I gave him seven names: Krishna, Patanjali, Buddha, Mahavira, Shankara, Gorakh and Kabir. He asked me further, “Next, could you give me seven names?” Now the question had become more difficult! This is why Hindus call Krishna a complete incarnation, but not Rama.” Rama has made no original contribution, Krishna has. So I have chosen those twelve people who have made some original contribution. I said: “If I am allowed to choose only twelve many names will have to be cut. Rama’s name was missing! He opened his eyes and said to me: “You have excluded Rama!” Some names, which should naturally be included, were not there. I began to read the expressions appearing and disappearing on his face: it was difficult for him too. Even in old age a freshness remained on his face - just as it should remain - he had become more and more beautiful. Making a list is not easy, because the Indian sky is filled with so many stars! Who to cut, who to include?… Sumitranandan was a lovely man - extremely soft, extremely sweet - feminine. Sumitranandan Pant closed his eyes and slipped into thought…. The great Hindi poet, Sumitranandan Pant, once asked me: who in the vast sky of Indian religion are the twelve people, who in my opinion are the brightest shining stars? I gave him this list: Krishna, Patanjali, Buddha, Mahavira, Nagarjuna, Shankara, Gorakh, Kabir, Nanak, Meera, Ramakrishna and Krishnamurti.
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