________________
144
A LOVER OF LIGHT AMONG LUMINARIES : Dilip Kumar Roy and mystics in this tradition are householders, and the middle level of Twilight does not look neglected here as it is in subsequent periods of Indian history.
Here one can notice the points of similarity between Sri Aurobindo and Mahayogi Anirvan. Both of them were eminent spiritual figures from Bengal. Aniivan, being younger than Sri Aurobindo, is naturally influenced by Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga. That is why he has paid his heartwarming tribute to Sri Aurobindo. Anirvan visited Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1960. He found no difference between Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga and his own practice of Sahaj yoga. Like Sri Aurobindo, he, too, had deep faith in the Tantra. Their notions of the importance of women on the path of spirituality were similar. Both of them followed the lead of their 'inner voice' and helped their disciples from their own practice. He held Sri Aurobindo in a very high esteem and liked his synthesis of Action, Knowledge and Love very much. Anirvan also had developed that synthesis of the three in his own life.
Roy observes the similarity between Buddha and Anirvan in the expression of their knowledge and achievement. Like Buddha, Anirvan, too, had expressed in words very little of his vast knowledge.
Roy was similar to his subject as far as his interest in spiritual life was concerned. But he was different from Anirvan in his temperament. Anirvan was always confident and stood on his own even without the help of his Guru. He also guided other spiritual seekers. But Roy always needed support. When his Guru left his physical body in 1950, he sought guidance and mental support from Krishnaprem. When Krishnaprem passed away, as Roy himself confesses here, he turned towards Anirvan for solace and guidance. This sketch, in fact, is his tribute to Anirvan's kind support which he got in the moments of his crises. Roy even needed confirmation of Anirvan in the matter of miracles he had recorded to publish in a book form.
Anirvan is a great mystic. But he is somehow not very famous. Except Roy's account of him, it is difficult to find any other piece of writing on him. 9. Sant Gulab Singh
The briefest of all brief sketches written by Dilip Roy, is that of Sant Gulab Singh.
Sant Gulab Singh was a Khalsa Saint from Punjab. He was born in 1872 and was a centenarian in 1974 when Roy met him for the first time. He was deeply spiritual and a highly selfless person. He offered his house as an asylum to the refugees of the partition. But, once, a mob raided it. To elude that mob, his brave wife, Lajwanti, jumped into a well with 106 women and girls. But, even aftet such a horrible experience of pain, he never lost his faith in man and God.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
