Speaker 1:
Salutations. We would like to ask you about the great revolutionary freedom fighter of Bengal's "Era of Fire" (Agnijug), Bagha Jatin. Please tell us about him. If you share his story, we will be happy to learn, and we will be greatly inspired.
Gurudev:
I see. Look, Bagha Jatin was born on December 8, 1879, in Kaya village of Kushtia district. His full name was Jatindranath Mukherjee. His father's name was Umesh Chandra Mukherjee, and his mother was Sharatshashi Devi. He was educated at Khudiram Bose Central College under Calcutta University. This is his basic background. Now, why the name "Bagha Jatin" (Tiger Jatin)? This is a subject of great interest to many. It happened in 1900. A village in Kushtia was suddenly terrorized by a tiger. Jatin was staying at his maternal uncle's house at the time. He decided the tiger had to be killed or fended off. Despite everyone's warnings, he set out. His cousin accompanied him with a gun. When the cousin aimed the gun at the tiger, the beast sensed it and attacked Jatin from behind. Jatin only had a dagger in his hand. But how could a man, however strong, stand against such a large beast? He engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle and eventually managed to overpower the tiger. However, he sustained 300 wounds across his body, from claw marks to bites. He was brought to Kolkata for treatment under Suresh Prasad, the best doctor of that time. While he initially showed slight improvement, his condition began to deteriorate again. Dr. Suresh Prasad spared no effort in his treatment. Jatin's legs were so badly damaged that doctors were on the verge of amputating them. But by a miracle of God, he survived, and his legs did not have to be cut. His doctor, Suresh Prasad, grew to love him dearly. As he slowly recovered, everyone gave him the name "Bagha Jatin" because he had fought a tiger with his bare hands.
Gurudev:
Later, after gaining his educational qualifications, he got a job as a stenographer. He performed his duties with great skill and became quite well-known in that profession. However, secretly, his only thought was that Mother India must be freed from her chains by any means. He gradually joined the Anushilan Samiti and became a primary leader of the Jugantar revolutionary group.
Speaker 1:
Gurudev, we also know that his political teacher and mentor was Rishi Aurobindo. Is that correct?
Gurudev:
Absolutely. He received his true inspiration from Rishi Aurobindo. He was introduced to Sri Aurobindo in 1903. Influenced by him, Jatin plunged into the struggle for India's independence. He began to fight fiercely against the British. He had many revolutionary friends. When he realized that the "lizards" (police spies) were onto him, he moved to Balasore. From there, he began collecting weapons. There is a history regarding secret dealings with Germany; you likely know about that. There was an internal conflict regarding an arms shipment planned for Christmas. When tensions with the British intensified, the police pursued him. He evaded them and reached Balasore, specifically the banks of the Burhibalam River. He tried to gather weapons there, but they only had pistols, which were nothing compared to the vast British army. Yet, he did not lose heart. He said, "If I must die, I will die like a hero." He also realized, "It is a thousand times better to suffer for food while remaining free than to enjoy a royal feast while enslaved." He felt that living in bondage was impossible. We, who rest in the lap of Mother India and have been nurtured by her, must break her chains. He worked tirelessly, and his health began to break. His friends helped him significantly. Money had been sent from Germany for weapons, but the British captured the ship and seized the arms. Bagha Jatin was deeply troubled, but he resolved to fight even with just a single gun. In a trench by the Burhibalam River, he and his friends began a battle. It was a terrifying fight. One by one, his friends fell before his eyes. In the end, he did not surrender. He died from British bullets. Even today, Bagha Jatin remains Bagha Jatin.
Speaker 3:
Is this the "Battle of Burhibalam" we read about?
Gurudev:
Yes, the battle that took place on the banks of the Burhibalam.
Speaker 3:
That is recognized as the Battle of Burhibalam. I recall—and you might have mentioned it too—that after being wounded, he was in the hospital for a day and passed away there.
Gurudev:
No, no. He died there on the banks of the Burhibalam, as far as I know. I could be wrong, but he was incredibly stubborn and strong-willed, with powerful muscles in his arms. He feared nothing. Once, a British officer named Wheeler asked him, "Jatin, you have 100 men; can you kill with these two hands?" He replied, "If an honest person comes to me, I cannot kill him. It is not possible for me to kill a good man." That is how he valued integrity. Honestly, if people like him were around today, we wouldn't have to worry about our society. They still "speak" to me in many ways. But I have grown old now and can't do much. People tell me to preach Hinduism because I am a Hindu, but the truth is that the religion is mostly dead; it cannot be easily brought back to life.
Speaker 3:
A saint like you is not just for the survival of one nation; we know you have appeared to protect all humanity.
Gurudev:
That is true, but still, a fire burns in my heart sometimes. If Netaji (Subhash Chandra Bose) were alive today; if Masterda Surya Sen were alive today; if Pritilata Waddedar or Vivekananda were alive today, India would not be in this state. We are the root cause of India's current condition. Just as there was a Mir Jafar during Siraj-ud-Daulah's time, many "Mir Jafars" (traitors) have been born here today. To truly free India, these traitors must be identified one by one and either eliminated or driven out of the country. There is no other way. Many traitors are living off India's resources while insulting her. Our heroes never tolerated this. They gave their lives, though they didn't live to see independence. As far as I know, only Rishi Aurobindo, who died in 1950, saw independence. He remarked that "This is not independence; this is a compromised settlement." A massive country like India got its independence at midnight—no one even knew the value of that independence. I won't go further into later political events because I don't want to get involved in politics. These heroes leave a deep impression on me. I am old now; I've done what I could. I still speak and give lectures on religion secretly in some places. India has been independent for 72-73 years now, yet we haven't learned anything. We are following the West. Our Eastern values—our humility, our love for one another—have all vanished. Nothing remains. Hinduism has sunk so low; I don't even think "Hinduism" exists anymore. Those who were in East Bengal knew they couldn't stay there; many came here and established themselves through the government's grace. We know what happened in the 60s. One thing keeps coming to mind: this decayed Hindu society is unlikely to rise again on its own. It can only be lifted if a great soul (Mahapurush) intervenes. People from all over, even Delhi, call and ask me: "What will happen to India?" I tell them I am not God. However, one thing I know—with Ajit Doval at the helm of security and PM Modi in charge, not a single scratch will come to India. They won't let it happen. People might not understand because government policies are often secret, but I am convinced that China or Pakistan will never be able to harm India. India has gained that power. I believe that after this Corona crisis passes, an advanced India will emerge. And it will be governed by saffron-clad monks (Geruadhari Sanyasis).
Speaker 3:
Does that mean people like the heroes who fought for this country in the past will reappear?
Gurudev:
Definitely. They will, they will. They already have. It takes time for things to manifest. I repeatedly say we live in a land of traitors. Siraj-ud-Daulah had to die because of Mir Jafar. These traitors are now in every household in India. They must be identified—either execute them or exile them. Only then will India hold its head high again. It certainly will; India is a land of saints and sages. Do you understand? This country can never die. People like Rishi Aurobindo will come again. People like Bagha Jatin, Masterda Surya Sen, and girls like Pritilata will be born—or have already been born. Therefore, I can fearlessly say that not a single scratch will come to India. We have Ajit Doval controlling things, and we have Modiji. These two are enough. Nothing else is needed. Bagha Jatin is incomparable. They will return. Think of Khudiram, Kanailal, Prafulla Chaki, Ullaskar Dutta, Barin Ghosh—the group that chose the path of extreme conflict. They moved away from the moderates. The groups formed around Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda (like Anushilan Samiti) worked in secret. They operated during the Kumbh Mela or Ramakrishna's birth anniversary, carrying out their work quietly. Today, we might think India is finished, but no. India will be above all. Mother India will remain supreme and rule with pride.
Speaker 1:
We want your words to remain immortal. Salutations to you, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Salutations.
Speaker 1:
To those watching the channel "Gupta Sadhu Shyama Khyapa," please subscribe and share. Salutations.
Gurudev:
Salutations, child. Salutations.