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PUBLIC LIBRARY
Kansas
City,
Me.
Pocket
in this
gQ MA R
SHANTINIKETAN
THE BOLPUR SCHOOL OF RABINDRANATH T AGO RE
YORK
MACMILLAN &
LONDON
THE MACMILLAN
CO. OF TORONTO
CANADA,
LTD.
SHANTINIKETAN
THE
BOLPUR SCHOOL
OF
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
BY
W. W. PEARSON
ILLUSTRATED BY
?orfe
COPYRIGHT 1916
BY THE MACMIULAN
Set up
COMPANY
and
eletrotyped,
TO
JADAV
CONTENTS
The Shantiniketan School Song
...
.
13
17
Shantiniketan by
W. W.
Pearson
...
27
81
The
Gift to the
Guru
SHANTINIKETAN
THE BOLPUR SCHOOL OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE
She
is
Shantiniketan.
Our dreams are rocked in her arms. Her face is a fresh wonder of love every time we
*
see
her,
For she
is
In In
the the
shadows of her
we meet,
Her mornings come and her evenings Bringing down heaven's kisses, Making us feel anew that she is our own,
darling of our heart.
the
The
stillness of her
shades
is stirred
by the wood-
land whisper;
Her amlaki
leaves.
She dwells in us and around us however far we may wander. She weaves our hearts in a song making us one in
music, Tuning our strings of love with her own fingers, And we ever remember that she is our own, the
darling of our heart.
SHANTINIKETAN
INTRODUCTION BY
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
INTRODUCTION
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
The
names
whose
By
and
fruits
the
bosom of primeval
of
life
meditated
and made
their object
all
to
in
with
creation and
Supreme Being. There students flocked round them and had their lessons of immortal life in
the atmosphere of truth, peace and freedom of the
spirit.
iS
SHANTINI KETAN
Though
in later ages circumstances
kingdoms, great flourished in wealth and power, and forests began to give way to towns with multiplication
and
numerous
mained the
sanctuaries.
awakenment of
my
ages of the
While spending
a time
a great part of
my
youth
Padma
came
when
woke up
felt
my
country and
impelled to dedicate
my
life in
seemed choked
SHANTINIKETAN
in in
its
19
petty ambitions
struggle of
of poverty,
and
felt
me the
me
unreal to
that
it is
a blessing of providence
and that only he who hath to him shall be I said to myself that we must seek for given.
sion
our
own
it
Then came
inner
to
me
The
truth became
me
it
broadened
life
The
voice
came
to
me
in the
20
SHANTINIKETAN
call
with the
"Come
to
me
days and nights to the completion of Let our taking and imparttheir annual cycle. Let us full of the radiance of light. ing truth be
sea, as the
Let
My heart
responded to that
I
call
and
I deter-
could to bring to the surface, for our daily use and purification the stream of ideals that originated in the summit of our past,
flowing underground in the depth of India's the ideals of simplicity of life, clarity of soil,
spiritual vision, purity of heart,
mined to do what
harmony with
modern schools
aggressively antagonistic to these ideals, but was certain that the ancient teachers of
when they
is
SHANTINIKETAN
from
this
life
21
without
realising
the
Eternal
Truth of
life."
Thus the
burst
its
exclusiveness of
my
literary
life
barriers
deeper aspirations of my country lying hidden in her heart. I came to live in the Shantini-
my
father
and
This was the time when Satish Chandra Roy, the author of the following little story, felt
attracted to
me and
to
my
ideas
and devoted
himself to building up of the ashram and serving the boys with living food from the fulness of
his life.
He was
In him the
an extraordinary capacity for enjoyment of All his student days he had been struggling life.
with poverty and yet he cheerfully gave up all chances of worldly prospects when they were
near at hand and took his place in the ashram
22
SHANTINIKETAN
it
was truly his by right. He would have needed no recommendation from me, but
because
unfortunately he died young before he had time
to
fulfil
memory
of his friends.
an extract from
my
where
have described
ashram.
young student of great promise, who was getting ready for his B. A. degree, became attracted
to
devoted his
life
to carry out
wonderful
soul, living in a
responsive to
human mind.
He
his
among
if
ture
when he was
With
SHANTINIKETAN
him boys never
felt
23
have their access to everywhere. They would go with him to the forest when in the spring the
sal trees
were
in full
to
them
his favourite
used to read to them Shakespeare and even Browning for he was a great lover of
citement.
He
Browning
his
explaining to
them
in Bengali
with
He
never
had any
of understanding;
He knew
that
it
was not at
all
in this
like
he was
other teach-
He made
life stuff
his
and therefore
it
was made
living
of
easily
assimilable
by the
human
nature.
The
24
SHANTINIKETAN
was
his intense in-
terest
in
life,
in
ideas,
who
He had
his inspiration
medium
of his sensitive
mind with the world. The seasons had upon him the same effect as they had
upon the
plants.
He seemed
to
feel
in
his
shimmering
the
The
litera-
the library about it. He had the power to see ideas before him, as he could see his friends, with
all
SHANTINIKETAN
BY
W. W. PEARSON
SHANTINIKETAN
W, W. PEARSON
The author
was
so
of Rabin-
dranath Tagore's school at Shantiniketan, Bolpur, that in order to understand the spirit of the
story which
was written
for the
boys of the
as they sat
under the
School
itself
seems a
fitting introduction.
As our
the truest
first visit
first
I
will begin
by an account of
my
to Bolpur in 1912.
28
SHANTINIKETAN
Bolpur
is
situated
remote from
tellectual centre.
When
tion
it
was
for
it
is
fields,
by
make
their
way
across
the dusty
fields.
who took
all
it to luggage from the carriage and carried the cart which was waiting outside the station.
my
had
from England, where I had seen their Guru, and as we drove slowly along in the bullock cart our talk was chiefly about him.
"That
is
SHANTINIKETAN
"Under those
nights," gave
trees he often
29
walks on moonlight
I
me
was a pilgrim
and no one
to a School.
spoke again
guest house. written
we
There
was
had
many
of his songs.
had
its
just risen
and a crescent
surrounded.
Two
of the
boys went with me onto the roof and after singing one of the poet's songs, left me to spend a quiet evening with the master who had met me at
the station.
spirit
helped me to realize the true of the place, for he had been one of the
He
five
boys
first
who had
started.
when
it
was
much.
We
talked on
which the poet had started the School. The sound of the boys' voices, as they came back from
SHANTINIKETAN
ceased,
when
sound of singing.
every evening before they retire to bed, sing one of the poet's songs. Gradually they approached the house where we were sitting,
they turned away, the sound receded, getting fainter and fainter until it died out
as
and
altogether.
Then
silence
descended
like
shadows
on a
and I realised why the name "Shantiniketan" had been given to the place.
starlit hill,
was.
SHANTINIKETAN
young
choristers
31
wakened the
sleeping school
boys to the work of the day by another song. After an early walk to a neighbouring village,
who
the neighborhood,
As
32
SHANTINIKETAN
outside,
and some on the white marble floor in an attitude of meditation. After an opening
all
together, chanted
"Om,
"Om Peace,
Peace
Peace."
To
not
first
to
be forgotten.
of the
prayer would be a constant and never failing I cannot describe the thrill which inspiration.
I
felt
as
listened
to that
ascending chant
its
filling
solemn
founded the ashram, declared that in Shantiniketan no image was to be worshipped and no
SHANTINIKETAN
There "the one
invisible
33
God
is
to
be wor-
and
the
and universal
brotherhood."
The
service
was
by one
of the
tional in spirit.
The
During the day I came to know others of the teachers, and listened to some of the boys
singing, for the poet's songs
of the school
life.
who
new
composed
by the
poet,
one the
effect of
34
SHANTINIKETAN
To
be
able
to
is
a great
gift,
but when
one
is
one
In the evening as
it
was
a moonlight night,
as well, to a
went
out, boys
and teachers
we wood
sat
We
under the trees and the boys sang. One of the teachers told a story, and I told them
meeting with the poet in London. Then we walked back across the open country which lay still and quiet under the spell of the
about
my
Indian moonlight.
The morning
tom when a
outer world.
rose petals,
left
there
was a farewell
ceremony according
I
to the ancient
Hindu
cus-
and some
fruitfulness of
was
offered to me,
and at the
SHANTINIKETAN
me
the blessing which
is
35
found
in the Sanskrit
"Sakuntala" and which has been translated by " the poet, Pleasant be thy path with intervals
of cool lakes green with the spreading leaves of
trees
let its
for
you even
your path be
That
I felt
was
my
the station I
knew
There
that
my
life
work lay
in trying to help to
knew was an atmosphere in which selfrealisation was possible and a place where I
could feel the throbbing heart of Bengal, the
land of poetry and imagination. Since then I have lived in the ashram,
got to
have
know
my
friends for
spirit feel
life, I
have
felt,
even when
my own
36
SHANTINIKETAN
is
Abode of Peace.
Now that I am away from the ashram for a time my thoughts constantly turn back to it,
and
I
wandering across the open heath which stretches to the horizon on all sides so that one feels as if
standing on the roof of the world, there
to be found for the restless spirit of
is
peace
man.
On
nights
when
the
full
moon
by
its
few cultivated
fields,
group of
fore-
palm
warning
against
trusions.
all
As one
lives in this
its
and peace are but the reflection of the tranquility which filled the mind of the Maharshi
BOYS AT AN EXAMINATION
SHANTINIKETAN
Devendranath and
of the poet.
is
39
so
marked a
characteristic
In the evenings and early mornings, just at sunset and sunrise, when the school
bell
a silence strangely
;
hours of the
morning, long before the peep of light in the east, the stillness is so intense that it seems as if
time has held
daily
its
wonder of the
it
Does
seem
as if this
and monastic
they leave school, have to struggle in the modern world? Can we not say rather, that perhaps here they may acquire what the modern world
most needs, that wealth of mind's tranquility which is required to give life its balance when
it
has to march to
its
distractions?
40
SHANTINIKETAN
modern methods,
is
aspects of
there can be
no
tell
a high one.
Let
me
ideals are
strive to carry
them
Shantiniketan was originally a bare spot in the middle of open country, and was notorious
for being the
haunt of dacoits.
It
was to
this
came on one
of his journeys, and he was so deeply attracted to the place that he pitched his tent under three
trees,
which were the only trees then to be seen there, and for weeks at a time would live there
spending his time in meditation and prayer. These trees are still to be seen, with the wide
open plain stretching out before them to the Western horizon, and on the marble slab which
marks the place of his meditation can be seen the words which filled his mind as the Maharshi
meditated upon God.
"He
is
SHANTINIKETAN
It Is
43
under these
sometimes
meet when they commemorate the life of the Maharshi, or others whose lives have bound
them
re-
member the
meeting which I attended there. It was early morning and the boys were all seated in the shade of the trees which were a
The
bright
fell
of their
shawls
as
the
sunlight
through the interlacing branches contrasted with the white flowers above them, and in perfect silence
they waited for the service to begin. This custom of holding meetings out of doors
characteristic
is
all
the
veran-
The boys
performance or small play composed by the boys themselves, to which the masters are invited. Just before I left for
circus
some
America the smaller boys had discovered the existence of an imaginary hero named Ladam,
44
SHANTINIKETAN
for several
days the history of Ladam occuPictures were drawn of his pied their minds.
and
some of them by no
for the benefit
fights
and
vic-
hill
that
it
was the
his
ants were
and followers.
my
last
Ladam
know
not, but as
never tired of telling of his deeds and describing with the minutest details his appearance and
character.
Perhaps
the
his ghost
still
haunts the
corners
of
dormitory
and
the
shadow-
chequered path of the Sal avenue. This characteristic of one side of the school
life is vital
was
started.
Education
SHANTINIKETAN
as
45
they conveniently can without danger of failing in their examinations, but in allowing
the boys to develop their
own
characters in the
way which
is
natural to them.
The younger
the
boys are the more original they show themselves to be. It is only when the shadow of a University examination begins to
for
matricul-
ation.
When
the
small
it
boys
take
up an
is
which
is
spontaneous
and
full
To
see
them
give a
performance would delight the heart of any man who had not become absolutely blase.
own
characters as
much
as possible
is
seen
ment of minor
which
46
SHANTINIKETAN
the the boys themselves formulate. Most of school is managed by these discipline of the
courts,
miscarriage
the judgments proamongst the boys about nounced against offenders. In this case as in better than good is
others,
self-government
which the boys government. The committees form are intended to deal with all the aspects of
the school
life in
vitally interested.
On
all
agreed to carry on
school,
work of the
the cooking and washing up, drawing water and buying the stores, with the help of the
teachers.
although the experiment was a only found practicable for about month, during that time there were no servants employed to do
And
any of this heavy work, and many of the boys worked like Trojans without complaint even
though it was the very hottest time of the year. There are several magazines published monthby the different sections of the school, most
ly
SHANTINIKETAN
of
47
stories, poems and essays written by the boys. These are illustrated by those of them who show signs of
them
in Bengali,
which contain
artistic ability.
Though
times languish, and often do not appear for months together, they quicken into life when the
anniversary of their birth comes round, and then a grand celebration takes place. One of
the dormitories
taken possession of for the occasion, and decorated with the green branches of
is
trees,
happens to be the season of lotuses, a profusion of lotus buds and blossoms fills the
and
if it
meeting place. One of the teachers is elected to be the chairman for the evening, and a special
prepared for him. Over his head there hang, like the sword of Damocles, of ropes of flowers, so that he looks like a queen the May, and round his neck hang garlands as
seat of
honour
is
though he were a lamb prepared for the sacriThe various committees of management of fice.
these different periodicals vie with each other,
not so
much
48
as in
SHANTINIKETAN
Sometimes
the beauty of the decorations and the garlands which are prepared in honour of these
occasions of birthday celebration.
if
during the hot weather, light refreshments are served at the close of the meeting, generally in the shape of
the anniversary happens to
fall
iced sherbet.
The meeting
itself consists
of a
by the
editor,
and
the
by
Sometimes pictures which have contributors. been given for illustration are exhibited, and
afterwards the chairman or the poet himself,
if
he
is
which
a
In this
way
aged to think and write for themselves, and one or two of those who have illustrated these manuscript
artists of
real ability.
Occasionally excursions will be planned, either for the day for the whole school, or for several
SH
ANTINIKETAN
in
49
which
case only a few selected boys will go accompanied two or three of the teachers. In the former by
case
we go
to
by
is
air,
and
program though
the teachers.
by some of
moonlight nights, especially, many of the boys go out for long walks with the teachers, and in this way the bond between the
masters and the pupils becomes deep and strong. The teachers live in the dormitories with the
boys, and are able therefore to help
On
them
in their
work and
share with
is
them
their daily
life.
Football
enough ground
have
lar,
their
is
not so popu-
50
SHANTINIKETAN
storms of rain come deluging the surrounding country. Then the boys delight in going out
into the midst of the heaviest deluge
and getting
thoroughly
wet.
Classes
are
stopped
when
and keen delight is shown by the boys when they see that a dark and threatening sky offers them the chance of a
on,
come
The
following facts
to
may be of interest
to those
who wish
know
At present there are about 150 boys in the ashram, some of whom come from other parts
of India, though the majority are from Bengal.
There are about twenty teachers, some living with their families, resident in the School. The
age of the boys ranges from six to 17 or 18, the
younger ones being under the charge of special teachers. These younger boys often take their
meals in the homes of the married teachers, the
wife of one of them, for example, having under-
who come
to her
SHANTINIKETAN
house for
all
51
all
castes
and
it is
expressly
own
discretion in
undertaken by all the boys in turn which lightens the burden of the kitchen service.
The
fees
all
the boys,
though in certain cases poor students are allowed free. Each pupil is charged $7 per month
for tuition, board
and lodging, so that the yearly expense to the parent is less than $100. But
a large yearly deficit which has, up to
there
is
that the
number
in proportion to the
number
of students in order
52
SHANTINIKETAN
and individual attention.
To
School would suggest poverty, but this is due to the ideal which has always been followed in
India wherever true education has been the end
and purpose in view. The emphasis on efficient and expensive equipment which is a characteristic feature
where
important factors
*
in true education.
is
The utmost
simplicity
found in
all
the build-
by the boys
for their
own
daily
life.
The
and
cottages,
it is
though the present thatched roofs will have to be changed for a less inflammable material as
soon as funds are available, as the possibility of a
fire
all
the dormitories
is
We
new
building for a
Hospital, as
SHANTINIKETAN
for our sick
53
boys or suitable quarters for the segregation of infectious cases. Such a hospital,
to the School,
Museum
The
is
as follows:
The boys
are
awakened before
sunrise
by the
band of
their
by
As soon
as they get
up they go to
morning bath which they take by the wells which have been sunk in different parts of the
grounds.
minutes
sit
The boys
fields in
come together
54
SHANTINIKETAN
After some light food the classes begin at
or on the
in their
them
to
give help
needed.
noon
at 2 o'clock
and continue
till
4:30 or 5
o'clock.
is
played,
At sunset
they have fifteen minutes for silence and the chanting of the evening verses. Some of the
boys teach in a night school which has been started for the servants of the School and the
neighbouring villagers.
Before the evening meal there
is is
an hour which
as story telling
lecture, or
themselves.
The
bell
for
retiring
sounds at
SHANTINIKETAN
55
about nine o'clock, and most of the boys are asleep by 9:30, except on moonlight nights when
numbers of the older boys go out for a walk to neighbouring woods where they sit and sing till
late at night.
no head master, the school being under the management of an executive comis
There
is
He
is
management
studies,
of the institution.
is
left to
work out
best.
his
own methods
is
in the
way he
thinks
When
the poet
and
in-
some of the
felt in
classes,
but his
fluence
is
more widely
ings of his
own
He
56
SHANTINIKETAN
when they take part in his not only how to act but also how to sing
plays,
his songs.
The boys are trusted very largely to look after their own affairs, and have their own committees
in the different sections of the School, as well as
all
affecting
the
whole
School are brought up for discussion. In their examinations they are left to themselves and
When
an examination
all
may
be seen in
sorts of
even in such
tree.
some high
Though
them
it is
found that
in the
majority of cases trust begets trust, and there is no question that the relationship between
teacher and pupil
is
a happier one
in
consequence.
in
The
in
ashram keep
touch with
are
know
by the
SHANTINIKETAN
title
57
of "Dada," which
means
elder brother,
and
at
December on the anniversary of the date on which the ashram was founded, numbers of the
old boys
come
The
keenest interest
is
taken
by
all in
Present Boys.
The School
is
not behind-hand
its
by
record in the
which boys
the chief
off
several years in
is
succession.
of,
Their
so the
one to be proud
As
air as
have
much
as possible,
and there
is
Each boy
brings with
him
own
square piece of carpet for sitting on, and the teacher either sits under a tree, or in the ver-
This open
air
58
SHANTINIKETAN
work has
its
class
great
advantages,
for
It
fresh in their apkeeps the minds of the boys I remember in the middle of nature.
my
teaching
calling
my attention
and listened till the stopped the teaching It was spring time and the bird had finished.
We
called
my
me, "I don't know why, but somehow I can't explain what I feel when I hear that bird
singing/'
I
am
my
class learnt
my
teaching,
and something that they would never forget For myself my ears were opened and for in life.
several days I
birds as
was conscious of the songs of the had never been before. The boys are
very fond of flowers and some times will get up to pluck some long before dawn to be the first
new sweet-scented
blossoms.
SHANTINIKETAN
himself.
59
class
comes
at the
end of
may
some neighboring
When
this
happens then
they are supremely happy, and we go off together with no other anxiety than that of getting back in time for the evening meal.
For the younger boys Nature Study forms part of their work, and during the whole of one
term one
class
in collecting all
found
in
the neighborhood.
Sometimes they
col-
would
find
by getting a thorn
into their bare feet, for all the boys go about barefoot in the ashram.
But
ened to the gravel and thorny paths which abound all round the school that it is only the new boys that find any hardship in such an
experience.
60
SHANTINIKETAN
a
simple lesson in
as-
tronomy, and shows the moon and stars through a small telescope, and when lantern slides can
be obtained illustrated lectures are given in the
evenings, sometimes in the open air and some-
It is
always
two of the more practical boys eager to take charge of the lantern, and fix
sheet.
is
up the
out
Bengali
the
the
medium
of instruction throughis
School,
but English
taught as a
second language.
The
are
direct
adopted in
method of teaching English is the lower classes, and when the boys
the
are
boys
in
simple
in
When
is
the boys
interested
story
it
surprising with
I
what
able to follow.
as
SHANTINIKETAN
and they have been eager
to
61
them
language.
One
school
and there
is
none of the
life
which one
is
lower
once a year when tests of each boy's progress are made by the teacher who has been teaching the boy himself.
are
one of the poet's plays. The teachers and boys take the different parts, and
made
for staging
the play
staged in Shantiniketan, visitors coming from Calcutta to see it, especially if the poet is himself taking part. The poet coaches
is
first
it
who
are to
is
62
SHANTINIKETAN
classes held, being rehearsed there are not many for the boys of the whole school are always
One sees the small present at the rehearsals. and showing boys peeping in at the windows,
the keenest appreciation of the humourous and The final day is a busy witty scenes. one for the stage has to be prepared and
there
must be
a dress rehearsal
it
To
this the
would take away the freshness of the play if they were able
see
to
it
nearly perfect
presentation
of
is
beforehand.
But when
it
begins there
great
alike,
enthusiasm amongst visitors and boys as the songs and dances reveal the spirit
of the play to the delighted audience. In this way the ideas of the poet are assimilated by the boys, without their having to
scious effort.
make any
con-
into
his
thought
is
through
the
sub-conscious
Rabindranath Tagore's method of education. as well English plays are also sometimes given,
SHANTINI KETAN
as Sanskrit,
histrionic
63
and
it
is
powers the Bengali boy has, even when he has to act in a foreign tongue. When the
is
play
in
At the beginning of
formance of the poet's new play "A Spring Festival" in Calcutta, and a number of the
younger boys, aged from eight to ten, took part in the chorus. They did not have to do
any
acting,
part in
but merely sang the songs and took the dances, so that they were practically
on the
stage.
After
we had
all
returned to
by
giving one evening a performance of the whole play, each boy taking one of the characters with
was
irresistible.
64
SHANTINIKETAN
was reproduced
actors.
seriousness
to
perfection
by
these
pigmy
An
plete without
strike
one as the peculiar characteristics of the Benfrom English boys. gali boys as distinguished
In the grounds of the school there
is
a small
when
ill
and to which outdoor patients from the surrounding villages come for treatment. There
a qualified doctor in charge but the nursing
is
is
done almost entirely by the boys themselves, who in the case of the serious illness of one of
their
schoolfellows,
divide
the night up
into
night.
They seem
to have a natural
which makes them splendid nurses even when they have not had any special training.
It
is
they show this care, but when necessity arises for helping some poor villager from the neighbor-
hood they
will
go to the
village,
and perhaps
SHANTINIKETAN
hospital in order that he
65
may
ment.
The
Jadav was one of the boys in the lower part of the School. He was only about eleven years old but he was a brilliant boy and
markable
full
of promise.
He was
in the
taken
ill
while he was
ashram.
remember
Nature
Study, and
panting to my class with his latest addition to the collections of different kinds of leaves which
boys were making. His words tumbling over each other in his eagerness to show me what treasures he had found, he would
the
smaller
ask
me whether any
many
him
different kinds.
the same eager interest in his work, and at meetings of the smaller boys he
would sometimes
tell
young a
pupil.
66
SHANTINIKETAN
When
he was
first
taken
ill it
was not
realised
that
so
was anything serious, but after a week or he became worse and it was decided to reit
move him
to Calcutta as the
accommodation
in
Many
of the older
boys had been taking their turns in sitting up at night with the little patient, and when the
morning came for him to be removed eight or ten of them took up the stretcher on which he
was
and started
off
As soon
as
Jadav
realised that
he was being taken away to Calcutta his whole body became restless and instead of lying still and quiet in his weakness he began to struggle
and cry out, "I don't want to leave the ashram. "I won't go. Take me back/ I want to go
5
"Why
are
you taking
said that
me away?"
The doctor became alarmed and
it
would be dangerous to take him if he struggled and cried, so the boys turned back towards the
SHANTINIKETAN
67
ashram again. The moment he realised that he was returning to his ashram the little fellow
and he was happy again. He began to get worse however and in spite of the best medical aid that could be got from
lay quite
still
Calcutta
it
we were
to
up
all
body with
An
was
sitting
by his side and he said in Bengali in a voice weak and full of pathos, "The flower will not
blossom."
I
whispered
to
him,
"Don't
be
blossom/'
fields
He was cremated
the
near
ashram
at
dawn and
I
slowly upwards
little life
knew
a fragrance
68
SHANTINIKETAN
Another striking characteristic of the Bengali
is
boy
his
little
children.
and
if
sister to
the
own
school
would
wherever one goes he is struck by the fact that the boys are devoted to children
But
tired of nursing
them or playing
spend
quite a
hours
young
of having a child
affectation about
it,
for the
and
this
is
not a peculiarity
Nothing gives
to bring to their
who
through the period quite quietly and solemnly, with only an occasional diversion if
sits
is
anything interesting
SHANTINIKETAN
under which the
class
is
69
I
being held.
And
have
way
hand
in
boy of
three,
who
chatters
away
on
all
sorts of subjects.
atti-
makes
it
There
is,
of silent worship.
The
result of this
is
that even
it
than
not
who have
living in such
an en*
They
Bengali
students
often
have
70
SHANTINIKETAN
This has been seen
tude adopted by
many
professors in
Govern-
ment and other Colleges towards the students in But this very sensitiveness responds Calcutta.
with even greater readiness to kindness and In educational work of any kind
is
sympathy.
sympathy
ful teacher,
but this
is
any other country in the world. Before closing some reference should be made
to the religious atmosphere of the place.
religious atmosphere because there
is
say
no definite
In this con-
siderable help
is
and
in the silent
but
SHANTINIKETAN
herself,
71
which
in India
is
Shantiniketan was founded by the father of the poet, Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, as
an ashram, or
religious retreat
where those
in
chose
it
own
ideals.
The
eldest son of
and
is still
and
On
to
the
first
day of the
New
and teachers go
pay
who
has
now
lived
constantly
for
is
Shantiniketan, and
One
of the
72
SHANTINIKETAN
sit
and
talk with
him on the deeper things of the spirit. Mention has been made of the period set apart
morning and evening
for meditation.
his piece of carpet out into the
in the early
or under a tree
when
ship sounds,
silent
and
sits
There
is
no instruction
given as to the method of meditation, the direction of their thoughts being left to the influence
worship
is
enough.
Apart
from
is
this
silence there
a service
at
week
which
when
SHANTINIKETAN
certain Sanskrit mantras.
73
The
of
subject of these
many
which have been published by the school authorities. As an example I may give the notes I took
of an address given of the old year.
set
last night
after sun-
and
in the
darkness
on the
He began by
to
its
saying that
when
a year comes
end we sometimes think only of the sadness of ending, but if we can realise that in this
ending there is not emptiness but fulness, then even the thought of ending itself becomes full of In this very process of ending we once joy.
again have the leisure to throw off the coverings
and wrappings of habit and custom and thus emerge into a fuller and more spacious conception
of
Even the ending of life in death has this element of fulness in it when viewed from the
life.
74
SHANTINIKETAN
Death
really reveals
it
right standpoint.
life
to us
except where
we
life is
not
sorrow.
robbing so
tearing
off,
Europe this war, which is many homes by death, is really the on a vast scale, of the wrappings of
In
years only to smother the
many
The
currents of
life
which
had become choked and stagnant will once more become free to flow in fresh channels.
When
we seem
whom we
love,
completeness, but
it
can be
seems empty of
SHANTINIKETAN
75
Thus the message of this end of the year is the joy of change and its acceptance as the means of
achieving a wider vision and grasp of
life.
The
address was
all
full
of illuminating illustraI
tions as
have
some idea of the kind of subjects which are taken. The fact that some of them seem to
be above the heads of the boys does not seriously matter, for the boys, even without fully understanding, are all the time unconsciously
absorbing the point of view of the speaker.
In closing I cannot do better than quote in full a letter written to a Schoolmaster in England
He
was
"To
my
my
school in
Bolpur.
Fortunately,
in
India
we have the
our ancient
model before us
forest schools
in the tradition of
76
realise
SHANTINIKETAN
their
lives
in
God had
full
their
homes.
and the students who grew up with their teachers closely united with them in
spiritual relationship felt the reality of
God
for
it
speculative abstraction.
Having this ideal of a school in my mind which should be a home and a temple in one,
where teaching should be part of a worshipful life I selected this spot, away from all distractions of town, hallowed
pious
life
by the memory of a whose days were passed there in comnot imagine that
I
is
You must
ised
itself
have fully
real-
my
ideal
there working
out through
prose of modern
life.
my
think
it
by the
spiritual
growth
in the teachers.
SHANTINIKETAN
In these things gain to one's personal
gain to
all,
77
self
is
like lighting a
lamp which
is
lighting
a whole room.
The
path,
first
is
living creatures.
Music
songs being
didactic,
hymn
but as
in
full
them.
affect the
is
You can understand how these songs boys when you know that singing them
when
their
the
moon
is
when
classes
fifteen
open space composing their minds for worship. We never watch them and ask questions about
in those times,
but leave
it
and the time, and the suggestion of the practice itself. We rely more upon the subconscious
78
SHANTINI KETAN
life
of worship that
we
live
than on any conscious effort to teach them/' This letter sums up better than I can the
ideals of Shantiniketan
the spirit
W. W.
Pearson
Introduction
This evening
am
going to
tell
you a story
we have
moon-
flood of
On
is
wood
huge python
and
is
82
SHANTINIKETAN
the wind.
To-night as we all sit together I If it had shall speak to you about the night. been daytime, perhaps I should have talked
But
no,
son for describing the night, for night time is the best time for story-telling. At night time everything seems indistinct and distant objects are
brought near. If it had been daytime, would you have been able so easily to think that you
stars,
which,
when
the sky
is
by the shadow of
and
fill
tudes?
So
far I
in
sky
is
moon and stars. Now you must accompany me in imagination wherever I go. What journey shall we take together? We
are going to visit a sacred grove of ancient India.
If
had been day time, how could you ever have discovered this sacred grove of hundreds of
it
SHANTINIKETAN
years ago
?
85
If
it
we have
seen
seen in
had been day time, what should modern India ? We should have
cities,
we should
have seen
rivers,
hard rocky mountains, barren parched deserts and many other things besides. The
sacred grove
exists.
I
am
to tell
But
it is
night time
now
moonlight
come.
in
falling
and the
Now
the
fly
imagination
let
wishes.
all
Come
then
us forget
everything and
ram*
India.
wood
of ancient
BrahmacharisJ and you can for a time go with me and exchange thoughts with the Brahmacharies of those days.
are
*
You
Ashram:
forest
and
their
some
retired spot.
t Rishis: Saints.
Brahmacharis:
in
Students brought up to a
religion.
life
of discipline
an atmosphere of
CHAPTER
Brahmachari-ashram.
have
that though
it is
men
to
a great deal
human life
is
meant
to
fulfil.
you
live
The mind
will
the mind
is
be appreciated.
SHANTINIKETAN
living in a forest, namely, that
87
man
felt
a kind
own
so
worth.
to do his
in,
own work,
was
and such a
one was
It
rich,
and therefore
forest
great.
was those
saints
who were
really
which made
forests,
and
in the
That
was the reason why the students of those days saw such a wonderful glory in the world.
From
will
am
have described.
I will
So now
begin
my
story.
CHAPTER
One
grove,
II
day,
when
it
was
just
dawn
in the sacred
Ved the
finished his
sacred
their
fire
morning prayer and worship of the called his pupils together, fresh from
sat
The
deer have
now
risen
in
One of
SHANTINIKETAN
the boys has driven a
89
cow
into a
meadow luscious
under a
Now
as he sits
cool green
up
his
network of leaves and branches, light face and he is singing with a sweet low
voice a
hymn
to the sun.
boys with baskets in their them with flowers from the woods.
Near by
water from a pitcher on to the roots of each tree and smiles as she
river,
is
pouring a
little
morn-
Ved
begins to explain to
of joy the sacred
full
mysteries of God.
of their
ively.
When
where they
and began to
nestle
with their
warm
90
SHANTINIKETAN
few of the students however remained seated
thought quite motionless. Then one of the older boys, named Utonka,
his
in silent
Guru's
is
finished.
have by your love gained strength. My body has become strong and my mind bright and happy. I have seen the glory of the sun and
felt
Power
in the
glowing
fire.
have tasted the joys of the six seasons of the year. The peace and tranquility of the forests
have taken up their abode in me and the fresh living spirit of the birds and beasts, of the trees
my
heart.
have
come
which we eat
are to be
Air,
good.
also,
and
all
sky and light are sacred are filled with divine sweetness and
water,
goodness,
SHANTINIKETAN
91
"Gurudev, I have learnt to understand all this and now I must go out into the wider world.
In that outer world there are hundreds and
hundreds of
men
like
amongst them,
for
human
I
love.
By your
Gurudev,
have
become a Brahrnachari.
My
body
is
strong;
I
am
not afraid of
difficulties,
I shall
and when
go
be able to
fulfil
my
me
My
Guru, give
me what
offering I
am
to bring you.
When
have made
my
offer-
While Utonka was speaking, all the other boys were watching him with sorrowful faces.
Hearing that he was going away their eyes filled with tears. Gurudev also with tearful, yet
smiling,
eyes
said,
"My
Guru
always with his disciples, the blessings of a Guru are taken up by the clouds and fall like rain from heaven. They touch his eyes
is
Like the
92
SHANTINIKETAN
in his heart as
peace and
You need not ask for my blessing: it is yours already. Go out into the world and my blessing be with you. What further offering can I desire, my son? Go to your mother,
you can bring anything that she desires, you will be free from your debt to your Guru." Utonka replied, "Gurudev, I cannot hope
if
and
my
do as you say, and will go and ask my mother." Saying this he threw himself at his
Guru's feet and then slowly went away. The other pupils remained silent with sorrow
was
silent.
At
last
he said,
"My
children,
it it
now time
for
you
to go
Guru
to
themselves
beg from the village food for and their Guru. Amongst them
many
rich
and
influential
men but
all
of
distinction.
CHAPTER
Utonka then went to
was
sitting in the
III
who
weaving grass mats, a deer was lying beside her while overhead a bird was making a loud noise,
'Tee
tee
u,
Tee
tee
from the pools under the Ashoka trees. It really seemed as if these birds and beasts were one
with man.
After bowing before his teacher's wife, Utonka
said,
"Mother,
the
have,
time
of
my
training
is
finished
and
by the
I
help of Gurudev,
become
a Brahmachari.
I
and now
must go
into-
me
94
SHANTINIKETAN
I
can
make you:
Gurudev
told
me
to ask you."
Quickly putting aside her weaving his teacher's wife said with tears in her eyes, "What! my child,
are
you going
to leave us?
be
sad?
Go
of
take
my
How
many
away
sons have one after another gpne But I am not sorrowful; for like this.
my
from the ashram they go out into the world and benefit it by their work. Can any one spend all
his
life
in
But
wherever you go my heart's affection and blessing will surround you all your life."
Then
"What Though we
tom/'
Then
as if
have just remembered something. The Queen Shubashukla is famous all the world over.
"I
The
saints
SHANTINIKETAN
stone would be melted
95
by the
ous heart.
No
face.
them
in his
have a great
once, and
I
and touch those ear-rings just would like to wear them when next
So bring
me
those
my wish may
be
fulfilled.
You
are a
have no
difficulty."
Utonka was
he determined to
his offering.
When
still
and began to think to herself: "I wonder if I have done right to send my child Utonka all
alone such a long distance to bring this offering.
be afraid?
glory of a virtuous
woman
one
Why
should
be
afraid
for
96
SH ANTINI
remembered
KETAN
in this fashion,
Brahmachari?"
she
As she thought
all
By
this
and other food they had begged but to-day strange to say, there was none of the chatter and happy noise which there was on
ing the rice
other days.
The Guru's
the
cause.
away."consoling
They all cried, "Utonka is going Then she went off towards the kitchen
them
as she went.
'
'
"
t-t
'
" ''
'rv""'i'V""
,'v>"c,'"-"'A,
'J
'
J'tS
^
,''
"
'
' '
"
- 1',
'^'ill'"^''';'
itti'J
'
'*/'-
'*'
$$$$*$!
4 * ''
**'''
CHAPTER
,
IV
his
Now we
journey
to the palace of
famous queen.
near the
It
forest.
was
It
seemed as though
all its
descending
from the
dark
forest.
looking as
leaves.
if
some big
seemed as
if
a whole village of
98
SHANTINIKETAN
In other
wings of birds, made a cool darkness in In other places, through breaks in the woods. the forest, sparkling chatim trees looked up to
like the
Great creepers joined tree to tree like bridges, and in some places seemed to have prefingers.
spirits of
the
wood
to play
boars,
Now
and then he saw two huge curved horns appear behind the screen of distant trees, and once or
twice a forest deer started suddenly from right
before him.
tree a big
round
it.
After some time Utonka entered a large open In the distance the scorching sunlight plain.
was
flickering
like
tongues of
fire.
The sky
was deep
blue.
SHANTINIKETAN
Utonka
sat
99
down
of the forest.
Suddenly, as
in
How
wonderful:
Whence
have
come ?
Utonka had no
was such
was not dreaming. When he had stopped rubbing his eyes he was for on the back of the cow still more astonished
his eyes to
make
sure he
tall
radiant figure.
Utonka
Perhaps you are thinking that Utonka ran away, but if you had been there you would
certainly have stood motionless as he did to see
neck hung fold upon fold of well grown dewlap and on its head were two shining sharp horns of great length. Its legs were covered with soft white hair almost to
that huge cow.
its
From
it
had a huge
till it
tail
white in colour
ioo
SHANTINIKETAN
seemed
as
if light
It
man
was the beauty of this sight, that Utonka stood overwhelmed with wonder and astonishment.
As he stood looking
if,
at the eye,
it
cow
it
seemed as
right
in the twinkling of
an
it
came
up to
without apparently moving its limbs. In great astonishment Utonka looked up at it and saw
two
him.
large black
On
Utonka' s body felt a pleasant coolness like that which one feels on drinking very cool water.
Raising
his
face
little
Utonka
saw
two
smiles.
As he looked
those eyes he
"My
for
child,
Utonka then
it
bent
to
down
tasted
him
like nectar.
SHANTINIKETAN
But when he
lifted his
101
head after drinking he discovered that the cow and its rider had disappeared and there was no sign of their having
been there at
all.
The
plain
birds
open from the shelter of the woods and they would then peep round and, starting suddenly, run back into the safety of the forest.
into the
Utonka
self,
feeling
it
much
all
"Was
then
a dream?
Have
to
fall
been
asleep?
like this
It will
never do for
me
asleep
and dream on
my
journey.
I
have to
far
wonder how
am
Thus thinking
pace, but
all
"What
he
have
to
seen?
me?"
And
he
questioned
thus
IO2
SHANTINIKETAN
imperceptibly began to slacken his pace. When, however, he remembered the offering he hastened
on again.
CHAPTER V
Utonka
in the
evening and thought he would try to get the ear-rings and return the same night. So without any delay he went straight to the king
The
him
king, after
water for
his
to
him wash
rest a little.
"Why
"You can get are you in a hurry?" he said. what you want by going yourself to the inner
apartments of the Queen."
Utonka
replied,
I
"Oh, king,
if
may you
is
live
long
ear-
and prosper.
let
not possible,
me
them
at once.
For so
long as
am
in
doubt
I shall
have no peace of
mind."
104
SHANTINIKETAN
slightly
and
said:
"Very
Go
into
the
palace.
The doorkeeper
my
show you the way. I myself am going to evening worship and cannot come with
you/'
Saying this the king bowed low to Utonka and turned away. Utonka was overjoyed and raising his two hands in blessing
lamps were
On
the altar,
fire
god wearing
a glowing
heard to the accompaniment of the evening bells. On entering the inner palace Utonka
saw a large Bokul tree in a courtyard round which the darkness was gathering, on all sides from the windows of the palace the light of
lamps was falling and making the leaves seem black and shining in the distance. At the
foot of this tree a large
its
body a beautiful
SHANTINIKETAN
evening gloom.
crescent
105
On
moon and
From
the
body of the
fill
the
with peace, while in front were seated several girls dressed in red silk and burning incense by
the light of lamps.
In one of the rooms the doorkeeper stopped and said: "Brahmachari, wait a little in this
room, while
go to
call
the Queen.
She
will
make her
Saying which, the doorkeeper went towards the cow, while Utonka sat down and waited.
As he was waiting it seemed to Utonka that there was on all sides a calm and blessed
peace pervading the atmosphere.
He saw
the
Queen's attendants moving about in the courtyard from place to place with lamps in their
silk.
By
the light of
full
At
Utonka, following
io6
SHANTINIKETAN
room
in the
slowly, entered a
middle of which
soft scent
came from the sweet smelling oil. On all sides incense was rising but in the room itself there
was nothing;
When
but the doorkeeper pointed to a seat inlaid with mother-of-pearl for him to sit on. As he took
his seat
"Has the
The doorkeeper
ment,
"Why
there she
sitting
on that
shell-
Can't you
Although Utonka looked hard he could see nothing whatever, and he exclaimed, "What do
you say?
is
Where
The
old
doorkeeper laughed
and
said,
"Brahmachari, do not be angry with me; but you must, I suppose, be impure and that is why
you cannot
SHANTINIKETAN
Then
at the edge of the forest
107
really a
dream
I
after
all.
and because
after
have not
washed
therefore
my mouth
I
But
impure and cannot see the queen. thought the whole thing was a dream.
am
Queen was revealed to him. She was seated on a seat which was decorated with exquisite
pearls.
Her
dress
silk.
Her
face
was
beauty of her smile was like a flower or a star. Gazing at her it seemed to Utonka that his brow
indeed be a habitation
fit
io8
SHANTINIKETAN
Meanwhile the Queen had come down from her seat and was makingher obeisance toUtonka.
Just as blossoms are shaken from the Shal tree
by passing
breezes, so
it
seemed
as if blessings
He
said,
"May
I
Mother,
request one gift from your generous hands. Give me your ear-rings." Queen Shubashukla laughing gently, removed the ear-rings with a
graceful gesture, bending her head as she did so.
room with
sandal paste,
leaves.*
paddy and a
cluster
of Bokul
The Queen
it
and
laid
at the feet of
so.
up the two
them.
Then
SHANTINIKETAN
sess
in
them."
well/' said
"Very
and waft
Utonka
as he stood
up and
"May
left
Full of joy
Utonka
with the doorkeeper, whereupon Shubashukla embracing her companion said laughing, "To-
day
my
companion
I
am
to
this
Brahmachari
holier."
said,
At
"We
Takshat
but
the road."
Shubashukla replied: "Even if any accident happens, who would hurt the Brahmachari?
were
lost or stolen."
with him, wondered, as he went out, at the beautv and grace of the palace. On his way he
ii2
SHANTINIKETAN
his
met the king who was returning from prayers carrying some flowers in
Seeing the
scattering flowers over him.
his
evening hands.
"My
prayer,
oh king, has been granted. I have obtained the gift and must now bid farewell."
The king
so soon.
replied:
"But
Stay at
least to-night/'
So Utonka
men
was
stilled
and
in the
began to think about the splendour of the royal It seemed to him that heavenly mespalace.
sengers were descending through
ligh
the
moon-
all
singing
chants
in
tones.
Then
again he remembered
of that cow.
Then
his
mind turned
to thoughts
all
of
whom
All the
ANTINI KETAN
on thinking
till
n3
him and
midnight.
rings,
so he kept
struck
Then keeping
and uttering the name of his Guru, Utonka turned over and went to sleep.
CHAPTER
In the
VI
man
nor beast.
Overhead
But a
raising a white
in the distance
Look
and you
and branches
elephants
mad
while
all
be heard.
hordes
Along the
fields
of white
frenzied
are
tearing
sometimes rising high in gigantic forms. There seems to be not a cloud in the sky. Only under those trees the sky in the distance
is
all
mad
SHANTINIKETAN
Who
is
115
this
who
wings of a bird as
all
it
strug-
with
its
storm?
Who
Utonka having
careful of
is
taking
Take
care,
Utonka, be
your precious ear-rings! For this is the very field where that mysterious cow appeared to you and made you drink its milk
all
happen
here.
It
whether
in the
nothing.
On
looking behind
him however he
beggar with
saw
a curious sight.
He
shaven head, ugly and almost naked, coming towards him. His face was clean shaven and
ii6
SH ANTINI
KETAN
on
his forehead
were
approached he kept making hideous grimaces. Crouching down, he beat his hands all the time
against his hollow sides.
if
It
almost seemed as
a dust-storm, vexed
clutches.
Utonka began
disappeared.
to
moment
the beggar
Utonka burst out laughing at been deceived by such a curious image having and illusion. But he was again surprised when that half-naked, shaven-headed image
appeared floating in the sky, only to disappear again in the twinkling of an eye.
Utonka laughed to himself and thought: "The next time the beggar comes, he will stand right on my head and I shall be able to make
Laughing at this thought Utonka stood up suddenly, but the beggar was nowhere to be seen. Instead,
Juggler
captive/'
Mr.
SHANTINIKETAN
feet
117
away. Darting to Utonka's feet he seized the box containing the ear-rings and leapt back
into the hole.
When Utonka
despair.
his
into a frenzy of
to calm
mind, he began to pray to Indra saying, "Oh, mighty Indra, whose thunderbolt can
shatter a rock to atoms and can burn the whole
world to ashes,
now
help this
poor helpless
Oh, Indra, whose clouds afford a grateful shade to the hot and weary traveller and give water to the thirsty, and abundant
Brahmachari.
crops to your worshippers, help this poor and
helpless Brahmachari."
Looking up to heaven Utonka prayed thus with folded hands, and as he gazed into the sky
a cloud descended and floated just above his head.
falling
little later
Utonka
felt
a gentle rain
one side of the cloud to the other bright flashes sparkled and danced. Utonka saw some one
n8
SHANTINI KETAN
middle of that dark cloud
smiles.
sitting in the
who
gazed he gazed, the cloud desteadfastly and, scended still lower with a gentle patter of rain,
as
He
and at
entered
last,
its
dew,
it
the
as
though struck by a thunder-bolt. Sitting on the rainbow, in the middle of that dark cloud,
Utonka descended
he entered the
As
womb
pended on
tops of
of bright branches.
all
many
coloured
fluttering
felt
in
their
a pleasing
CHAPTER
The nether
of the poets.
VII
tree, air
is
and
light
are
needs
strength.
When
were
with the beauty, immensity and power of the world and the stars and planets, then in
filled
the joy of that power and energy they tried to express the rhythmic movement of the spirit of
the universe and the idea of this inner energy
in
many
varied images.
regions were to
The nether
them
a bottomless
120
SHANTINIKETAN
its
nourishment.
from which
it
world descend into the lower regions. That energy which you see expressed in the world in
light
and
been
nether
regions.
And
those
changing
while
the ever
but the play of a power hidden there. In this storehouse many wonderful things are Therefore these regions are full of terror, kept.
No one
Fearful serpents
sentinels
fiercely,
Over these there always hangs a thick gloomy haze like a cloud, from which every now
and then
in the stillness there darts
a sudden
flash of lightning.
SHANTINIKETAN
and
is
121
It
blows
chill.
silently
and constantly with a piercing Deep echoes like thousands of conch blown together sound on all sides.
Arriving at the
shells
Utonka heard,
sound
like
as he
came
to a standstill, a
was astounded and you can understand The darkalert his mind was at that moment.
ness and that roaring sound
fear
filled his
He how
mind with
and doubt, but after remaining for a long time motionless with fear he began to concentrate his mind and sat down to meditate on
Indra.
that
if
to
122
SHANTINIKETAN
of a flaming fire right, as if the light
Utonka' s
"Utonka, enter
this
room."
a bright and beauti-
Then
his
mind was
Often in the darkness of the night-time he had risen to adore the blazing fire; and to-day in
the darkness of the nether regions his
in
life
had
moment become
full
Utonka began
But as he did so. uttering a chant of adoration on getting closer to it he found that it was not a fire at all but a golden door that shone
huge
with intense brightness.
certain
He thought with
I
if it
have been
were
fire
But perhaps
god of
than
it
SHANTINIKETAN
123
was blown open by a strong gust of wind. On entering he saw a wonderful sight. A huge room filled with white light in the middle of
which,
glowing
like
blazing
fire,
stood
its
By
side a
it
strong
man was
sides
on
all
were
boys
dancing wildly and every moment throwing off one dress and putting on a new one. Sitting a
little
distance
exquisitely beauti-
ful
cloth
colours,
one bright
They were
every
moment throwing
it
on.
On
one
two guards were standing motionless. Utonka became more and more astonished
as he looked
upon
this scene.
it
looked as
they could
fire.
i2 4
SHANTINIKETAN
full
of energy
it
and
as
if
their
arms were
so straight that
seemed
the
moment overcome
and yet from the look on their faces they appeared to be tranquil and
most powerful
smiling angels.
to look at the
man who
was standing beside the horse. On examining him closely he recognised him as the same man
cow which
Then
the
man
"My
child take
and you
stupified
back the ear-rings," Utonka with wonder took the horse out and in
will get
command he blew
As he did
so
fire
came
out.
With-
fire
moment
of time so that
SHANTINIKETAN
there
125
curi-
was not
a trace of
fire
them
left.
But
body
fruit.
at
all.
He
called
"Now my
worship of the
Fire,
Oh, powerful
salute thee.
Oh,
Fire,
Oh, mighty
take
me
it
in a
the earth.
that
is
Oh, god of Fire, now I understand your throne that is spread in these
glori-
bow."
which spread on
all sides,
quiver-
ing and scarlet like the blossoms of a Dhah tree* There in front of him he sawTakshat who, driven
mad by
full
was
in
retreat,
Utonka's
the
fire
feet.
As soon
itself
gathered
horse's
body
again.
126
SHANTINIKETAN
Utonka having picked up the ear-rings was about to say something when he suddenly
realised
He saw on
sides of
him the
fresh sunshine of
dawning day falling through the trees, the dew on the leaves was not yet dry, the birds were singing, while in front
Guru.
he
have
been dreaming again." Then meditatively and with eyes half closed he went slowly towards
the ashram.
,
faces radiant
in the centre.
his
They
all
She was
SHANTINIKETAN
"but
127
acci-
why
is
Utonka
so late?
Can some
To
Ved
replied at once,
"Do
he
will
be here immediately."
Even
as he spoke
Utonka appeared from behind a screen of jasmine flowers and at the same moment the eyes
of both the
Guru and
his wife
met
his
own.
of
all
Utonka
his
first
did
obeisance to his
Guru and
Then he
The woman's
eyes
filled
rings,
at
them
Then
I
limitless
My
discipline has
I
borne
fruit.
Plunging into
restless
128
SHANTINIKETAN
all
and
world.
The god
me
has
filled
my
My life in the
I
now be
successful
Gurudev,
pray
may
be a constant benediction
Having
said this
sat at his
Guru's feet and asked for permission to depart. His Guru Ved gave an affectionate farewell
blessing, saying,
"My
son,
al-
world
a
May
nobility of purpose,
blossom in your heart. May all my pupils be able, like you, to accomplish their
flower,
noble purposes."
'
';
-/
,,
,
-<,.
-vr
CONCLUSION
At
last
our story
is
finished.
Need we say
our Utonka ?
learn to ap-
nobility of purpose
in the heart of
My
prayer
is
may
that you
may
and treasure
May
fall
upon you
Mingling with
it
dawn may
in.
manifest
your eyes.
Breathing
the wind
may
130
it
SHANTINIKETAN
bring deep peace into your hearts. May your minds be happy and filled with the joy and
energy of the universe. May your lives in the world be fruitful, may nobility of purpose ever blossom in your hearts. May you also be strong,
fearless
and pure;
and
may you
accomplish
Om,
Shanti,
Shanti,
Shanti.
Om,
Peace,
Peace, Peace.
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