ARTICLE : Tales of Prison Life - 6

Posted By Srinivasa Chakravarthy (srini@monod.neusc.bcm.tmc.edu)
Mon, 10 Mar 1997 10:14:47 -0600

"IN the modern times we have arrived at a point of transition
between
the new and the old. Man is ever moving forward to his goal, from time
to
time one has to leave the plains and ascend the heights, and it is
during
these periods of ascent that revolutions occur in the state, society,
religion as well as in the intellectual spheres. In the present
times there is a preparation, if nothing else, to move towards the
subtle from the physical. Because of the minute examination and finding
of the laws of the physical universe by the western scientists, the
soulying plains surrounding the upward Way have been cleared. The
knowers
of the West are taking their first step in the vast, inner worls and
many
are tempted by the hope of conquest. Apart from this there are other
visible signs - such as the quick spread of Theosophy, the welcome
given to Vedanta in America, the partial and indirect influence of
India in western philosophy and modes of thinking. But the
most remarkable sign is the sudden and unexpected emergence of India.
By claiming the role of world teacher, the Indians are raising to
inagurate a new age. If the westerners are deprived of the help from
India
they will not be able to succeed in their progress. Just as in the
cultivation of the supreme means to the flowering of inner life
not country had excelled India in the knowledge of Brahman or Self
(tattvajnana), and yoga, similarly the purification of nature, control
over the senses, the power of Brahman realisation, the energy born of
askesis, tapasya, and the lesson of non-attached activity as yoga,
these two are India's very own. To acquire, by ignoring outward joys
and sorrows, the inner freedom is possible only for the Indian,
the Indian alone is capable of undertaking activity in the spirit
of non-attachment, while the sacrifice of ego and indifference in
action are acknowledged as the highest aim of her education and culture
and are the seed of her national character.

"The truth of this view I forst realised in the Alipore jail.
Those who live there are usually thieves and robbers, murderers. Though
we were forbidden to speak with the convicts, in practice this rule
was not strictly observed. ...Those who were arrested with me for the
same
offence, they too have been described in such unspeakable terms and the
most
heartless murderers. If there is ny place where the Indian character
may be looked upon with the eyes of contempt, if it possible to see it
at its worst, lowest and most hateful state, Alipore jail is that
place , imprisonment at Alipore is that inferior and degenerate state.
IN such a place I spent twelve months like this. Thanks to my experience
of these twelve months I have been able to return to the world of
action with tenfold hope, with a fixed notion about Indian superiority,
with redoubled respect for human character, the future progress and
well-being of the motherland and the human race. This is not due to
my inherent optimism or excessive trust. Srijut Bipinchandra Pal
had felt the same way in the Buxar jail; in the Alipore Jail Dr. Daly
who had served here earlier, suported this view. Dr. Daly was a
generous and wise person, experienced in the ways of men, the worst
elements of human nature were presented to him every day, yet he used
to tell me: "The more I see and hear of Indian gentlemen or the poor
folk,
men who are distinguished in society or the convicts in a prison, I am
convinced that in quality and character you are superior to us. Looking
at these lads has further confirmed me in my judgement. Who can judge
from
their behavior, character and other high qualities that they are
anarchists
or asasins? Instead of finding in them cruelty, wildness, restlessness
or impropriety, I find the opposite virtues." Of course thieves and
robbers
do not turn into holy men while they are serving a term in prison.
The British prison is not a place for reform character; on the contrary,
for the ordinary convict it is but an instrument for the dgradation of
character and manhood. They remain the thtieves and robbers they had
been
before being sent to the gaol...But what of that? The humanity of the
INdian
survives every loss. Fallen because of social abuses, crushed out
because of
loss of humanity, on the outside are the distortions of dark dubious
and shameful emotions, yet within, the nearly vanished humanity seems to
save
itself in hiding, thanks to the inborn virtue of Indians, it expresses
itself time and again in speech and act. Those who having seen the filth
outside, turn away their face in contempt, only they can fail to
say that they failed to find in them the least trace of humanity. But
one who has given up the pride of holiness and looks at them with one's
own natural clear vision will never agree to such a view. After six
months of imprisonment in the Buxar jail Srijut Bipinchandra Pal
had seen God among the thieves and robbers, which he had openly
confessed
in an Uttarpara meeting. IN the ALipore jail itself I too could realise
this fundamental truth of Hinduism for the first time among the thieves
robbers and killers, in the human body I could realise the Divine
Presence."

Sri Aurobindo
From "Tales of Prison Life"

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