Theos-Talk Archives (June 2012 Message tt00022)

Life in Fulfillment

Sri R Jagannathiah (1852-1918)
was one of the early members of the Theosophical Society, when it landed in
Adyar of Chennai (then Madras) to establish its international Headquarters,
from its birth place in New York via Bombay(now Mumbai)-where it stayed for a
very short span. 

While the Founders settled
comfortably in Adyar by 1882, Sri Jagannathiah made his personal  visit to the Founders in December that year.
He was a conformed FreeThinker and an Atheist by then, but was equally familiar
with the theosophical writings through the Foundersâ monthly magazine The Theosophist. His visit was, as
expressed by him, mainly intended to âargue outâ the points of view from the
stand of his own convictions, with Madame H P Blavatsky, the chief exponent of
the theosophical philosophy. His sittings in deep discussion for three days,
the vivid elucidations provided by her, to the various philosophical issues
that troubled his mind, regenerated his âintuitionsâ to make him resolve that
he should serve his life from now on for the Cause of Theosophy. From Hinduism
(he was a born Vaishnavite) to Atheism and then on to Theosophy in its faultless
vision, a Warrior was created.  There was
no looking back for him since.

Having begun his rejuvenated life
at the age of 30, he served the cause of theosophy with determined fervor and
zeal till the end of his life. By his inspiring writings, impressive oratory
and organizational acumen he became an effective Individual in popularizing the
theosophical principles among the general public. His scholarship in both
Oriental and Occidental knowledge stood by him steadfast. He was looked upon by
Col. H S Olcott, the Founder-President, as one strong pillar and an able
assistant in the arduous work. He was endowed with the office of the Lodge
Inspector. Founding a Lodge at his place, Bellary, and introducing many
innovative allied activities there were the springs of his undaunted courage.
He made himself a reservoir of strength and compassionate wisdom. This is well
vouched in the narrative of the book needing no repetitive emphasis here.

Sri Jagannathiahâs
accomplishments were many. His unselfish and altruistic life stands as a beacon
light for emulation and adaption. His wisdom radiates all the ages. He sowed
the seeds that continue to sprout generation after generation. His descendents,
after almost a century, coming forward to bring out an authentic and well
documented biography of the pioneer is a proof enough for this. Sri R J
Parthasarathy and Ms. R J Kalpana have done a commendable job in collecting and
collating the material from several sources. This work evidently is not to be
seen as the âsinging of the past gloryâ but as a sincere effort intended to
inspire the men and women, in the present and the future as well. When the
nation suffers a want of an acute historical sense, such narrative accounts of pioneers
of the human society are adorably welcome.

P.S: The so-far âcollectedâ
writings of Sri R Jagannathiah, in 3 volumes, are scheduled to be released in
the forth coming Annual Conference of the Rayalaseema Theosophical Federation
of the Indian Section, the next month.

Dr N C Ramanujachary







Literature is for Portrayal of Philosophic Ideas.







Dr N C Ramanujachary(Srivirinchi)

Besant Gardens, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai 600 020 

Phone: 044/24913584, Mobile: 9444963584

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