Date:16/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/16/stories/2002121600410900.htm

Miscellaneous - This Day That Age

Rajaji Advocates Bhakthi

Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari declared open a temple at the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya at Perianaickenpalayam, Coimbatore on the 13th during the birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the centenary of Sri Sarada Devi. The large gathering of men and women included Messrs. Kumaraswami Raja, K. Madhava Menon, C. Subramaniam, V.C. Palaniswami Gounder, Drs. K.S. Krishnan and P. Subbaroyan, and Srimati Kuttimalu Amma.

The Chief Minister spoke after Swami Kailasananda, who dealt with the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Rajaji referred to the statement of Mr. E.V. Ramasami Naicker that he was not an atheist, and that all he was saying was that he had not seen God in visible form. They had just listened to the history of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna was an ordinary priest in a temple. But he became a saint shedding light and showing the path of salvation to the whole world. He founded a great Mission whose motto was service to suffering humanity. He was a great spiritual force. The divine spirit that animated him was enshrined in all. People suggested various solutions for the ills that beset the country.

Some harped on universal literacy as a panacea, while others thought good government would solve their difficulties; yet others said improved roads and communications would lead to a better state. His own opinion was that Bhakthi was the cure for all maladies.