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Colin J…]
THE MESSAGE AND MISSION OF MASONRY: ITS
MEANING TO INDIA BY NARAYAN P. PANDIT.
THE AMERICAN FREEMASON - APRIL 1911
WITH intent to gain clearer and broader vision of the entire Fraternity the editor of THE
AMERICAN FREEMASON addressed inquiries to representative brothers of other lands
and peoples. Too long have American Craftsmen been content to remain ignorant of all
Masonry except that of their own jurisdiction, or of their own country. Because of this
ignorance is a narrow provincialism engendered and intolerance manifested. It is time
that our section of Freemasonry, most prosperous in material things and numerically the
strongest, should pass beyond mere provincialism in any outlook upon the universal
institution. The view from the heights is always inspiring, and well worth exertion of the
upward climb. We can look from thence beyond the petty boundaries which an imagined
convenience has marked, and the walls of division that prejudice and ignorance have
raised. Sweeping the full horizon, we may see that men and Masons, the wide world over,
are striving in many ways for the betterment of humanity, for the revelation of the Truth
that maketh free, for the coming of the reign of righteousness on this sin- and sorrow-stained
earth. Is it not better, my brother; more worthy a real man's thinking and doing, to
have part in these great strivings, and a generous sympathy for all the diverse workers,
than to fold supine hands self-righteously, and condemn all who are not our own house-hold.
The editor's question to these foreign brothers was, in substance: "What message has
Masonry to men of your race and country, and what work is it doing for its membership
and the world?" To this query several replies have already been received, each one giving
new and inspiring thought. First place is here found for that from India. Brother Narayan
Purushottam Pandit speaks well for that vast conglomerate of races which fills the great
Asiatic empire. Such a letter certainly gives us better understanding of the needs and
aspirations of these our far-away brothers:
"To the Editor of The American Freemason:
"I am greatly pleased to acknowledge receipt of your letter of inquiry. The high
sentiments therein expressed are truly admirable, and they do honor to the editor of a
paper which is specially designed to enlighten the Craft by placing facts fairly and clearly
before its members; giving, at the same time due attention to the spiritual, ethical and
philosophical teachings of our beloved institution.

2. Whatever may be our differences of race and environment and heredity and education,
we are Brothers - bound by the Mystic Tie. As Freemasons we all look to the Light.
Every one of us is bound to a work of enlightenment - not only for our brothers, but for
the world at large, where yet millions are groping in darkness and enslaved by ignorance
and superstition. It is our duty to raise the standard of Truth, to rescue that Humanity
which is being crushed beneath despotism, tyranny and cunning in many forms. It is the
noble aim and object of Freemasonry to lift high and rally under the peaceful banner of
Light and Truth - to bring together the nations and peoples of the earth, long separated
and eyeing each other as enemies. Let us look forward and prepare ourselves for the day
when there shall be no distinctions of caste, color or creed; when there shall be no rank
achieved by mere possession of wealth or the accident of birth; when all men shall stand
upon the level of opportunity, free to join hand in hand, and united in singing praises to
the Great Architect of the Universe. It is necessary that we come now to an understanding
of each other; that we help, each other; that we work for the whole world. It is not a noble
task to liberate the poor slaves of ignorance and superstition, and to aid them in reaching
the free and blessed atmosphere of Knowledge and Enlightenment.
It may not be amiss for me to say something for you on the present state of Freemasonry
in India. Lodges of the English and Scottish Constitutions have been and are working
side by side, in harmony and accord, to spread the grand principles of the Craft. Men of
the different castes, colors and creeds meet on the level in our Lodges, and there learn to
love each other as children of the same Supreme Being, who is the Father of all.
There are six District Grand Lodges under the English Constitutions - those of Bombay,
Madras, Punjaub, Bengal, Burma and Ceylon. These have jurisdiction over thirty-three,
twenty-five, twenty-six, seventy-four, fourteen and seven Lodges, in the ordered given.
There are several Lodges in the principal cities, as Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. To
many of these Lodges Royal Arch Chapters are attached. In these bodies many Brahmins,
Mahommedans, Parsis, Jains and Sikhs have been initiated. Other Masonic bodies, such
as Roman Eagle conclaves, Consistories of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, etc.,
are flourishing. Their ranks, however, are chiefly filled from the Europeans and high
governing officials. Indeed, it may be said that at present they are exclusively confined to
Europeans, as but few persons among the natives aspire to rise in them. Brother Prasono
Coomar Duti was, I think, the only Hindu who has ever risen high in these offshoots of
Masonry.
You ask "What message does Freemasonry hold and bring for the people of your great
and ancient land?" Let me declare the truth, and so I may communicate to you something
of this message. Freemasonry has been considered solemnly secret, from every point of
view, by many narrow-minded brethren. And yet its work is, and should be, open as the
day. Our institution was formed to help the weak and to raise the fallen. Your Great
Teacher said: "They who are whole need not a physician, but those who are sick." If we
do not give up narrow-minded prejudices and superstitions and intolerances, and extend
hands to embrace those who arc qualified to be raised, it is quite impossible for us to do
the intended work.

3. You know well, dear brother, that India is a poor country now. The rich, who fatten
themselves on the blood and brawn of the poor, have no value of time and life. They
smother themselves in senseless enjoyment. The poor have not the means to maintain
themselves. Under these circumstances it is clear that there is no opportunity for men of
limited means to join our ranks. The rich merchants and high officials who join us are too
busy with their cares and affairs. They lack the interest to study and understand the grand
philosophy of Masonry, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Because of these
things our Institution, flourishing though it is, has so far failed to extend its benign
influence to the public at large.
As to the social, political and religious aspirations of brethren in India; Masonry here is
truly unsectarian, and broad as the thoughts of men. Every Mason is at liberty to maintain
and hold to his religious and social beliefs. The Brahmins, the Mahommedans, the Parsis
and the Christians are on a level. For social and political discussions there is no scope.
And except for a few brethren, there are none to seek for information and enlightenment
in the Craft. Our institution is, I say, unsectarian. That is the great, the irremovable
bulwark of the Craft. The Gita, the Bible, the Koran, and the Zendavesta can each be
taken as the Volume of Sacred Law, without any violation of the ancient and honored
landmarks. Universal Masonry, as we understand it, invites to her peaceful standard all
good men and true, without distinction because of caste, color or creed. Why should we,
or any of us, in this day of spiritual awakening and enthusiasm, refuse to march forward
together. The Divine Light is before us all, and the Divine Secrets are revealed to all. Is it
any wonder, my dear brother, that Americans and Europeans speak of India as "the
inscrutable East?" A man living on the material plane can not find out nor grasp the
living truths revealed to him who is upon the spiritual plane. The Indians are called
"dreaming heathens," because Western materialists have never really tried to understand
them. The great object of Indian philosophy is to be one with all that we see, which is the
apparent garb of God, and by this we may hope to reach understanding of and
communion with the spirit hidden within. "That thou art" is the foundation of Indian
ethics. "I am Brahma" is the motto of Indian philosophy. "God is indescribable
enlightenment and joy" is our watchword. "Do unto others as you would be done by"; "I
and my Father are one"; "I am the light of the world" - all these are Indian truths in
another garb. Occidentals have no enthusiasm to study the philosophy of India in its
original form, and so the Indians, not being understood, are dubbed "heathen."
But the day is near now when we can understand each other. I entreat you to ponder over
the Bhagavad-Gita and the Upanishadas, which contain the highest teachings of Indian
philosophy. Islamism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity reach the same great
truths in different forms. You will not think me carrying this matter too far, for surely you
are of like opinion, if I say that God never revealed His will and His Spirit exclusively to
any one nation or any one person. He is the Father of all His children and is not partial to
some and neglectful of others. His love is unlimited, and whosoever becomes one with
Him will know Him in essence, which is the Supreme Knowledge and Bliss.
Freemasonry has its mission with and for men of all peoples; to raise from gross
materialism to a perception of spiritual truths. There is even a broader Masonry than is

4. taught in our Lodge rooms - though for which the Lodge gives us direction. God has
spread His symbols everywhere - in water, in sky and on earth. Every phenomenon in
Nature expresses some Divine Truth. Let us but open our eyes and seek to understand.
Let us make effort to raise the veil of allegory and read aright this wonderful symbolism
of the Universal Temple that the Great Architect has placed before us.
I shall be greatly pleased to send you articles on Indian Masonry, as its principles are
taught in the Vedas, the Upanishadas and the Puranas, which are our national treasures.
Tell your readers I will consider it a pleasure and a privilege to answer any queries as to
Indian ethics, philosophy or symbolism.
Dear brother, may the Light of the World enlighten you.
Arand, India, February 23, 1911.