Swami Ram
Tirath and Vedanta
By Moti Lal Khar
am Tirth’s evolution from Mathematics teacher to apostle of Vedanta is an
intense search for the self.
The man who wanted to serve god
through Mathematics became
destined to serve humanity at large
through his teachings of Vedanta. He
re-kindled the poetic vision of the
Upanishadas with love and passion.
His exposition of Vedanta brought a
new transcendental perspective to the
ancient scriptures. His concept of
Vedanta as experimental religion was
that it had to be
practiced before it
can be spread.
Swami Ram
Tirth was a free
soul. His vision was
a call-back to the
real self and the
real spirit of Vedanta which he defined
as freedom of the spirit. With the life
of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ram
Tirth travelled to the next assembly
of Religions where like Swami
Vivekananda, he mesmerized his
audience completely. He had no place
for princes, missions, institutions,
organizations, name, fame, ambitions,
wealth, achievements etc. He met god
in the woods, whose message in the
form of his lectures and talks was later
appropriately compiled, “In the woods of god-Realization.” His lifespan of
33 years encompassed the experiences
of many a life–time and his casting off his body on famous Hindu festival
of Dushera day brought forth a tribute from his close friend
erstwhile colleague at
Lahore college, the
Urdu poet- philosopher
Mohammad Iqbal, who
captured the intensity
and passion of Rama’slife and work in this
Urdu couplet:
“Hum-bagal darya see hai!Ay qutra – e – betab tu!Pehle gohar tha!
Bana ab gohar–e–nab tu!”
(Like a restless drop; you have embraced the river.
Before that you
were a gem, now
you are a rare
diamond.)
Swami Ram Tirth
said, “My religion is a religion without a
name, it is the religion of nature. I
call it the common path.” His poetic spirit captures the essence of this, “What care I for cast or creed? It is thedeed. What for class or clan? It is the
man; it is the man. What for crown or
crest? It is the heart within the
breast.” According to Swami Ram Tirth Vedanta shows happiness. Realise the
truth and be free. It is the faith and
hope to see one god and one humanity.
Persons like Swami Ram Tirth are born
rarely on this earth and according to
his friend poet Iqbal:
“Hazaroon saal nargis apni Be-noori Peroti hai, Badi mushkal se hota hai chaman
Main deeda-var paida”.
Source: Milchar
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