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Raghupati Raghav

 Here is some references I found online regarding Raghupti Raghava Raja Ram...

This is from a description of the Dandi March:

In 1930, Gandhi launched yet another of his disobedience campaign. Gandhiji wrote to the Viceroy demanding abolition of salt-tax and the Government monopoly of the manufacture of salt. When the Viceroy refused to do so, Gandhiji decided to start the Satyagraha movement by breaking the salt act.

"..."On bended knees I asked for bread and I have received stone instead", Gandhi remarked, and making good his promise, he set out on March 12 with seventy-eight of his followers and disciples from Sabarmati Ashram on the 241-mile march to Dandi on the sea... ...It is said that the roads were watered, and fresh flowers and green leaves strewn on the path; and as the satyagrahis walked, they did so to the tune of one of Gandhi's favorite bhajans, Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, sung by the great Hindustani vocalist, Pandit Paluskar.... " (http://library.thinkquest.org/26523/mainfiles/dandi.htm)

This is a description of a request days after Mother Teresa left her body: "Her relations with Mother's successor and the order in general have become cool since 5 September 1997. A couple of days after Mother's death, when her body was lying in St Thomas 's Church, Uthup expressed the wish to sing the hymn Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, written by Gandhi. Her request was summarily dismissed by the Missionaries of Charity as the hymn was not Catholic but multi-faith. Uthup remains deeply resentful about the incident and entirely blames the nuns for their narrowminedness. I reminded her that they were just following their founder's philosophy." (www.meteorbooks.com/chap12.html)

a reference that Gandhi changed the words: "Even the song sung everyday during the “Bhajan session” of Mahathma Gandhi –“Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram Pathitha Pavana Sitha Ram, Ishwara Allaha Tero Naam Sabhuko Sanmathi Dhe Bhagvaan” is a changed verse not the original one. Most of the Hindus will be singing this song. But may I know if there is any body who can shed some light, that how many Non-Hindus leave alone singing but at least know the verse." (www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/ nation_that_never_learns.htm)

I came across a reference to The medieval age with devotees like Tulsidas, Surdas, Meera, Kabir and others composing bhajans... apparently Tulsidas wrote primarily Ram bhajans and I think, from what I found thus far (and it is getting late for me) that Tulsidas is credited with writing Raghupati Raghava... and Gandhi is credited for changing it.

Boy, I have learned alot over this. Thank you all for your fascinating replies. It was an intereting thing to do a google search on.

Hare Krsna!  bh.Neal

 

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