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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

15 August 1872 – Birth of Sri Aurobindo

Broadcast talk on Sri Aurobindo by Syama Prasad Mookerji on 15 August 1950

15th August is a memorable day for India. It marks not only the withdrawal of British rule from India. It is the day on which Sri Aurobindo was born – at once the last survivor of an heroic age and the creator of a new age. Sri Aurobindo’s contributions to our national awakening have a character, quality and content, which, it is particularly necessary to comprehend and realise in order to protect us from the perils of an unknown future darkened by skepticisms and lack of faith. His spiritual enlightenment attained through a mental process of discipline, intuition, study as well as contemplation has an abiding value not only in strengthening our bases of culture, but also those of our character and actions.
…. When Sri Aurobindo retired as a recluse to Pondicherry, the problems had not attained to their present stage of aggressiveness, militancy or complexity. They were then incipient in their character. Sri Aurobindo attended to a divine call – a call that comes to a few. He foreswore a life of action for a life of meditation. Already in 1909 while in jail he had the vision of God. He realized, in his own words to which he gave utterance in his speech at Uttarpara in 1909, “The utter Truth of Hindu religion.” He had many doubts about it before but now day after day he realised in the mind, he realised in the heart, he realised in the body, the truths of the Hindu religion. He followed it up by a life combined with the practice of Yoga, contemplation and study. He is a philosopher and a prophet but is not a founder of a new system of religion but a prophet who interprets life in its relation to the supreme spirit. In him revitalised our ancient philosophy.



Source: Syama Prasad Mookerji Papers [Ist Inst.], MSS Section

Congratulatory letter from Padma Shumsher Jung on India's independence

                                                                                                                                 NEPAL
15th August 1947
Dear Mahatmaji,
          Permit me please to approach you through this letter to tell you how very deeply gratified I do feel at the thought that your noble and selfless efforts in securing freedom for India have at last borne fruit. The spontaneous sacrifice you have made at the altar of Independence is indeed very laudable and will be written in letters of gold in the history of India. Praise be to your cult of AHIMSA which has secured independence for India and I feel sure that the same cult of yours will see India completely united in no distant future.
I hope you will allow me to avail myself of this letter to congratulate you on the success that has so far attended you along with the best of wishes for the early attainment of “Purna Swaraj” for India which is so very near and dear to your heart. May God give you good health and help you in the prayer of one who takes pleasure in subscribing himself…
                                                          Your sincere admirer,
                                                            Padma Shumsher Jung
To,
Mahatma M.K.Gandhi
Sodepur Ashram
Sodepur
24 Pargannas
Barrakpore.


Source: M.K.Gandhi (Pyarelal) Papers,XIIth & XIVth Inst., MSS Section

Monday, August 7, 2017

7th August 1941 – Death of Rabindranath Tagore

Message issued by Gandhiji on death of Rabindranath Tagore

17th instant is Shraddha day of Gurudev. Those who attach religious significance to Shraddha ceremony will no doubt fast for the day by abstaining from food altogether or confining themselves only to fruits and devote themselves to prayer. The prayer may be individual or congregational. Every city and every village which has partaken of Gurudev’s uplifting message delivered through his writings and lived in his life will meet at an hour best suited to them and contemplate the whole life and dedicate themselves for the country’s service. Gurudev stood for peace and goodwill. He knew no communal barriers. I therefore hope that all sections will join together in observing the solemn day and promote communal harmony.



Source: M.K.Gandhi(Pyarelal) Papers, XVth Inst., MSS Section