Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – Truest KarmaYogi

Mantra of Uttishthata Jagrata Prapya Varan Nibodhata (Arise, Awake and Stop not till the Goal is Reached), uttered by Swami Vivekananda, cyclonic Hindu monk, led to a great impact on the Hindu society (during late 19 th century). Not this clarion call inspired Hindus, youth in particular, only but had a strong influence on the then national political scenario also. Young political leadership, completely drained and enraged due to moderate views of the Indian National Congress against British Government by then, was in search of an alternative to oust alien and villainous British Raj. The historic call made them realize the need to be radical and struggle.

Anushilan Samiti (Self-Culture Association), foremost secret revolutionary organization operating in Bengal, was set up in 1902 based on the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Members of the association were dedicated (par excellence) to the way of armed revolution for independence of India from British rule and created terror in the British administration soon. Hindu ideal of perfect confluence of Bhakti and Shakti came up once again (after centuries) and showed the world truest essence of Hinduism. Birth of Subhas Chandra Bose, venerated more as Netaji, in 1897 took place amidst all these.

As a perfect son of this fiery era, Subhas, from his tender age had a great devotion to Dharma and was found to meditate for hours too. Devotion to Hindu Dharma in him was so high that once asceticism appeared to him as the best way. But after lots of failed efforts and disappointments he found solace in the literature of Swami Vivekananda; he considered Swami as his own Guru.

Subhas was considered as the ideal convergence of Bhakti and Shakti by his comrades even. It is quite amazing to note that even in his tiring times, be it the formation of Bengal Volunteers during the 1928 Kolkata session of Indian National Congress or his election as the president of Indian National Congress or his expulsion from the same party, he used to go through Srimad Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu religious books on a daily basis. Numerous citations can be quoted to prove the same.

It is also no secret fact any longer that Bose was influenced by VD Savarkar, renowned theoretician and leader of All India Hindu Mahasabha, to change the track of his actions. As per Savarkar, Bose was wasting time in agitating for removal of Holwell Monument in then Calcutta and so he was advised to wage the war of national liberation from outside of India. Surely this historical advice changed Bose’s life on the whole.

Exponents of alleged secularism in India can be silenced by the fact that Netaji had high regards for Savarkar and also recognized his role. In his speech on Azad Hind Radio (June 25, 1944) he admitted Savarkar's wisdom through these words: "When due to misguided political whims and lack of vision, almost all the leaders of Congress party have been decrying all the soldiers in Indian Army as mercenaries, it is heartening to know that Veer Savarkar is fearlessly exhorting the youths of India to enlist in armed forces. These enlisted youths themselves provide us with trained men and soldiers for our Indian National Army."

Testaments also prove even when Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) was engaged in life and death struggle Netaji used to read Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Sri Sri Chandi and perform Puja daily.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is indeed the most perfect KarmaYogi.