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Talks with Swami Vivekananda TALKS WITH SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ADVAITA ASHRAMA llfAYAVATI, ALMORA, HIMALAYAS Published by SWAMI PAVITRANANDA ADVAITA ASBRA:MA MAYAVATI. AL:MORA. HIMALAYAS All rigltt8 Tt8erved Second Edition-1946 Printed in l ndia BY PBANI BHUSAN ROY, AT THE PRABARTAK PRINTING & HALFTONE LTD., 52{3, BOWBAZAR STREET, CALCUTTA. PREFACE Great persons are usually known to us through their lectlllres, writings or public activities. But it is always a rare privilege to come into intimate· contact with them and study their lives and thoughts at close quarters. This is all the more true of spiritual geniuses. Those who have attained to a great spiritual height live in a different plane, as it were, from that of ours, and in spite of their endeavour to do good to the world and their great sympathy for the suffering humanity, none except those who have been directly touched by them succeed in taking full advantage of their lives and teachings. Spiritual giants are worshipped from a distance but the influ­ ence of their examples enters into the lives of only a fortunate few. All are not destined to have direct contact with spiritual personalities, hence the next best thing for ordinary people is to know tlteir teachings, in which is hidden the inspiration of their lives. It is therefore that the teachings or recorded sayings of saints are so much in demand. A few sayings of Christ found in the Bible and a few words of Buddha that have been left to the woria as a great legacy are giving spiritual sustenance to millions of people for thousands of years. It is but natural. The meteoric success of Swami Vivekananda as a religious teacher in two hemispheres dazzles us. We are struck with awe and reverence when we read his iv PREFACE writings or go through his recorded speeches. · We feel he is talking to us from a dizzy height. We e.re bewildered by the thought of the gulf between his greatness and our smallness. But when one would come into direct touch with him, one would feel that the distance had vanished, and find in Swami Viveka­ nanda a close friend or an intimate relation, eager to do the highest good for all. It is only when such relationship is established that you can know the real man. The disciples who recorded their conversa­ tions with Swami Vivekananda in the following pages, had the,privilege not only of finding the Swami as a Guru, but of being very free with him. So we find, they were discussing all kinds of subjects with him. An.i as Swami Vivekananda while giving out his views was not trammelled by formality as is the case when one stands on a public platform, his words as found here have got special value. Here Swami Viveka­ nanda gives directions about spiritual practice and mll,ditation, talks of high philosophy, and in the next breath discusses the problems of national regenera­ tion, social reform, educational ideals, and what not. Now and then we find how the large heart of that great giant bled for the sufferings of the poor and the needy. People in almost all walks of life will find guidance from these conversations. The conversations took place in Bengali and were originally published in the Udbodhan-a Bengali monthly of 'the R'amakrishna Order. They were translated, at places abridged, and incorporated in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. We PREFACE v bring them out in a handy book form, hbping they will be of immense help to a larger circle of the reading public. May our hopes be justified. PuBLISHER ADVAITA ASHRAMA MAYAV.\TI, HIMALAYAS The 12th January, 1939 CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE iii CHAPTER I (1-324) Sec. I. The first meeting with Swami Vivelwnanda-Mr. Narendranath Sen, Editor of the Mirror-Comparison between the English and the American-The future result of preaching religion in foreign countries-The relative value of politics and religion-a preacher of cow-protection -Man is to be saved first 1 Sec. II. Rebellion against nature, the sign of consciousness-The same is true of nations -The cause of India's degradation-Need for self-confidence-Men or money ?-The way to Self-realisation-The Krishna of Kurukshetra-Need for the development of Rajas 10 Sec. III. Talking with some Pandits in Sanskrit-What is ' civilisation-Character­ istics of Indian civilisa.tion-Samadhi­ Who is the real teacher-Hereditary Gurus -Sri Ramakrishna 20 Sec. IV. The Birthday anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar-Need of religious festivals-Swami Vivelcananda did not preach sectarianism 26 :Viii CONTENTS PAGE Sec. V. Initiating the disciP.le__:_Origin of the sacred thread-The problem of virtue and vice-When is the Self realised 33 Sec. VI. Starting, the Rama7aishna Mission -Did Swami Vivekananda differ from Sri Ramakrishna-Swami Vivekananda's atti­ tude towards Sri Ramakrishna-The Law of grace-Girish Chandra Ghosh 39 Sec. VII. Solar Eclipse-Nature of medita­ tion-Practical hints on meditation-Need for renunciation, 49 Sec. VIU. Female education-Mahakali Pathshala-Women in India and the West -Early marriage-Right type of female education-Spread of education 53 Sec. IX. Rig-Veda-Max Muller--The theory of creation-Swami Vivckananda's great heart-Need for the study of scriptures- & ervice of living beings 62 Sec. X. The ideal of Sannyasa-Buddha and the institution of Sannyasa-M eeting the criticism against Sannyasa-Who is a real Sannyasin 72 Sec. XI. Consecration of the temple of Sri Ramakrishna 83 Sec. XII. Guru Govind Singh-Psychic powers 85 CONTENTS' ix· PAGE Sec. XIII. Tithipuja of Sri Ramakrishna­ Investing some non-Brahmin devotees with) holy thread-Girish Chandra Ghosh­ Karma-Yoga or unselfish worl•-lts aim and utility 92 Sec. XIV. Installation of Sri Ramakrishna at B elur M ath-Shankaracharya-Buddha­ Cause of the downfall of Buddhism-In­ fluence of pilgrimage-Different methods of worship . 100 Sec. XV. In a reminiscent mood-His psychic power.~-American men and women -Opposition from the bigoted Christians­ Self-surrender and ine1·tia-Nag Mahashaya 110 Sec. XVI. Swami Vivekananda's experiences· at Amarnath and I(shir Bhavani-Hearing a divine voice-Existence of ghosts and spirits -Swami Vivekananda's experience of a disembodied spirit . 119 Sec. XVII. Composing a Sanskrit hymn­ About BengaU language and style-"Be fearless"-N eed for the study of scriptures- Result of Self-realisation 123 Sec. XVIII. Swami Vivelwnanda's experi- ence of Nirvikalr.a Sarnadhi-Ex.traordinary power of Avatar.as . .. 131 Sec. XIX. Need for faith in oneself-Service and business-So-called educated people- Masses-Their future 138 CONTENTS PAGE Sec. XX. At the Zoological Garden at . Alipur-Darwin,- Theory of Evolution and Patanjali-Need for physical strength 147 :Sec. XXI. Swami Vivekananda's future plan about Belur Math-Work and meditation­ Nescience-Brahman and the world of matter 154 ·sec. XXII. The Bengali monthly 'Udbo- dhan'-Its future policy 166 ·sec. XXIII. India wants not lecturing !J.ut work-The crying problem in India is poverty-Young Sannyasins to be trainea both as secular and spiritual teachers and workers for the masses-Ea::hMtatinns to young men to work for others . 172 "Sec. XXIV. Reconciliation of Jnana and Bhakti-Sat-Chit-Ananda-How sectarian­ ism originates-Bring in Shraddha, a,nd the worship of Shakti and Avataras-The ideal of the hero we want now, not the M adhura bhava-Sri Ramakrishna-Avataras 178 :Sec. XXV. Brahman and differentiation­ Personal realisation of oneness-Supreme Bliss is the goal of all-Think always, I am Brahman-Discrimination and renunciation are the means-Be fearless 186 Sec. XXVI. Renunciation of Kama- 1canchana-God's mercy falls on those who CONTENTS xi PAGE struggle for realisation--Unconditional mercy and Brahman are one . 193 Sec. XXVII. The doctrine of Ahimsa and meat-eating-The Sattva, Rajas and Tamas in man-Discrimination of food and spiri­ tuality-'Ahara'-The three defects in food -Don't-touchism and C'aste-v.rejudices­ Plan of restoring the old Chaturvarna and the laws of the Rishis 198 Sec. XXVIII. Cause of India's degradation -Ancient Vedic customs must be re­ modelled accol'ding to the need of the society and the times-New Smriti to be compiled 205 Sec. XXIX. Auspiciousness of time and place-Work and Self-realisation-Karma­ Yoga-India wants manifestation of Rajas- Bright future for the country .. 211 Sec. XXX. Laws of Brahmacharya-New Order of Sannyasins-Wa-nted KarmacYoga as taught in the Gita 219 Sec. XXXI. Meeting with Nag Mahashaya 222 Sec. XXXII. Brahman, Ishvara, Jiva and Avidya-Renunciation and Self-realisation- How to control the mind-Atman as the object of meditation--Jnana, BhaHi, Karma and Yoga-The doctrine of incarna- tion of God-Exhortation for Self-realisa- tion-Work of a Jnani 227 xii CONTENTS PAGE Sec. XXXIII. On art-Difference between Indian and Western arts-Seal of the Rama­ krishna Mission, its significance-Plan of the Ramakrishna temple 240 Sec. XXXIV. A power working through Swami Vivekanand.a-Reminisccnce of East Bengal and the visit to Nag Mahash'aya's house-Renunciation and not the observ­ ance of external forms is the test of spiritual progress-Firm determination needed to realise the Self 247 Sec. XXXV. Plan of the future Math for women-Soul has no sex-Wom'en have equal opportunity for realising the Brahman -Religion to be the centre of female educa­ tion-Definition of good wor1r-Work and knowledge 256 Sec. XXXVI. Swami Vive1wnanda's wonder­ ful memory..:...His , opinion about Bharat­ chandra and Michael Madhusudan Dutt, two B cngali poets 267 Sec. XXXVII.
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