pullout for reference

organizing segregation camps for housing patients in compliance with Government regulations; and using appropriate ways of nursing the patients (which do not offend the community). SissuePECIAL 10 ISSUE When the plague appeared in Calcutta again the next year (1899), the Mission plague service was promptly instituted on March focus in this issue: 31, under the Swami’s instructions, and did considerable work in a well-organised way. What we can learn from himself went to live in the slums to inspire courage in the people and cheer Swami Vivekananda's up the workers.

Plague Manifesto The whole management was placed in the hands of and Swami Sadananda, - for our response to the assisted by Swamis Shivananda, Nityananda and Covid-19 crisis Atmananda.

A brief background about the Plague Manifesto:

In May 1898, when a plague epidemic broke out in Calcutta, large numbers of terror- stricken residents fled the city in panic. Swami Vivekananda, who was recuperating his health in Darjeeling, rushed to Calcutta to join in the relief work. Come, let us give up this false The first thing the Swami did was draft a “ fear and, having faith in the plague manifesto in Bengali and Hindi, which was printed and freely distributed infinite compassion of God, amongst the people, which considerably gird our loins and enter the reassured them. field of action. He also devised the plans and completed Let us live pure and clean lives. the arrangements for how the service was to be conducted ─ which included teaching Disease, fear of an epidemic, sanitation and cleanliness to the people; etc., will vanish into thin air by His grace. Designed & developed by Excerpt from the Plague Manifesto; ILLUMINE The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. 9 Knowledge Catalysts ® www.illumine.in > Turn overleaf for an action plan... Key Messages from the Plague Manifesto which we can apply today

Note: All quotes in this Issue of Vivekananda Way are excerpts from The Plague Manifesto, written by Swami Vivekananda in 1898, available in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 9.

1 We feel happy when “ you are happy, and we When others suffer when you suffer. suffer, each one of Therefore, during us suffers; when these days of extreme others are happy, adversity, we are striving we are happy ─ and ceaselessly praying because we are all for your welfare and an essentially One. easy way to save you from disease and the fear of an epidemic.

If that grave disease — fearing which “ both the high and the low, the rich and 2 the poor are all fleeing the city — ever really comes in our midst, then even if We can consider we perish while serving and nursing you, ourselves we will consider ourselves fortunate fortunate if we are because you are all embodiments of God. able to use this He who thinks otherwise — out of vanity, opportunity to indiatoday.in superstition or ignorance — offends God serve God in man. All people serving at and incurs great sin. There is the frontline are serving not the slightest doubt about it. embodiments of God

3 How should we act ? We humbly pray to you — please do not panic Rather than being bound by fear and a feeling of helplessness... “ due to unfounded fear. We should... Or, Join hands with others who Depend upon God and are working to find answers... calmly try to find the best means to solve the A] Depend on problem. Otherwise, the God within join hands with those B] Calmly try who are to find the best solution possible doing that very thing. In order to remove “the fear of the 4 epidemic, you should sing Nâma Sankirtanam [the name of the Lord] every evening and in every Each one of us can chant the locality. name of God and send out positive thoughts to the whole world

What is there to fear? 5 Contribute to Central/ State resources “ The terror that has Lockdown Support employees & entered people's hearts Aid business ecosystems packages due to the occurrence of PRIVATE SECTOR Essential What is there to SUPPORT the plague has no real services fear? Through ground. Through God's GOVERNMENT Collective Action ACTIONS will, nothing of the terrible All of us must the effects of the act together disease in our form that plague takes, as Food & country and on seen in other places, has shelter relief to our people can be occurred in Calcutta. The the poor INDIVIDUALS mitigated. government authorities Physical & mental VOLUNTEERING have also been particularly health AGENCIES Respect the Lockdown support to Support poor people in helpful to us. So the aged & the ecosystem around us what is there to vulnerable Spread positivity and strength fear?

Come, let us give up this 6 “ false fear and, having faith Arise! Awake! in the infinite compassion ─ Give up false fear of God, gird our loins and ─ Have faith enter the field of action. ─ Enter the field of action Let us live pure and clean ─ And live correctly. lives. Disease, fear of an Disease, fear of an epidemic, epidemic, etc., will vanish etc. will disappear with the into thin air by Lord's grace

His grace. calendar poster 7 Guidelines for Action

1. Keep the environment clean “ Always keep the house and its premises, the rooms, clothes, bed, drain, etc., clean.

2. Strengthen your body and your “ Do not eat stale, spoiled food; take fresh immune system and nutritious food instead. A weak body (build physical strength) is more susceptible to disease.

3. Strengthen your mind through “ Always keep the mind cheerful. Everyone positive thoughts will die once. Cowards suffer the pangs of (build mental strength) death again and again, solely due to the fear in their own minds.

Fear never leaves those who earn their 4. Strengthen yourself by trying to “ livelihoods by unethical means or who be as ethical as you can cause harm to others. Therefore, at (build character strength) this time when we face the great fear of death, desist from all such behaviour.

5. Sustain and strengthen “ During the period of epidemic, abstain your psychic energy from anger and from lust — even if you are householders.

6. Try to follow reliable sources of information – don’t fall prey to “ Do not pay any heed to rumours. WhatsApp and false news

The Mother of the Universe is Herself the support of the helpless. “ The Mother is assuring us: "Fear not! Fear not!"

THE SERVANTS OF SHRI RAMAKRISHNA ARE READY TO SERVE

Brother, if there is no one to help you, then “ send information immediately to the servants You can contact any of the of Shri Bhagavan Ramakrishna at . centers There will be no dearth of help that is physically near you... possible. By the grace of the Mother, monetary 8 Or Visit BELURMATH.ORG help will also be possible.

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