Sister Nivedita s Spirit By of Service
Who earn forget the evocative retelling of the story of Shibi Rana in Cradle Tales Of Hinduism or the compelling narrative of the spread of Buddhism in Footfalls of Indian History? The two companion pieces were written by a woman whose love and dedication to the cause of India's resurgence have become legendary. Indeed, her guru called her Nivedita, "the Dedicated One". Transformed by the clarion call of Swami Vivekananda, Margaret Noble left home and hearth to plunge into the task set out by her preceptor, to immerse herself completely in the Indian renaissance. She was so dedicated that Rabindranath Tagore was to call her later as a Lokmata, mother of the people, and Aurobindo described her as an Agnisikha, flame of fire. They were only reinforcing what her own teacher Vivekananda thought of her -he described her as "a real lioness". Nivedita loved her adopted motherland. Her multifaceted persona inspired and guided the young talents of JC Bose, Aba- o nindranath Tagore and Subramania Bharati in diverse fields. She herself lived a simple and austere life, in the tradition of her teacher. The spiritual trigger provided by Vivekananda was to be expanded into nationalist causes by Sister Nivedita. She said, "...I will look to India, India may look to the West if she wishes... My task is to awaken the nation". She was guiding and helping JC Bose with not only sponsorships; she provided editorial assistance for his research papers. She inspired Abanindranath Tagore to revive the Indianness of Indian art and to dispel the Hellenic influences. Nivedita encouraged Subramania Bharati's vision and ideals in his fight against casteism. Subramania Bharati was often heard saying that in the presence of Sister Nivedita, he used to feel tremendous power, a Shakt Her work among the poor best and the most destitute i Calcutta mark her out as a early forerunner of Mothe Teresa. Her work an inspiration during Calcut ta's 1899 plague is legendary She initiated relief work an help camps by sweeping th streets and cleaning th drains. Thousands came out on the streets to help her, a= tribute and in recognition o the ideals of sacrifice an service which Sister Nived ta upheld for all, and which she embodied completely. It was this tremendous will-power and strength tha saw her go house-to-house enlist girls for her school in Calcutta in the same period in an effort to break dowel old prejudices. Her involve ment and concern ensure her ending up as a membe of their families, as the Sister of Calcut ta. Despite wan of funds and ex treme privation she kept the girls school going. He spirit of service saw her wadins through water t help people in villages during the 1905 Eas Bengal floods. Nivedita's love of everything Indian was eloquently demonstrated in her serving of tea to Lady Minto on a visit to the Dakshineshwar temple Swami Tathagatananda records that everything was swadeshi- biscuits, teŠ° sugar, cups and saucers even. Subramania Bharati's poem on Nivedita describes her as "...Sun dispelling my soul's darkness,/ Rain to the parched land of our lives,/ Helper of the helpless...". J C Bose got the image of a woman stepping forward, lamp in hand, installed at his research centre later in her memory But nowhere more poignantly is Sister Nivedita's life summed up than in her epitaph in Darjeeling: "He repose the ashes of Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India".
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Pranav Khullar and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Pranav Khullar and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Sister Nivedita s Spirit By of Service
Who earn forget the evocative retelling of the story of Shibi Rana in Cradle Tales Of Hinduism or the compelling narrative of the spread of Buddhism in Footfalls of Indian History? The two companion pieces were written by a woman whose love and dedication to the cause of India's resurgence have become legendary. Indeed, her guru called her Nivedita, "the Dedicated One". Transformed by the clarion call of Swami Vivekananda, Margaret Noble left home and hearth to plunge into the task set out by her preceptor, to immerse herself completely in the Indian renaissance. She was so dedicated that Rabindranath Tagore was to call her later as a Lokmata, mother of the people, and Aurobindo described her as an Agnisikha, flame of fire. They were only reinforcing what her own teacher Vivekananda thought of her -he described her as "a real lioness". Nivedita loved her adopted motherland. Her multifaceted persona inspired and guided the young talents of JC Bose, Aba- o nindranath Tagore and Subramania Bharati in diverse fields. She herself lived a simple and austere life, in the tradition of her teacher. The spiritual trigger provided by Vivekananda was to be expanded into nationalist causes by Sister Nivedita. She said, "...I will look to India, India may look to the West if she wishes... My task is to awaken the nation". She was guiding and helping JC Bose with not only sponsorships; she provided editorial assistance for his research papers. She inspired Abanindranath Tagore to revive the Indianness of Indian art and to dispel the Hellenic influences. Nivedita encouraged Subramania Bharati's vision and ideals in his fight against casteism. Subramania Bharati was often heard saying that in the presence of Sister Nivedita, he used to feel tremendous power, a Shakt Her work among the poor best and the most destitute i Calcutta mark her out as a early forerunner of Mothe Teresa. Her work an inspiration during Calcut ta's 1899 plague is legendary She initiated relief work an help camps by sweeping th streets and cleaning th drains. Thousands came out on the streets to help her, a= tribute and in recognition o the ideals of sacrifice an service which Sister Nived ta upheld for all, and which she embodied completely. It was this tremendous will-power and strength tha saw her go house-to-house enlist girls for her school in Calcutta in the same period in an effort to break dowel old prejudices. Her involve ment and concern ensure her ending up as a membe of their families, as the Sister of Calcut ta. Despite wan of funds and ex treme privation she kept the girls school going. He spirit of service saw her wadins through water t help people in villages during the 1905 Eas Bengal floods. Nivedita's love of everything Indian was eloquently demonstrated in her serving of tea to Lady Minto on a visit to the Dakshineshwar temple Swami Tathagatananda records that everything was swadeshi- biscuits, teŠ° sugar, cups and saucers even. Subramania Bharati's poem on Nivedita describes her as "...Sun dispelling my soul's darkness,/ Rain to the parched land of our lives,/ Helper of the helpless...". J C Bose got the image of a woman stepping forward, lamp in hand, installed at his research centre later in her memory But nowhere more poignantly is Sister Nivedita's life summed up than in her epitaph in Darjeeling: "He repose the ashes of Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India".
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Pranav Khullar and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Pranav Khullar and Speaking Tree,Times of India