________________
116
A LOVER OF LIGHT AMONG LUMINARIES : Dilip Kumar Roy The poet could not agree with his humanitarian concepts of art. Romain Rolland brings out in detail the controversy between Tagore and Gandhiji. It has to be quoted at length:
"In older days, in our primeval forests," says Tagore, "our sages, gurus, in the plenitude of their vision, called on all seekers of truth.... Why does not our guru, who wants to lead us to action, make the same call?" But the only command that Guru Gandhi so far has launched is, "Spin and Weave!” And Tagore asks, “Is this the gospel of a new creative age? If large machinery constitutes a danger for the West, will not small machines constitute a greater danger for us?” The forces of a nation must co-operate, not only with each other, but with other nations. *The awakening of India is bound up in the awakening of the world. Every nation that tries to shut itself in violates the spirit of the new age.” And Tagore, who has spent several years in Europe, speaks of some of the men he met- men who have freed their hearts from the chains of nationalism in order to serve humanity-men who constitute the persecuted minority of world citizens, cives totius orbis —and he classes them among the sannyasins, that is, "those who in their soul have realized human unity." “And should India alone, asks Tagore, recite the chapter of negation, dwell eternally on the faults of others, and strive for Swaraj on a basis of hatred? When the bird is awakened by the dawn, it does not only think of food. Its wings respond to the call of the sky. Its throat fills with joyous songs to greet the coming day. A new humanity has sent out its call. Let India reply in her own way! “Our first duty, at dawn, is to remember Him Who is One, Who is indistinguishable through class or colour, and Who, by His varied forces, provides, as is necessary, for the needs of each class and of all. Let us pray to Him, Who gives wisdom, to unite us all in understanding. "96
Rolland further notes:
"In his answer to Tagore Gandhi displays more passion than he has so far shown in the controversy. On October 13, 1921, in Young India, his stirring rejoinder appears. Gandhi thanks the "Great Sentinel” (The tide of the article) for having warned India as to the pitfalls ahead. He agrees with Tagore that most essential of all is the maintenance of a free spirit.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
