An Ode to the Mahatma and the Martyrs

"The light has gone out of our lives..." - These were the famous words spoken by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his address to the nation, informing them of the most unpleasant happenings of 30 Jan 1948. It was much less a speech than it was a shocked response of a pained heart; words that reflected the mood of a nation in mourning. It was the day the modern messiah of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. 

A feeble flame can flicker and fade, but not a conflagration that has found a pious corner in a million hearts. That is why Pandit Nehru corrected himself in that very speech and said: "The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light. The light that has illumined this country for these many years will illumine this country for many more years, and a thousand years later that light will still be seen in this country, and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts."

The Mahatma may have fallen that day, but he rose to heights few men can ever aspire, for such was the life he led. A life that made the great scientist Einstein comment, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." And truly it is a life that inspires idealism in the young and the old alike, even as it strikes wonder and awe.

Thousands of miles away, in the little village that was rejoicing the presence of the Divine Himself, ensued a mysterious sequence of events on that very day (30 Jan 1948) that acknowledged the greatness of the sinking Mahatma. Young Baba who stepped out with His devotees to spend an evening on the banks of Chitravathi, quickly and abruptly, retreated and retired to the solitude of His personal chambers. He spent the whole evening there and when He came out much later, Baba told the gathering, "The Mahatma has left." The devotees in Puttaparthi realised only a couple of days later (when they read the newspapers) that the 'Mahatma'  Swami was referring to was Mahatma Gandhi. Could there be a better validation to the title that was conferred on this pious leader!

The grateful Indian nation has chosen to remember this day, 30 January, in memory of not just this great soul, but of all those that were inspired by him and those that were fired up by the same patriotism, sacrifice and idealism. We celebrate this day with pride and gratitude as the Martyrs' Day. Thanks to these martyrs, the nation and the world at large has a worthy history to be inspired by. Thanks to these martyrs, generations to come will still believe in truth and Non-violence. The world can only become stronger and more united remembering these Martyrs and their exalted lives.

We at Radio Sai wish to pay our heartfelt tribute to the Mahatma on this day, through this small music video. The song Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram (sometimes called Ram Dhun) is a popular bhajan that was a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi. The version that is most common was put to music by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and was sung by Gandhi and his followers as they walked during the 241 mile Salt March to Dandi.This is a recording of that Bhajan, we specially prepared for this tribute and what makes it really special is the visuals. We hope you enjoy this offering, and all of you join us in hailing the Mahatma and all the martyrs.