The present edited book on Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy of Nationalism is an effort to analyse the ideas of the greatest political thinker of modern India. Worked in the last 19th and early years of the 20th century, Aurodindo's thoughts and visions is important issues of 'nation', 'nationalism', 'internationalism',' globalisation', 'universalism', recollect-ing till now. This book is interesting and new discourse on Sri Aurodindo's prophetic thoughts as philosopher, politician, romantic poet and yogi. As such the book gains importance in academic circles and hopefully shall benefit students and academicians alike.
Bijoy Prasad Das is presently Assistant Professor of Political Science at Durgapur Women's College, Durgapur. He has obtained his M.A., B. Ed and M. Phil degree from Burdwan University, West Bengal, India. He has published a book and several articles in books and journals. He has presented papers at several National Conferences and is actively engaged in research work.
Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) was one of the major figures in the history of the Indian renaissance and Indian nationalism. His moral, intellectual and spiritual accomplishments have cast a deep influence over the mind of the Indian intelligentsia. Since the publication of his magnum opus, 'The Life Devine' the attention of some of the leading intellectuals of the world has been drawn to him, and Savitri, his epic poem, is considered by some to herald a new era in the realm of spiritual poetry. Certainly, he has been one of the most systematic and learned of all modern Indian thinkers. Tagore, who was greatly impressed by the luminous personality of Aurobindo, stated that through him India would express her message to the world. Romain Rolland regarded Aurobindo as the highest synthesis of the genius of Asia and the genius of Europe. Aurobindo was indeed a versatile genius-Poet, metaphysician, seer, patriot, lover of humanity, and a Political Philosopher. His works attempt to represent the crystallization of the new and rising soul of India and have a spiritual message for humanity.
Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was looked upon as a prophet of the Indian nation-alism. His concept of nationalism is based on the Philosophy of the Vedanta which stands for unity and harmony among individuals. In that sense all persons are equal and there exists a unity between God and Individuals. He used religious ideas and symbols to shape the concept of nationalism. How-ever he represents the humanistic face of Hinduism. From this perspective his concept of nationalism is wide enough to include different religious, cultures and traditions. His theory of nationalism is based on awakening the spirit of nationalism in the minds of Indian. He believed that only unity could throw the British rule.
Aurobindo is considered as one of the greatest Political thinkers of mod-ern India. His concept of nationalism was based on identifying India with our mother. Naturally the strength of mother India according to Sri Aurobindo depends on the power (shakti) of the Indian masses cutting across religious, linguistic and racial divisions. He defined the essence of nationalism in a manner which helped Indians to transcend the differences of caste, language, custom, religion etc. He identified the Indian renaissance with the emergence of nationalism in India which helped the rejuvenation of Hinduism in the spirit of vedanta philosophy.
He wanted the common people to participate in the freedom movement. In this way they could serve the motherland. He for the first time realised the importance of mass-participation in our freedom movement. The doctrine of Passive Resistance Penned by him in April 1907 was the first scheme of a mass-movement against British Rule for achieving Indian freedom. Thus one of the notable features of his concept of nationalism is that it does not exclude any community, rather include all communities. In a word, his concept of nationalism is all-inclusive.
His revolutionary spirit is seen here already ablaze with the fire of nation-alism that was to turn into ashes the iron fetters of bondage and slavery in a foreseeable future. Let us listen to some of the first words of the soul of the nation that were penned by Sri Aurobindo:
""Our appeal, the appeal of every high-souled and self respecting na-tion, ought not to be to the opinion of the Anglo-Indians, no, nor yet to the British sense of justice, but to our own reviving sense of man-hood, to our own sincere fellow-feeling-so far as it can be called sincere-with the silent and suffering people of India. I am sure that eventually the nobler part of us will prevail, that when we no longer obey the dictates of a veiled self-interest, but return to the profession of a large and genuine patriotism, when we cease to hanker after the soiled crumbs which England may cast to us from her table then it will be to that sense of manhood, to that sincere fellow-feeling that we shall finally and forcibly appeal.""
"
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1086)
Archaeology (753)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist