“All power is
within you. You can do anything and everything. Believe in that” – said Swami Vivekananda, the great
spiritual leader and social reformer. It is interesting to know what Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose wrote about Swami ji, “He harmonized the East and
the West, Religion and Science, Past and Present. And that is why he is great.
Our countrymen have gained unprecedented Self-respect, Self-reliance and
Self-assertion from his teachings.”
Narendra Nath
Datta or Naren, as Swami
Vivekananda was known before finally resolving to live like a true monk in the
year 1886, was born in erstwhile Calcutta on 12th January, 1863 in a
well-to-do family. His life was very eventful. He was intelligent, meritorious,
strong, sensitive and curious. Besides studies, Naren was very good in sports and music. He graduated from Calcutta University and was
successful in acquiring good understanding of various subjects including
History and Philosophy. He lost his father at the age of 21.
From his early childhood, he had
spiritual inclination. As such, he started practising yoga and meditation since
his school days. Later on, he associated himself with Brahmo Samaj Movement
for a brief period. In November, 1881 he came in contact with his spiritual
Guru, Sri Ramkrishna in Dakshineswar near Calcutta. Naren became his
true disciple and finally become a monk. Sri Ramkrishna passed away in August,
1886.
In 1893, he went to America and
addressed the delegates in the “Word’s Parliament of Religions” in Chicago.
His address was historic and was widely acclaimed.
Swami Vivekananda founded “Ramkrishna
Mission” in May, 1897 and also got a big plot afterwards in Belur on the
banks of Ganga near Calcutta, now famous as “Belur Math”.
His thoughts were based
primarily on his first hand experiences of life and hence extremely inspiring
for all strata of people across the world. Let us take this opportunity to
enjoy his views on certain important subjects:
Motherland:
Our sacred motherland is a
land of religion and philosophy- the birthplace of spiritual giants- the land
of renunciation, where and where alone, from the most ancient to the most
modern times, there has been the highest ideal of life open to man. This is the
motherland of philosophy, of spirituality, and of ethics, of sweetness,
gentleness, and love. These still exist, and my experience of the world leads
me to stand on firm ground, and make the bold statement that India is still the
first and foremost of all the nations of the world in these respects. …. ….
Study the history of the whole world, and you will see that every high ideal
you meet with anywhere had its origin in India. … …
Education:
Education is not the
amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there,
undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making,
character-making, assimilation of ideas. ... … The real education is that which
enables one to stand on his legs. …. …. The education which does not help the
common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does
not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of
a lion - is it worth the name?... …
Youth:
My faith is in the younger
generation, the modern generation, out of them will come my workers. They will
work out the whole problem, like lions. ….
…. The great thing is to have faith in oneself, even before faith in
God. The whole world has been made by the energy of man, by the power of
enthusiasm, by the power of faith. … … Arise, awake and stop not till the
desired end is reached. …. … Our duty is to encourage everyone in his struggle
to live up to his own highest ideal, and strive at the same time to make the
ideal as near as possible to the truth. … …
Swami Vivekananda left this world
on 4th July, 1902 at the age of just 39 years. Notwithstanding, he
left the most indelible mark on the hearts and minds of millions of people both
in India and abroad both by his thoughts and deeds. (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)
As always, I am keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, request you to post Comments to share your views and experiences.
# Published in PatnaDaily.com on the occasion of Swamiji's Birth Anniversary
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