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Swami Tilak and Hindu unity
Book reviews by Manju Gupta
Sivaraman: Swami Tilak (Part I), Sri Bajrangadas Kuti, 230 pp, Rs 100.00
This biography is written by Sivaraman, a retired engineer, who met Swamiji in 1967 at Thiruvananthapuram, during his wandering days. This book is the first part of the biography and covers the life of Swamiji, from birth up to his journey abroad on the first world tour. The world tours and his teachings constitute the subsequent parts of the books not under review at the moment. He had the opportunity to observe Swami Tilak from very close quarters and spend a considerable part of his life with him. Nitya Chaitanya, president of Sri Bajrangadas Kuti, says in the foreword to the book that when he saw Swamiji for the first time in 1967 at Cochin, he was reminded of Lord Buddha with his shaven head, peacefulness, ego-less personality and the humble and simple form, short stature, a shining face and wisdom oozing out from his every pore. During their padayatra in Kerala, Nitya Chaitanya entreated Swamiji to write his autobiography, but the latter replied, ?In Indian tradition it is not a practice to write an autobiography, since self-flattery may creep in, knowingly or unknowingly.?
The book begins by quoting words of Swami Vivekananda as the author finds a remarkable similarity in the lives and teachings of the two. He says that Vivekananda had said, ?It was misery that taught more than happiness, it was poverty that taught more than wealth, it was blows that brought out the inner fire more than praise?Where are the men who are ready to sacrifice everything so that this message shall reach every corner of the world? Such heroic souls are wanted to help the spread of truth. Such heroic souls are wanted to go abroad and help to disseminate the great truth of the Vedanta: The world wants it. Without it, the world will be destroyed.?
Tilak was born in the Paramar family of Madhya Pradesh and as he himself said, he used to dig the earth, put seeds in them and after some days, dig them again to see how much the seeds had grown. As a result of this the seeds did not sprout and remained in the same condition as when sown. So Tilak said on acquiring maturity, ?Human duty is only to sow the seed and provide healthy environment for its growth. Sprouting is a natural phenomenon over which man has no control. Similarly do your part in worldly dealings honestly and leave the results in the hands of God or Nature.?
About his school days, the author says that Tilak was a naughty boy. He was very restless and could not sit still for a moment. He was very weak by constitution as he passed his days in abject penury. Though a rebel in nature, Tilak had many wonderful qualities. He was humble and honest and his integrity was unquestionable. To the needy he always extended a helping hand. He was also a voracious reader. On his father?s advice, he began reading biographies of great men and was particularly fond of reading the life story of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. In later days, he said, ?My inspiring sources are Swami Dayananda and Swami Vivekananda.? On growing up, Tilak joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh much against his father?s wishes and who reprimanded him, ?So you are firm on your decision.?
?Yes,? the boy replied.
?Are you sure that you can endure hardships and sufferings to any extent if a crisis arises.?
?Yes.?
The father lighted a candle and placed it on the table. Then he turned to his son and said, ?Hold your forefinger in the flame till I say to withdraw.?
The young Tilak immediately extended his finger to the candle flame. He withstood the pain of burning for long without a single wink, till the father cried out, ?Enough, enough.?
On growing up, Tilak worked as editor of Panchjanya. Later, he went on pilgrimage to the Himalayas. He was a lonely traveller without any company. He travelled barefoot all over India in search of a guru and onwards to the hardships and felicitations, humble huts and meetings, welcomes and insults, love and apathy while preaching on spiritual matters. He said once, ?Life is full of problems. Before you solve out one another crops up. One required inexhaustible courage and energy to struggle against odds. Let us pray to God for more light and better understanding.?
On another occasion he said, ?In the case of sadhana, progress is slow. Don?t get impatient at any stage. Every effort however fruitless is an addition to your credit. Even the flowers that fall down before fruition strengthen the very soil at the foot of the plant or the tree firm determination and perseverance are the sources of success.?
He travelled abroad too where on one occasion, a questioner asked him, ?Swamiji, you are always happy and peaceful. May I now the reason??
Swamiji had replied, ?Nothing special, it is very simple. I own nothing. When I have nothing, I have everything and when I have something, I have nothing.?
He propagated a united Hindu nation and said, ?In no sense the ?Hindu? is a narrow term. It encompasses the entire vishwa (world). Whatever is good and truth is Vedic and hence Hindu. All those who live for good and follow truth are Hindus. To become a Hindu or Vedic it is not essential that one should have faith in a particular book. Follow truth (satyam), you become Vedic. Follow non-violence (ahimsa), you become Arya. Follow brahmacharya (celibacy) you become Sanatana (eternal).?
During his last days he said, ?Nobody can escape from the clutches of death and nobody dies twice. The inevitable has to happen. Then why should one worry about death and what purpose does it serve? The time and place of death for each individual is fixed?If I am destined to die in an accident it will happen. Everything is preplanned and predetermined.? And Swamiji?s end came in a road accident in Spain in 1984.
This biography serves as a beautiful description of an adventurous life and can serve as an example for us to follow and live in this world with full vigour and intensity and not yet be of this world.
(Sri Bajrangada Kuti, P.O. Chipaneer, Via Timarni-461228, Harda district, Madhya Pradesh.)
Books received
1. Auro World; Published by The Mother?s Integral School Vidyanagar, Hyderabad-44.
2. The Real Awakener: The greatness of India and its culture; Published by The Peoples Awakening and Service Organisation, Mirambika Bhawan, Khetan Mohalla, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan-333 001.
3. Good Governance, People?s Participation Beyond Voting; Published by Peace Trust, Near Police Housing Colony, Trichy Road, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu-624 005.
4. Shri Aurobindo and the Mother on India and on the West; Published by The Mother?s Integral School Vidyanagar, Hyderabad.
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