Shrii PRABHAT RAINJAN SARKAR (Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti or 'Baba') From his early childhood in Bihar, India, where he was born in 1921, P.R. Sarkar has been attracting others by his deep love for humanity and guiding them along the path of self-realization. Adjusting the ancient science of Tantra Yoga to meet the needs of this age, he developed a scientific and rational philosophy and a system of practical disciplines for physical, mental and spiritual development. Recognizing him as a spiritually realized Master, his followers called him "Shrii Shrii Anandamurti" (which means " the embodiment of bliss") or simply "Baba" (spiritual father or the dearest one). Those who followed his teachings found their lives transformed as they overcame the weakness and negative tendencies of the mind and experienced a deep peace and bliss within. Inspired by his selfless example, they turned their energies to serving the society and elevating the oppressed. In 1955, while still leading a normal family life as a railway official, P.R. Sarkar formed the organization Ananda Marga ("The Path of Bliss"), and began training missionaries to spread his teachings of "self-realization and service to humanity" all over India and later throughout the world. Reflecting the broadness of his universal vision, Ananda Marga has become a multi-faceted organization with different branches dedicated to the upliftment of humanity through education, relief, welfare, the arts, ecology, intellectual renaissance, women's emancipation, and humanistic economy. In the field of ecology and environmental awareness, Sarkar propounded the philosophy of Neo-Humanism, extending the spirit of humanism to include love for animals, plants and the inanimate. He started a global plant exchange program to save and propagate thousands of plants species around the world. In conjunction with this he also started a sanctuary for animals at Ananda Nagar in Purulia, West Bengal, India. In the realm of philology and linguistics, P.R. Sarkar wrote volumes on the Bengali and Sanskrit languages which still require years of deep scholarly study to be understood. These volumes trace the evolution of words, phrases and cultural traditions that comprise today's tapestry of Indian languages as well as new and important insights to Indo-European and other languages of the world. Today, in India especially, this work of his is enjoying immense interest and praise amongst officials and academics. In the field of science, Sarkar introduced the theory of 'microvita' in 1986 which subsequently has interested progressive scientists. In this series of discourses Sarkar has struck at the heart of conventional physics and biology, as he points out that the basic buildings blocks of life are microvita -- emanations of pure consciousness. The microvita theory provides a link between the worlds of perception and conception and implies that the distinct disciplines of physics, biology, and mathematics will merge into one science of understanding the real nature of the universe. In the field of music, literature and art, Sarkar urged artists to do art for service and blessedness and not merely "art for art's sake". He wrote guidelines also for accomplishing this goal. Sarkar not only wrote long philosophical treatises, but he has enriched us as well with children's stories, fiction, comedy and drama. His most dramatic contribution is the 5,018 songs known as Prabhat Samgiit (Songs of the New Dawn) which he started giving in 1982 until his departure from this world in October 1990. These beautiful songs express the universality of the human spiritual heart. Most of the songs were written in Sarkar's mother tongue, Bengali. Bengali scholars have given the highest praise to these songs, in terms of their poetic and symbolic expression. Since Sarkar's death Prabhat Samgiit has become very popular amongst the artistic and general populace of India. For the collective welfare of the entire society he propounded the theory of PROUT (Progressive Utilization Theory), which stands for the maximum utilization and rational distribution of all the resources and potentialities of the world -- physical, mental, and spiritual -- and the creation of a new, humanistic social order of harmony and justice for all. His uncompromising moral stand against corruption and exploitation and his demand for social justice brought about the opposition of certain vested interests and the Communist Party of India, and resulted in the persecution of Ananda Marga and his own arrest in 1971 under false charges. During his seven year incarceration, he survived a poisoning attempt by jail officials and fasted on a liquid diet for 5 & 1/2 years in protest. Ultimately acquitted of all charges by the High Court, he was released in 1978 and from then until his departure in 1990 he guided the rapid expansion of the Ananda Marga mission all over the world. Most importantly, he taught his disciples the time tested science of Tantra and Yoga, and adapted these practices to the needs of people today . These spiritual practices along with the vast and deep spiritual philosophy provide the inspiration and driving energy for Ananda Marga. His devotees knew him to be omniscient, giving thousands of personal accounts to back up this belief. In court when asked what language he would like his trial conducted in, he said he could speak over 200 languages and then asked what language would they like it in? He spoke as an expert on literally any topic and many times experts in their field tried in vain to challenge his knowledge. Yet Sarkar read few books. On occasions after talking about a spiritual concept, he then would use his many powers to practically demonstrate the concept. For example, when talking about the many different levels of God realisation or samadhis, Sarkar would then put one or more of those attending his talk, into samadhi. Thereafter he would ask the devotee to explain what he or she had experienced. But his unconditional love for everyone, including animals and plants, is what inspired people most about him and his work. Everyone who had close contact with him expressed how much they felt he loved and knew them intimately. Often he would tell them about not only actions they had done long ago, but also their thoughts as well. His message was always (paraphrasing): "The force that guides the stars guides you also. Never feel afraid or hopeless. Never dwell on your defects, always be positive and helpful to others. God is always with you." Between 1955 and 1990 Shrii P.R. Sarkar, dictated numerous discourses that have found their way into a total of 261 books in English, Bengali and Hindi. He wrote in the name Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar when treating sociology, economics, philology and various other subjects, included children's tales; and in the name Shrii Shrii Anandamurti when focusing on spiritual topics. Many of his books he gave as dictations; others were compiled from his discourses, some of them in small inspirational pocket-books. His 5,018 Prabhat Samgiita songs, mostly in Bengali, were first published in a series of small booklets, and have now been compiled into ten large Bengali volumes. Ananda Marga Publications continues to compile new books from an archive of tapes of Sarkar's yet-unpublished discourses. It will take several more decades to translate all the works. --- UNDERSTANDING SARKAR The Indian Episteme, Macrohistory and Transformative Knowledge Sohail Inayatullah (Leiden, Brill, December 2001) ISBN 9004-121935. See www.brill.nl Summary Sohail Inayatullah takes us on a journey through Indian philosophy, grand theory and macrohistory. We understand and appreciate Indian cyclical and spiral theories of history, and their epistemological context. From other civilizations, we explore the stages and mechanisms of social change as developed by seminal thinkers such as Ssu-Ma Ch'ien, Ibn Khaldun, Giambattista Vico, George Wilhelm Friedrick Hegel, Oswald Spengler, Pitirim Sorokin, Michel Foucault and many others. They are invited to a multi-civilizational dialog on the nature of agency and structure, and the escape ways from the patterns of history. But the journey is centered on P.R. Sarkar, the controversial Indian philosopher, guru and activist. While Sarkar passed away in 1990, his work, his social movements, his vision of the future remains ever alive. Inayatullah brings us closer to the heart and head of this giant luminary. Through Understanding Sarkar, we gain insight into Indian philosophy, comparative social theory, and the ways in which knowledge can transform and liberate. Comments on Understanding Sarkar The next generation of South Asians will consider themselves fortunate that scholars like Sohail Inayatullah have helped to keep open a humane and plural vision of the future for them. - Dr. Ashis Nandy, Director, Center of the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi. Author of The Intimate Enemy and Traditions, Tyranny and Utopias. Deeply inspiring and provocative. The Sarkar-Inayatullah combination makes very good reading indeed. Inayatullah introduces the fascinating world - in time, in space, and in social space - of P.R. Sarkar. - Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace, Political Science and Sociology at the Universities of Bern, Saarland, Hawaii and Witten-Herdecke, and author of over seventy books on peace studies, futures studies, international relations, Gandhi, and social theory. Dr. Sohail Inayatullah is the leading example of a new generation of global thinkers, actors and visionaries. While firmly attached to and informed by the culture into which he was born, and passionately and yet rationally committed to facilitating the future of South Asia, Sohail Inayatullah is also a global - it is not too much to say, cosmic - figure as well, carrying in his very person the tensions and hopes of a future which is at the same time both local and global. - James Dator, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies, University of Hawaii. Secretary-General and President of the World Futures Studies Federation, 1982-1990. In addition to the service he is rendering by bringing to a wider audience the thoughts of a very important thinker, Sohail Inayatullah provides an extraordinary contribution to social theory with an unusual combination of analytic rigor and boundary challenging imagination. - Professor Michael Shapiro, University of Hawaii is the author of numerous books on political and social theory including, Reading the Postmodern Polity, Reading 'Adam Smith', Violent Cartographies and Cinematic Political Thought, For Moral Ambiguity: National Culture and the Politics of the Family 2001. In this scholarly and inspiring work, Sohail Inayatullah brings to life the contributions of the remarkable Indian visionary, theorist, and social activist Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar. Skillfully blending his understanding of both Eastern and Western scholarly traditions, Inayatullah looks at history from a non-eurocentric perspective that also takes into account the thinking of some of the best known Western macrohistorians. This book is not only highly instructive; it also never loses sight of what Sarkar called neo-humanism - the consciousness that we are part of an interconnected whole and that a good society is one that manages to represent harmoniously the spiritual needs of its individuals. - Riane Eisler,author of The Chalice & The Blade, Sacred Pleasure, and Tomorrow's Children. Sarkar's writings on historical processes offer a refreshing alternative to the orthodox interpretations of Toynbee, Hegel and Marx. He makes Samuel Huntington's Clash of Civilizations seem parochial in comparison. Dr. Inayatullah skillfully weaves Sarkar's comprehensive overview of cultural life-cycles into a coherent whole, through which the full sweep and scope of the fundamental forces that shape history can be rendered. Despite the magnitude of the canvas upon he paints, his is a work of systematic and focused scholarship. This book should be required reading for anyone looking to understand macrotheories of social change from an non-eurocentric, holistic, and synergistic perspective. - Dr. Tim Dolan, Associate Professor of Political Science at Southern Oregon University and Director of the Master in Management Program. Sohail Inayatullah is the world's leading scholar of Sarkar's thought. His latest book, Understanding Sarkar, is sweeping in scope - quite literally a philosophical tour de force. By contrasting Sarkar's ideas to some of the greatest minds in human history, Inayatullah has achieved a remarkable philosophical integration that is both breathtaking in its vision and relevant in its possibilities for creating societal change. Indeed, if you want a better grasp of Sarkar's comprehensive worldview, I can think of no better source than Inayatullah. Brilliant. - Roar Bjonnes, writer and former editor of Prout Journal and Common Future Dr. Sohail Inayatullah's book offers an excellent entry point for those wanting to explore the fascinating and challenging ideas of P. R. Sarkar. At the same time Understanding Sarkar provides those who have studied Sarkar with wonderful new ways of seeing and connecting the vast expanses of his works. We owe much to Dr. Inayatullah for this splendid effort. - Craig Runde, Director of New Program Development, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida In a time when "global" is equalled with "western", Sohail Inayatullah takes us through the door of Indian thinking to a world view that is global in the true sense of the word. Going beyond naive Western idolization of Asian philosophies and avoiding the pitfalls of dogmatic, sometimes fanatic, adherence to traditional faith characteristic to many Eastern mentalities. Inayatullah examines P.R. Sarkar's world in pursuit of a universality that is yet to be realized within the potential of human civilization. Those, wishing freedom from culturally ingrained mental habits, should consider this work as essential reading. - Dr. Partow Izadi, senior scientist in evolutionary futures, global education and systems theory, University of Lapland, Finland. This is a companion volume to Inayatullah and Galtung's masterly synthesis of macrohistory and macrohistorians, that includes P R Sarkar. Here the practice as well as the theory of Sarkar enters the grand sweep, enriching and legitimating the story. Their respective models have elements in common but few contain all Sarkar's elements of spiritual practice, humanity, and humility - even if potentially ferocious. He lived, fought and spread his theory into a movement. Isolated perhaps from the writings of the other great minds, Sarkar seems to have an uncanny understanding of the emerging insights of genetics on our social behaviour (evolutionary psychology or neo-Darwinism) and of social construction - Alan Fricker, President, Sustainable Futures Trust, Wellington, New Zealand Previously, Dr. Inayatullah's co-authored Macrohistory and Macrohistorians which wove the warp and weft of philosophical perspectives throughout the course of history. Now, Sohail Inayatullah provides a provocative look at macrohistorical trends from the standpoint of a renowned Eastern philosopher and social critic, P.R. Sarkar, whose impassioned views emote feelings of the forgotten masses. Sarkar's wide-ranging views, aptly portrayed by the author, tend to force reconsideration of Western, capitalistic, entrepreneurial, materialistic, secular, scientific and political engrained mindsets. Dr. Inayatullah's presentation piques realization of the self-centered and smug arrogance that often underpins Western views. Sarkar's wisdom of the Eastern philosophical perspective, will send minds racing. Grasping the salience of diverse views is certain to require a searching of the readers' own consciousness. Readers may begin pondering engrained cultural mindsets, guiding philosophies, and the Great Issues posed by the book. In the process, readers may come to better know themselves. - Graham Molitor, President, Public Policy Forecasting, and Vice President and Legal Counsel, World Future Society An impressive tour de force, clearly enabling an appreciation of a significant but completely non-Western worldview in several dimensions - Michael Marien, Future Survey, February 2002. Comments On Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar Sarkar's theories deserve serious study and discussion. Objectively they provide answers to all economic and social dilemmas. I owe my greatest intellectual debt to P. R. Sarkar. - Dr. Ravi Batra, economist and best-selling author, Southern Methodist University, Texas. Sarkar is so much deeper and more imaginative than most. He is an intellectual giant of our times. - Professor Johan Galtung, co-founder of International Peace Research Association and author of seventy one books on epistemology, world politics, Gandhi, civilization theory, macrohistory and peace studies. P. R. Sarkar was one of the greatest modern philosophers of India. - Former President of India, Giani Zail Singh. The Indian master P. R. Sarkar, who did more than thirty years of studies and practical concrete work with the poor of India, is very important for all who yearn for a liberation which starts from economics and opens to a totality of personal and social human existence. - Leonardo Boff, Brazilian founder of Liberation Theology, author of more than fifty books, recipient of a Doctorate Honoris Causa from Lunds University in Sweden P.R. Sarkar, in his own way, is more than the equal of the great historian Arnold Toynbee. Sarkar not only illuminated the growth and inevitable decline that comes from the "Acquisitive-Capitalist" stage in societal evolution that has now deeply infected the West, but offers wise counsel on what to do instead. - Oliver W. Markley, Professor of Human Sciences, University of Houston at Clear Lake. Author of Changing Images of Mankind ISBN 9004-121935 Series ICSS-3 ISSN 1568-4474 www.brill.nl Orders USA/North America Orders rest of the world Brill Academic Publishers Brill Academic Publishers P.O. Box 605 P.O. Box 9000 Herndon VA 20172 NL 2300 PA Leiden USA The Netherlands tel. 1-800-337-9255 tel. +31-7-1535-3500 fax 1-703-661-1501 fax +31-7-1531-7532 email cs@brillusa.com email cs@brill.nl ---