Who was Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: A Great Figure for Indians!

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian politician, scholar, philosopher, and statesman. He served as India’s initial Vice President as well as its second President. Radhakrishnan dedicated much of his life and career as a journalist trying to define, defend, and promote Hinduism (also referred to as Vedanta and “the religion of Spirit”) by writing several works such as Hinduism Vedanta and “Religion of Spirit”).

Radhakrishnan excelled at moving between Indian and Western philosophical contexts with ease, drawing inspiration from both Western and Indian texts in his writing – this led academics to view him as an example of Hinduism adapted for Western audiences. 

So, let’s talk about his works and achievements. In this article, we will discover when and who gave birth to Radhakrishnan and their respective family histories.

Life and Times of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born September 5, 1888, into a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family living in Tiruttani in Madras Presidency – modern-day Tamil Nadu in India – as his birthdate suggests. His father Sarvepalli Veeraswami served in revenue services of his local zamindar while his mother Sarvepalli Sita took care of revenue matters within their local zamindar services while his mom’s name was Sarvepalli Sita.

Read More: Pranali Rathod Age, Height, Career, and Net Worth.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Education.

He started schooling at Tiruttani’s K.V High School before attending Tirupati’s Hermannsburg Evangelical Lutheran Mission School and Walajapet Government High Secondary School in 1896. Subsequently enrolled into Vellore Voorhees College before entering Madras Christian College upon finishing First of Arts class – graduating with both bachelor’s and master’s diplomas from that same school in 1906.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Family.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan married Sivakamu at 16 years old; Sivakamu is Radha Krishnan’s distant cousin from Sivakamu’s side of Radhakrishnan’s family tree. They were happily married for over 51 years. Radhakrishnan fathered six children; five girls and one son. Of his six sons, Sarvepalli Gopal went on to become an esteemed Indian historian who published both biographies of Radhakrishnan A and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Academic and Career Progresses of Radha Krishnan

Radhakrishnan began as head of Madras Presidency College’s Department of Philosophy in April 1909. Later he was appointed Professor of Philosophy by the University of Mysore and taught at Maharaja’s College there until 1918, during which time he contributed numerous articles to journals like The Quest, Journal of Philosophy, and International Journal of Ethics while there. 

While at Maharaja’s College he also completed his novel debut based on Rabindranath Tagore’s Philosophy – described by him as an “authentic embodiment of Indian spirit”. Finally, in 1920, he published another volume called The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy

 Radha Krishnan in Politics

Radhakrishnan leaped into politics after an academically distinguished career. Initially, he took an activist stance arguing for regional renaming and serving as spokesperson for India in international fora such as the League of Nations. 

Following independence he assumed crucial roles within UNESCO and The Indian Constituent Assembly; later becoming India’s Embassy to Moscow before eventually being elected India’s first Vice President (later second President in 1962) who stressed peace throughout global conflict while advocating a new internationalism based on mutual understanding among people and spiritual foundations.

 Death of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

 Radha Krishnan’s Sivakamu passed away on November 26, 1956, and he never remarried; remaining single until his death on 17 April 1975. Radhakrishnan retired from public life in 1967 and spent his remaining seven years living at Mylapore, Madras in a home he created; finally dying there on 17 April 1975.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Award and Honours  

Literary works written by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan can be found here.

1.     Bharat Ratna – 1954
2.     Knighthood by King George V – 1931
3.     Le Merite for Sciences and Arts – 1954
4.     1st Class Sash from Order of Aztec Eagle
5.     Membership to Order of Merit – 1963
6.     Nominated 27 times for the Nobel Prize (16 in literature and 11 for peace)
7.     Fellow to the British Academy – 1938
8.     Peace Prize of the German Book Trade – 1961
9.     Sahitya Akademi fellowship – 1968
10. Templeton Prize – 1975

 Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Philosophy (1918)

• Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore (1918)
• Indian Philosophy (1923)
• The Hindu View of Life (1926)
• An Idealist View of Life (1929)
• Kalki or the Future of Civilization (1929)
• Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939)
• Religion and Society (1947)
• The Bhagavadgita: with an introductory essay, Sanskrit text, English translation, and notes (1948)
• The Dhammapada (1950)
• The Principal Upanishads (1953)
• Recovery of Faith (1956)
• A Source Book in Indian Philosophy (1957)
• The Brahma Sutra: The Philosophy of Spiritual Life (1959)
• Religion, Science & Culture (1968)

 FAQs

Which year did Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan appear?

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu, India). 

What has been his most significant contribution?

Radhakrishnan made significant contributions as a scholar, philosopher politician, statesman, and philosopher. He served as India’s first Vice President and later its second President; additionally, he became an avid promoter of Hinduism as well as Indian philosophical ideas both locally and abroad.

What were Sarvepalli’s most prominent literary works?

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s most celebrated writings include, among others, “Indian Philosophy – A Hindu View of Life,” The Bhagavadgita,”Dhammapada” and”An Idealist View of Life”.

What awards did Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan receive during his lifetime?

Radhakrishnan received many honors and awards, such as the Bharat Ratna award in 1954, an honorary knighthood from George V in 1931, the Peace Prize of German Book Trade in 1961, and the Templeton Prize in 1975.

What was Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s philosophy of spirituality and philosophy?

Radhakrishnan pioneered an approach to philosophy that combined Eastern and Western thinking. He stressed the significance of religion in life while advocating for a common understanding between people – prioritizing global peace as well as international society development.