K. M. Munshi

K.M. Munshi was born in Broach in South Gujarat in a high middle class Brahmin family. He was profoundly influenced by Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, M. K. Gandhi, Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel and Bulabhai Desai. He drew inspiration from the Vedic culture and the classic Sanskrit literature. Munshi founded a number of academic and cultural institutions. His greatest contribution was the foundation of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan which brought out the History and Culture of the Indian People in eleven volumes.

The ageless vitality of Aryan culture expressed itself in no nobler form than in Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. In this materialistic age, he demonstrated the validity of the experiences which the Gita had taught. He was almost illiterate, but his training was all drawn from this gospel. Every word and act of his expressed the teachings of Sfl Krsna in a living manner. By devotion, knowledge, and yoga he surrendered himself to God. He saw God as reality. It was, as for all mystics, the only religion. He realized Him in all His aspects.

…His approach to the caste system was the true approach of the Gita. The only way to destroy social distinctions is the rise to perfection by individual efforts. …Sri Ramakrishna gave experimental vitality to the Gita. The floodgates of a new inspiration were opened.