Thread by @HindooHistory

The Republic, 1902

"BABA BHARATI, A HINDOO LAMA, MAY COME TO ST. LOUIS"

"He was the Original of Rudyard Kipling's Holy Man in 'Kim'"

#HindooHistory #BabaBharati

"Baba Bharati, from India, has arrived in New York to make converts to his faith, which is 'Love for all Men.'"

"He is a typical high-caste Hindoo-- a Lama. He mastered english and became editor of a leading journal in Lahore. That was years ago, when Kipling, on a rival newspaper, was coming into notice with poems and short sketches"

"This city of Lahore is where 'Kim," the hero of Kipling's greatest story, joined the Lama of Thibet and wandered over Hindoostan in search of a certain holy river."

"Kipling and Baba Bharati, the Hindoo editor, were newspaper acquaintances, and some say that Baba is the original of Kipling's holy man in 'Kim' for this reason"

"Baba was a man of influence and a successful editor. He suddenly resigned his editorship and joined the ecstatic followers of Krishna, a Hindoo deity. Bharati became an ascetic and retired to the wilderness, where he remained in holy meditation and study for twelve years"

"He was directed to begin missionary work int he Western world, and he sailed for America."

"As Baba speaks and writes English, with skill and fluency, he has great advantages over many Hindoos visiting this country. His personality is pleasing, fascinating and picturesque"

"He is a handsome man, tall, statuesque, dignified, with dark, large, sparkling eyes. When they kindle the man seems on fire with holy enthusiasm"

"his religion, he says, is summed up in the one word, 'Love.' He has anger for no man, no matter how great the provocation. Every act is preceded by asking a blessing"

"Every letter of manuscript begins with a little prayer written at the top of the page. By special arrangement this extraordinary man writes the story of his life and faith for the Sunday Republic"