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Fighting for Freedom



           he word ‘freedom’ often evokes stirring images of India’s
       Tstruggle for independence from British rule. As the young
        Balakrishna Menon, Pujya Gurudev actively participated in the
        Quit India Movement and was imprisoned for his underground
        nationalist activities. His fierce patriotism found further expression
        through his writings in the  National Herald, where, under the
        pseudonym  Mochi  (cobbler), he  fearlessly urged Indians to
        rediscover the beauty of their cultural heritage.
          Yet, his vision extended far beyond national borders. He
        turned his attention to a far more binding form of slavery – the
        bondage of ignorance. He fought for true freedom: the freedom
        to transcend the tyranny of the body, mind, and intellect; to
        break through the layers of false identifications; to rise above
        all limitations and rediscover one’s own infinite, blissful,
        divine Nature.
          Pujya Gurudev’s weapons were neither guns nor swords,
        but the piercing power of the words of a Realized one. In packed
        auditoriums, in the quiet pages of books, and vast open fields,
        thousands gathered to hear his call. He wielded the  Gita  and the
        Upanishads as his artillery, and Self-knowledge as his ammunition:
        “Fight, O Son of India. Discard your defeatist mentality and
        face wholeheartedly and sincerely the situations in every given
        field  of  life  at  every  given  moment  of  existence.”   By  establishing
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        Study  Groups,  Bala  Vihars,  CHYK  programs,  and  Chinmaya
        Vidyalayas, he led a quiet revolution that nurtured a generation
        grounded in spiritual values and committed to social responsibility.
          His patriotism was transformational: “Freedom is where there
        is no bondage, limitation, want, or desire. Spiritual freedom is
        our birthright. We have it –but we know it not!” 2

          Let us offer our deepest gratitude to this great
        Master by knowing ourselves – and by being truly free!

        1 Posted on 14 August 2022  https://www.facebook.com/  Editorial
        SwamiChinmayananda/
        2 Posted on 14 August 2018  https://www.facebook.com/
        SwamiChinmayananda/

        Tapovan Prasad                 7                     August 2025
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