Passage 11

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

At one time Subhas Chandra Bose was studying at Calcutta University. There a British lecturer was speaking of Bhārata and the people of Bhārata somewhat slightingly, mockingly. But he could not bear to hear such abuse of his motherland.

This is my beloved motherland, this is my beloved mother tongue, this is my faith, this is my vow.

If we live without love of country, without inquiring into this, do we truly regard it as our motherland? He resolved to do something for his motherland. But being a man of discerning wisdom, he held his patience for a while. But he could not bear to hear those words. At once he leapt up three …, seized that Englishman by the head, took his own sandal and beat him. I will bear anything. I cannot bear abuse of my motherland. Even if I go to hell it does not matter; I must guard the honour of my country. Such a man was Subhas Chandra Bose. All the students who saw this scene could do nothing. Leaping like a tiger cub, he is tormenting him in many ways. He is saying, 'help me, help me'. No one's help. Within moments the news spread through the whole university. They held an emergency meeting. They decided that he could not study at Calcutta University for five more years. With that he gave up even his studies. What is true is my motherland: my blood, born in Bhārata, grown in Bhārata, must be dedicated to Bhārata alone. He kept to this gratitude. His father saw how matters stood and himself sent him to London. In India there was no chance for him to study. Even after going there, he kept love of country in his heart. My sacred Bhārata is a land of sacrifice, a land of yoga. A land of karma. Not a land of enjoyment. I have come to study, but I have not come to settle in this country. Studying with śraddhā and Bhakti, he passed the ICS. With a high rank. He came back from there and entered politics. I have nourished this body on food.