Remembering Swami Vivekananda...

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. Later he came under the influence of Ramkrishna Paramhamsa and became an icon, inspiring thousands of people all over the country. Before becoming Swami Vivekananda, Narendranath was a restless boy, always trying to seek the inner meaning of matter. At the same time, he was courageous and calm. Hailing from an illustrious family, he had everything he needed. However, his pursuit lay elsewhere. Finally after receiving shiksha from his guru Ramkrishna, he set out on his mission, viz, promoting religion. In 1893, he represented India in the Parliament of Religion in Chicago. The way he addressed the Parliament drew a big applause instantly. He began his address with the words, "Brothers and Sisters of America”. His speech raised awareness about Hinduism in the West. Later, Rajagopalachari was to remark, "He saved Hinduism."

During his stay in US, he promoted and explained religion, culture and the difference between the east and the west. On one such occasion, an American asked him, "How in India people stay together? India consists of people of different colours; some are dark, some red, some brown and some even fair; while in US everyone is of the same colour, viz, white." The Swamiji thought for a few moments and replied, "See, horses have different body colours and yet they are staying together. On the other hand, donkeys have the same colour, viz, white. This doesn’t make horse inferior to donkey." This shut every American’s mouth. He further remarked, "If India dies, then all spirituality will become extinct; it will end sympathy for religion and in its place will come luxury, lust and greed." However, he had sweet things to say about the west too. He said, "Indians must learn how to be more professional from the westerners."

An interesting event took place when Vivekananda was staying at the Thousand Island Park. It was a dark and rainy night. A few ladies from Detroit had travelled hundreds of miles to visit him. Having met him, one of them humbly said, "We have come to you just as we would go to Jesus if he were still on earth and ask him to teach us." Vivekananda, deeply moved and overwhelmed with humility, replied, "If only I possessed the power of Christ to set you free now!"

He also had many other enviable qualities. His awe-inspiring look and appearance reminded one of a great leader. His voice had the depth of a lion and was yet appealing. Even rude words he could mouth sweetly. He had nerves of steel and advised that one should have muscles of iron and nerves of steel. These qualities were essential for personality development. He was known for his presence of mind too. During one of his speeches in the West, Bhagwad Gita had been placed at the bottom of all religious books. But this did not disturb Swamiji. He remarked, "It proves Hinduism is the base for all other religions. If Hinduism is destroyed then all other religions will also become extinct."

His message appealed not just to the common man. It inspired many other leaders as well. Rajaji remarked, "He saved Hinduism." Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose regarded him as his role model, saying, "Swamiji is the maker of modern India." According to Mahatma Gandhi, Swamiji’s works had increased his love for India a thousand fold. Free India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote: "Rooted in the past, full of pride in India’s prestige, Vivekananda was yet modern in his approach to life’s problems and was a kind of bridge between the past of India and her present … he came as a tonic to the depressed and demoralised Hindu mind and gave it self-reliance and some roots in the past." Today we find few who are against the Swamiji.

Even during his childhood he was unique. Once somebody tried to scare him and his friends by saying that a ghost lived on a tree nearby. Every boy got scared and avoided the tree but not Naren (Swami Vivekananda). He repeatedly went to that tree and proved that no ghost resided there.

Swamiji’s unique contribution to the creation of new India was to open the minds of Indians to their duty to the downtrodden. Long before the ideas of Karl Marx arrived in India, Swamiji spoke about the contribution of labour force to the country’s prosperity. Swamiji was the first Indian religious leader to speak for the masses, formulate a definite philosophy of service and organise social services on a large-scale. Hence there is no doubt that he is the perfect religious icon for the youth. The Indian government has declared that his birthday will be celebrated as the National Youth Day.

Some of his quotes can really motivate any demoralised person. Consider the following:

"Face the brutes." That is a lesson for all life—face the terrible, face it boldly. Like the monkeys, the hardships of life fall back when we cease to flee before them.

"The earth is enjoyed by heroes"—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, "I have no fear."

"Arise, awake, stop not till the goal is reached. "

"Strength is life; weakness is death. "

"Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so.
If there is sin, this is the only sin to say that you are weak or others are weak."

"Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being? You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."

"The old religion says he is an atheist who does not believe in God. The new religion says he is an atheist who does not believe in himself."

"The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified and God will be in them."

"This is the one cause of misery: we are attached. Reserve unto yourself the power of detaching yourself from everything, however beloved, however much the soul might yearn for it, however great the pangs of misery you feel if you are going to leave it. Still, reserve the power of leaving it whenever you want."