Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher, scholar, and statesman who served as the first Vice President and second President of India. He was born in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, but his ancestors hailed from a village near Almora in Uttarakhand. He was proud of his Kumauni roots and often visited Uttarakhand to learn more about its culture and history. In this blog post, we will explore how Radhakrishnan’s Kumauni background shaped his intellectual and spiritual outlook.
Radhakrishnan and the traditions of Uttarakhand
Radhakrishnan was exposed to the rich and diverse traditions of Uttarakhand, especially the Kumaun region, from his childhood. He learned about the legends, folklore, customs, and rituals of the Kumauni people from his family and relatives. He also developed a love for the natural beauty and scenic landscapes of Uttarakhand, which he described as “the abode of the gods”.
One of the most important traditions that influenced Radhakrishnan was the celebration of Teachers’ Day or Shikshak Diwas in Uttarakhand. Teachers’ Day is also known as Guru Purnima in Uttarakhand. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashadha (usually in July or August), which is considered to be the birthday of Ved Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata and one of the greatest teachers in Hinduism. On this day, students pay respect and gratitude to their teachers by offering them flowers, sweets, fruits, and gifts. They also perform puja (worship) and arti (ritual) for their teachers and seek their blessings. Some students also recite poems, songs, or speeches in honour of their teachers.
Radhakrishnan was deeply moved by this tradition and adopted it as his own. He considered Ved Vyasa as his spiritual guru and followed his teachings faithfully. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan also respected and admired all his teachers who guided him throughout his academic and professional career. He once said, “The most important thing for a teacher is to have reverence for his students”. Radhakrihnan also said, “The true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves”. He exemplified these values in his own life and inspired many others to do the same.
Radhakrishnan and the philosophy of Uttarakhand
Radhakrishnan was influenced by the advaita vedanta philosophy of Śaṅkara, who was also born in Uttarakhand (in Kaladi village near Rudraprayag). Advaita vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy that teaches that there is only one reality, which is Brahman (the supreme spirit), and that everything else is an illusion or maya. The individual soul or atman is identical with Brahman and can realize this truth through knowledge or jnana.
Radhakrishnan regarded Śaṅkara as one of the greatest teachers of Hinduism and wrote extensively on his works and teachings. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan also adopted Śaṅkara’s method of reconciling different schools of thought and harmonizing different religious traditions. He believed that all religions are expressions of the same ultimate reality and that they can coexist peacefully and respectfully. Radhakrishnan said, “Religion is not a matter of acceptance or rejection but one of interpretation”. He also said, “The end-product of religion is not dogma but experience”.
Radhakrishnan applied this philosophy to his own life and work. He was a champion of interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was instrumental in establishing the UNESCO Chair for Comparative Studies of Religions at Banaras Hindu University. He also represented India at various international forums and conferences on religion and culture. He was widely respected and admired by leaders and thinkers from different faiths and backgrounds.
Radhakrishnan and the reform movements of Uttarakhand
Radhakrishnan was inspired by the spiritual and social reform movements that emerged in Uttarakhand in the 19th and 20th centuries. He admired the leaders and thinkers who advocated for the upliftment of the downtrodden, the empowerment of women, the preservation of the environment, and the promotion of education and culture in Uttarakhand. Some of these figures include Swami Vivekananda, Swami Shraddhananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Govind Ballabh Pant, Badri Dutt Pandey, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, and Gaura Devi.
Radhakrishnan was especially influenced by Swami Vivekananda, who was also a disciple of Śaṅkara and a proponent of advaita vedanta. Swami Vivekananda was a charismatic and visionary leader who revived Hinduism and spread its message to the world. He also founded the Ramakrishna Mission, a humanitarian and educational organization that works for the welfare of humanity. Radhakrishnan was deeply impressed by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and personality. He said, “If ever a man walked this earth who was a living embodiment of the spirit of India, it was Swami Vivekananda”. He also said, “Swami Vivekananda saved Hinduism and saved India”.
Radhakrishnan followed Swami Vivekananda’s example and dedicated his life to the service of humanity. He was a pioneer of education and culture in India. He was the first Indian to hold a professorship at Oxford University. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was also the founder of Andhra University and the first Vice Chancellor of Delhi University. He was a prolific writer and speaker who authored many books and articles on philosophy, religion, ethics, and politics. He was also a patron of arts and literature who encouraged and supported many young and talented artists and writers.
Radhakrishnan and the expressions of Uttarakhand
Radhakrishnan was also influenced by the artistic and literary expressions of Uttarakhand, especially the Kumaun region. He appreciated the folk music, dance, art, literature, and cuisine of the Kumauni people. He was familiar with some of the famous Kumauni musical instruments, dances, writers, and dishes. (Know More About The Food Of Uttarakhand)
Radhakrishnan was also a creative and expressive person himself. He wrote poems and essays in Hindi and Urdu, which are widely spoken languages in Uttarakhand. He also had a keen interest in music and played the flute as a hobby. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan also enjoyed reading and watching plays and dramas. He once said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance”. He also said, “Literature is an expression of life in words of truth and beauty”.
Radhakrishnan enriched the cultural heritage of India with his own contributions. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, in 1954. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times. Radhakrishnan was honoured by many countries and institutions with various awards and degrees. He was a source of inspiration and pride for millions of Indians.
Conclusion
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a remarkable person who embodied the best of Uttarakhand and India. His Kumauni heritage influenced his philosophy and worldview in many ways. He was a teacher, a philosopher, a statesman, a reformer, and an artist. Radhakrishnan was a bridge between the East and the West, between the past and the present, between the sacred and the secular. He was a true son of Uttarakhand and India.
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