to do much better and bigger things, wouldn\'t you? You don\'t have to go\r\nvery many years, at the most two or three, to finish your education. Once you\r\nacquire a decent position in life, you will not need to be just a common\r\nworker; you can, with your learning and intellectual gifts, become one of the\r\nleaders. Look at Atul Gupta, for instance. He didn\'t have to give up his <span\r\nclass=GramE>studies,</span> he has just done his M.A. and is now reading Law.\r\nHe has acquired a name and some fame and will be able to work for the country\r\nten times better as a man of position. And besides, there is another thing. If\r\nyou feel a true urge for renunciation, like Shankara or Chaitanya, that is\r\nanother matter, for that would add lustre to our family. But you must first\r\nlook into yourself carefully to see if you have developed in yourself that\r\nstrength and capacity. If it is just the caprice of a moment, then there will\r\nbe no end of regrets afterwards...&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>He\r\nwent on in this strain for some time. I sat silent and motionless like a block\r\nof stone. But I felt a sense of release within: I had said what I wanted to\r\nsay, done my duty. <span class=GramE>And as to my decision, that would be\r\nunshaken, &quot;as long as shone a sun and a moon&quot;, <i>yavaccandra-divakarau.</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>I\r\nwas now reminded of the story of Parvati in the <i>Kumarasambhava </i>of Kalidasa.\r\nMahadeva comes in disguise to beguile her mind. He says, &quot;What you have\r\nset your heart on is but<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 329<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>a</span> ghost, a goblin, a dirty\r\ncreature. Is it <span class=GramE>meet</span> to have such a low despicable\r\nthing for a husband?” And Parvati answer back, “You may say what you like, but\r\nmy mind is set, it will not be shaken.” The mind had settled on its one\r\nattraction, <i>mamatra bhavaikarasam manah sthitam, </i>it had now no\r\nother way.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 330<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.7pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"59\" height=\"24\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-47_The Initiation of Swadeshi','','publish','closed','open','','47_the-initiation-of-swadeshi','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/47_the-initiation-of-swadeshi/',0,'post','',0),(2059,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>Pondicherry – II</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><st1:City><st1:place><b\r\n  style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><span style=\'mso-bidi-font-style:italic\'>\r\n<font size=\"4\">Pondicherry</font></span></b></st1:place></st1:City><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><span style=\'mso-bidi-font-style:italic\'><font size=\"4\"> – \r\n</font> \r\n<span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\"><font size=\"4\">II</font><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>\r\n<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">I HAVE said that this\r\ncemetery that was <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City> had\r\nbeen infested by ghosts and goblins. These had a special category known\r\nordinarily as spies. The word &quot;spy&quot; carries with it, as you know, an\r\nassociation of all that is low and disgusting and unspeakable, things of dark\r\nimport. But did you know that the word is pure Sanskrit? It was <i>spasa</i> in\r\nthe old Vedic language. The Vedic Rishi describes Indra as sending out these <i>spasa</i>\r\nto trace the movements of his enemies, the forces of evil that clustered\r\nround the god. So, the Vedic gods had their spies, just as the modern British\r\ngovernment had theirs, though of course there was bound to be a certain\r\ndifference. These government spies tried to collect information as to who came\r\nto our houses, who were the people who met us, what places we frequented and\r\nhow our guests spent their time. That was why Motilal (Motilal Roy of the\r\nPravartak group in Chandernagore), when he first came to Pondicherry, had to\r\ncome dressed as an Anglo-Indian, and he never entered our house, the Raghavan\r\nHouse of today, except by the back door and under cover of darkness after\r\nnightfall.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:13.5pt; mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:right 294.45pt;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">In fact, all of\r\nus on our first arrival here had to come under false names, the only exception\r\nbeing Moni (Suresh Chakravarti). He did not have to, for he had not been one of\r\nthe marked men like the rest of us and his name had not been associated with\r\nany political trouble, as he was too young for that at the time. And in any\r\ncase it would not have been wise to give him a false name, to save him from the\r\nclutches of the law, for it was decided to rent our houses in his name<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:right 294.45pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\r\n\'>Page – 409<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:right 294.45pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE>and</span>\r\nit was he again who was to act on our behalf in all official matters. Sri\r\nAurobindo called himself Jatindranath Mitra, though only for a short while. It\r\nwas under this pseudonym that he sailed from <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nas a passenger on the &quot;Dupleix&quot; and had presented himself before the\r\ndoctor for the medical examination. The fun of it was that the doctor had no\r\nsuspicion as to whom he was going to examine, although he did exclaim on\r\nhearing Sri Aurobindo\'s accent, &quot;You seem to speak English very well!<span\r\nclass=GramE>&quot;,</span> to which Sri Aurobindo replied, &quot;Yes, I was in <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nfor sometime.&quot; Sometime indeed – fourteen years! My name was Manindranath\r\nRoy, and eventually I came to be known as Monsieur Roy; some of my local\r\nfriends of those days still know me as such\' and call me by that name. <st1:City><st1:place>Roy</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nand &quot;Sacra&quot; (that is, short for Chakravarti in French) became quite\r\nwell-known figures both in town and elsewhere on account of their football.\r\nBejoy was Bankim Basak – Basak for short – the noted half-back in our football\r\nteam.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">The\r\nBritish Indian police set up a regular station here, with a rented house and\r\nseveral permanent men. They were of course plain-clothes men, for they had no\r\nright to wear uniform within French territory. They kept watch, as I have said,\r\nboth on our visitors and guests as well as on <span class=GramE>ourselves</span>.\r\nSoon they got into a habit of sitting on the pavement round the corner next to\r\nour house in groups of three or four. They chatted away the whole day\r\nand only now and again took down something in their note-books. What kind of notes\r\nthey took we found out later on, when, after <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nhad become independent and the French had left, some of these notes could be\r\nsecured from the Police files and the confidential records of Government.\r\nStrange record, these: the police gave reports all based on pure fancy, they\r\nmade up all sorts of stories at their sweet will. As they found it difficult to\r\ngather correct and precise information, they would just fabricate the news.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:12.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Nevertheless, something rather awesome did\r\nhappen once.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:12.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n410<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">We had by then shifted to\r\nthe present Guest House. There were two new arrivals. One was a relative of Bejoy\'s, Nagen Nag, who had managed to get away from his family and had come to\r\nstay here on the pretext of a change of air for his illness. The other was a\r\nfriend and acquaintance of his who had come with him as a companion and help;\r\nhis name was Birendra Roy.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">One\r\nday, this Birendra suddenly shaved his head. Moni said he too would have his\r\nhead shaved, just because Birendra had done it. That very <span class=GramE>day,</span>\r\nor it was perhaps the day after, there occurred a regular scene. We had as\r\nusual taken: our seats around Sri Aurobindo in the afternoon. Suddenly, Biren\r\nstood up and shouted, &quot;Do you know who I am? You may not believe it, but I\r\nam a spy, a spy of the British police. I can\'t keep it to myself any longer. I\r\nmust speak <span class=GramE>out,</span> I must make the confession before\r\nyou.&quot; With this he fell at Sri Aurobindo\'s feet. We were stunned, almost\r\ndumbfounded. As we kept wondering if this could be true, or was all false,\r\nperhaps a hallucination or some other illusion – maya nu\r\nmatibhramo nu – Biren started again, &quot;Oh, you do not believe me? Then\r\nlet me show you.&quot; He entered the next room, opened his trunk, drew out a\r\nhundred rupee note and showed it to us. &quot;See, here is the proof. Where\r\ncould I have got all this money? This is the reward of my evil deed. <span\r\nclass=GramE>Never, I shall never do this work again.</span> I give my word to <span\r\nclass=GramE>you,</span> I ask your forgiveness...&quot; No words came to our\r\nlips, all of us kept silent and still.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">This\r\nis how it came about. Biren had shaved his head in order that the police spies\r\nmight spot him out as their man from the rest of us by the sign of the shaven\r\nhead. But they were nonplussed when they found Moni too with a shaven head. And\r\nBiren began to suspect that Moni, or perhaps the whole lot of us, had found out\r\nhis secret and that Moni had shaved on purpose. So, partly out of fear and\r\npartly from true repentance, for the most part no doubt by the pressure of some\r\nother Force, he was compelled to make his confession.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 411<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">After\r\nthis incident, the whole atmosphere of the house got a little disturbed. We\r\nwere serious and worried. How was it possible for such a thing to happen? An\r\nenemy could find his entry into our apartments, an enemy who was one of <span\r\nclass=GramE>ourselves</span>? What should be done? Bejoy was furious, and it\r\nwas a job to keep him from doing something drastic. However, within a few\r\ndays, Biren left of his own accord and we were left in peace. I hear he\r\nafterwards joined the Great<span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\"\'> </span>War and was sent to <st1:place>Mesopotamia</st1:place>\r\nwith the Indian army,<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">During\r\nthe Great War, Bejoy had his spell of bad luck. That makes another story. I\r\nhave said the British Indian police had set up a post here. It was placed in\r\ncharge of a senior official, no less a person than a Superintendent of Police.\r\nHe was a Muslim, named Abdul Karim if I remember aright, a very efficient and\r\nclever man, like our old friend Shamsul Alam of the Calcutta Police. We used to\r\ngo to a friend\'s house very often, particularly myself. This gentleman too, we\r\nfound, was a visitor there and we used to meet him as if by accident. He was\r\nvery nice and polite in his manners. He even expressed a desire once to have\r\nSri Aurobindo\'s darsan so that he might pay his respects. Sri\r\nAurobindo did not refuse, he was given the permission. The gentleman arrived\r\nwith a huge bouquet by way of a present and had the darsan.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">The\r\nthree of us, namely, Moni, Saurin and myself, who had returned to Bengal after\r\nan interval of four years, had to hasten back here almost immediately owing to\r\nthe outbreak of War, for there was a chance that old \'criminals\' like us would\r\nagain be shut up in jail. As we had come back, Bejoy said he wished to go, for\r\nhe too wanted to have a change. He would return after paying a short visit to\r\nhis people. He said he had been away for so long. But the question was: would\r\nit be all right for him to go? What did the French Government think? What would\r\nthey advise? It was in formally ascertained from the Governor that he did not\r\nconsider it advisable to leave here, for the intentions of the\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span style=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page –\r\n412<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">British authorities were\r\nnot above suspicion. Abdul Karim too was sounded as to their intentions. He\r\nsaid the British Government meant us no harm, for he was well aware that we\r\nwere saintly people engaged in sadhana alone, and so on. But\r\nSri Aurobindo had serious doubts. Bejoy however was a head-strong man. He got\r\neager to go and set foot on British territory, that is, offer his neck to the\r\nscaffold. And that is what happened. The moment he crossed the border and\r\nentered British Indian territory, he found the police waiting. They put him in\r\nhandcuffs, and for the next five years, that is, till after the War was over,\r\nhe was held in detention. Once he had managed to get away earlier with only a\r\nyear\'s custody in jail; this time it was not so easy.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">But\r\nwhy dwell on this dark tale of the lawless wilds and the demons and beasts.\r\nTheir ranks are still powerful and I do not wish to add to their strength by\r\ntalking about them. Now let me say a few nice things, about some good people,\r\nfor such people too had their abode here. At the very outset I should speak of\r\nthe Five Good Men. It is quite possible that there was a law in French India\r\nthat applied to foreigners. But now the law was made stringently applicable to\r\nrefugees from our own country. It was laid down that all foreigners, that is,\r\nanyone who was not a French citizen, wanting to come and stay here for some\r\ntime must be in possession of a certificate from a high Government official of the\r\nplace from where he came, such as a Magistrate in British India, to the effect\r\nthat he was a well-known person and that there was nothing against him; in\r\nother words, he must be in possession of a &quot;good conduct&quot; certificate.\r\nOr else he must produce a letter to the same effect signed by five gentlemen of\r\nstanding belonging to <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nI need hardly say that the first alternative was for us quite impossible and\r\nwholly out of the question. We chose the second line, and the five noble men\r\nwho affixed their signatures were these: (1) Rassendren (the father of our\r\nJules Rassendren), (2) De Zir Naidu, (3) Le Beau, <span class=GramE>(4) Shanker</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 413<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Chettiar (in whose house\r\nSri Aurobindo had put up on first arrival) and (5) Murugesh Chettiar. The names\r\nof these five should be engraved in letters of gold. They had shown on that\r\noccasion truly remarkable courage and magnanimity. It was on the strength of\r\ntheir signatures that we could continue to stay here without too much trouble.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">The\r\nstory of these local leaders reminds me of another incident. When I came here\r\nfirst, I had to adopt a subterfuge in order to ward off all suspicion. I posed\r\nas if I had come from Chandernagore, that is, from one part of French India to\r\nanother, as a messenger carrying a letter from one political leader to another.\r\nI had a letter from the leader of a political party in Chandernagore to be\r\ndelivered by hand to his opposite number in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nThe gentleman for whom I brought the message was called Shanmugabhelu; I forget\r\nthe name of the Chandernagore gentleman. The letter suggested that he might\r\nhelp me find suitable accommodation for my stay here. I came and saw Mr. Shanmugabhelu at his residence with that letter. My pronunciation of the name\r\nas Shanmugabhelu must have shocked the Tamil people present there! I found the\r\nhuge Mr. Gabhelu leaning on an easy-chair, surrounded by his henchmen and discoursing\r\nin tones of thunder – although the thunder must have been of the dry autumnal\r\nsort, for his party was Radical Socialist, something like our Moderate\r\nNationalists who shouted but produced nothing. He spoke in clear French. &quot;Sommesnous\r\ndes citoyens francais, <span class=SpellE>ou</span> <span class=GramE>non</span>?&quot;\r\n– &quot;Are we French citizens, or are we not?&quot; – <span class=GramE>he</span>\r\nshouted. This was a plaint addressed to the French authorities, a petition and\r\nprotest: <span style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'>&nbsp;</span>&quot;Where exactly do we stand\r\nhere in the matter of rights?&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Among\r\nour first acquaintances in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nwere some of the young men here. The very first among them was Sada – you have\r\nknown him, for he kept up with us till the end. Next <span class=GramE>came</span>\r\nBenjamin, Rassendren and a few others. Rassendren has joined us again at the\r\nend of his career; in his early days he had been our playmate. Gradually, they\r\nformed a<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 414<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:179.0pt 220.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nclass=GramE>group</span> of Sri Aurobindo\'s devotees. The strange thing about\r\nit was that they were all Christians. We did not have much of a response from\r\nthe local Hindus; perhaps they were far too orthodox and old-fashioned. The\r\nCercle Sportif was our rendezvous. There we had games, we arranged picnics, as\r\nyou do today, <span class=GramE>we</span> staged plays, and also held study\r\ncircles. Only students took part.<span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Afterwards,\r\nwhen the Mother came in 1914, it was with a few men chosen from out of this\r\ngroup that she laid the first foundation of her work here; they formed the\r\nSociety called &quot;L\'Idée Nouvelle&quot;. Already, in her <st1:City><st1:place>Paris</st1:place></st1:City>\r\ndays, a similar group had been formed around her, a group that came to be known\r\nas the Cosmique, a record of whose proceedings has appeared in part in the\r\nMother\'s Words of Long Ago (Paroles d\'Autrefois). Here, in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>,\r\nshe started building up an intimate circle of initiates simultaneously with the\r\npublication of the Arya.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Let\r\nme speak now of a strange incident lest you should miss the element of variety\r\nin our life of those days. We stayed at the Guest House then. The Mother had\r\nfinally arrived. The Great War was over, I mean the first one. And with the\r\ndeclaration of Peace, nearly all the political prisoners in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nhad been released. <span class=GramE>Barin</span>, Upen, Hrishikesh had all\r\ncome back from the Andamans, although they were still hesitating as to whether\r\nthey should join us here in the life of yoga or continue for some time longer\r\ntheir work in the outside world.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">One\r\nday, something rather extraordinary happened. Into our compound there came a\r\nSannyasin. He had a striking appearance, tall and fair, a huge turban wrapped\r\nround his head, a few locks of hair hanging down upon his shoulders. There were\r\nthree or four disciples too. He begged for Sri Aurobindo\'s darsan. But\r\nthe darsan turned out to be somewhat spectacular. There he disclosed\r\nhis identity. Concealed behind the thick cloak of Sannyasa was our old comrade Amarendra, Amarendranath Chatterji, the noted <span class=SpellE>ter<span\r\nclass=GramE>rorist</span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 415<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span class=SpellE>leader for whose capture the British\r\nGovernment had been moving heaven and earth, that is, the worlds of the dead\r\nand the living, and also raising hell in the world of the underground. Perhaps\r\nthey had set a price on his head too. And here he was in person! There was a\r\nwave of joy and excitement, mingled with some apprehension as well, for no one\r\nknew what the British or the French would do in case the news got abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Amarendra\r\nhad suddenly disappeared one day. He lived the life of a primitive savage in\r\nthe jungles of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Assam</st1:place></st1:country-region>;\r\nhe had been selling poultry and eggs at the steamship stations along the rivers\r\nof <st1:place>East Bengal</st1:place>, in the garb of a Muslim complete with\r\nLungi and <st1:City><st1:place>Fez</st1:place></st1:City>. And so many other\r\nthings he had done just in order to avoid the Government\'s vigilant eye. It was\r\na long romantic tale. Finally, he made himself a Sannyasin, became a Guruji.\r\nNear Tanjore he set up his Ashram. Disciples gathered, his mantras and\r\nteachings brought him fame; he styled himself, if I remember aright, Swami\r\nKaivalyananda. The British Government <span class=GramE>were</span> completely\r\nfooled.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12.45pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">The\r\nSwamiji, our Amarendra, came here to obtain Sri Aurobindo\'s instructions as to\r\nwhat to do next. This, as I have said, was after the end of the War, when\r\npractically all the political prisoners had been set free and even those deported\r\nto the Andamans had been allowed to come back. He wished to know if he could\r\nnow disclose himself and also what he was to do afterwards. He was advised to\r\ngo back to <st1:City><st1:place>Calcutta</st1:place></st1:City> and <span\r\nclass=GramE>await</span> the turn of events for a while. The Swamiji now\r\nordered his disciples back to the Ashram and. said that he would like to live\r\nin solitude for some time.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12.45pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">That\r\nwas the end of Swami Kaivalyananda. He had had his nirvana and his place was\r\ntaken by Amarendra Chatterji. The disciples had in the meantime gone back to\r\ntheir Ashram. There they kept waiting, but the months passed without any news\r\nof Guruji. They came here at last to find out where their Guruji was. Where\r\nindeed?<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 416<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">I\r\nmet Amarendra for the last time just before I came away to <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>\r\nfor good. I had been to his shop. It was a drapery stores known as the Workers\'\r\nCooperative that served as a veil and a meeting ground for terrorist activities.\r\nHe knew all about me and also that I was on my way to <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nAs a parting gift, he handed me a shawl from his Stores, adding, &quot;Payable\r\nwhen able.&quot; I distinctly remember the phrase. I came in touch with him\r\nagain long after this. He became a devotee and disciple of Sri Aurobindo and\r\nthe Mother and remained a faithful follower till his death.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">It\r\nwill not be out of place here to say something about the sort of education and\r\ntraining we received in those early days of our life in <st1:City><st1:place>Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:City>.\r\nOne of the first needs we felt on coming here was for books, for at that time\r\nwe had hardly anything we could call our own. We found that at the moment Sri Aurobindo was concentrating on the Rigveda alone and we managed to get for him\r\ntwo volumes of the original text. He had of course his own books and papers\r\npacked in two or three trunks. It was felt we might afford to spend ten rupees\r\nevery month for the purchase of books. We began our purchases with the main\r\nclassics of English literature, especially the series published in the Home\r\nUniversity Library and the World Classics editions. Today you see what a fine\r\nLibrary we have, not indeed one but many, for there is a Library of Physical\r\nEducation, there is a Medical Library, there is a Library for the School, and\r\nthere are so many private collections. All this had its origin in the small\r\ncollections\' we began every month. At first, the books had to lie on the\r\nfloor, for we had nothing like chairs or tables or shelves for our\r\nlibrary&quot; I may add that we had no such thing as a bedding either for our\r\nuse. Each of us possessed a mat, and this mat had to serve as our bedstead,\r\nmattress, coverlet and pillow; this was all our furniture. <span class=GramE>And\r\nmosquito curtains?</span> That was a luxury we could not even dream of. If\r\nthere were too many mosquitos, we would carry the mats<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 417<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE>out</span>\r\non to the terrace for a little air, assuming, that is, that there was any. Only\r\nfor Sri Aurobindo we had somehow managed a chair and a table and a camp cot. We\r\nlived a real camp life. I should add that there were a few rickety chairs too,\r\nfor the use of visitors and guests. And lights? Today you see such a profusion\r\nof electric lighting in every room and courtyard; we have mercury lights and\r\nflash lights and spotlights and torch lights; we are even getting well into the\r\nlimelight! There is light everywhere, &quot;all here is shining with\r\nlight&quot;, sarvamidam vibhati. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:\r\nbold\'>In </span>those days, on the other hand, we did not even have a\r\ndecent kerosene lamp or lantern. All I can recall is a single candlestick, for\r\nthe personal use of Sri Aurobindo. Whatever conversations or discussions we had\r\nafter nightfall had to be in the dark; for the most part we practised silence.\r\nThe first time there was an electric connection, what a joy it gave us! <span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>It </span>came like a revelation almost. We\r\nwere in the Guest House at the time, had shifted there only a, little while\r\nago. We were out one afternoon for our games (that is, football), and it was\r\nalready dark by the time we returned. As we opened the door and entered the\r\ncompound, what a surprise it was! The place was full of <span class=GramE>light,</span>\r\nthere were lights everywhere, a real illumination. The electricians had come\r\nand fitted the connections whilst we had been away. They had fitted as many as\r\nfour points for the entire building, the Guest House that you see, two for the\r\nfirst floor and two downstairs!<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">We\r\nwere able to purchase some French books at a very cheap rate, <span\r\nclass=GramE>not more than two anna</span>; for each volume in a series. We had\r\nabout a hundred of them, all classics of French literature. I find a few of\r\nthem are still there in our Library. Afterwards, I also bought from the\r\nsecond-hand bookshops in the Gujli Kadai area several books in Greek, Latin and\r\nFrench. Once I chanced on a big Greek lexicon which I still use.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Gradually,\r\na few books in Sanskrit and Bengali too were added to our stock, through\r\npurchase and gifts. As the num<span class=SpellE><span\r\nclass=GramE>ber</span> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 418<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span class=SpellE>of books reached a few hundred, the problem was\r\nhow to keep them. We used some bamboo strips to make a rack or book-stand along\r\nthe walls of our rooms; the &quot;almirahs&quot; came later. I do not think\r\nthere were any &quot;almirahs&quot; at all so long as we were in the Guest\r\nHouse. They came after the Mother\'s arrival, when we shifted with our books to\r\nthe Library House. That is why it came to be called the Library House.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">This\r\naccount would be incomplete without a few details as to our housekeeping. As to\r\nthe furniture, I have already said the mat alone did duty for everything. Of\r\nservants we had only one; he did the shopping. But as we did not know his\r\nlanguage, we had just memorised a few words connected with shopping and we\r\nsomehow managed to make him understand with the help of these words and a good\r\ndeal of gestures. Bejoy had his standing instructions: &quot;meen moon\r\nanna&quot; (fish three annas) – it was lucky meen in Tamil is the\r\nsame as in Bengali - &quot;if ille, then nal anna&quot; (if not,\r\nthen four annas), the Tamil equivalents of &quot;if&quot; or &quot;then&quot;\r\nwere beyond the range of our knowledge. Today we have practically one servant\r\nper head, thanks to the boundless grace of the Mother. Sri Aurobindo used to\r\nsmile and make the comment, &quot;We have as many servants as there are\r\nsadhaks here.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">We\r\ndid the cooking ourselves and each of us developed a speciality: I did the rice,\r\nperhaps because that was the easiest. Moni took charge of dal (pulses),\r\nand Bejoy being the expert had the vegetables and the curry. What fell to the lot\r\nof Saurin I do not now remember – Saurin was a brother-in-law of Sri Aurobindo,\r\na cousin of Mrinalini\'s. Perhaps he was not in our Home Affairs at all; his was\r\nthe Foreign Ministry, that is, he had to deal with outsiders. We had our first\r\nreal cook only after the Mother\'s arrival, by which time our numbers had grown\r\nto ten or twelve. There was a cook who had something rather special about her:\r\nshe had been to <st1:City><st1:place>Paris</st1:place></st1:City> and, made\r\nquite a name there on account of certain powers of foreseeing the future and\r\nother forms of<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 419<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE>occult</span>\r\nvision which she possessed. The Mother had these powers tested in the presence\r\nof some of us. She was asked to take a bath and put on clean clothes and then\r\nmade to sit with us. The Mother took her seat in a chair. We did a little\r\nconcentration in silence and then the Mother asked her, &quot;What do you see? <span\r\nclass=GramE>Do you see anything about anybody present here?&quot; and so on.</span>\r\nShe gave truly remarkable answers on several occasions. And yet she had had no\r\nsort of formal education, she was absolutely illiterate, had only picked up\r\nsome French by ear. Another cook who came later has become, as you know, quite\r\na celebrity thanks to his spiritist performance. The story has become well-<span\r\nclass=GramE>known,</span> it is now almost a classic. Sri Aurobindo has referred\r\nto it, the Mother has spoken and written about it, the well-known French poet\r\nand mystic Maurice Magre who had been here and lived in the Ashram for some\r\ntime has recorded it in one of his books. You must have heard or read what Sri\r\nAurobindo and the Mother have said on the subject. I do not wish to add anything\r\nof my own, for I was not an eye-witness; I had been away in <st1:place>Bengal</st1:place>\r\nfor a while.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Now\r\nthat we are on this topic of cooks and cooking, let me add a few words about\r\nmyself in this connection. I had, as I said, some practice in the work of the\r\nkitchen and I took it up again later on. For some time – we were about fifty in\r\nall by then – I did some serving in addition to cooking once a week. What kind\r\nof cooking was that? <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>In </span>those\r\ndays, we used to have pudding, payas, for dinner three times a\r\nweek, ordinary rice pudding, fried rice pudding, and tapioca pudding. I did the\r\ntapioca. <span style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>It </span>was rather in\r\nthe fitness of things that the hands that had once been used to making bombs\r\nshould now do some sweets.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">At\r\none time, one of our main subjects of study was the Veda. This went on for\r\nseveral months, for about an hour every evening, at the Guest House. Sri\r\nAurobindo came and took his seat at the table and we sat around. Subramanya\r\nBharati the Tamil poet and <span class=GramE>myself</span> were the two who<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 420<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.35pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>showed the\r\nkeenest interest. Sri Aurobindo would take up a hymn from the Rigveda, read it\r\naloud once, explain the meaning of every line and phrase and finally give a\r\nfull translation. I used to take notes. There are many words in the Rigveda\r\nwhose derivation is doubtful and open to differences of opinion. In such cases,\r\nSri Aurobindo used to say that the particular meaning he gave was only\r\nprovisional and that the matter could be finally decided only after considering\r\nit in all the contexts in which the word occurred. His own method of\r\ninterpreting the Rigveda was this: on reading the text he found its true\r\nmeaning by direct intuitive vision through an inner concentration in the first\r\ninstance, and then he would give it an external verification in the light of\r\nreason, making the necessary changes accordingly.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Sri\r\nAurobindo has taught me a number of languages. Here again his method has often\r\nevoked surprise. I should therefore like to say something on this point. He\r\nnever asked me to begin the study of a new language with primary readers or\r\nchildren\'s books. He started at once with one of the classics, that is, a\r\nstandard work in the language. He used to say that the education of children\r\nmust begin with books written for children, but for adults, for those, that is,\r\nwho had already had some education, the reading material must be adapted to\r\ntheir age and mental development. That is why, when I took up Greek, I began\r\nstraightway with Euripides\' Medea, and my second book was Sophocles\' Antigone.\r\nI began a translation of Antigone into Bengali and Sri Aurobindo\r\noffered to write a preface if I completed the translation, a preface where, he\r\nsaid, he would take up the question of the individual versus the state.\r\nWhether I did complete the translation I cannot now recollect. I began my Latin\r\nwith Virgil\'s Aeneid, and Italian with Dante. I have already told you\r\nabout my French, there I started with Molière.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">I\r\nshould tell you what one gains by this method, at least what has been my\r\npersonal experience. One feels as if one took a plunge into the inmost core of\r\nthe language, into that<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 421<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE>secret</span>\r\nheart where it is vibrant with life, with the quintessence of beauty, the\r\nfullness of strength. Perhaps it was this that has prompted me to write\r\nprose-poems and verse in French, for one feels as if identified with the very\r\ngenius of the language. This is the method which Western critics describe as\r\nbeing in <span class=GramE>medias</span> <span class=SpellE>res</span>, getting\r\nright into the heart of things. One may begin a story in two ways. One way is\r\nto begin at the beginning, from the adikada and Genesis, and\r\nthen develop the theme gradually, as is done in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata,\r\n<span class=GramE>the</span> Bible. The other method is to start suddenly, from\r\nthe middle of the story, a method largely preferred by Western artists, like\r\nHomer and Shakespeare for instance.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.75pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">But\r\nit was not found possible for Sri Aurobindo to continue with his own studies or\r\neven to help us in ours. For, as I have already hinted, our mode of living, our\r\nlife itself took a different turn with the arrival of the Mother. How and in\r\nwhat direction? It was like this. The Mother came and installed Sri Aurobindo\r\non his high pedestal of Master and Lord of Yoga. We had hitherto known him as a\r\ndear friend and close companion, and although in our mind and heart be had the\r\nposition of a Guru, in our outward relations we seemed to behave as if he were\r\njust like one of ourselves. He too had been averse to the use of the words\r\n&quot;Guru&quot; and &quot;Ashram&quot; in relation to himself, for there was\r\nhardly a place \'in his work of new creation for the old traditional\r\nassociations these words conveyed. Nevertheless, the Mother taught by her\r\nmanner and speech, and showed us in actual practice, what was the meaning of\r\ndisciple and master; she has always practised what she preached. She showed us,\r\nby not taking her seat in front of or on the same level as Sri Aurobindo, but\r\nby sitting on the ground, what it meant to be respectful to one\'s Master, what\r\nwas real <span class=GramE>courtesy</span>. Sri Aurobindo once said to us, perhaps\r\nwith a tinge of regret, &quot;I have tried to stoop as low as I can, and yet\r\nyou do not reach me.&quot;<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 422<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:9.8pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\'>It </span>was the Mother who opened\r\nour eyes and gave us that vision which made us say, even as Arjuna had been\r\nmade to say:<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:9.8pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"margin-left:.5in;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><i>sakheti</i></span><i>\r\nmatva prasabham yaduktam<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </i></span><span class=GramE><i>he</i></span><i>\r\nKrsna he yadava he sakheti<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"margin-left:.5in;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><i>ajanata</i></span><i>\r\nmahimanam tavedam<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </i></span><span class=GramE><i>maya</i></span><i>\r\npramadat pranayena vapi.<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:21.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"margin-left:.5in;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><i>yaccavahasartham</i></span><i>\r\nasatkrto\'si<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:23.75pt 1.0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </i></span><span\r\nclass=GramE><i>viharasayyasanabhojanesu</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"margin-left:.5in;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span class=GramE><i>eko\'thavapyacyuta</i></span><i>\r\ntatsamaksam<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;tab-stops:18.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:\r\nnone; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span style=\'mso-tab-count:1\'><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </i></span><span class=GramE><i>tatksamaye</i></span><i>\r\ntvamahamaprameyam<o:p></o:p></i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:18.7pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; margin-left:.5in;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">&quot;By\r\nwhatever name I have called you, O Krishna, O Yadava, O Friend, thinking in my\r\nrashness that you were only a friend, and out of ignorance and from affection,\r\nnot knowing this thy greatness; whatever disrespect I have shown you out of\r\nfrivolity, whether sitting or lying down or eating, when I was alone or when\r\nyou were present before me, – may I be pardoned for all that, O thou Infinite One.&quot;<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 423<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"60\" height=\"25\" border=\"0\"></a></b></p>\r\n<div align=\"right\"> \r\n	<p style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"> </div>\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-56_Pondicherry_II','','publish','closed','open','','56_pondicherry_ii','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/56_pondicherry_ii/',0,'post','',0),(2060,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>ON SPIRITUALITY</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal; font-weight:700\'><font size=\"4\">ON\r\n</font>\r\n<span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:bold\"><font size=\"4\">SPIRITUALITY</font></span></span></p>\r\n		<p align=\"center\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n15.6pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<b>\r\n<span style=\'font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\";\'>\r\n<font size=\"4\" face=\"Times New Roman\">Where\r\nis God?</font></span><i><span style=\'font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'><o:p><font size=\"4\">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span></i></b></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><i><span style=\'font-family:\r\n\"Arial Narrow\";mso-bidi-font-family:\"Arial Narrow\"\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">GOD you do not find? No\r\nGod – not at all? But why should He be found? And to own Him, what <span\r\nclass=GramE>right have</span> you? How much of yourself have you offered to\r\nHim? Every moment, every limb of yours, how far have you consecrated?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Your\r\ncall is merely lip-deep. You have called on Him in a slight difficulty or out\r\nof sheer curiosity, and forthwith is He to appear before you in person?</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:12.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Perhaps He does come down. But where is your\r\neye to see?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:12.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Seated in an abysmal, pitch-dark cave,\r\ntightly closing your eyes in addition, you cry out in a fit of restive passion\r\nand with a stupendous laugh of disdain &quot;Where is the Sun, where is the\r\nlamp of Phoebus? <span class=GramE>No Sun, none.&quot;</span><o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">No\r\nquestion of freedom for one who is subdued and trampled under the feet of\r\nothers. If one really wants to have a glimpse of freedom, it is not possible\r\nthrough mere ire, spite, disbelief, despair or at easy ease. Fitness for freedom\r\nhas to be acquired. The essential requisite is yoga, arduous yoga.</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Fear\r\nnot – the first step towards freedom is the consciousness of and revolt\r\nagainst subjection. If the ordinary life of the world is felt as the domain of\r\na Non-God – if there be a God He cannot remain inside the wheel of this\r\ncreation – if there be a Lord of this world-machine, then He must be a satanic\r\ngod, a crippled god – this is the first realisation.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:.15in;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nclass=GramE>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whenever you say, &quot;Where is God?</span> Where is He? Nowhere,&quot;\r\nthat shows the commencement of your soul\'s <span class=SpellE>awak<span\r\nclass=GramE>ening</span>, </span>\r\n<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 263<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n</span><div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span class=SpellE>however insignificant it may be. For you feel\r\na sense of want and dissatisfaction in everything including God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Your\r\ndenial of God is the first step towards God-realisation. One who finds\r\nfulfilment in the ordinary life and is content with and enamoured of it, one\r\nwho needs nothing over and above life, is no better than a tree, a stone, an\r\nanimal, a gorilla or a chimpanzee.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Sulking,\r\nspite, denial, disrespect, constitute the first step. The second step is a calm\r\nexpectation, a persistent faith, one-pointed love and devotion and a complete\r\nreliance.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; mso-pagination:\r\nnone;tab-stops:11.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><span\r\nstyle=\'mso-tab-count:1\'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Who has bound me with fetters? Have I\r\nimmersed myself in the infernal region of my own fancy?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">At\r\nthe very outset you yourself agreed and gave your consent to enter into this\r\nregion and then perhaps you were overpowered by all others conjointly.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.5pt; mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:11.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;\r\ntext-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">You wanted to exercise your freedom at your sweet will. The\r\nultimate result thereof has been your slavery.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">The\r\nhuman soul has this freedom because it is a portion of God, who is but the\r\nabsolute Freedom. If He wants, He can drag Himself down to bondage. Likewise,\r\nHe has the capacity to free Himself from and rise above bondage.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12.2pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Man\r\nhas the capacity to unravel the ravelled skein of life of which he himself is\r\nthe cause. And that is the aim of his life\'s discipline.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:12pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">However,\r\nthat knot was not woven in a day. Through aeons, owing to the pressure of the\r\nconsequences of man\'s actions, it has become solidified and hard; it appears to\r\nbe unbreakable and adamant. It is quite natural that a great period of time\r\nshould be necessary to untie the knot.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11.25pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">But\r\nas a matter of fact it is not so. Here the Grace of God intervenes. Within this\r\ncreation, in this domain oblivious of God, there is a power of Compassion that\r\ncomes into close contact with the soul which is open and really wakeful. With\r\nthe firm consent of the soul, Compassion liberates it from its entanglements\r\nand bondages of millennia. If not quicker than at once, it brings about\r\nliberation before long.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 264<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:10.55pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">If\r\nyou can take a step forward toward God with your own effort, you will find that\r\nHe has already advanced a hundred steps toward you.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">God\r\naccepts you with all your dirt and filth on account of which alone you fail to\r\nrealise that He has accepted you. He has been leading you slowly and steadily\r\nthrough these murky elements.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:11pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">When\r\nthe receptacle becomes hallowed and serene, then alone will the Being and the\r\nWill of God be reflected <span class=GramE>therein.</span> At that very moment\r\nthey will dawn on you and you will possess something of His Knowledge, Power\r\nand Bliss.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\"text-align:justify; text-indent:10.55pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">Man\r\nis at bottom a portion of God and of God alone. Toward God Himself is his\r\nirresistible march.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\"text-align:center; \r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\">\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 265<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:\r\n12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  \r\n  <p class=MsoNormal align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"59\" height=\"24\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>','-35_Where is God','','publish','closed','open','','35_where-is-god','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/35_where-is-god/',0,'post','',0),(2061,1,'2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','<html xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; \">\r\n<title>The Unity of India</title>\r\n\r\n</head>\r\n\r\n<body lang=EN-US style=\'tab-interval:.5in\'>\r\n\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" width=\"100%\">\r\n	<tr>\r\n		<td>\r\n<p align=\"right\" class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:center; line-height:150%;margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\"><b\r\nstyle=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">The Unity of </font> </b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b\r\n  style=\'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\'><font size=\"4\">India</font></b></st1:place></st1:country-region></p>\r\n		<div class=Section1>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><st1:country-region><st1:place>INDIA</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis one. But wherein <span class=GramE>lies</span> that unity, what is<i> </i>its\r\nnature?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Many\r\nare of the opinion that <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nhas no \'unity\'; the condition that prevails at present and the possible development\r\nmay at the most be termed \'union\'. Union is the agreement and harmony of many\r\nantagonistic entities, but unity is the organic oneness of the same entity.\r\nTo-day we proclaim <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nan undivided nation, but as a matter of fact <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis not exactly of that type. She is a collectivity of many diverse sub-nations,\r\na continent. <st1:place>Bengal</st1:place> is a state or a sub-nation, the <st1:place>Punjab</st1:place>\r\nis a state or a sub-nation, the Tamil Nadu and the Andhra Pradesh are each a\r\nstate or a sub-nation but the unity of the whole of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis merely a geographical formula. Or perhaps it can be said that <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis one to some extent in her culture, religion, conduct of life and social\r\ndiscipline. Consequently <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nmay at the most be compared with <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis one in the sense that <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> is one, – not as one\r\ncountry or one nation, not as a homogeneous group of people, like <st1:country-region><st1:place>France</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nor <st1:country-region><st1:place>Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nbut for the commonalty that exists in general in the way of thinking, the\r\nmental formation and in the mode of living. Of course there are Muslims in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nTheir genius is trying to strike a different <span class=GramE>note,</span>\r\nstill the foundation of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand her original character are the Aryan genius. The Muslims can be admitted\r\nin the way Jews have a place even in Christian Europe.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\nIs this sort of unity all that is there? It would seem so when we look from a \r\nsuperficial point of view, from the out<span class=GramE>side</span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 242<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>But if we try to look deeper we shall find the true power that is at play\r\nbehind the external form.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.2pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\nunity of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nlies in her soul-power. The unity that we see in the education, culture,\r\nbehaviour, conduct and the mould of her character are the outer manifestation\r\nof an inalienable unity which is derived from a still profounder living being.\r\nBehind <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nstands the \'One Being\', <i>purusam ekam. </i>That is the person who alone\r\nbrings about harmony, unity and oneness in the diverse, innumerable and variegated\r\nlife of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nThe unity of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\ndoes not lie in the mental plane <span class=GramE>alone,</span> gradually it\r\nis taking shape in the vital and is going to get embodied even in the physical.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.5pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>It\r\nis the descent of the soul-power of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nthat is pressing to fuse <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\ninto a single nation. The political unity of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis not only possible but inevitable, and the secret of that consummation is to\r\nbe found in this mystic fact. Indeed, if we compare <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nwith <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> from this point of view, the difference of\r\nthe two will stand out in bold relief. The political unity of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>\r\nappears to be a very difficult and even an impossible problem. The union of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>\r\nis an armed peace. One kind of union was attempted at times in the past, but\r\nthe union which Caesar, Charlemagne and Napoleon wanted to bring about was but\r\nthe sole supremacy of a particular country and nation; that means the union of\r\nthe devourer and the devoured. Another type of union too is at present visible\r\nin <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> – that is the formation of groups in their\r\nself-interest, each group combining to pool its resources against others. None\r\nof these unions is real unity. The compromise, the compact arrived at among\r\ndifferent interests are not the infallible unity of the soul; the undivided\r\npersonality of the collective being has not emerged there.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>In\r\nfact every European country has a well-developed and distinct personality of\r\nits own; each wants to secure a separate fulfilment, each is self-sufficient\r\nand distinct from the rest. There is a mutual give-and-take among them, often\r\nthey<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>Page – 243<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>move</span>\r\ntogether for a common cause; but the collective existence of each is boldly and\r\nstrongly demarcated. Look at <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\n<st1:country-region><st1:place>France</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nor <st1:country-region><st1:place>Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <span\r\nclass=GramE>The geographical boundary of each stands distinctly like the\r\ncontour of an individual human body.</span> The collective existence of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>,\r\nawake and alive, belongs separately to each of the European countries and\r\nnations and in no way represents the collective being of all <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>On\r\nthe other hand, if we look at <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nwe find that the whole of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\npossesses a well-defined and distinct geographical outline. But the boundaries\r\nof the separate states of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nare not so well-marked; their geographical features do not look well-built and\r\ncomplete wholes. No doubt, each of them has its own speciality, but their\r\ncollective beings do not stand out prominently in contrast to one another. If\r\nwe think of <st1:place>Asia</st1:place> in connection with <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nthen the difference between <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> will be clearly noticed. In the case of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nthe visualisation of a single indivisible state is easy and natural, but the\r\nsame cannot be said of the whole of <st1:place>Asia</st1:place>; the countries\r\nof <st1:place>Asia</st1:place> like those of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> have\r\ntheir different ways of life and modes of being. <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>\r\nhas a similarity to <st1:place>Asia</st1:place>, but not to <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:12.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>If <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis to be compared at all then the object of comparison cannot be <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>\r\nbut a country of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> which is called a \'nation\'. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\ncannot be classed with <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>, but <st1:country-region><st1:place>Great\r\n  Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>, for example, can be mentioned for\r\ncomparison. <st1:country-region><st1:place>Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis a homogeneous country or nation. Its collective being has a separate living\r\nindividuality. As in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Great Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nthere are <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\n<st1:country-region><st1:place>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nso in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region> the\r\nseparate states like <st1:place>Bengal</st1:place>, <st1:place>Maharashtra</st1:place>\r\nand the <st1:place>Punjab</st1:place> are the different limbs of the collective\r\nbeing of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nBut the thing is that just as <st1:place>Asia</st1:place> is far larger than <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>,\r\nthe states of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nare larger than the European states. To European eyes <st1:country-region><st1:place>China</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nappear like continents. Not only is <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nlarger in size but from the point of diversity also <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\ndisplays a<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 244<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>greater</span>\r\nprofusion that is almost endless. Those very differences and diversities that\r\nare to be found on a smaller scale within any European country are there in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\non a larger scale. The divisions which are considered insignificant and\r\ntherefore overlooked in a nation of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> stand prominently\r\nhere because of their amplitude, their immensity in size; such divisions too\r\nare accepted as somehow useful.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.75pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>So\r\nit comes to this that the unity of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis vaster and more complex than the unity of any of the nations of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>.\r\nBut for that reason it cannot be concluded that this unity is no unity. Rather\r\nwe know that science is proving the fact that the higher the being rises in the\r\nscale of evolution the greater complexity does its individuality acquire. Such\r\ndiversity and variety are visible in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nbecause a higher and greater synthesis is thus worked out or about to be\r\nwrought in a distinct manner and on a larger scale.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:\r\n150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>The\r\ncollective union of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>, its living truth, is not the\r\nunity that exists among the countries or nations of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>.\r\nOf course an attempt is being made to bring about a sort of oneness through the\r\nlength and breadth of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>; but that oneness is still\r\na conception, still an ideal, not even a living ideal yet. The inner being has\r\nnot as yet become conscious and alert about its own personality. But in the\r\ncase of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nthe awakening of her inner being has stood by far the first. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\'s\r\npersonality of collective existence is indeed a living truth. The unity of the\r\nwhole of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis, as it were, axiomatic and God-given. The oneness that is trying to become\r\nawake and conscious in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis not the unity and the personality of the whole of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,\r\nbut rather, the oneness of the different personalities of the states of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.\r\nTherefore we notice contrary ways of life-manifestation in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nand in <st1:place>Europe</st1:place>. In <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> the\r\ncollective personality has awakened and the sense of unity has been established\r\nfirst within the limited areas of different countries. Having established\r\nthese two things <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> is progressing towards the\r\nlarger unity in its totality. The trend of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> is the<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 245<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style=\'text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:\r\nnone;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'><span class=GramE>gradual</span>\r\nascension to the total consciousness of the inner being from the consciousness\r\nof the external physical parts. But in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nwhat happened is the gradual descent to the external physical parts from the\r\ntotal consciousness of the inner subtle being. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nfirst discovered her own inner being. This being of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nis ever awake, so in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nthe manifestation of that being and the descent of her power are making the\r\ndifferent states gradually become conscious and discover their own\r\nindividualities. Perhaps <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> has had to start from a\r\npolitical union or oneness in order gradually and finally to attain to the\r\nunity-of the soul, and achieve her own individuality. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\r\nhas long acquired the unity of the soul and this self-conscious individuality\r\nis the last word of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>\'s\r\noneness.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:150%;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0\'>\r\n<span\r\nstyle=\'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;\'>Page – 246<o:p></o:p></span></p>\r\n\r\n<div class=MsoNormal align=center style=\'text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;\r\nmso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\'>\r\n\r\n<hr size=2 width=\"100%\" align=center>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n  <p class=MsoNormal align=\"right\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><a href=\"-00_Content\"><img src=\"_Gif%20Image/Home.gif\" width=\"59\" height=\"24\" border=\"0\"></a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n		</td>\r\n	</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</body>\r\n\r\n</html>\r\n','-32_The Unity of India','','publish','closed','open','','32_the-unity-of-india','','','2021-11-23 17:58:55','2021-11-23 17:58:55','',0,'http://collectedworksofnolinikantagupta.com/index.php/2021/11/23/32_the-unity-of-india/',0,'post','',0),