When Bertrand Russell's article reminded Rabindranath Tagore of Upanishad verse | A century old letter between Nobel laureates
Just a year after Tagore wrote the letter, he won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913.
On this day in 1912, Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate and esteemed poet, wrote a letter to Bertrand Russell, a renowned English mathematician and philosopher. Their correspondence, spanning over a century, included an intriguing reference to an Upanishad verse and the sharing of ideas on philosophy. The letter, shared by the Nobel Prize X handle, showcases the remarkable connection between these two towering intellectuals.
In his letter to Russell, Tagore expressed his gratitude for an earlier letter Russell had written and mentioned that he would ask Dr. Seal to visit Russell at Cambridge whenever he had the opportunity. Dr. Seal is believed to be Brajendranath Seal, a respected scholar, thinker, educational administrator, and reformer who was close to Tagore.
Tagore also commended Russell's article on the "Essence of Religion" published in the Hibbert Journal, stating that it reminded him of the Upanishad verse, which translates to: "From him words, as well as mind, come back baffled. Yet he who knows the joy of Brahman (the Infinite) is free from all fear."
Tagore's letter highlights the profound impact Russell's work had on him, prompting him to delve deeper into the verse from the Upanishad. Just a year later, Tagore himself won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his profoundly sensitive and beautiful poetic verse, becoming the first non-European and first Asian laureate to receive the prestigious award.
His collection of poems, "Gitanjali (Song Offerings)," played a significant role in earning him this recognition, as it made his poetic thought accessible and a part of Western literature.
Just a few years later, in 1950, Bertrand Russell too was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, acknowledging his varied and significant writings that championed humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought. The correspondence between Tagore and Russell not only showcases their deep intellectual connection but also highlights the timeless nature of their ideas and the impact their work had on each other.
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