| Great Personalities |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
RAMMANOHAR LOHIA |
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| 'Rama,
Krishna, Shiva'Although basically a politician Lohia had an excellent knowledge of our ancient
scriptures. He used to interpret them from a modern point of view. He wrote a perceptive
article on the mythological figures Rama, Krishna and Shiva. Many of his observations in
his article are penetrating and significant. He says, "Rama and Krishna may be
historical figures. Shiva also may have been a great engineer who dug a canal of the river
Ganga. Perhaps he was a veterinary doctor or a great lover of mankind. He has said that
the mythological figures embody the dreams and the trials and sufferings of the people who
conceived them. Only some people know about the figures of history. But mythological
characters have become part and parcel of the popular imagination, and Lohia had grasped
this fact.
Lohia had great love for Rama and Ramayana. He called Rama "an embodiment of dignity". He organized a Ramayana Mela near Ayodhya. His birthplace Faizabad is close to Ayodhya. What Lohia has to say about Sri Rama and Sri Krishna is significant. "Eight parts of Vishnu were embodied in Rama. His was a limited personality. But Krishna had sixteen parts of Vishnu. Hence his personality was as mighty as the ocean." Lohia wrote that Rama said little but listened to others. To-day cricket is the most popular game in India, especially in towns and cities. This is a game of the leisurely class. It is a gift of the British Raj. Cricket does not offer as much exercise as football. Lohia wanted that India should progress in sports so as to earn recognition in the Olympic Games. But he did not think highly of cricket. |
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