Annie Besant was a prominent British social reformer, women’s rights activist, writer, orator, and theosophist. Her life journey reflects her transformation from a devout Christian to an atheist, and finally to a key figure in the Indian independence movement and the Theosophical Society.
The Indian Nation
“India is no less a nation because it has been subjugated. Nations are made by their people, by their culture, and by their enduring spirit, not by the chains of a foreign power. The glory of India is found in its ancient wisdom, its sages, and its scriptures, which have for millennia been the envy of the world. It is time for this nation, with its immense past, to awaken to its rightful future.
Self-government is not a privilege—it is the birthright of every people. India, with her teeming millions, has the capacity and the vision to govern herself. British rule must not be an eternal shadow over this land; instead, it must be replaced by the sunlight of liberty, shining equally upon all her sons and daughters.
But with freedom comes responsibility. To become a truly free Indian nation, we must rise above divisions of caste, creed, and religion. We are first and foremost Indians. Unity, above all, is the foundation upon which our nation can rebuild its grandeur.
Let us learn from our history and from each other, and let our voices call for Swaraj—self-rule—not with hate, but with justice and a steadfast commitment to the ideals of liberty and equality. Together, let us shape a future where India stands proud and independent, a beacon of peace and wisdom for the world.”
“Universal Invocation”
O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom;
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature;
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness;
May all who feel themselves as one with Thee,
Know they are therefore one with every other.
