'I enjoyed his friendship and affection from the time I met him in 1925 at the first Indian Philosophical Congress in Calcutta. His simplicity, his integrity, his sweet and affectionate nature impressed all who came into contact with him.'
Philosophy for him was not a profession but a consuming passion. He thought not merely with his intellect but with his whole life.
He had remarkable linguistic equipment. Apart from his mastery of English, he knew Greek and German. He expressed his deepest convictions in words and ways intelligible to the ordinary man. For many years he taught Philosophy at Poona, Amalner and Allahabad.
It has been possible for him much more than for myself to pursue his supreme object in a spirit of, dedication...
With Ranade, philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom not a mere intellectual exercise. It is for him meditation on the spirit, a dedicated way of life.
In our Country, we have worshipped not the industrialists, or the Military Heroes, or Kings or the Emperors, or the dictators or the Statesmen but we have worshipped the saints who have penetrated behind the layers of body and mind, sunk into the depths of the Self, and anchored themselves to the Divine.
Ranade lived philosophy and was touched by the Grace of God.
The God realised souls from a blessed community 'Anubhava mantapa' working with love for afflicted mankind. History is the progressive embodiment of the vision of human brotherhood, culminating in a society of free spirts a body of men, dedicated to seeking truth.
Ranade spent his life in the pursuit, of this ideal. He reminds us of the verse in Sankarachary's Moha Mudgara.
Prof Ranade tells us that - No real mystic usually gives expression to his own experience. An American poet Emily Dickinson says- 'Tell the Truth but tell it slant'.
While going through the file of old letters from Gurudeo and other luminaries who used to go to him for inspiration, and guidance, I saw a letter from Dr. S.Radhakrishnan dated 30-4-1948 written in his own hand from All Souls College, Oxford. It reminded me of the following striking and inspiring event at the residence of Gurudeo at Allahabad.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was then invited to Oxford University for the Gifford Lectures on Indian philosaphy. Before his departure one afternoon, he unexpectedly went over to Gurudeo's bungalow at 15-A Hastings Road, Allahabad. Gurudeo was deeply immersed in his afternoon meditation on God. Dr. Radhakrishnan instructed me not to disturb Gurudeo and He rested himself on an easy chair humming unto himself the Sanskrit Songs of the Gopees in Shreemant Bhagavat. After sometime when Gurudeo got up from his meditation and was informed about the arrival of Dr.Radhakrishnan, he rushed out and both of them affectionately hugged each other. Dr. Radhakrishnan was offered the tea prepared by Gurudea himself. Then the great philosopher narrated the details of the purpose of his visit. Gurudeo was happy and jubilant at the news that Dr. Radhakrishnan was going out abroad as an ambassador of Indian Philosophy. As he was in a hurry to return back to Banaras the some evening Dr Radhakrishnan sought Gurudeo's permission to start for Rambag Station to catch the train for Varanasi. When Gurudeo got up to reach him in his own car, Dr. Radhakrishnan suddenly put his handss on the shoulders of Gurudeo and expressed with an emotional and respectful heart "Ranade ! Your life is a property of the world, Kindly take utmost care of your weak health and frail physique". Gurudeo smilingly and heartily reciprocated his feelings and expressed best wishes for the noble mission on which Dr. Radhakrishnan was going abroad.
After the passing away of Gurudeo Ranade in l957 Dr. Radhakrishnan sent the following telegram on 8-6-1957.
'So the great Ranade has passed away. Another link is
cut. We have to wait for the call. He lived a life of great simplicity and piety and ennobled the lives of many who came into contact with him. My life is richer for having known him'
