The meaning of Swatantra and Swarajya-ma

The True Flag of Victory

Bhagawan speaks on Bharat

Nearly two and half decades ago while speaking to the students of His university on this day of India’s independence Baba clearly set forth before the young minds the ideals and idols they should pursue. He also elucidated what independence means in its truest sense. Here are a few excerpts from that revealing discourse delivered on August 15, 1985.

The Meaning of Swatantra and Swarajya

The Independence we celebrate today was finally achieved and proclaimed at midnight on August 14, 1947. What exactly does the word ‘Independence’ mean?

It means we are not dependent on anyone, any longer. We are dependent on ourselves alone. The Indian word for independence is Swa-tantra. It means ‘Our Tantra’. The word Tantra means ‘the Atma’. So Swatantra means Independence from everything except the Atma.

One should always follow only one’s heart; that is our only Guru and God. There should be no dependence on the others. This is the stage of Swarajya, becoming the sole monarch of oneself. The word Swaraj, commonly used for an independent state, connotes only absence of worldly dependence. Independence can be enjoyed by man only if he gets rid of bondage to the senses which drag him into tantalising ventures. The attainment of Yoga, involving sense-control, expansion of love, and cleansing the consciousness, is the true goal. Only when this happens can God’s glory be reflected in the heart of every individual.

[Source: Divine Discourse on Independence Day, August 15, 1985 at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam.]

[Adapted from www.radiosai.org]