Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

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EDITORIAL
is vital to the destiny of a Nation. The Epics and the Mythologies of India chronicle the
cultural history of the Nation and catalogue its abiding values. They serve the great purpose
of perpetuating these values in lifestyles.
4) 4) The The History History and and the the Mythology Mythology of of India
India
The scriptures, especially the Mythologies of India were utilized fully by the National
leaders during the freedom movement. Masterly commentaries on the Bhagawad Gita came
to be written by Lokamanya Tilak, Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba. The
coming of Gandhi and his aspiration of India achieving ‘Ramarajya’ were turning points
in expanding the mass base of the freedom struggle. The Epic and the Puranic icons such
us Harischandra, Draupadi, Hanuman and Appar were utilised to awaken the masses
and educate them on the sacredness of the mission of our freedom struggle. The Vivekananda
Kendra Patrika issue on the Role of Spiritual Literature in India’s Freedom Movement
also highlights the Epic and the Puranic inspiration. A crisis situation often helps a Nation
to rediscover its original identity and endows it with the courage to shed all unwanted and
irrelevant accretions of history. India utilised the critical period of its foreign rule to rediscover
itself. The reaction was widespread. From the ascetic Vinoba to fiery Madanlal Dhingra a
wide spectrum of Indian youth was inspired by its Mythology and spirituality.
Madanlal Dhingra’s final testament read:
“As a Hindu I feel that the wrong done to my country is an insult to God. Her cause
is the cause of Sri Rama. Her service is the service of Sri Krishna. Poor in wealth and
intellect a son like myself has nothing else to offer to Mother but his own blood and so I
have sacrificed the same on Her altar” From the extremists like Dhingra to a moderate
leader like Gopalakrishna Gokhale, from a serious philosopher-Karmayogi like
Lokamanya, to totally ascetic Vinoba, from a crowd-puller like Gandhiji to a recluse like Sri
Aurobindo, every member of the freedom movement was inspired by the imagery of Sri
Rama, Sri Krishna, Durga and Savitri. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee found a new use for
the Puranic imagery when he composed the immortal song ‘Vandemataram.’ He found
that “every idol in every temple is the image of Mother Bharat.” Subrahmanya Bharati
likened Panchali’s plight to that of Bharatamata in a most powerful song.
5) 5) 5) The The The Epic Epic and and the the Puranic Puranic Images Images and and Hinduism Hinduism Today oday
Today Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman, Vinayaka and Parvati are
household names, inspiring people in their worldly as well as spiritual life. Sri Krishna the
child is the universal archetypal trickster of Carl Jung. His love for Radha so divinely
reciprocated, is the ultimate statement in selfless love. His philosophy of the Gita is a true
commentary on the Vedas.
Hinduism is the only religion that accepts that the ultimate reality can have a feminine
form. The worship of Parashakti, as the Goddess of Valour, Wealth and Learning has