Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Biography for UPSC Exam

“The end-product of education should be a free creative man, who can battle against historical circumstances and adversities of nature”,said Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a creative genius, academician,politician and philosopher. A man of vision and mission, he served as the first Vice-President of India for a term of five years from 1962 to 1967,and the second President of India,after Dr. Rajendra Prasad.He was one of the most influential figures in the academic history of 20 th century and the first Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

His aptitude for learning  and wisdom has helped him elevate his political career to new realm.He sought to define,defend and support the religion that he believed was philosophically rational and ethically feasible,that is Hinduism. A notable presence in the academic circles of India,he possessed extensive knowledge on the Western philosophy and literary traditions.He was known as the bridge barrier between India and the West. He was instrumental in shaping the West’s understanding of India,East, and Hinduism. He is one of the greatest educationist India has ever seen and his birthday is celebrated as  “Teachers Day” in India on September 5th. He received the highest civilian honour of India, Bharat Ratna for his notable contributions to academic and political field in 1954.

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Initial Years

Dr. S Radhakrishnan was born into a Telugu family in Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu on September 5,1888. His parents were Sarvepalli Veerasami and Seethamma. Brought up in a temple town, his philosophical and religious sensibilities were influenced by Sankara’s Adwaitha.

He completed his graduation and post graduation in Fine Arts from Madras University.Radhakrishnan came across the writings of Swami Vivekananda and V.D Savarkar,which had a profound influence on him.

He was also introduced to the ideas of the Theosophical Society who applauded the ancient wisdom as well as advocated on the spiritual, philosophical, and scientific meeting of East and West.The interaction with the writings of Swami V.D Savarkar,and Theosophical society helped cultivate a cultural self-reliance in Radhakrishnan.

The key factors that created indelible marks on his sensibilities were the training he received in Western Philosophies and the religious controversies that he encountered during college times.He prepared a thesis on Ethics of Vedanta to counter the argument that Vedanta system had no room for ethics.These incidents prompted him to study on Indian philosophy and religion,with the uncompromising attitude to counter any uninformed western criticism.

Radhakrishnan unveiled the real essence of Vedanta Philosophy through the concept of “the Spirit of Abheha” or non-difference.He advocated that people need to look upon themselves as one,which inturn helps to cultivate love and brotherhood.He emphasized that every individual should treat the other as co-equal, and with dignity.

Academic Career

After completion of studies, Dr.Radhakrishnan started his teaching career in Madras Presidency College.He lectured on a number of subjects, including Western philosophy and psychology.His strong areas of instruction were logic,epistemology, and ethical theory.He also learned Sanskrit during early teaching years.

It was through the publication of the article “The Ethics of Bhagavad Gita and Kant”in The International Journal of Ethics in 1911 that he broke through the Western audience.His notes on psychology were published as a book, titled “Essentials of Psychology”.However, he found some professional security only after he received the a lecture post in Mysore University.Between 1914 and 1920, ten of his articles were published in important journals, including The International Journal of Ethics, The Monist, and Mind.He envisaged to refine and expand the perception of Hinduism through these articles.They were a direct confrontation on the Western contenders, enterprises, and ethos.

His works were a direct response to the discontent and turmoils of the World.Incidents like First World War and Jallian Wala Bagh massacre aggravated his discontent to what he saw as irrational and autocratic west.His work titled, Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy was a direct manifestation his ideas.

Radhakrishnan was highly influenced by the life of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali poet.He held Tagore in high regard and considered him a mentor.Two most important factors emphasized by him was Tagore’s aesthetics and intuition, which later found a place in his own works.His first book titled “Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore” was also based on the teachings of Tagore, which he believed was true representation of Indian spirit.

He chaired the prestigious King George V Chair in University of Calcutta.He represented Calcutta University in the Congress of the Universities of the British Empire and International Congress of Philosophy at Harvard University.In 1929, he received an opportunity to lecture the students of Oxford University on Comparative religion.He was also knighted by by George V for his contributions to academic field.But,he never used the title post the independence of India.He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Andra University for five years from 1931.In 1936, he was appointed to the H.N Spalding Chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics.In 1939, he succeeded Madam Mohan Malavya as the Chairman of the Banaras Hindu University,and continued there till mid-1948.

Following his resignation from Banaras Hindu University, he was elected the Chairman of the University Education Commission. Headed by Dr.Radhakrishnan, it published a report regarding recommendations for the development of University Education in independent India. It also discussed the aims of University Education and Religious Education.

Dr. Radhakrishnan witnessed the intensified form of communalism, propogated by Hindu Mahasabha and demands for separate Muslim state by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In 1930’s and 1940’s,Dr. Radhakrishan believed that the only possible solution for lack of solidarity and clarity of Indian youth is education. He firmly believed that education can fuel personal vision and raise the self-consciousness of every Indian.

Political Career

Dr. Radhakrishan made a visible presence in Indian Politics after Independence.Most of his life was dedicated to the academic field and his entry into politics was rather late.Dr. Radhakrishnan was not an active member of the Congress Party or an active participant of the freedom struggle.Rather, his biggest capability was the political vision to foresee things in future.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was a part of the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and led the Indian delegation from 1946 to 1951.He also served as a member of the Constituent Assembly after the Independence.He had to manage his academic responsibilities in University Commission and Oxford University along with the political career.

After the completion of the University Commission report in 1949, he was appointed the Indian Ambassador to Moscow by the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.He continued in the post till 1952.The right opportunity to transform his ideologies into practice came with his appointment as the first Vice President of India in 1952.He also served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.

During his tenure, he looked forward to increasing the need for world unity and universal fellowship. He opposed the so-called dominating character of international organisations and tried to promote an understanding between people and nations. The ultimate goal behind this was to promote creative internationalism.

Later Years and Legacy

Dr. Radhakrishnan retired from his public life in 1967.He spent the rest of the years in Mylapore. He passed away on April 17, 1975.

Most of his works tried to interpret Indian thought for Westerners.His most important works includes

• Indian Philosophy  (1923–27)
• The Philosophy of the Upanishads (1924),
• An Idealist View of Life (1932)
• Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939)
•  East and West: Some Reflections (1955)

Radhakrishnan was awarded several high awards during his life, including a knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in 1954, and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. He was also one of the founders of Helpage India, a non profit organisation for elderly underprivileged in India. Radhakrishnan believed that “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. Since 1962, his birthday has been celebrated in India as Teachers’ Day on 5 September every year.

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