(Subhas Chandra Bose, 23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945)

Subhas Chandra Bose was endowed with many great qualities and capabilities. After passing his ICS, he came to India, joined the political movement and made a significant contribution to it in many ways. But, unfortunately, he had to leave the country as there was no unity among the Bharatiyas. Even while staying overseas countries, he played a very important role for the freedom of India from the British rule.

Lalita Bose, the daughter of his brother, once came Puttaparthi. She regretted that her uncle Subhas Chandra Bose, having been born in this sacred Bharat, had to leave the country. She was happy that she was able to live in this country and have Swami’s darshan. She came to Brindavan, Whitefield also and stayed there for a few days. Later on, she followed in a car wherever I went. She used to play on harmonium and sing Bhajans. She came to Ooty and Kodaikanal also when I went there. All the time, she was chanting ‘Sai Ram’ ‘Sai Ram’ She had no other thought except this in her mind.

Subhas Chandra Bose was endowed with physical, mental and spiritual powers. But he never revealed his spiritual powers to anyone. He had a burning desire to make India a great and prosperous Country. No other leader had such a strong aspiration for freedom and progress of the country as Subhas Chandra Bose. He was the one who believed in action; not merely in speech like many other leaders. There many great leaders in our country even today, but what is the use if they do not put into practice what they say? They say a million things but do not put into practice even one! I am very much pained to see that today, nobody remembers Subhas Chandra Bose who had done so much for the country. He was the one who dedicated his entire life to the country. Even when he was staying in overseas countries, his love for his motherland was uppermost in his mind. Rather, it went on increasing day by day

He is verily a living corpse who does not declare with pride that this is my motherland, this is my mother tongue and this is my religion. (Telugu poem)

(Congress president Bose with Mohandas K. Gandhi at the Congress annual general meeting 1938)

Subhas Chandra Bose strove very hard to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity. He demonstrated the ideals of love and forbearance. One who does not have love for his country is verily a living corpse. Only a person who upholds the good name of country troy can be called a living person in the true sense of the term.

(Subhas Chndra Bose s clarion call for swatantra)

Meanwhile, India attained swatantrata (independence). But this was merely ‘Swatantrata’, not ‘Swaatantrata’. What is swatantrata? It relates to the body, mind and intellect, while Swatantrata is related is related to the atma, Those who follow the atmic principle  are truly independent. the same is the difference between ‘swarajya’ and ‘swaarajya’. we should aim at achieving ‘swarajya’, not merely ‘swarajya’. When we follow the atmic principle, everything becomes good for us, not only that, it will lead to the well-being and prosperity of the entire world. We should not merely be satisfied with political independence; we should achieve that impendence which relates to the atma. Subhas Chandra Bose strived to attain the independence related to the self. Ultimately, he succeeded in his endeavour.

Everybody should make efforts to know such noble souls. Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the Bharatiyas of his times who attained ‘Swatantrata’ (independence of the Self) when others were their selfish ends. They harboured narrow considerations and differences while Subhas Chandra Bose considered the entire country as one.

I spoke only out of My love for Subhas Chandra Bose, though none invited Me to speak. Such persons like Subhas Chandra Bose should be born in Bharat again and again. India should attain its pristine glory again. Had Subhas Chandra Bose been alive today, he would have attained the highest name in history. There would have been no beggars in this Country. But, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas themselves were responsible for his leaving the country. As a result of that, they are now facing great difficulties. We should love and trust such noble souls. Love and trust are our true strength. We should never forget Subhas Chandra Bose. His teachings were full of noble thoughts and great ideals.

Unfortunately, people forget such good persons and remember the bad ones. It is a great mistake. Never forget good people. They are like precious jewels. I wish that you should always remember such noble souls. (SSS Vol.40, pp. 151-156)

Do not give up your sacred culture and love for your motherland. Subhas Chandra Bose never forgot his motherland even when he was staying in other countries. You should proudly proclaim, “This is my motherland.” Do not tarnish the image of the sacred culture of your land. Be happy. (SSS Vol.40, p. 172)