Sri Sathya Sai On: Subhas Chandra Bose and his Role in Indian Independence

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

Many speakers have spoken before Me but none has said anything about Subhas Chandra Bose, who was endowed with many great qualities and capabilities. After passing his ICS, he came to India, joined the political movement and made a significant contribution to it in many ways. But, unfortunately, he had to leave the country as there was no unity among the Bharatiyas. Even while staying in overseas countries, he played a very important role for the freedom of India from the British rule. 

Important Role of Subhas Chandra Bose in India’s Freedom Struggle 

Lalita Bose, the daughter of his brother, once came to Puttaparthi. She regretted that her uncle Subhas Chandra Bose, having been born in this sacred land of Bharat, had to leave the country. She was happy that she was able to live in this country and have Swami’s Darshan. She came to Brindavan, Whitefield also and stayed there for a few days. Later on, she followed Me in a car wherever I went. She used to play on harmonium and sing Bhajans. She came to Ooty and Kodaikanal also when I went there. All the time, she was chanting ‘Sai Ram’ ‘Sai Ram’ She had no other thought except this in her mind.

Subhas Chandra Bose was endowed with great physical, mental and spiritual powers. But he never revealed his spiritual powers to anyone. He had a burning desire to make India a great and prosperous country. No other leader had such a strong aspiration for the freedom and progress of the country as Subhas Chandra Bose. He was the one who believed in action; not merely in speech like many other leaders. There are many great leaders in our country even today, but what is the use if they do not put into practice what they say? They say a million things but do not put into practice even one! I am very much pained to see that today nobody remembers Subhas Chandra Bose who had done so much for the country. He was the one who dedicated his entire life to the country. Even when he was staying in overseas countries, his love for his motherland was uppermost in his mind. Rather, it went on increasing day by day.

Subhas Chandra Bose inspecting the Azad Hind Fauj

Subhas Chandra Bose strove very hard to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity. He demonstrated the ideals of love and forbearance. One who does not have love for his country is verily a living corpse! Only a person who upholds the good name of the country can be called a living person in the true sense of the term.

Attain The Independence of The Self

Meanwhile, India attained Swatantrata (independence). But this was merely ‘Swatantrata’, not ‘Swaatantrata’. What is swatantrata? It relates to the body, mind and intellect, while Swaatantrata is related to the atma. Those who follow the Atmic principle are truly independent. The same is the difference between ‘Swarajya’ and ‘Swaarajya’. We should aim at achieving ‘Swaarajya’, not merely ‘Swarajya’. When we follow the Atmic principle, everything becomes good for us. Not only that, it will lead to the well-being and prosperity of the entire world. We should not merely be satisfied with political independence; we should achieve that independence which relates to the Atma.

Subhas Chandra Bose strived to attain the independence related to the Self. Ultimately, he succeeded in his endeavour. Everybody should make efforts to know such noble souls. Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the few Bharatiyas of his times who attained ‘Swaatantrata’ (independence of the Self) when others were pursuing their selfish ends. They harboured narrow considerations and differences while Subhas Chandra Bose considered the entire country as one. 

Arriving at the Annual Convention of the Congress as its President

The principle of Atma is the same in everyone. All are endowed with Atmic power. Man is the embodiment of Atma. That is why Krishna declared in the Bhagavad Gita, Mamaivamsho Jivaloke Jivabhuta Sanathana (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). He said, “All are an aspect of My Divinity.” When I consider you as part of My Being, you should also consider others as your own self. Love All, Serve All. You should not observe any difference between individuals, thinking one as a pauper and another, a millionaire. There are many millionaires in Bharat. But they are engaged in filling their own belly. They are not prepared to give even a morsel of food as alms to a beggar who stands at their doorstep saying, “Bhavati Bhiksham Dehi (mother, give alms)”. What is the use of having such rich men in our country? They are rich only for name’s sake but in reality they are the poorest of the poor. In spite of so many rich people in our country, righteousness and charity seem to have disappeared from it. Therefore, people of this country should pursue the path of charity and righteousness. Consider others as your own brothers and sisters. Rather, consider them as thyself. People just address others as ‘brothers and sisters’ from the stage, but who is actually putting it into practice? None.

Remember Noble Souls Like Subhas Chandra Bose

Today wherever you go, you see people hankering after money. People are striving to amass wealth but none is making efforts to cultivate love and righteousness. The earlier three speakers spoke about the world, but none of them spoke about the Atma. The same principle of Atma is present in everyone. It is present in you, Me and everyone else. Daivam Manusha Rupena (God is in the form of a human being). It is not proper to show disrespect to anyone because everyone is the embodiment of God. You should lead your life with this conviction that all are your brothers and sisters. We can attain Swaarajya only when we develop such broad feelings. Till then, we merely have Swarajya where ‘Swa’ means Swartha (selfishness). But we should aspire for Swaarajya, in which ‘Swaa’ is related to the spiritual heart (Hridaya).

You are all performing Grama Seva and serving the poor. But first of all, you should achieve true Swaatantrata. Love, respect and help everyone. Only then can you be called a true Sai student. Everything can change but not the Atma. Even a wicked person or a demon cannot bring about any change in the Atma. Strive to attain such changeless and eternal Atmic kingdom. Have self-confidence. Only then can you attain the natural state of a human being. This is your true and eternal state. I bring My discourse to a close with My good wishes and blessings that you may attain the kingdom of the Self and earn a good name. 

I spoke only out of My love for Subhas Chandra Bose, though none invited Me to speak. Such persons like Subhas Chandra Bose should be born in Bharat again and again. India should attain its pristine glory again. Had Subhas Chandra Bose been alive today, he would have attained the highest name in history. There would have been no beggars in this country. But, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas themselves were responsible for his leaving the country. As a result, they now face great difficulties. We should love and trust such noble souls. Love and trust are our true strength. We should never forget Subhas Chandra Bose. His teachings were full of noble thoughts and great ideals. Unfortunately, people forget such good persons and remember the bad ones. It is a great mistake. Never forget good people. They are like precious jewels. I wish that you should always remember such noble souls. I bring My discourse to a close with My blessings to you all.  


Source: Divine Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall on August 15, 2007, 60th Anniversary of Indian Independence