PEARLS
OF WISDOM
God assumes the forms of
holymen to resuscitate religion and righteousness and help men to Work in right
direction.
Among such great noble souls
Swami Vivekananda, the saint patriot appeared in the realm of India and ushered
a new hope for resurgence of India. He extensively toured the country and
abroad to explain the glory of ancient Vedic India, its religion, culture,
philosophy, spirituality, social, moral, ethical, universal values during his
discourses referring to the Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads, and on Vedanta in Hindu
religion.
His speech at Chicago turned
out to be a brilliant exposition - an idealized vision of Hinduism. Even in the
digital age it continues to inspire generations of all ages. Some inspiring and
thought provoking utterances.
- "Awake, arise and
stop not till the desired goal is reached"
- "Have faith that you
are born to do great things"
- "Let not the barks of
puppies frighten you. No, not ever the thunderbolt of heaven-but standup and
Work"
- "We are the makers of
our own fate. We are responsible for what we are and whatever we wish ourselves
to be. We have the power to make ourselves" - "All differences in
this world are of degree and not of kind because oneness is the secret of
everything" - "If what we are now has been the result of our own part
action, it clearly follows that whatever we wish to be impulsive can be
produced by our presentation so we have to know how to act" - "We are
what our thoughts have made us to take care...What you think. We reap what we
sow...there is no help for you outside yourself...the more we come out and do
good to others, the more our hearts will be purified and god will be in
them"
- "You have to grow
from inside out, none can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no
other teacher but your own soul"
- "You cannot believe
in god until you believe in yourself"
- "We want infinite
energy, infinite zeal, infinite courage and infinite patience then only great
things can be achieved.
Especially the clarion call
of Swami Vivekananda to the people of India is worth mentioning.
- "Ay, let every man
and woman and child without respect for caste or birth, weakness or strength,
hear and learn that behind the strong and weak, behind the high and low, behind
every one there is that infinite Soul assuming infinite possibility and
infinite capacity of all to become great and good. Let us proclaim to every
Soul, Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached, arise, awake from the
hypnotism of weakness. None is really weak; the soul is infinite, omnipotent
and omniscient. Stand up, assert yourself, proclaim the "God with in you,
do not deny him". Anything that makes you weak, physically, intellectually
and spiritually rejects it as poison. There is no life in it. It cannot be
true, Truth is strengthening, Truth is purity, Truth is Knowledge-be strong.
- "Each soul is
potentially divine, The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling
nature external and internal, Do this either by works or worship or psychic
control or philosophy - by one or more or all of these and be free, This is the
whole religious Doctrine; dogmas Or rituals or books or temple are but secondary
details"
"Bring all forces of
good together, do not ease under what banner you march. Do not care what be
your colour, green, blue or red, but mix all the colours and produce that
intense glow of white the colour of love. Our aim is to work. The result will
take care of them"
God has made the world with
people following many different faiths, different religions and yet provides
for each of them. Each one of us is different. This fact alone should enable us
to show more understanding to those who do not agree with us.
Sri Rama Krishna ParamaHamsa
wanted Vivekananda to be a source of inspiration to millions of people in India
and abroad for spirituality and Vedantic philosophy. He realized the external imperishable
truth in him and experienced it in his own being.
I do not believe in a
religion which cannot wipe a widow's tear or bring a piece of bread to an
orphan's mouth. Manifestation of inherent divinity in man is called Religion.
The essence of religion is the realization of the Truth" said Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda desired
India's awakening in socio-political fields. His discourses and Writings were
concentrated more on "Man making Religions", "Man making
education" and "Man making messages". He felt pride in one's own
past which is a motivator for future glory. Whatever we have achieved by way of
political independence by way of social awareness and national Solidarity has
come from that orientation of the ancient message of Indian spirituality (given
by Swami Vivekananda). From him proceeded a wave of national awareness and
patriotism enshrined in a great struggle to improve the lot of the common man.
He varied his messages to suit the needs of the people. He saw the path of
spirituality lay through material and social amelioration and gave the message
of man making religion and nation making faith.
He loved India, loved
humanity affirming his faith in the glory of man. He led India into the current
of world cultural forces, political freedom and he is a maker of modern India,
messenger of hope and strength. He wanted India to assimilate the Spirit and
technique of modern science and desired a new India in which the spirit of
equality, social awareness, practical efficiency of the modern western world
got happily blended with the mature gentleness and tolerance of Indian
tradition with its deep spiritual awareness.
Political freedom, economic
advancement and Social solidarity are the three preconditions of effective
Indian participation in the world affairs. He recognized that the harm done on
the spiritual and moral personality of our people was due to backwardness in
education and social exclusion.
"Hinduism can be
reformed only through Hinduism. Try to revive Society on the grounds of universal
salvation and equality as laid down by the masters such as Jagadguru Shankara
charya, Ramanuja Charya and Chaitanya, Don't bother with religious theories.
Swami Vivekananda felt sorry
for the poor living in abysmal poverty, haunting hunger, disease, ignorance,
illiteracy," I call him traitor who having been educated and nursed in
luxury by the hearts blood of downtrodden millions of boiling poor, never even
spares a thought for them. So long as millions live in hunger and ignorance I
hold every man a Traitor who having been educated at their expense pays not the
least heed to them" he said. The sufferings of his countrymen their age
old starvation and misfortune and social disability moved him deeply and
dynamic philosophy flowed in a stream of compassion and love into a national
message and of renunciation and service.
The clarion call of Swami
Vivekananda for renaissance of India has created a new awakening among the wiseman
of India with a strong desire to come together, work together and mobilize the
people for the freedom of the country. Several organizations developed under a
galaxy of leaders like Dadahbai Nauroji, Mahatma Gandhi, Lajpath Rai, tondon,
Shyam Prasad Mukerji, Rajgopala Chari, Pattabhi Seetaramaiah, Pt, Jawaharlal
Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Balagangadhar Tilak, Gokhale in different
states.
He had created a new
awakening of self consciousness among the Indians. The process of reconstruction
of India began to remove the ill effects of centuries of neglect and oppression
of the downtrodden and untouchables. He believed in giving equal opportunities
to all with preference to the weaker section. He did not denounce hereditary
caste system. He knew that division in Society Was natural and inevitable.
Swami Vivekananda could be
seen as a powerful Rishi himself who bode awakening in India for Social change
and inspired several national leaders and other eminent persons who drafted a
new Indian Constitution which starts with "WE THE PEOPLE" is an
indivisible principle and an inclusive value from which the constitution of India
derives its political legitimacy and social-ethical consensus.
Swami Vivekananda desired to
unlock the hidden capacities in the human mind by unleasing the repressed
forces to make the journey from “ I” “We” in the process helping them recognize
the divinity within them. He rekindled the urning love for motherland among
Indians and infused a sense of faith in Indians' future and a spirit of self
confidence, self respect and taught to be proud of the glorious inheritance and
cultural heritage. He wanted them t believe that India is destined to play a
greater role in future history of humanity. He was drawing all his inspiration
from the ancient Vedic wisdom of our
great sages. His first talk was to arouse in the people a national
consciousness, respect for India's past, great men and her spiritualized
traditions and instill unshakable faith in her future mission.
While Aravind Ghose,
Sivananda Saraswati, Swami Ramananda, Jaya Prakash pharayan followed different
strategies of political religions and print media and tyrannical rule, Mahatma
Gandhi used religion to swing public opinion for Common goal of self government
and freedom of India. Gokhale started "Servants of Indian Society",
Dadahbai Naroji said "India is the richest country but Indian people are
poor", the British rule had done the greatest material injury to the
people of this country.
Mahatma Gandhi planted seeds
of Non-Cooperation first and next civil disobedience- highest spiritual
emergence and selflessness. His message travelled far and Wide to towns and
villages and caught on like wildfire.
All these galaxy of
brilliant intellectuals and luminaries felt their Supreme concern was for well
being and advancement of motherland and freedom and approached every problem
from that point of view and created the climate of public opinion and generated
awareness that facilitated the task of political and nation building.
A regenerated Hindu community
would be most powerful agency in accelerating the fulfillment of Indian
national aspiration.
Removal of untouchability
and opening of temples to Harijans, reform and codification of Hindu law ignoring
of caste by the Indian constitution as a fact in intergroup relationship,
breaking down the caste barriers of every creed and race in voyages and foreign
travel on medical measures. Many of these are legal enactments now locked by
enlightened political opinion" said Swami Ranganadhananda (Eternal values
for changing society - Vol 111)
Mr. Chintamani addressing
Andhra University felt the need for the under said qualities in the people of
India.
1. It is fearless readiness
to face facts as they are and deal with them as they are
It is unselfish readiness to
forget personal ambition or profit and place power for the sake of common goal.
3. It is the determination
to do what one believes to be good and public really requires and not merely
what is popular or what the crowd demands f
4. It is unselfish men’s
self control and wisdom in the face of temptation and pressure to sort an easy
Way Out.
Swami Vivekananda was a
unique phenomenon that occurred at a crucial juncture in the history of India.
Such preachers occasionally appear like gigantic comet dazzling in spiritual
firmament. His messages of Wisdom, love and strength ruled across oceans and
continents informing, inspiring, guiding the people, bringing into their hearts
peace and fulfillment, liberating them from the bonds of ignorance for
centuries to come and will continue to guide.
His Vedantic Contribution to
the world thought was on 1) Spiritual democracy 2) Spiritual harmony 3)
Enduring bond of world religion unity.
Dr.S.Radha Krishnan said
"Swami Vivekananda's life and teachings have prepared us for the new age
of freedom in which we live. They tell us how best we can consolidate the
freedom we have won".
Rabindranath Tagore
published in Prabhas - Vol.28 Page 286 -"In recent times in India it was
Vivekanand alone who preached a great message which is not tied to any Do's and
Don'ts" addressing one and all in the nation. He said "In every one
there is the power of Brahman (god), the poor desires you to serve. His message
has roused the heart of youth in a pervasive way. That is why this message has
borne fruit in the service of the nation in diverse ways and in diverse forms
of renaissance. His message has at one and the same time imported dignity and
respect to man along with energy and power"
Several Newspapers and
Associations have come up to spread the inspiring messages of Swami Vivekananda
among the people.
1.
The British Indian Association of zamindars
was the earliest public organization, besides other organizations in India.
2.
Indian Association - by S.N. Benerji
3.
Bengal National League – Calcutta
4.
Bombay Presidency Association Bombay
5.
Madras Mahajan Sabha — Madras
6.
Sarvojanik Sabha – Poona
Among
the print media
1. Hindu
2. Indian Mirror
3. Amrit Bazar Patrika
4. Voice of India
5. Indu Prakash
6. Marattah
7. Hindu Patriot
8. Indian Herald
9. Tribune
10. Andhra Patrika
11. Polineer
12. States man
13. Tribuen of India
14. Leader etc.,
played important role to
articulate great Hindu religion's spiritual and Vedantic past. The young Indians
impressed by the literature and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and liberal
stalwarts went on to become the front runners of the freedom struggle.
Several spiritual and yoga
centers have been established to popularize the ancient Vedic wisdom and desire
of Swami Vivekananda.
1. AdvaitaShram
2. Servants of Indian
society
3. Aryasamaj of Swami
Dayananda Saraswati
4. Yoga Vedanta forest
university - Hrishikesh
5. Chinmaya mission
6. Transcendental meditation
of Mahes yogi
7. Narayana guru
8. Aurobindo Ashram -
Pondhicherry
9. Ramana Maharshi Ashram
10. Prachy Paschatya Bengali
work
11. Udbodham Bengali Journal
12. Vartaman Bharath
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