Issued by India

Issued on Dec 13, 2022

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 150^th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and salutes his contribution to the spiritual upliftment of millions in India and abroad.

Credits :
Souvenir Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 15000 Paise

Stamps Printed : 1.11 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Aurobindo Ghose

Born on Aug 15, 1872 at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Died on Dec 5, 1950 at Pondicherry, French India [now Puducherry City, Puducherry, India]

About : 

• In India, spirituality and religion are part of people’s everyday life. Since ancient times, the Rishis & Munis of India preferred to attain spiritual pursuits rather than materialistic pursuits of life. Hence, spiritual wisdom gained an upper hand over materialistic prosperity. Since ages, spiritual seekers from India have shown the world, the higher path of living.
• Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on 15^th August 1872. At the age of seven he was sent to England for education. There he studied at St. Paul’s School, London, and at King’s College, Cambridge. After return to India in 1893, he worked for the next thirteen years in the Princely State of Baroda in the service of the Maharaja and as a professor in Baroda College. During this period, he also joined a revolutionary society and took a leading role in secret preparations for an uprising against the British Government in India.
• In 1906, soon after the Partition of Bengal, Sri Aurobindo quit his post in Baroda and went to Calcutta, where he soon became one of the leaders of the Nationalist movement. He was the first political leader in India to openly put forward, in his newspaper Bande Mataram, the idea of complete Independence for the country. Prosecuted twice for sedition and once for conspiracy, he was released each time for lack of evidence.
• Sri Aurobindo had begun the practice of Yoga in 1905 in Baroda. In 1910 he withdrew from politics and went to Pondicherry in order to devote himself entirely to his inner spiritual life and work. During his forty years in Pondicherry he evolved a new method of spiritual practice, which he called the Integral Yoga. According to Sri Aurobindo, spiritual realization not only liberates man’s consciousness but also transforms his nature. In 1926, with the help of his spiritual collaborator, the Mother, he founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Among his many writings are The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga and Savitri. Sri Aurobindo left for heavenly abode on 5^th December 1950.
• After the death of Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo Society was started by the Mother on 19^th September 1960. She was not only the founder and the Executive President but also remains its guiding force. From a very small beginning, over the years, the Society has grown into an international organization working in diverse fields of life, like integral education, Indian culture, emergency response management and sustainable development.
• Sri Aurobindo has been a scholar, a literary critic, a philosopher, a revolutionary, a poet, a yogi and a rishi. He was all these and much more and has touched the souls of millions in India and abroad. Sri Aurobindo has been an inspiration to all those who wants to make this world a better place by making improvements in their inner world.
• India in its 75^th Years of its Independence and as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations is commemorating the life of spiritual masters whose work and values resonates with the soul of India. Government of India has decided to commemorate 150^th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo in befitting manner at national and international level during the period from 15 August 2022 to 15 August 2023.
• Text : Referenced from the contents provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jun 29, 2022

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Karpatri Maharaj.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Anuj
Cancellation cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 201600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Hari Narayan Ojha

Born on Aug 11, 1907 at Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India

Died on Feb 7, 1982 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

About : 

• Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj was born on 1907 AD (Samvat 1964 Vikrami) on the second day of Shukla Paksha, in the month of Shravan in Bhatni village of Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh as the son of Smt. Shivrani Devi and Shri Ramnidhi Ojha. His surname was Harinarayan Ojha. Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj received education in the various disciplines of Sanskrit, Grammar, Philosophy, Bhagwat, Nyayashastra and Vedanta. Swami Ji was married to Mahadevi at the age of 16, but after a few years, after getting detached from worldly illusion, he started on the path of public welfare and spirituality in search of knowledge. In 1926 AD, after leaving home and wandering on the banks of the Ganges, he prayed at the feet of Swami Shri Brahmananda Saraswati for initiation of Sanyasa Deeksha. He was instructed to study in Narwar, Madhya Pradesh and thereafter taking Naishthik Brahmacharyavrata, he became Harihara Chaitanya from Padati Harinarayan and after reaching Narwar, he received all the teachings from Shaddarshanacharya Swami Shri Vishweshwarashram Ji within thirteen months. After attaining knowledge, while living in solitude on the banks of the Ganges he did severe penance and also meditated in the cave of Rishikesh Himalayas.
• After coming out of deep self-realizing meditative contemplation (Samadhi), he continued to travel and disseminate knowledge. May truth prevail, may unrighteousness be destroyed, may there be goodwill among the living beings, may there be welfare of the world – he spread such knowledge to the people. Paramhansa Harihara Chaitanya got the name of Karpatri as he ate food without using a dish on his hand and he became popular as Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj.
• In the year 1931-32, at the age of 24, after receiving due knowledge from Swami Shri Brahmanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj in Kashi, he came to be known as Hariharanand Saraswati and became a complete saint who became famous as “Paramhans Paribrajakacharya 1008 Baba Hariharanand Saraswati Shri Karpatri Ji Maharaj”. In the year 1932, by traveling all over India for the purpose of promoting religion, he awakened spiritual consciousness by interacting extensively with the teachers, scholars and religious lovers and in the year 1932 itself, on the occasion of Haridwar Kumbh, in Haridwar–Rishikesh, he exchanged scholarly thoughts with Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya.
• Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj not only gave knowledge to the people in the society through his religious journeys but also wrote books along with the publication of various magazines. His main texts include Sankirtan Mimamsa and Varnashrama Maryada, Samanvaya Samrajya Sanrakshan, Sri Bhagvatatva, Marxism and Ramarajya, Ved ka Swaroop and Pramanya (Form of Vedas and their evidences), Veda Pramanya Mimamsa, Ahmartha and Paramartha Saar, Bhakti Rasarnava, Veda Swaroop Vimarsh, Chaturvarnya Sanskriti Vimarsh, Vichara Piyush, Vedarthparijat, Ramayan Mimamsa etc. He was bestowed honour for many of these books. He was honoured with five thousand rupees by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for his work on Bhakti Rasarnava Granth and five thousand rupees by Hanuman Trust, Calcutta for his work in Ramayana Mimamsa Granth. Considering his erudition, he was honoured with the degree of D.Litt in 1978 by Shri Sampurnanand Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi.
• In the year 1940, he founded ‘Dharma Sangh’ and created awareness among the followers of Vedic Sanatan everywhere by undertaking extensive pilgrimages on foot. After establishing Shri Dharmasangh Shiksha Mandal, Kashi, he also established Sanskrit schools at various places under it. He also constituted the ‘Ramrajya Parishad’ and nominated several candidates on its ticket for the elections of 1951 and 1957. Till the end of life, remaining devoid of attachment, egoism and karma-attachment, he continued enthusiastically towards the promotion of Vedic religion culture. He passed away on February 7, 1982 and merged with the great universe.
• Text : Referenced from the contents provided by UP Postal Circle.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 18, 2022

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Pandurang Vaman Kane.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302200

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Pandurang Vaman Kane

Born on May 7, 1880 at Pedhem, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India

Died on Apr 18, 1972 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• It is not often that one comes across stories of people who have had a strong vision and mission guiding their entire life. Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane is one such person who never let his interest in research fade the slightest. Born in a village called Pedhem near Chiplun in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra on May 7, 1880, Dr. P.V. Kane is a source of unending inspiration to generations of young Sanskritists and Indologists.
• Dr. Kane was a precocious child who had committed to memory, 400 verses of Amarakosa, by the age of 12. He passed his Matriculation examination of Bombay University in 1897. He passed his B.A. with Sanskrit and was awarded Bhau Daji prize for proficiency in Sanskrit. In 1902, he passed first LL.B. examination in First Class and got his M.A. in 1903, with Sanskrit and English, securing the Zala Vedanta prize of Rs. 400/- for the paper setting and answered in Sanskrit.
• While he was working as a teacher in the Government High School in Ratnagiri, he wrote an essay on ‘Aryan Manners and Morals as depicted in the Epics’, which got him the Mandalik Gold Medal of the Bombay University in 1905. He wrote another essay on ‘History of Alankara Literature’ in 1906 and secured the Mandalik Gold Medal again. He started teaching in Elphinstone High School in 1907. His career as an advocate at the High Court began in July, 1911.
• He passed his LL.M. examination in Hindu and Mahomedan law in 1911. His association with the Bombay Branch with the Royal Asiatic Society started as one of its ordinary members; 2 years later he became its Life Member. In 1916, he worked as Honorary Professor of Sanskrit in Wilson College, his own Alma Mater. He was Professor of Law, Government Law College from 1917 to 1928.
• Prof. Kane’s career at the Bar proved to be a great success. He came to be recognized as an authority at Hindu Law, respected by the Bench and Bar. He worked in the legal field from 1919 to 1949. At the same time, he pursued his Indology studies. His introduction to Sahityadarpana of Vishvanatha published in 1910, so highly impressed the French Scholar Sylvan Levi that he urged Kane to write a full-fledged history of Sahityashastra.
• In 1923, Kane published a 2^nd edition of Sahityadarpana with an introduction of 77 pages dealing with the history of Alankarashastra. In the 1951 edition, this history was enlarged to 423 pages and then published as a separate volume, in 1961. Dr. Kane’s researches in Dharma-Shastra started in 1911 by undertaking an edition of a book called Vyavahara Mayukha. Kane’s critical edition of the work was published in 1928.
• He was a Fellow of the University of Bombay from 1919 to 1928. He was conferred the title of Mahamahopadhyaya in 1942 by the British government. In 1947, he became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bombay. The President of India named Kane as member of the Rajya Sabha first in 1953 and again in 1958. This gave him an opportunity to work with several committees considering Hindu Adoption Act, the Hindu Marriage Act, The Hindu Succession Act. His interpretations of original texts were accepted by the Parliament when Hindu Succession Act was placed on the statute book. He was appointed National Professor of Indology in 1959. Sahitya Academy awarded its prize for the fourth volume of Dharmashastra in 1956. In 1963, Dr. P.V. Kane was awarded with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India.
• Asiatic Society of Bombay had been his second home. He took part in the activities of the Society as member of its Managing Committee as well as its Vice President for several years. He was also editor of its Journal. He was one of the Founders of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. He was closely associated with the Deccan College as well as Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad.
• History of Indian culture and religion will remain incomplete without a reverential reference to his monumental work. His contributions are marked by an extensive sweep of his research interest and activity in the domains of Mimamsa, Dharmashastra, Indian astronomy and astrology, Sanskrit poetics, and the Indian jurisprudence.
• Text : Referenced from the contents provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 7, 2021

Issued for : India Post is privileged to issue the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Ma. Chaman Lal, a karmayogi and selfless son of Mother India for taking ageless Indian values of service to humanity and empathy to all the corners of the world. The life and works of Ma. Chaman Lal is a saga of India, of the world.

Credits :
Stamp : Shri Sankha Samanta
FDC/Brochure/Cancellation : Ms. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 172230

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Mananiya Chaman Lal

Born on Mar 25, 1920 at Sialkot, Punjab, British India [now in Pakistan]

Died on Feb 11, 2003 at Delhi, India

About : 

• The veteran Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh Pracharak Mananiya Chaman Lal was born on March 25, 1920, in Sialkot (now in Pakistan). He secured a gold medal in MSc (Zoology) in 1942 from the University of Punjab, Lahore. With job offers around, the young Chaman Lal renounced all comforts and lucrative career to serve for the independence of Bharat. Instead of taking up the job of Lectureship, he became a Sangh Pracharak at Kullu in 1942. Having shifted to Delhi, Chaman Lal ji swung into action in this direction. First of all, he spent days and nights catering to the needs of the people who were victims of partition of India. Arranging settlement, jobs, food and medicine for thousands of such refugees was his prime concern.
• In his early days, he initiated the dream project of creating a global network of the Sangh under the guidance of Shri Madhavrao Mule, the then Punjab Prant Pracharak. Once given the charge of maintaining the contacts with the Indian Diaspora spread around the globe, Ma. Chaman Lal ji excelled by all means. After spending a jail term (following the ban on RSS between February 04, 1948 and July 11, 1949), he rose to become one of the senior Pracharaks of the Sangh who was responsible to facilitate the Indians going abroad. With meticulous efforts and sheer devotion, he soon created a database of Indians spread around 50 countries by the end of 1970s. Later, Delhi turned to be the main Centre of Vishwa Vibhag and Ma. Chaman Lal was synonymous to that Office. He used to spend hours and hours on phone calls and wrote thousands of letters to get Bharat connected with the Indian Diaspora in that pre-internet and pre-mobile phone era. Be it Australia or North America, his helping hands were ever ready. His connection was so deep and permanent with all Bharatvanshi that Sir Anerood Jugnauth, President of Mauritius delayed his son Pravind’s wedding (the current Prime Minister of Mauritius) until Chaman Lal would come to attend it (1992).
• Ma. Chaman Lal in his very few visits abroad was all the time ahead of his times. In Nairobi, Kenya (1977), he planted a tree and spoke on reforestation and warned the people of the havoc of natural disasters and the impending environmental crisis. All in the crowd pledged to plant two tress for one tree cut. Here, Chaman Lal – a gold medalist scientist was speaking! In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands (1995), he spoke to the Indian sisters and lauded their immense contribution in carrying forward the Bharatiya culture amongst their kids. In Rangoon (Yangon), he was an instant hit among school children as he intermingled with them with the inspiring stories of several Indian mahapurush. Ma. Chaman Lal ji in Southeast Asia (1996, 2001) connected deeply with Buddhism, and went to offer his respect to all Buddhist Mandirs. Nobody can ever forget the impact of his vision of bringing the children of royal court brahmanas of the Kingdom of Thailand to be trained in Tamilnadu as their ancestors had come from there about one thousand years ago. This connect was highly lauded by the royalty of Thailand.
• From the first Shakha (gathering for prayers and commitment) of the Indians aboard a ship off the coast of Bombay to Nairobi in 1947 by his deputed person Jagadish Chandra Shastri to the last receiving by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Vajpayee at the doors of his residence in January 2003, the illustrious life of Ma. Chaman Lal spanned for six decades as a constant source of inspiration for all. He was a hero unsung. No wonder, his cremation in Delhi on February 11, 2003 was attended by over 1 lakh people from all walks of life (from a rickshaw puller to the then Vice President of India). It created a flutter in all newspapers and media as they did not have any clue of the person whose antim yatra had such large attendance of people walking miles and miles to have his last glimpse. Before that, at Keshav Kunj, Jhandewalan, a host of dignitaries including Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister Shri L K Advani and its the then RSS Chief Shri K S Sudarshan offered floral tributes to the departed soul. Lauding the late leader’s contributions, Shri Advani said (Ma. Chaman Lal) “served as a bridge between Swayamsewaks the world over and played a key role in the establishment of RSS centres in over 100 countries”. A true Sanyasi and Karmayogi, Ma. Chaman Lal’s legacy lives on in several organisations such as International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS) across the globe.
• Text : Shri Amarjiva Lochan, General Secretary, International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS)..

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 22, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on M. M. Kuzhiveli.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301090

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Kuzhuvelil Varkey Mathew

Born on Nov 2, 1931 at Keezhuvaipur, Kerala, India

Died on Oct 27, 1974

About : 

• Mathew M. Kuzhiveli was born on 20 April, 1905 at Pala, in the Kottayam District of Kerala. He completed his primary and secondary education at his native place. Thereafter, he completed the higher secondary education in St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry and St. Xavier’s College Palayamcotta. After graduation, he acquired the L.T. Degree from the Government Training College, Thiruvananthapuram. The initial stint of teacher-ship was in various schools in his native place, Pala. He was the first Principal of Training School, Pala. Thereafter, he shifted his workspace to Thiruvananthapuram. He was appointed as Deputy Superintendent in the erstwhile Travancore University, now University of Kerala. He also worked as Text Book Officer of the State, Member of Text Book Committee formed by Government, Senator of University of Kerala & Convenor of different Committees on Education. He retired from service in the year 1962 as the Director of Publications Department, University of Kerala.
• After shifting his sphere of activities to Thiruvananthapuram, M. M. Kuzhiveli published many periodicals, both in Malayalam and English. Under his editorship and ownership, the magazines like School Master, Balan Magazine, Vijanam (Knowledge), Neethi (Justice), Kuzhiveli Pathrika were published from Thiruvananthapuram. English weekly named “Trivandrum Letters” was also published during that time. Apart from educational books, Kuzhiveli wrote original books and translations during his career.
• Though some books existed in children’s literature earlier in Malayalam, he brought in texts which were suited to different age groups of children based on their psychological growth and educational background. This was a pioneering attempt in the field of education. He published more than 300 books in Children’s literature through his publishing house named “Balan Publications”. Of these, he wrote 70 himself. These books were instrumental in enlightening the young minds with patriotism, respect for teachers, love for parents and above all their character formation. He also familiarized the young minds with other forms of literature like novels, drama, poetry, travelogue, world literature in a simple, narrative and imaginative way.
• Another field in which Kuzhiveli made significant contributions was scientific literature through the publication of Malayalam Encyclopedia. He published the “Vijganam Encyclopedia” in 1974 in eight volumes with more than 10000 pages and more than 2000 pictures. Starting in 1956, he completed this herculean task after 18 years of strenuous efforts. He spent all his earnings and utilized his knowledge for bringing out this Encyclopedia in which the common man evinced interest.
• Mathew M. Kuzhiveli passed away on 27 October, 1974.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 30, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamps to acknowledge the contribution made by these Master Healers of AYUSH of modern era.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Based on inputs received from proponent, developed by Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Sheetlet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 300000

Mix sheets Printed : 60280

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Mohammad Kabiruddin

Born on 13 Apr, 1894 at Sheikhpura, Bihar, India

Died on 9 Jan, 1976

About : 

• AYUSH systems of healthcare form the foundation of India’s Medical Heritage. These systems are not merely sciences of disease and drug, but have their conceptual spheres touching every aspect of life. Path-finding visionaries have appeared in each of the different streams of AYUSH systems at different times in history and made valuable contributions to the growth and development of respective practices.
• Department of Posts is bringing out Commemorative Postage Stamps on 12 such Master Healers from different streams of AYUSH systems.
  • Mohammad Kabiruddin : One of the most prolific writers and a great academician of Unani Medicine of the 20^th century, he devoted his efforts in translating many important books into Urdu language and it is his greatest contribution to Unani Medicine. He founded Al-Masih, a monthly magazine and established ‘Daftar al-Masih’, a publishing house, which published original works as well as translations. He was honored with the title of ‘Shahanshah-e-Tasnifaat’ (Emperor of Compilations) by Nizam of Hyderabad. Hakim Kabiruddin was a great teacher. He served as Professor at A&U Tibbia College, New Delhi; Reader at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh and Vice Principal at Nizamia Tibbia College, Hyderabad.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 30, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamps to acknowledge the contribution made by these Master Healers of AYUSH of modern era.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Based on inputs received from proponent, developed by Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Sheetlet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 300000

Mix sheets Printed : 60280

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Shankar Daji Pade Shastri

Born on 30 Mar, 1867 at Nagpara, Mumbai, India

Died on 30 Mar, 1909

About : 

• AYUSH systems of healthcare form the foundation of India’s Medical Heritage. These systems are not merely sciences of disease and drug, but have their conceptual spheres touching every aspect of life. Path-finding visionaries have appeared in each of the different streams of AYUSH systems at different times in history and made valuable contributions to the growth and development of respective practices.
• Department of Posts is bringing out Commemorative Postage Stamps on 12 such Master Healers from different streams of AYUSH systems.
  • Shastri Shankar Daji Pade is revered for his prolific writing skills, scholarship, deep thinking and technical proficiency in Ayurveda. He proposed opening of Ayurveda Schools to make people aware of the strengths and secrets of Ayurveda. Throughout his life he motivated fellow-professionals to establish associations and discussion groups in Ayurveda that later lead to the world of Ayurveda Conferences. He contributed more than 75 books and commentaries. Besides, he drew up a list of 702 ancient Ayurveda texts.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on May 2, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Vedanta Desikan.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Smt. Vinita Sinha
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 600500

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Venkatanathan Desika

Born on 1268 CE at Thoopul (Thiruthanka) [now in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India]

Died on 1369 CE at Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• Vedanta Desikan was a renowned poet, philosopher and a logician. He taught that everyone can easily attain salvation by following the practical path of prappatti, the way of loving surrender and service. His in-depth understanding of even the rival schools of philosophical thought made him a unique polymath.
• Vedanta Desikan contributed to Tamil and Sanskrit literature. His works are Stotras (Devotional Poems), Vedanta Granthas, Vyaakhyaana Granthas (Commentaries), Rahasya Granthas (Esoteric Works), Kavya Granthas, drama that revealed his ingenuity, creativity, logic, linguistic expertise, devotional fervour and erudite scholarship. In all, one hundred and seventy works have been attributed to Vedanta Desikan. He has been honoured with several titles like ‘Sarvatantraswatantra (Master of Everything)’, ‘Kavitharkika Simha (Lion among poets and logicians)’ and ‘Vedanthacharya (The Master of Vedanta)’. The term ‘Desika’ denotes Vedanta Desikan alone.
• Vedanta Desikan was born in 1268 A.D. in Thoopul, Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu). His parents were Anantasuri and Todaramba. Anantasuri was one of the seventy-four simhasanadhipatis appointed by Sri Ramanuja to spread the message of his philosophy. Anantasuri and Todaramba were childless even after many years of marriage. They went to Tirumala during Brahmotsava and prayed to Lord Venkateswara for progeny. One night, Todaramba had a divine dream in which she swallowed the bell used in the worship of the Lord. She narrated this incident to her husband the next morning. At the same time, the bell in the sanctum sanctorum was found missing. The priests and scholars deduced that the divine bell was going to incarnate from the womb of Todaramba.
• The next year, on the day of the Teerthavaari of Lord Venkateswara – Purattasi Sravanam, Todaramba gave birth to a male child. The child was named as Venkatanatha and later revered as Vedanta Desikan. Vedanta Desikan is considered an avatar (incarnation) of the divine Bell of Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala Tirupati.
• Vedanta Desikan grew up as a prodigy. When he was seven, Kidambi Appullar accepted Venkatanatha as his disciple and taught him arts, science and scriptures. By the age of 20, he became famous for his mastery over poetry, logic, linguistics, science, Vedanta, debate and allied arts. At the age of 21, Desikan got married to Thirumangai also known as Kanakavalli. His uncle also taught him the Garuda mantra which he chanted at Oushadhagiri at Thiruvahindrapuram (near Cuddalore). Garuda gave darshan and taught him the Hayagreeva mantra. He recited that mantra and received the blessings of Lord Hayagreeva.
• Some scholars had challenged Desikan to compose 1000 hymns in one day. Desikan accepted that and composed 1008 hymns on the Divine Feet (padhukas) of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam within a short span of four hours. This work titled Padukasahasram is full of sonorous and charming poetry in praise of the divine feet of the Lord. He was also master of many other skills including carving sculptures.
• Vedanta Desikan lived a humble life with his wife. He undertook a vow called uchhavritti – accepting alms for daily sustenance from his disciples without actively seeking them. Desikan stayed in several cities throughout his life such as Thiruvahindrapuram, Kancheepuram, Srirangam, Tirupati and Melkote. He also travelled widely all over India on foot. He lived for 101 years and left for his heavenly abode in 1369 A.D.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 9, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Kubernath Ray.

Credits :
Stamp/First Day Cover/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 3.0 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Kuber Nath Ray

Born on Mar 26, 1933 at Matsa village, Dildarnagar Kamsar, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, British India

Died on Jun 5, 1996 at —

About : 

• An eminent scholar of Hindi and English and a great thinker, Shri Kubarnath Ray particularly distinguished himself in the field of writing essay in Hindi. He was born on 26^th March 1933 in village Matsa of Zamania Tehsil in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Smt. Lakshmi Devi and Shri Baikuntha Rai. His mother would say that children in general are born with their fists closed while her son was born with folded hands as if in prayer. He completed his primary, middle and high school education at Ghazipur. He did his Intermediate from Queen’s College, Varanasi and Graduation from Banaras Hindu University with English, Philosophy and Mathematics as his subjects. He went on to do his post-graduation from Kolkata University in English Literature.
• Kubernath Ray’s creative writing primarily deals with general public life in Aryan and non-Aryan India, Gandhian philosophy, stories of Lord Rama and modern contemporary thinking. Personal essays are a fundamental feature of his writing. All the modes of literary writing such as poetry, story, novel, play, etc. may be discovered in his writings. About his literary compositions, he used to say that they were an expression of his inner voice and promptings which were not forced or laboured. He would say that English was the language for his earning needs, Hindi was his natural language for prayer and devotion.
• He served as a Lecturer and Head of English Department in Nalbari College, Nalbari & Guwahati University, Assam from 1959-1986. Later, he was the Principal of Swami Sahajanand P.G. College, Ghazipur (UP) during 1986-1995 from where he retired on 30^th June 1995.
• Some of his works are Priya Nilkanthi (published in 1969), Ras Aakhetak (1971), Gandhmaadan (1972), Nishad Bansuri (1973), Vishad Yoga (1974), Pam Mukut (1978), Mahakavi ki Tarjani (1979), Patr: Maniputul Ke Naam (1980), Man Pawan ki Nauka (1982), Kirat Nadi Me Chandramadhu (1979), Drishti Abhisar (1985), Treta ke Brihatsam (1986), Kaamdhenu (1990), Maraal (1993), Uttarkuru (1993), Cinmaya Bharata (1996), Kanthamani (Kavita) (1998), Vani ka Sheersagar (1998), Andhakar me Agnishikna (2008), Ramayana Mahatirtham (2008), Agam Ki Nav (2013), Kuber Nath Ray Ki Drishti Me Swami Sahajanand (2014) were works published after his death. Twenty research scholars have been awarded Ph.D. for their works on his books.
• Kubernath Ray is known to have avoided stage garlanding, public meetings and specifically public speaking. He used to say that it affected his creative writing. Several words like Nishad, Kirat and some words taken from languages spoken in Southern States of India have been amalgamated by him into Sanskrit and Hindi vocabulary and these are found in his compositions as well.
• Reacting to some criticism for use of difficult words in his writings, Ray responded by saying that every creative writer is a teacher, his duty is to enlarge the reader’s range of knowledge. He believed that a true and keen reader would try to find out the meaning of unfamiliar words. Through his knowledge of English language, Ray became acquainted with the literature of several languages of the world. In addition to Hindi, which was his mother tongue, he knew Urdu, Arabic and Persian. He has a good command of Bengali language and was familiar with Greek and Roman languages and their literature also. He was well versed in Sanskrit, which is considered to be the mother of all Indian languages. He died on 5^th June 1996.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jun 29, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Shrimad Rajchandraji.

Credits :
Stamp/First Day Cover/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Brahm Prakash

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 477640

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Laxminandan Ravjibhai Mehta

Born on 9 Nov, 1867 at Vavania, Morbi district, Gujarat, India

Died on 9 Apr, 1901 at Rajkot, Gujarat, India

About : 

• Shrimad Rajchandraji was born to Smt. Devba and Shri Ravjibhai on Kartik Purnima in V.S. 1924 – 9^th November, 1867 at Vavania (Gujarat, India). At the young age of 7, on witnessing the burning pyre of an acquaintance, he underwent unprecedented mental churning thus attaining “Jatismaranjnan” (a recollection of several past lives). As a child, Shrimadji showed remarkable grasping power and memory at school and completed the study of 7 academic years in just 2 years. As a teenager, he mastered almost all the eminent treatises on philosophy with the sole purpose of discovering the Ultimate Truth.
• Shrimadji was endowed with many extraordinary mental and intellectual powers. Despite a sentiment of detachment and a burning desire for renunciation, at the age of 20, he had to tie the knot and engage in business.
• A consciousness deeply immersed in the Truth, he experienced a powerful emotional spiritual state of being, self-realisation, at the age of 23. He kept this flame alive even amidst worldly activities. After the age of 28, he began to spend 4 to 6 months of the year in the seclusion of jungles, mountains and remote places in Gujarat, effortlessly leading an austere life. Shrimadji’s health deteriorated in the year 1900 due to a severe illness from which he did not recover. In spite of extreme physical discomfort, his persona radiated bliss. His soul left his mortal body on the day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, V.S. 1957 – 9^th April, 1901 at Rajkot. In the short span of 33 years, he not only soared high in the spiritual skies, but was also instrumental in directing many others on the path of enlightenment.
• Among those who came in contact with Shrimadji was the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Their association continued through correspondence even after Gandhiji moved to South Africa. This close association contributed a great deal in moulding Gandhiji’s philosophy. He attributes his strong foundation of truth, non-violence and compassion, to Shrimadji. Gandhiji mentions Shrimadji in his writings and in his autobiography, ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth.’ Mahatma Gandhi says, “This man has won my heart in spiritual matters and no one else has ever made on me the same impression. I have said elsewhere that besides Kavi (Shrimadji), Ruskin and Tolstoy have contributed in forming my intrinsic character; but Kavi has had a more profound effect because I had come in personal and intimate contact with him.” (Modern Review, June 1930).
• His invaluable writings have been compiled and published in the volume, ‘Shrimad Rajchandra.’ The poetic composition ‘Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra’, is one of Shrimadji’s finest works. Penned in a single sitting of only 1.5-2 hours, its 142 verses form a masterpiece in philosophical literature. There are also other treatises, poetic compositions, articles, aphorisms and his personal notes reflecting his deep contemplation and profound inner state. A large part of Shrimadji’s legacy in his letters written to seekers.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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