Mukt Gulam

Author(s): Usha Maru
Publisher: Hansraj C Maru

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This collection of poems is dedicated to Pujya Gurudev on his 125th birth anniversary. He preached at a pivotal time in India's history. India was in turmoil to achieve liberation from the British Raj of 300 years. The country's leaders were trying to convince Indians to unite against the British for our own free country. At the same time, Pujya Gurudev was inspiring people to ask who they really are. You are not Indians but humans. You are not just this body but have a soul. All of your feelings of injustice, unity, betrayal, and pride are temporary. Pure blissful feelings are true and eternal.
Gandhi used one Jain concept, ahimsa, and succeeded in rallying Indians for peaceful liberation of the country. However, ahimsa was only a small part of Mahaveer's message. Pujya Gurudev was able to give us the complete message which is incomprehensible to most. In the din of our country's struggle for independence, Pujya Gurudev's call resonated clearly: you are an everlasting liberated soul.
I bow, salute, and respect Pujya Gurudev. Do not conclude that I am the poet and these are my poems. These are my thoughts, which came freely pouring out when my mind was inspired by Pujya Gurudev's lectures. In this collection, what is good and right belongs to Gurudev, and what is not, is mine.