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Home , Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Swami Vivekananda

GLOBUS Journal of Progressive Education A Refereed Research Journal Vol 4 / No 1 / Jan-Jun 2014 ISSN: 2231-1335 A STUDY ON TEACHINGS AND OF

Bipul Chutia*

Introduction Swami Vivekananda believed a country's future prevalence of poverty in the country and maintained depends on its people; his teachings focussed on this that addressing such poverty was prerequisite for the area. He wanted “to set in motion machinery which national awakening. His nationalistic thoughts will bring noblest ideas to the doorstep of even the influenced scores of Indian thinkers and leaders. The poorest and the meanest.” Swami Vivekananda first governor general of independent , believed that the essence of was best Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, said "Vivekananda expressed in the philosophy, based on the saved Hinduism, saved India." According to Subhas interpretation of AdiShankara. He summarised the Chandra Bose, a major proponent of armed struggle Vedanta's teachings as follows: for Indian independence, Vivekananda "is the maker  Each soul is potentially divine. of modern India"; for ,  The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by Vivekananda's influence increased his "love for his controlling , external and internal. country a thousand fold." Swami Vivekananda  Do this either by work, or worship, or mental influenced India's independence movement; his discipline, or philosophy—by one, or more, or writings inspired a whole generation of freedom all of these—and be free. fighters such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Aurobindo Ghose, and Bagha  This is the whole of . Doctrines, or Jatin. Subhash Chandra Bose also said about , or rituals, or books, or temples, or Vivekananda, "His personality was rich, profound forms, are but secondary details. and complex. Reckless in his sacrifice, unceasing in

his activity, boundless in his love, profound and Vivekananda advised his followers to be holy, versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions, unselfish and have Shraddha (faith). He encouraged merciless in his attacks but yet simple as a child, he the practice of Brahmacharya (celibacy). In one of the was a rare personality in this world of ours." conversations with his childhood friend Priya Aurobindo Ghose considered Vivekananda as his Sinha, he attributes his physical and mental strengths, spiritual mentor, saying "Vivekananda was a soul of and eloquence, to the practice of Brahmacharya. puissance if ever there was one, a very lion among men." At the , Mahatma Gandhi was Influence heard to say that his whole life was an effort to bring Swami Vivekananda remains the most influential into action the ideas of Vivekananda. Many years figure in modern Hinduism. He revitalised the after Vivekananda's death, told religion within and outside India. Vivekananda was French Nobel Laureate , "If you want the principal reason behind the enthusiastic reception to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything of , transcendental and other forms of is positive and nothing negative." Rolland himself Indian spiritual self-improvement in the West. wrote that "His words are great music, phrases in the Professor Agehananda Bharati explained that, style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of "...modern derive their knowledge of Händel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, Hinduism from Vivekananda, directly or indirectly." scattered as they are through the pages of books, at Vivekananda espoused the idea that all sects within thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill Hinduism and, indeed, all , are different through my body like an electric shock. And what paths to the same goal. This view, however, has been shocks, what transports, must have been produced criticised for over simplification of Hinduism. In the when in burning words they issued from the lips of background of germinating nationalism in the British- the hero!". was influenced by ruled India, Vivekananda crystallised the nationalistic Vivekananda to establish the Indian Institute of ideal. In the words of the social reformer Charles Science—one of India's best known research Freer Andrews, "The Swami's intrepid patriotism universities. Abroad, Vivekananda had interactions gave a new colour to the national movement with Max Muller. Scientist was one of throughout India. More than any other single those influenced by the Vedic philosophy teachings individual of that period Vivekananda had made his of Vivekananda. On 11 November 1995, a section of contribution to the new awakening of India." Michigan Avenue, one of the most prominent streets Vivekananda drew the attention towards the in downtown , was formally renamed *Research Scholar, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan 1

"Swami Vivekananda Way". National in acquired the name of Swami Vivekananda when he India is observed on his birthday, 12 January. He is became a monk. As a child Narendra was very lively projected as a role model for youth by the Indian and naughty. He was good in studies as well as in as well as non-government organisations games. He studied instrumental and vocal music and and personalities. In September 2010, India's Finance also practiced meditation from a very early age. Even Ministry highlighted the relevance of teachings and when Narendra was young he questioned the validity values of Swami Vivekananda in the modern of superstitious customs and discrimination based on competitive environment. The Union Finance caste and religion. As a child Narendra had great Minister, , approved in principle respect for sanyasis (ascetics). He would give away the "Swami Vivekananda Values Education Project" anything to anybody if asked for. Whenever a beggar at the cost of 100 crore (US$18.1 million) with the asked for alms, he would give him anything he had. objectives such as involving the youth through Thus from childhood Narendra had the spirit of competitions, essays, discussions and study circles sacrifice and renunciation. In 1879, Narendra passed and publishing Swami Vivekananda's complete work matriculation and entered Presidency College, in different languages. Calcutta. After one year, he joined the , Calcutta and studied philosophy. He Conclusion studied western logic, and The concept of is the most critical of European nations. As he advanced in his studies, and importantdebate within the current thinkers in his thinking faculty developed. Doubts regarding this field. This research paper is meant to understand existence of God started to arise in Narendra's mind. Vivekananda’s identification of the concept of This made him associate with the , an universal religion and its application to the modern important religious movement of the time, led by global city. During the past 150 years we have Keshab Chandra Sen. But the Samaj's congregational discussed the philosophical importance of the concept prayers and devotional songs could not satisfy of universal religion. Now it has clear that during this Narendra's zeal to realise God. During this time centaury we have to implement this concept to Narendra came to know of Sri modern city life rather than discussing it again. Pramahans of . Sri Ramakrishna was a Following Swami Vivekananda we may priest in the temple of Goddess . He was not a conclude that we have only one solution for scholar. But he was a great devotee. It was being said this multi- cultural and multi-religious world. It is to of him that he had realized God. Once, Narendra adhere to the concept of one universal religion, which went to Dakshineswar to with his friends see him. He is not converting adherents of all other religions into asked Ramakrishna, whether he had seen God. The one religion but accepting the concept of religious instantaneous answer from Ramakrishna was, "Yes, I pluralism. It is the essence of Swami Vivekanand’s have seen God, just as I see you here, only in a more vision to the world. This universal ideal can be clear sense." Narendra was astounded and puzzled. practiced not only by believers of different religions He could feel the man's words were honest and but equally by non-believers for it is founded on the uttered from depths of experience. He started visiting ideal of oneness of humanity and it is geared for Ramakrishna frequently. It was in Narendra's nature human self-realization which is not a monopoly to test something thoroughly before he could accept of any particular religion. Swami Vivekananda was it. He would not accept Ramakrishna as his one of the most influential spiritual leaders of without a test. Ramakrishna used to say that, in order Vedanta philosophy. He was the chief disciple of to realize God, one should give up the desire for Ramakrishna Paramahansa and was the founder of money and women. One day Narendra hid a rupee and . Swami under his pillow. Sri Ramakrishna, who had gone out, Vivekananda was the living embodiment of sacrifice came into the room and stretched himself on the cot. and dedicated his life to the country and yearned for At once he jumped up as if bitten by a scorpion. the progress of the poor, the helpless and the When he shook the mattress, the rupee coin fell downtrodden. He showed a beacon of light to a down. Later he came to know that it was the doing of nation that had lost faith in its ability under British Narendra. Narendra accepted Sri Ramakrishna as his rule and inspired self-confidence among Indians that guru and took training under him for five years in the they are second to none. His ringing words and , the philosophy of non-dualism. Sri masterful oratory galvanized the slumbering nation. Ramakrishna passed away in 1886 and nominated Swami Vivekananda real name was Narendranath Narendra as his successor. After his death Narendra . He was born on January12, 1863 in Calcutta. and a core group of Ramakrishna's disciples took His father's name was Vishwanath Dutta and his vows to become monks and renounce everything, and mother's name Bhuvaneswari Devi. Narendranath started living in a supposedly haunted house in

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Baranagore. In 1890, Narendra set out on a long comprehensive and essential component of growth journey. He covered the length and breadth of the and development of humanity. As he country. He visited , Ayodhya, Agra, characteristically asserts: “Between all great Vrindavan, Alwar etc. Narendra acquired the name of religions of the world there are many points of Swami Vivekananda during the journey. It is said that similarity; and so startling is this likeness, at times, as he was given the name Vivekananda by Maharaja of to suggest the idea that in many particulars the Khetri for his discrimination of things, good and bad. different religions have copied from one another.” During his journey, Vivekananda stayed at king's Religion is fundamental in the very soul of humanity; palaces, as well as at the huts of the poor. He came in and as all life is the evolution of that which is within close contact with the cultures of different regions of it, of necessity, expresses itself through various India and various classes of people in India. peoples and nations. “The language of the soul is one, Vivekananda observed the imbalance in and the language of nations are many; their customs and tyranny in the name of caste. He realised the need for methods of life are widely different. Religion is of the a national rejuvenation if India was to survive at all. soul and finds expression through various nations, Swami Vivekananda reached , the languages and customs. Hence it follows that the southernmost tip of the on difference between the different religions of the December24, 1892. He swam across the sea and world is one of expression and not of substance; and started meditating on a lone rock. He meditated for their points to similarly and unity are of the soul, are three days and said later that he meditated about the intrinsic, as the language of the soul is one, in which past, present and future of India. The rock is whatever peoples and under whatever circumstances presently popular as Vivekananda memorial and is a it manifests itself. The same sweet harmony is vibrant major tourist destination. there also, as it is on many and diverse instruments.”

Vivekananda's Methods or Teaching and Bibliography Learning 1. Adiswarananda, Swami, ed. (2006), To Vivekananda, there is only one method of Vivekananda, world teacher: his teachings on the attaining knowledge and that is concentration. The spiritual unity of humankind, Woodstock, more the power of concentration, the greater the Vermont: SkyLight Paths Pub, ISBN 1-59473- knowledge that is acquired. High achievements in 210-8. arts, science, music and are the results of 2. Advaita (1983), Reminiscences of concentration. When the mind concentrates and turns Swami Vivekananda (3 ed.), Calcutta, India: back on itself, all within oneself will be one's servant , p. 430, ISBN 81-85301-17-4 and not one's master. The world will readily give its (Collected articles on Swami Vivekananda, secrets, if we only know and how to know and how to reprinted in 1994). give the necessary blow. The strength and force of 3. Agarwal, P. (1998), The social role of the such a blow comes through concentration. The only Gītā: how and why, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN key to the treasure-house of knowledge is the power 978-81-208-1524-7, retrieved 17 June 2010. of concentration. The very essence of education is 4. Arora, V. K. (1968), "Communion with Brahmo concentration of mind and not collection of facts. If Samaj", The social and of the power of concentration is developed, facts can be Swami Vivekananda, Punthi Pustak. collected at one's own will. Vivekananda stressed on 5. Badrinath, Chaturvedi (2006), Swami education from within, learning from concrete to Vivekananda The Living Vedanta, New York: abstract, keeping in mind the individual difference’s Penguin, ISBN 0-14-306209-3. giving Positive suggestions to the learners, etc. 6. Bakshi, Rajni (1994), The Dispute over Swami Vivekananda emphasizes on the fact that society will Vivekananda's Legacy: a warning and an change and make progress if he identifies religion as opportunity, Mapusa, Goa: Other India Press, p. the ‘soul of humanity’- the soul that responds to the 32, OCLC 312292829. realities of life and evolution of human 7. Banhatti, G.S. (1995), Life and Philosophy of consciousness. He never considers humanism apart Swami Vivekananda, Atlantic Publishers & from religion and vice versa. As such, the Distributors, p. 276, ISBN 978-81-7156-291-6, efflorescence of religion always depends on how it retrieved 6 April 2012. 8. best serves humans under all trying circumstances. Banhatti, G.S. (1963), The Quintessence of Contrary to paying importance to rigid dogmatism, Vivekananda, , India: Suvichar Prakashan which stands in the way of dynamism of religion, he Mandal, ASIN B0007JQX3M. is more interested in making religion a very

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