Vol. 35 No.6 Margashirsha - Pausa 5109 January 2008

Founder Editor CONTENTS Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade

Editor Editorial 4 Mananeeya P. Parameswaran - P.Parameswaran - A Glance at His Power Equations Editorial Office - Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari 17 5, Singarachari Street Triplicane, Swami Vivekananda - The Patriot Chennai - 600 005 “Hindoo Monk”.... Ph: (044) 28440042 - Sadhu Prof. V.Rangarajan 23 Email:[email protected] Web: www.vkendra.org Swami Vivekananda To Youth - Mannava Gangadhara Prasad 37 SingleCopy Rs. 7/- Annual Rs. 75/- Purpose of Life in the Light of For 3 Yrs Rs. 200/- Vivekananda’s Teachings Life (10 Yrs) Rs. 800/- - P. Gupta 41 Foreign Subscription Annual - $25US Dollar Swami Vivekananda As a True Nationalist Life - $250US Dollar - Dr. A.R.Mohapatra 45 (Plus Rs. 50/- for outstation Cheques) Vivekananda Kendra Samachar 50

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA PRAKASHAN

3 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 samaanee va aakootih samaanaa hridayaani vah samaanamastu vo mano yathaa vah susahaasati

Common be your inclinations. Be your hearts of one accord. May you all be of one mind. May all live well together.

- Rigveda X 191-4.

trotted out to prove that we made enviable progress. But, in effect, the divide between the rich and the poor has increased enormously. Society is fast disintegrating into Editorial organized caste and communal groups reducing nationalism to a meaningless slogan. All the Vivekananda in the Global universities together along with Millennium various other specialized educational and training I institutions have produced possibly Sixty years after independence, the largest contingent of India is still in the twilight zone intelligentsia in the world but in of political turmoil, economic terms of awareness and imbalance, social turbulence and enlightenment about our country, ideological confusion. Though we its history, its culture and its claim to be the largest democracy due role in the international in the world, more often than not arena, they are a confused and our democracy in practice turns out directionless lot. Consequently, we to be acrimonious monocracy. as a nation have not been able to Economically, statistics are play our part in the national and

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 4 international affairs despite our sense of mission, the confusion invaluable culture, enormous cannot be cleared and the sense of population and immense and diverse direction retrieved. These unhappy natural resources. if not gloomy thoughts stare us on the face with deep poignancy as we What is most unfortunate is that celebrate another birth anniversary there has been a rapid decline in of Swami Vivekananda, whose life the moral and ethical values both and mission were the inspiration at the individual and collective for almost all our stalwarts of levels. For a country whose unique the freedom movement. Every one of strength is rooted in spirituality them has gratefully acknowledged which is the basis of all values, in unmistakable terms their this is a fatal lapse which indebtedness to Swamiji for their undermines the very rationale of commitment to the nation and its our existence. Before we could freedom. Mahatma Gandhi’s tribute settle down as a stable and vibrant is brief but eloquent. “I have gone socio-economic and political power, through his works very thoroughly, globalization at a furious pace has and after having gone through them, engulfed us with its enormous the love that I had for my country demands and pressures. Our became a thousand-fold “. What political leadership at the helm greater encomium could be paid to of affairs has proved unequal to the Swamiji by a person of the task of leading the nation into Gandhiji’s stature? its rightful place among the comity of nations. Chakravarthy Rajagopalachari, a man of razor-sharp intelligence has This is in sharp contrast with defined Swamiji contribution in a the unshakable confidence, the most befitting manner: - “Swami tremendous will power and the Vivekananda saved Hinduism and clarity of vision which were our saved India. But for him we would assets during our freedom struggle. have lost our religion and would Unless this widening gulf is not have gained our freedom. We bridged and we regain the national therefore owe everything to Swami self-confidence and the glorious Vivekananda. May his faith, his

5 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 courage and his wisdom ever inspire ears, He covers everything. All us so that we may keep safe the other Gods are sleeping. What vain treasure we have received from Gods shall we go after and yet him”. cannot worship the God that we see all around us, the Virat? When we But here one is naturally tempted have worshipped this, we shall be to ask a question. If their able to worship all other Gods “. commitment was genuine and if they Had our devotion to the Motherland had stuck to those great ideals, been as intense as Swamiji wanted would the country have come to such it to be, could it ever be imagined a pass? We have to dispassionately that our leadership would have analyze with due respect to all surrendered to the bullying tactics those stalwarts the real causes of of a section of our population and this divergence between the promise agreed to partition our country? and the practice, between the Was it not the biggest folly which commitment and the achievement. If the leaders of our freedom movement we do so, we will definitely come committed with tragic consequences to the conclusion that their haunting us even to this date? Was commitment to Swamiji’s ideals was it not a shameful climb down from not strong enough to stand the test the firm declaration that India of the challenges they faced. It will not be vivisected before they was exactly sixty years before our themselves were vivisected? Was it independence - and the partition not a case of abdicating a solemn of India - that Swamiji gave the national commitment for the sake clarion call to his countrymen in of immediate authority and power? an inspiring speech delivered at It will not be far from truth to Chennai – “ For the next fifty years say that all the subsequent lapses this alone shall be our key-note, and failures, clashes and - this our great Mother India. Let conflicts, doubts and dilemmas are all other vain Gods disappear for directly traceable to that one that time from our minds. This is major failure to follow Swamiji’s the only God that is awake, our exhortation. In one stroke, the own race, everywhere His hands, concept of Bharat as our Beloved everywhere His feet, everywhere His

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 6 Mother, the holy land, was thrown at one point of time, our leadership to the winds! Dedication to the could not help thinking of Motherland which is the sheet restoring Swamiji to the center- anchor of patriotism – the highest stage by declaring his birthday as value which all our freedom fighters ‘National Youth Day’. But what can cherished, - was abandoned and a mere governmental fiat achieve along with that every other value in the absence of enthusiastic became negotiable. Cheerful and social response inspired by robust optimism gave way to sterile credible role models with a genuine cynicism. That continues even after understanding and deep conviction sixty years. of Swamiji and his ideals? Like every other government order, the II celebration of Swamiji’s birthday During this period of six as the “National Youth Day” became decades, new generations have come a secular ritual devoid of its up. The world has changed a lot. spiritual and patriotic content. India is no exception. New ideas With hindsight, it can be stated and ideologies have swept across that it only made the prevailing the country, most of them foreign. confusion worse confounded. The The stirring words and the glowing response has been half-hearted and example of Swami Vivekananda, who hazy. can rightly be called the ‘Mantra Swamiji was a staunch Drashta’ of Modern India, have nationalist. He spoke passionately increasingly been marginalized from about our nation and its greatness. our mainstream thought-currents He imparted to us a profound vision while nothing else could even be of our role in forging a new world thought of as a fairly viable order. But with the present craze substitute. A huge void remained for globalization, our youth find which petty ideas and cheap slogans it difficult even to accept the from outside tried to occupy. The concept of Nation. National pride result is all-around selfishness, appears to them anachronistic, in corruption, power politics, the rapidly changing world communal conflicts, etc. No wonder, situation. The vision of India’s

7 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 role is now confined to certain nations big or small. Nationalism areas of technological innovations is an essential stage of human and professional expertise. There evolution which cannot be abolished is no philosophy of patriotism to for any foreseeable future. It has guide them and hence there is no to play a very vital role in the depth in their approach. At present march of humanity towards its final they are citizens of a world goal of a Commonwealth of Nations. dominated by momentary ‘Throw away Nationalism in India is a positive every thing—including inviolable concept unlike in the western family ties – culture’, India is countries. Swamiji made it clear the land with the largest and that every nation is a living entity brightest population of promising with a soul, a distinct mission of youths. But how to equip and inspire its own. “ Each nation has a them with a sense of mission, a destiny to fulfil, each nation has true spirit of conviction and a message to deliver, each nation unreserved commitment for the sake has a mission to accomplish. of a noble ideal? How to clear the Therefore, from the very start, we confusion that clouds their vision? must have to understand the mission It is precisely here that Swami of our own race, the destiny it Vivekananda becomes really has to fulfil, the place it has to relevant. occupy in the march of nations, the note which it has to contribute Swamiji has given us a perfectly to the harmony of races”. The tenable, logical and comprehensive fulfilment of that mission is the answer to all the doubts and purpose of its existence. This is questions that the present true of every nation and each one situation has thrown up. is naturally expected to cooperate Globalization or internationalism and coordinate with other nations. does not invalidate nationalism, All together constitute the says Swamiji. In fact without harmonious human family. That was nationalism there can be no the ancient Hindu concept of internationalism. Internationalism, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. ideally, is but the happy and Coordination among and not peaceful co-existence of all the

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 8 domination over other nations is its foundation. That is how the ideal. socialism and communism have collapsed, in spite of their III objective of equality and social To the superficial observers, justice. Globalization is another globalization is going to be the milestone which will also be over- final word in man’s civilizational passed. It will leave its imprint, march. It is sometimes believed that no doubt, but only like earlier the whole world and all countries civilizational phases. One thing and cultures are going to be steam is clear. Whether it is Imperialism rolled into one homogenous or Communism, Socialism or totality. But history tells us that Globalism, none of these can this cannot be. Human nature is so overturn or nullify nationalism. complex that it will not accept That will remain the cornerstone homogeneity as its ideal. All such for the future human civilization. attempts have failed and failed It will ensure human unity with miserably. Imperialism, Communism, cultural diversity which is Socialism, etc. have shared the nature’s – or call it God’s – same fate of temporary success and Design! ultimate collapse. There was a time What is India’s role in all these? when it was claimed that the “sun Swami Vivekananda stated will never set on the British unambiguously that India’s soul Empire”. Communism during its lies in its spirituality and its heydays proclaimed that it is going world mission is to evolve to bring the whole humanity under spiritually and help humanity with its red banner. So claimed its spiritual – Vedantic ideals. Socialism also. But all these have But Swamiji hastened to assure that proved false and history is still spirituality does not mean either on the march. Swamiji’s prediction a cluster of rituals or mere that no social philosophy or social otherworldliness. Spirituality is order however lofty or noble, can a way of life here and now. It sustain itself unless it has the includes ‘Samutkarsha and Vedantic philosophy of Advaita as Nishreyasa’ – material development

9 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 and spiritual enlightenment. He which the world needs which India envisaged future India as a alone can teach. They are more spiritually enlightened nation, relevant today than they were at firmly standing as on economically the time he delivered the prosperous, socially harmonious and historical message. Making a technologically well-equipped, special reference to the Parliament national foundation in total of Religions he said:- “The present harmony with the rest of the world. convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, IV is in itself a vindication, a Swamiji believed that India has declaration to the world, of the a dual role to play - imparting wonderful doctrine preached in the spirituality to the materially Gita: ‘Whosoever comes to Me, advanced countries of the West through whatever form, I reach while learning from them the him; all men are struggling through techniques of organization, mutual paths which in the end lead to cooperation and technological Me.’ Sectarianism, bigotry, and advancement, in order to make its horrible descendant, India’s development balanced and fanaticism, have long possessed total. India should go to the West, this beautiful earth. They have he said, as a teacher, as a Guru filled the earth with violence, and not as a supplicant with a drenched it often and often with begging bowl. That will bring us human blood, destroyed respect. Swamiji himself was a civilisation, and sent whole shining example. We must nations to despair. Had it not uncompromisingly adhere to our been for these horrible demons, cultural way of life. We may accept human society would be far more and assimilate certain useful ideas advanced than it is now. But their from others, and still be ourselves time is come; and I fervently hope in all essentials. In his famous that the bell that tolled this Chicago speech he proclaimed why morning in honour of this convention the whole world needs India’s may be the death-knell of all unique teaching. There are lessons fanaticism, of all persecutions

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 10 with the sword or with the pen, V and of all uncharitable feelings A great disservice has been done between persons wending their way to Swami Vivekananda by the post- to the same goal”. There is no independence intellectuals of India room for religious conflicts or by creating the impression that to intolerance, much less for the call oneself a Hindu is something haunting specter of terrorism. to be ashamed about. There had Swamiji’s words were prophetic and been a systematic campaign at the its relevance continues with highest levels to propagate that greater urgency. the Swamiji was not in favour of He accepted all religions as calling India a Hindu nation. The valid and all scriptures as valuable implication was that the Hindu up to a point. But he pointed out was a narrow and communal that man in his spiritual evolution nomenclature and as such the name has to go beyond sectarian is better kept out of vogue. Coming religions and written or printed as it did from very high and texts. He says “ We want to lead respectable quarters this mankind to the place where there propaganda made deep impact. It is neither the Vedas, nor the Bible, was a very calculated and dishonest nor the Koran; yet this has to be attempt to pit Swami Vivekananda done by harmonizing the Vedas, the against whatever was Hindu in name Bible and the Koran. Mankind ought and content. There was an to be taught that religions are ideological underpinning to the but the varied expressions of THE vicious propaganda with a deep RELIGION, which is Oneness, so that political motivation. It was the each may choose the path that suits objective of the “leftist, secular him best”. Swami Vivekananda and so-called progressive” unhesitatingly asserted that intelligentsia to destroy the alone fits the role of a genuine cultural nationalism of universal religion because it is this country and to tare apart the beyond sectarianism and absolutely fabric of our national unity. By scientific and fully verifiable. this clever ploy, backed by the ruling elite, they succeeded to a

11 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 large extent in weakening the pride word has resulted in weakening the in . In fact this nation’s pride in its history, was totally against Swamiji’s culture, tradition and worldview. perception. Swamiji was one of the This has done immense harm to the first and foremost exponents of noble cause which Swamiji held in Hindu nationalism. Even at that high esteem and weakened our time there were people, among them national integrity and identity. some sections of Hindus, who The modern educated intelligentsia considered Hindu, a bad word having began to internalize the demeaning notorious connotation. Swamiji had idea that they are a rootless people openly declared that he was one of who were never a nation and thus the proudest of Hindus. Great fell victims to the false propaganda savants like Mahayogi Sri that India is only a “Nation in Aurobindo, following the footsteps the making”. This is one of the of Swami Vivekananda were fully major reasons for the moral and convinced that ours is a Hindu cultural decline in post- nation and Sanatana Dharma was its independence India. Swamiji’s very soul. Sanatana Dharma and Hindu birthday is an occasion for the Dharma had identical connotations, Hindus to initiate a legitimate according to them. He had self-assertion. consistently used the term Hindu VI nationalism in his lectures and writings. Even his definition of Swami Vivekananda would have nationalism that “National union gladly welcomed the beneficial in India must be a gathering up of aspects of Globalization to the best its scattered spiritual forces. A advantage of India and the rest of Nation in India must be a union the world, as it could provide of those whose hearts-beat to the India with abundant channels of same spiritual tune” makes it clear. communication to transmit the Needless to say, it had nothing treasures of spiritual wisdom to negative or reactionary about it. the western world which is deeply But unfortunately politically engrossed in mindless materialism biased propaganda against the and vulgar consumerism. In many of

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 12 his lectures he has reminded us as totally misconceived concept of to how this has happened many a secular politics seems to be time in the past. Whenever nations compelling them to adopt a of the world have been brought hypocritical stand of distancing closer together by imperial themselves from this unique legacy. adventurers or religious Globalisation has brought about missionaries or trading companies, another dimension in the East-West Swamiji has pointed out, that India relationships. They represent two had made use of such occasions for different kinds of civilisations. pouring out her own quota of Swamiji had stated in one of his spiritual and cultural blessings lectures that the West created a to the world at large. Such an ideal model of civilisation that measured situation has presented itself its success in terms of how much a today. As a natural consequence, man can possess and how much one India’s spiritual message is, no can enjoy. The Eastern civilisation doubt, reaching out into all measured its success in terms of corners of the world, slowly but how little a man need to possess steadily, creating its firm and and still happily live. America positive impact. But a more self- represented the Western confident and assertive India could civilisation and India the Eastern. have contributed much more The Indian civilisation centered effectively and successfully and round the concept of “Aparigraha” could have influenced the trend of or non-acquisition and global policies in a more specific renunciation, whereas the Western manner. But it is an unfortunate had “Upabhoga”- consumerism as its fact that while the world is fulcrum. In puranic terminology, prepared and even eager to embrace it could be said that the East and India for her rich gift of the West had the ‘Dadheechi’ and spirituality and our spiritual ‘Yayathi’ syndromes respectively. leaders are making their appeal in In the globalised society, the East their own way, the official India and the West have closely come appears to be fighting shy of together into a global village— publicly owning up our innate forget for the moment with the spiritual and cultural identity. A

13 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 fiercely competitive global market science will fulfil each other and in which these two types come into lay down the foundation for the conflict, yet have to co–exist. It future civilisation of mankind. is clear that India has to play a We shall now conclude with a vital role to impart its unique thought-provoking statement by the culture of ‘Aparigraha’ to temper world renowned historian A.L.Basham the consumeristic mania of the West regarding Swamiji “Even now a and enable the world to strike a hundred years after the birth of healthy balance. Narendranath Dutta, who later Another aspect which Swamiji has became Swami Vivekananda, it is pointed out is that the Hindu very difficult to evaluate his civilisation has no problem with importance in the scale of world’s the modern science. He said, “the history. It is certainly far Hindu is only glad that what he greater than any Western historian has been cherishing in his bosom or most Indian historians would have for ages is going to be taught in suggested at the time of his death. more forcible language, and with The passing of years and the many further light from the latest stupendous and unexpected events conclusions of science.”. But it which have occurred since then is not so easy for other religion suggests that in centuries to come to accept the findings of science he will be remembered as one of and still be believers in the tenets the main moulders of the modern of their religion. As Swami world “. Ranganathananda puts it: “But in As we celebrate the Birth the West the Christian theology anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, never allowed science to proceed it is time for India to stand up deeper and deeper. They tried to and respond to the various stop it and even killed a few challenges thrown up by a scientists. So a few well-tested globalised world the way Swamiji truths of science could demolish wanted us to do. the whole dogmas of Christian religion in the modern West”. —P. Parameswaran Indian spirituality and modern

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 14 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA – A GLANCE AT HIS POWER EQUATIONS

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari

Power, pelf, promotion, prospects today. To quote Romain Rolland, “His these are some of the ideas which words are great music, phrases in haunt the modern youth draining of the style of Beethoven, stirring their vital energy. Everybody wants rhythms like the march of Handel to acquire power so that he/she can choruses. I cannot touch these exercise it over others. Everybody sayings of his, scattered as they wants pelf – lots of money so that are through the pages of the books, they can enjoy life to the maximum. at thirty years’ distance without Similarly before starting on any job receiving a thrill through my body they are concerned about the like an electric shock. And what promotion, prospects and perks. Truly shocks, what transports, must have speaking these are universal traits been produced when in burning words of the evolving minds of the youth. they issued from the lips of the How these ideas can be directed for hero”. their maximum advantage in life is of great importance. Did Swami It would be an enlightening Vivekananda also go through such experience to find out when and how mental turbulence? And if so how he could charge his faculties to did he manage to keep them under produce such fiery sparks loaded with control. boundless spiritual energy. This is the unique power which we find hidden In Swamiji’s talks and writings in Vivekananda literature even when he has repeatedly used the words, we read it today. power, strength, courage, fearlessness, manliness and so on. As a young student Narendra was When he used these words they were also keen to develop his muscular not part of his obsessions but were strength and he attended gymnasia like fiery arrows aimed at awakening regularly and attained much the dormant spirit of his audience. proficiency in wrestling and other How he could impart so much of activities. He was equally spiritual energy in and through his interested in developing his mental utterances, which often transformed and intellectual faculties with the the mental attitude and perceptions result those who knew him found in of the listeners, not only of those him a wholesome person. But to him who listened to his live words, but these were not enough. Of course of those who read his words even these helped him to remain rooted

17 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 in truth and righteousness and keep The river of Naren’s life which away from all frailties and evil was meandering without direction at tendencies. Concentration was last reached the ocean. In front of something which came naturally to the sparkling innocence of that him and the result was, unknown to divine personality Naren’s self him his spiritual self was unfolding. importance, based on his physical This awakening, the world noticed prowess, acquired knowledge and in his eagerness to know the Truth. manliness simply melted away. All As his yearnings for Truth became the power that he had been more and more intense he was left accumulating at the physical, mental, with only two options – either to and intellectual levels simply realise the very source of the Truth merged in that Source of Infinite himself or approach someone Strength and Power that who had really experienced was Sri . The Truth. It is this search that confidence, compassion, took him to various great love and above all the men of religion, eager invitation to him to philosophers and pundits of be his companion in his Calcutta. But none of them Godward journey made Naren could quench his thirst for absolutely wonderstruck, Truth. At last in 1881 he still and silent. Suddenly came to the Kali Temple at he realised that here was Dakshineswar to meet Sri the reenactment of an Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. eternal drama of an What he saw there was the unbroken relationship. The Great Master holding in his hand nectar of Advaita which bubbled deep the “amrita kalasha of love and within drew him to the Master again knowledge [nectar of immortality]” and again, culminating in the making and waiting for him as though he of the great universal teacher Swami was fully aware that his future Vivekananda whose power and strength disciple was soon to appear before shook the World Parliament of him. Naren unceremoniously put at Religions on that memorable day 11th his feet the bundle of doubts and September 1893. uncertainties and spontaneously shot out what was uppermost in his mind In Sri Ramakrishna, Swamiji – “Sir, have you seen God?” Sri witnessed the validity of the Ramakrishna immediately recognised Universal Truth of Unity in Diversity the young man’s thirst for Truth which has been the hallmark of Indian and his mental turbulence and once spiritual heritage. He saw in the for ever putting him at ease the Master the consolidation of all the Master said, “Yes, I see Him just scattered vital forces that operate as I see you here, only in a much in Man, Nature and Godhood. The quiet intense sense”. and subtle but powerful all embracing power of the spirit which he experienced took him by surprise.

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 18 Slowly but steadily he could feel ultimate goal of life. He took upon within himself the surging of his himself this mission of making each own inner forces and the realisation individual aware of this innate dawned on him that all the varied divinity so that the rare Indian forces and vital powers have their spiritual fragrance is not lost for origin in the Atman within each the humanity. His now world famous being. This realisation was the addresses in the West and the East unsurpassed gift – awareness of the and the great many service unity of existence that Naren activities for which he gave the received from the Great Master. key mantras – all that and more were Swami Vivekananda’s message is his offering to the great mission therefore replete with this vision he undertook. He offered every breath of one truth, its omnipotence, of his life at the altar of this omniscience and omnipresence. great spiritual mission which was ordained by the Master. Narendranath replenished himself with this new found spiritual power Here lies also Swamiji’s ultimate in two ways. One was through total message to every Indian who has surrender to his Guru as a result understood the universality of of this he became a faultless Sanatana Dharma. This is the instrument for the incessant flow mother’s work which every one of us of Guru’s love and grace which has to undertake whatever may be naturally broke open all the man- his/her vocation, occupation, or made barriers in his mind-intellect. preoccupation, to consolidate their The second was equally important and pay, promotion and prospects. specially relevant with reference Material yearnings are not to the Mother’s work which he was everything. They are transitory. asked to execute by his Master. To They never bring real lasting enable him to do this he critically happiness, sense of achievement nor examined and evaluated each and every peace. Hence every youth should learn word of his Master in the light of to take his/her materialistic the immaculate Truth presented by yearnings to a deeper level and find the Vedas and Upanishads as well as within them the source of all that in the strict logical reasoning of they seek and then link it to one’s the modern scientific conclusions. life’s dharma. What will happen then? And the result was that extraordinary Mark Swamiji’s words, “Teach power, authority, grandeur, yourselves, teach everyone his real universality and the practical nature. Call upon this sleeping soul relevance that we find in the message and see how it awakes. Power will of Swami Vivekananda. come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come, and Extending his revelation to everything that is excellent will encompass the whole of humanity Swami come when this sleeping soul is Vivekananda emphasised the roused to self-conscious activity”. importance of the human effort in achieving self-realisation as the

19 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 To enable this deeper penetration Swamiji’s address was not meant we have only to ‘browse’ through for the parliament alone but for the Vivekananda literature and the entire humanity. Though uttered ‘download’ some of his fiery sparks. on that memorable afternoon of 11th For the convenience of the seekers September 1893 it continues to echo Swamiji has classified his sans time and place, inspiring men observations under the four of the and women everywhere to focus their major human aspirations of Karma, lives on the Eternal Truth which Bhakti, Jnana and Raja yogas. The alone emphasises the solidarity of youth should, however, start their the whole universe the pilgrimage from Swamiji’s first interconnectedness and address at the inauguration of the interrelatedness and interdependence World Parliament of Religions where of all that exist therein. In that he demonstrated the real power of recognition lies one’s true power, Indian spirituality through his pelf, perks and promotion. memorable address “Sisters and Brothers of America”.

....The Vedas being eternal, will be one and the same throughout all ages, but the Smritis

will have an end. As time rolls on, more and more of the Smritis will go, sages will come,

and they will change and direct society into better channels, into duties and into paths

according to the necessity of the age, and without which it is impossible that society can

live.

--Swami Vivekananda

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 20 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA — THE PATRIOT “HINDOO MONK” AND HIS MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH AT CROSS-ROADS Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan

September 11, 1893, is a red-letter humanism from him, day in the history of religions of emerged as a messiah the world. The great patriot “Hindoo of the Monk of India”, Swami Vivekananda, avatarapurusha. It proclaimed to the world the glory was this spirit that of the most ancient spiritual made him thunder at heritage of Bharatavarsha and the Chicago, addressing Mother of all religions—Hinduism— the audience gathered in the Parliament of Religions at at the Parliament of Chicago. Swami Vivekananda’s heart Religions in 1893, as swayed with pride and joy when he “Sisters and Brothers declared that he was a child of of America”, and proclaim to them Mother Bharat and a “Hindu”. The the glory of Hinduism as a universal Immortal Song, Vande Mataram, which religion, not merely tolerant of was written by Rishi Bankim Chandra other faiths, but accepting all Chatterjee and later incorporated creeds as different paths to the in his famous novel, Ananda Math, Supreme Goal. However, Swamiji did burst upon the nation as a power- not belong to that class of people packed mantra driving people to who often pay lip service to the perform incomparable sacrifices for ideals of universal religion and the liberation of the Motherland from humanism and forget their duty to foreign yoke. Swami Vivekananda was their own Motherland and fellow a contemporary of Rishi Bankim citizens. Swami Vivekananda was a Chandra and he was deeply influenced patriot and one who preached the by the latter. His Master, Sri religion of service to fellow human Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who rose beings as a path to eternal from the position of a poor, unknown liberation. His message to the youth and illiterate temple priest to that at cross-roads today and the mission of a world teacher, was the that he has set before them is two- manifestation in human form, of the fold—Love and adoration of the quintessence of all religions. Motherland as the Supreme Deity and Narendra, the representative of the service to Her children, the highest educated intelligentsia of his time form of worship. and a versatile genius, who sat at the feet of the master and imbibed Prophet of Patriotism the spirit of universal religion and

23 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 Vande Mataram, the mantra of of those who cover chains with patriotism, brought under its spell, flowers.” To him, “Freedom, physical great prophets and patriots who freedom, mental freedom and preached the worship of the spiritual freedom are watchwords of Motherland as the path for final the Upanishads.” liberation. They delineated the task before the children of Bharat as “Ay, this is one scripture in the the fight for the emancipation of world, of all others, that does not the Motherland from foreign yoke and talk of salvation, but of freedom”, service to the poor and downtrodden the Swamiji taught his disciples. brethren. Swami Vivekananda stands Even as a student, he was profoundly as first and foremost among them. inspired by Bankim Chandra’s Ananda “The primary object of Swami Math. Sri Ramakrishna used to get Vivekananda was nationalism. To it read out by his disciples and arouse the sleeping lion of India once he sent Narendra and two other and to put it on its proper pedestal disciples to the renowned poet. Vande was his life’s mission. His national Mataram gave Narendra the “Vision ideal was the ideal of Bankim Chandra of Mother India” and turned him into Chattopadhyaya as depicted in the Swami Vivekananda, the patriot monk. revolutionary novel, Ananda Math. According to J.H. Brownfield, Future Mother India, to both of Vivekananda had a profound influence them, was Durga, the Goddess with on the development of the twentieth resplendent face, wearing all sorts century Indian political and social of weapons of force in Her hands, thought, and particularly his gospel and in the left hand, seizing the of national self-assertion found a hair of the Asura, Her enemy, and rich soil in his native Bengal where in the right hand, assuring all not the ground had already been prepared to be afraid (Baravaya)”, says by the writings of Bankim Chandra Bhupendranath Datta, the illustrious Chatterjee. Swamiji advised his famed younger brother of Swami Vivekananda disciple, , to and a renowned revolutionary. Swamiji dedicate herself to the task of wanted to raise all over the country emancipating the whole country. “I a corps of militant youth known for remember very well, Swamiji asked integrity and character and ready me to forge a mighty weapon out of to sacrifice everything for the sake the bones of Bengali youths which of the Motherland. “Liberty is the can free India”, said Sister possession of the brave”, the Swamiji Nivedita in a conversation with the proclaimed. “Conquer your enemies famous patriots, Brahmabandhav and achieve happiness in this world, Upadhyaya and Ashwinikumar Dutta, by appropriately employing saama, in 1906. “The task is going on. The daana, bheda and danda, the four twin precepts which he often repeated weapons of diplomacy”, he advised for us, and Akhand Bharat, the youth of the nation. He had, in have become our daily mantra. They the language of Sister Nivedita, “a are our inspiration in all that we loathing for bondage and a horror do”, she continued.

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 24 While in Europe, Swami Vivekananda by their preceptors and have attached tried to seek the help of Kropotkin, themselves more and more to the less the renowned Russian revolutionary, important tenets and outward and H. Maxim, the inventor of machine manifestations like rituals and gun, for the revolutionaries in ceremonies. Swami Vivekananda India. No wonder that the Holy brought out of oblivion that supreme Mother, Sri , remarked message and placed it once again after the passing away of the great before all those who were groping patriot monk: “Had Naren been living in darkness in their bid to attain now, he would have been in the realization. Company’s jail”. Netaji Subhas Na kaamaye aham gatim Chandra Bose has rightly proclaimed: ishwaraatparam “So far at least as Bengal is Ashtariddhiryukraam concerned, Swami Vivekananda may be apunarbhavam vaa regarded as the spiritual father of Aartim prapadye akhiladeha the modern nationalist movement.” bhaajaam Antasthito yena bhavantya Sister Nivedita, the embodiment dukhaa of the ideal of spiritual nationalism propounded by Swami Vivekananda, had “I do not desire from God that taken up, at the behest of the Swami, great state which is attended by the task of liberating the country the eight supernatural powers or even from the thraldom of alien rule. deliverance from rebirth. Dwelling She resigned from the Ramakrishna in the hearts of all creatures, I Order to dedicate herself completely would bear their suffering that they to the cause of the country’s may be freed from misery.” political freedom. If at all it may be said that Swami Vivekananda had These words of Rantideva in the not directly participated in the Sreemad Bhaagavata represent the freedom struggle, here is Sister summum bonum of the philosophy of Nivedita, the right hand of the life propounded by the Vedic seers patriot-monk, who accomplished and handed down to us through greater things than what he himself generations. Their fervent prayers, had envisaged. Sarve bhavantu sukhinah and Lokaa samastaa sukhino bhavantu—”Let all Serve Man, Serve God the living beings in the whole world be happy”—have echoed and re-echoed Swami Vivekananda is the preacher in the sayings of thousands of great of a unique creed which considers men who have come in their trail service to man as worship of God. and whose actions have been exemplary Though this has been the message of manifestations of what they preached all the founding fathers of great to the world. It is this same message religions of the world, the followers which, in modern times, resounded of those religions have forgotten in the words of the great patriot- in the course of time, the saint, Swami Vivekananda, when he fundamental ideal placed before them said: “May I be born again and again,

25 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 and suffer thousands of miseries, conversation, Panditji remarked that so that I may worship the only God he had come to discuss religion, that exists, the only God I believe but unfortunately the day was wasted in, the sum total of all souls—and in conversation on commonplace above all, my God the wicked, my matters. Swamiji became at once God the miserable, my God the poor grave and solemn and said, “Sir, so of all races, of all species, is long as even a dog of my country the special object of my worship.” remains without food, to feed and take care of him is my religion and From the snow-clad Himalayan anything else is non-religion or ranges which form the crown of our false religion!” Motherland, to the southern tip, , where the three seas Swamiji’s heart bled when he saw wash Her sacred feet, Swami the sufferings of the poor. One day, Vivekananda wandered day and night during his evening walk on the for months together in search of seashore of Madras, he saw the inner peace. But this parivrajaka wretched and half-starved children life brought him face to face with of the fishermen working with their the poverty, ignorance and sufferings mothers, waist deep in water. Tears of the poor and downtrodden millions filled his eyes and he cried out, in the country and made him realize “O Lord, why dost thou create these that his mission in life was not to miserable creatures! I cannot bear seek personal salvation, nor to the sight of them. How long, O Lord, preach religion to the masses, but How long!” Those who were in his to serve—serve these children of company were overcome and burst into immortality who were smothering in tears. the abyss of slavery and social decay. Sitting on the Shripada Shila Swamiji’s spirit of compassion is off the shore of Kanyakumari, he far different from the idea of meditated for three days towards the charity which arises in one’s mind end of 1892 and during these intense pregnant with ego and vanity when hours that he spent there, he one looks down upon others who are discovered the mission in life. And supposedly in the lower rungs of from then, this was the only religion society. His was the product of his that he preached—Service to Humanity. realization of that central vision of Sanatana Dharma, namely, the Once, Pandit Sakharam Ganesh divinity of man. Sri Ramakrishna, Deuskar, the late revered editor of who embodied in himself the entire Hitavadi, came to see Swamiji with theme of Sanatana Dharma, expressed two of his friends. Though they this central vision in a very simple wanted to discuss religion with and beautiful equation: Swamiji, the latter entered into conversation with them about the “Every Jiva or soul is Shiva; people of their province, their Service of the Jiva is the worship material needs and social of Shiva.” conditions. At the end of the long

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 26 Coming from the mouth of a poor, Precept in Practice illiterate Brahmin priest of Dakshineshwar, who rose to the Swamiji set an example before pinnacle of spiritual ecstasy others by living up to what he through sadhana and sacrifice of the preached. While in America, he self, and who spoke from the realm shunned every comfort and pleasure of Supreme Realization, this eternal offered to him by his rich and devout message was received by his worthy disciples, for he felt that he had and illustrious disciple, Swami no right to enjoy them as long as Vivekananda, and broadcast to the his fellowmen in his Motherland world in the following words: lacked even the basic necessities of life. Refusing to make use of “Look upon every man, woman and the luxurious cot and bedding, he everyone as God. You cannot help slept on the bare floor, all the any one; you can only serve; serve time pondering in his mind over the the children of the Lord, serve the condition of his own countrymen. When Lord Himself, if you have the plague and famine rocked Bengal in privilege. If the Lord grants that the last years of the last century, you can help any one of his children, Swami Vivekananda not only set relief blessed you are; do not think too centres whose management was placed much of yourselves. Blessed you are in the hands of Sister Nivedita as that the privilege was given to you Secretary, but he himself went to when others had it not. Do it only live in the slums to inspire courage as a worship. The poor and the in the minds of the people and cheer miserable are for our salvation, so up his workers. He found immense that we may serve the Lord coming happiness in living with the poor in the shape of the diseased, coming and serving them. While in their in the shape of the lunatic, the midst, he was one among them. In leper and the sinner.” the latter part of the year 1901, a number of Santal labourers used to Swamiji never considered doing work in the grounds. good to a fellow being as an act of Swamiji would be talking to them charity. He thundered, “Do you think and listening to their tales of woe. even an ant will die for want of One day he asked one of them, Keshta your help? Most arrant blasphemy! by name, “Would you all like to have The world does not need you at all. a feast here?” The man replied, “Dear Blessed are we that we are given father, if we eat food cooked by the privilege of working for Him, you with salt, we shall lose our not of helping Him. Cut out this caste!” After a long persuasion, he word ‘help’ from your mind. You agreed to Swamiji’s suggestion that cannot help; it is blaspheming. You food might be cooked without salt worship. Stand in that reverent and salt served separately. Under attitude to the whole universe and Swamiji’s personal supervision, a then will come perfect non- feast with choice delicacies was attachment.” served to them. The Santals ate

31 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 joyously, exclaiming from time to …. Him I call a Mahaatman, whose time: “O Swami, where did you get heart bleeds for the poor, otherwise, such fine things? We have never tasted he is a Duraatman…. So long as the such dishes before.” When the meal millions live in hunger and was over, Swamiji told them, “You ignorance, I hold every man a traitor are Narayanas. Today I have who, having been educated at their entertained the Lord Himself by expense, pays not the least heed to feeding you!” Later, to a disciple them!” he remarked, “I actually saw the Lord Himself in them! How simple According to Swamiji, the first hearted and guileless they are!” step to become a patriotic citizen is to feel from the heart. “Feel, Shortly after, to the Sannyasins therefore, my would-be reformers, and Brahmacharins of the Math, he my would-be patriots! Do you feel said, “See how simple hearted these that millions and millions of the poor, illiterate people are! Can you descendants of Gods and of sages mitigate their misery a little? If have become next door neighbours to not, what use is your wearing the brutes? Do you feel that millions Gerua? Sacrificing everything for have been starving for ages? Do you the good of others—this is true feel that ignorance has come over Sannyasa. Sometimes I think within the land as a dark cloud? Does it myself, ‘What is the good of building make you restless? Does it make you monasteries and so forth! Why not sleepless? Has it gone into your sell them and distribute the money blood, coursing through your veins, among the poor. What should we care becoming consonant with your for homes, we who have made the tree heartbeats? Has it made you almost our shelter? Alas! How can we have mad? Are you seized with that one the heart to put a morsel to our idea of the misery of ruin, and have mouths when our countrymen have not you forgotten all about your name, enough wherewith to feed or clothe your fame, your wives, your children, themselves!’ Let us, throwing away your property, even your own bodies? all the pride of learning and study Have you done that? That is the first of the Shastras and all Sadhanas step to become a patriot, the very for the attainment of personal Mukti, first step.” go from village to village, devoting our lives to the service of the poor.” Then the next step, according to Swamiji, is, instead of spending Missionary of Patriotism one’s energies in frothy talk, to find a way out, a practical solution, Swamiji wanted every educated youth to bring the suffering masses out in the country to feel for the poor. of the living death. Yet that is Surcharged with the apostolic fire not all, there is a third thing that of his own personality, Swamiji is required—the will to surmount wrote, “I am poor, I love the poor…. mountain-high obstructions. “If the Who feels in India for the two hundred whole world stands against you sword millions of men and women sunken in hand, would you still dare to do for ever in poverty and ignorance?

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 32 what you think is right? If your and tell them, ‘You are the soul of wives and children are against you, the nation, and in you lies infinite if all your money goes, your name energy which can revolutionize the dies, your wealth vanishes, would world. Stand up, shake off your you still stick to it? Would you shackles, and the whole world shall still pursue it and go on steadily wonder at you!’ Go and found schools towards your goal?”, he asked. among them, and invest them with the ‘Sacred thread’.” Once the determination comes, one must be prepared to make any amount Swamiji had immense faith and of sacrifice. “No great work can be confidence in the success of his done without sacrifice. The Purusha mission. He proclaimed: “Glory unto Himself sacrificed Himself to create the Lord, we will succeed. Hundreds this world. Lay down your comforts, will fall in the struggle—hundreds your pleasures, your name, fame or will be ready to take it up…. Faith— position, nay, even your lives and sympathy, fiery faith and fiery make a bridge of human chains over sympathy. Life is nothing, death is which millions will cross the ocean nothing. Glory unto the Lord—March of life.” on; the Lord is our General. Do not look back to see who falls—forward— It is this goal of making a bridge onward! Thus and thus we shall go of human chains which inspired him on, brethren. One falls and another to bring into existence the Sri takes up the work.” Ramakrishna Order of Sannyasins. “A hundred thousand men and women, fired Swamiji’s outpourings, saturated with the zeal of holiness, fortified with the spirit of patriotism and with eternal faith in the Lord, and service to humanity, were nothing nerved to lion’s courage by their but the echoes of the voice of the sympathy for the poor and the fallen great sages and seers of and the downtrodden, will go over Bharatavarsha who proclaimed, the length and breadth of the land, “Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi preaching the gospel of salvation, gareeyasi”—”Mother and Motherland the gospel of help, the gospel of are greater than heaven.” In “Our social raising up—the gospel of Master and His Message”, which is equality.” He gave them as the ideal an introduction written in 1907 to and motto—the great mantra, the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita sums Aatmano mokshaartham jagat hitaaya up the message and mission of her cha great master in the following words:

—‘for one’s own spiritual “In the four volumes of the works liberation and for the welfare of of Swami Vivekananda which are to humanity’. He commanded his compose the present edition, we have followers: “And go to the what is not only a gospel to the untouchables, the cobblers, the world at large, but also to its own sweepers and others of their kind, children, the Charter of Hindu Faith.

33 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 What Hinduism needed, amidst the as long as the holy rivers flow on general disintegration of the modern the sacred soil of Motherland era, was a rock where she could lie nourishing and nurturing the lives at anchor, and authoritative of our people, as long as Sanaatana utterance in which she might Dharma sustains human values in the recognize herself. And this was given world, the eternal message of the to her, in these words and writings Upanishads—Uttishthata, jaagrata, of Swami Vivekananda. praapyavaraan nibodhata—”Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal “For the first time in History, is reached”—passed on to us by the as has been said elsewhere, Hinduism great patriot-monk would goad us to itself forms here the subject of action and to march on from success generalization of a Hindu mind of to success. May the great Swamiji’s the highest order. For ages to come life and work be the beacon light the Hindu man would verify, the Hindu to guide our younger generation at mother who would teach her children, cross-roads to realize the meaning what was the faith of their ancestors and purpose of their life and to will turn to the pages of these books march on to immortality through for assurance and light. Long after service to Motherland and humanity. the English language has disappeared from India, the gift that has here been made, through that language, to the world, will remain and bear Tam desikendram paramam pavitram its fruit in East and West alike. Vishwasya paalam madhuram yateendram What Hinduism had needed, was the organizing and consolidating of its Hitaaya nrinaam naramoortimantam own idea. What the world had needed was a faith that had no fear of Vivekanandam aham namaami truth. Both these are found here. —”My obeisance unto Swami Nor could any greater proof have Vivekananda, the chief of preceptors, been given of the eternal vigour of the holiest of the holy, the the Sanaatana Dharma, of the fact protector of the world, the sweet- that India is as great in the present tongued king among monks, who took as ever in the past, than this rise to human form for the welfare of of the individual who, at the mankind!” critical moment, gathers up and voices the communal consciousness.” Vande Mataram! As long as the heaven and earth, and the mountains and seas exist,

Save yourself by yourself! There is none to help you ——never was. To think that there is, is a sweet delusion. --Swami Vivekananda

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 34 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA TO YOUTH

Mannava Gangadhara Prasad

Swami Vivekananda had great Youth life is the most precious confidence on youth. He ignited the life. ‘Youth’ is the best time in minds of youth with his sparkling an individual’s life. The way in words. He worked to inspire youth which you utilize this period will around the world. He has tremendous decide your future. Your happiness, belief in youth. Once he said, ‘if your achievement, your reputation I had ten youth of steel nerves and and all depend upon the way in which iron muscles, I can shake the whole you work now. You can wisely mould world.’ That is the confidence of your life, your character, your Vivekananda on youth. health and mental strength.

Today unrest, hopelessness, “We are responsible for what we physical provocations in and out are are, and whatever we wish ourselves confusing the youth around the world. to be, we have the power to make We can see the unrest and extremism ourselves. If what we are now has in youth all over the globe. Lack been the result of our own past of right direction, lack of right actions, it certainly follows that education, characterless information whatever we wish to be in future is penetrating into the youth. This can be produced by our present results in militancy, fanaticism. actions; so we have to know how to Why youth are not treated properly? act”. Is it not our (elders) mistake? O youth, be aware of this great That inborn thought provoked me duty. Feel this wonderful privilege. to write this… the answer to the Take up this adventure. The world above question is Swami Vivekananda. has put its faith in you. Your elders His teachings, his leadership to the keep their hopes in you. Now youth youth can be adaptive even in today’s means to place your firm confidence environment. in yourself and exercise your hopeful determination and resolution and So many young people were diverted willing good intentions in this into danger due to lack of proper beautiful task of self-culture. This direction, education and motivation will truly bring supreme satisfaction in their early days. Right advice and fulfilment not only to you, but in right time should help one to also to the nation. The shaping of build his future. your life is indeed in your own hands.

37 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 “Death is better than a vegetating clear-cut vyaktitva, in most cases, ignorant life; it is better to die due to the undeveloped feudal social on the battlefield than to live a background. life of defeat”. This transcendence of mere organic Youth is dynamite. It signifies individuality into personality, the creation of noble personality. through conscious social Please try to understand the correct participation, is the only way to implication of the term successful happy family life and to full life. When you talk of success with national reference to life, it does not merely integration. mean succeeding in everything that ( Swami you undertake or do; it does not Ranganathananda). merely mean succeeding in fulfilling all wants or getting whatever you “The remedy desire; it does not just mean for weakness acquiring a name or attaining a is not position or imitating fashionable brooding over ways appearing modern or up-to-date. weakness, but The essence of true success is what thinking of you make of yourself. It is the strength. conduct of life that you develop, Teach men of it is the character that you the strength cultivate and it is the type of that is already within them”. person you become. This is the Swami Vivekananda has lived his central meaning of successful life to uplift the mankind; he wanted living. Such successful life is one us to shine and prosper! What great that succeeds in producing an ideal importance is of the youth when the individual, a noble man. Your success foundation is built for the life! is not measured in terms of what Difficulties will come but so what; all you obtained but in terms of Swamiji said, “Struggle, Struggle, what you become, how you live and Struggle is the sine qua non of life what actions you do. Upon this point and stagnation is death; Vedas reflect well and attain great proclaim this as “Charaivaiti, happiness. Charaivaiti, Charaivaiti….” In this context, we can use two May you all shine and prosper! words from our Sanskrit or Hindi: May you all live and lead the life vyaktitva, for individuality and of purity, character and virtues. vikasita vyaktitva, for personality. Be vigilant and diligent with your A child is first a vyakti; then he actions, sincere in your efforts and or she grows into a vikasita vyakti. regular in your spiritual practices. Sociologically speaking also, when May you all achieve this and uplift any of our children, especially from the nation, which was the desire of rural and backward areas, first Swami Vivekananda. comes to school, he or she has no

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 38 PURPOSE OF LIFE IN THE LIGHT OF VIVEKANANDA’S TEACHINGS P.Gupta

According to a tale told by Anatole karma is service to France, the history of mankind has humanity. Throw away been summarized in seven words – everything, even your men are born, they suffer, they die. own salvation and to A man may be sitting on a mountain help others. The of wealth and prosperity but he still nation is sinking the lives a life of worry, anxiety and curse of the dissatisfaction. The paradox of our unnumbered millions is time is— on our heads. We have bigger houses but nuclear families, Sage Veda Vyasa was given a unique we have more degrees but less sense, assignment. He was asked to study more experts but less solutions, all the philosophies and spiritual more medicines but less wellness literature and sum it up in short. we have multiplied our possessions After intense study with the help but reduced our values, of his yogic power, he issued a one- we have learned how to make a living liner the act of greatest merit is but not a life, to help others and the greatest act we have added years to life, not of sin is to cause intentional pain life to years to others. Therefore, the first we have conquered outer space but principle that we have to remember not inner space. is that devotion to duty is the highest form of worship to God and We are always getting ready to the most sacred duty is service to live but never living. The above mankind. paradox is mainly due to the fact that in an uncertain and chaotic The second important aspect to world it appears that for many people remember is that there is ocean of values are dead. infinite powers and blessedness within you. Swamiji exhorted, ‘Do How to get over the situation? you know how much energy, how many Swamiji’s teachings will guide us powers, how many forces are still as he integrated Religion and Karma. lurking behind that frame of yours? What scientist has known all that Each soul is potentially divine. is in man? Millions of years have Religion is the manifestation of passed since man first came here, Divinity already in man. The best

41 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 yet only an infinitesimal part of All this depends on how we live his power has been manifested’. and how we act. There has never been nor will ever be a gift greater than The third aspect to remember is the gift of life. Life is likened the great need for building to a bridge between birth and death. character. Swamiji said, “the basis We have got this life to become of all systems social or political perfect and to go back to our real rests on the goodness of man. No abode and get liberation from birth. nation is great or good because But Moksha is not freedom from action parliament enacts this or that but but freedom in action. We have to because its men are great and good”. keep our face always towards the Swamiji’s hope for the future lies sunshine and the shadow will fall in the youths of character, behind. One is a sad and unproductive intelligent, obedient, renouncing person when he sees difficulties in all for the service of others. every opportunity. But he is The fourth aspect is national successful and creative only when reconstruction. Swamiji’s dream of he sees opportunities in every the future of our country was an difficulty. Let not the seeds in India, spiritually united, the grape spoil the enjoyment, spit economically strong, socially stable them out one-by-one. and imbued with ethical passion. India has to become Jagatguru again.

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 42 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AS A TRUE NATIONALIST Dr.A.R.Mohapatra

Swami Vivekananda was a true note in this nationalist in heart and spirit. He harmony of was at the same time an idealist, a nations, and rationalist and a spiritualist. He this is its very was a social reformer and a social life, its activist. He was also democrat of vitality. In it the first order. He proudly is the backbone, proclaimed ‘I am an Indian, every the foundation Indian is my brother, say, the and the bedrock ignorant Indian, the poor and of national destitute Indian is my brother. The life.” Indian is my brother, the Indian is my life, India’s gods and goddesses The renowned are my God. The soil of India is my philosopher, Dr.T.M.P.Mahadevan highest heaven, the good of India says, “The reawakening of India which th is my good. O Thou Mother of began in the 19 century and of strength, take away my weakness, take which Swami Vivekananda was the most away my unmanliness and make me a stalwart leader, has infused into Man. the people of this country a new life and a new hope. Imbued with a Swami Vivekananda was an idealist new strength, leaders in all walks social philosopher. Swamiji once of life emerged; and Mahatma Gandhi, declared that he was a socialist. the Father of the Nation, made us He did not think socialism was achieve our goal of independence. perfect, but he said ‘half a loaf is The foundations of this, let us better than no bread. He has been remember, were surely laid by Swami described as patriot–saint of India, Vivekananda, the patriot–monk of an Indian nation-builder, or the India. Though Swamiji’s mission was father of Indian nationalism. Swami a spiritual one, the spirit of Vivekananda’s approach to Nationalism that he aroused in the nationalism was more cultural and country made agents of British power spiritual than political and terribly afraid of him. The fire he economical. According to Swami helped to light in this ancient land Vivekananda “Each nation has its own of ours was responsible for scorching past, peculiarity, and individuality the bonds which had kept India a with which it is born. Each slave. So we must remember that Swami represents, as it were, one peculiar

45 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 Vivekananda was a pioneer in after them all. The best way to reach politics”. God is by the service of man.”

After hearing Swami Vivekananda’s He also said ‘after so much fiery message of Vedantic austerity, I have understood this nationalism, thousands of enslavened as real truth—God is present in every Indians were inspired and became bold Jiva, there is no other God besides enough to challenge the mighty that. Who serve Jiva, serves God British Empire. Mahatma Gandhi has indeed.’ Swami Vivekananda’s love acknowledged that his patriotism for India was the product of his became a thousand-fold after he read love for man. To awaken men and women Swamiji’s lectures. Rajaji writes, everywhere to their divine nature Vivekananda saved Hinduism and saved was his life mission. His conception India. Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose of nationalism was expressed through says, Vivekananda may be regarded his love for humanity. His worship as the spiritual father of the modern of God becomes identified with the national movement. service of the masses. His love for Indian masses and worship of God Swami Vivekananda’s contributions became the service of Mother India. towards Indian nationalism were the following: To Swami Vivekananda the purpose 1 . “I am Indian, every Indian is of religion and education is man- my brother”. making. Men are the living God and 2 . “Arise, awake and stop not till to serve these poor illiterate and the goal is reached.” afflicted person alone is the highest 3 . “The essence of my religion is religion. He said “I do not believe strength. Strength is greater in a religion which cannot wipe the than religion and nothing is widow’s tears or stop the orphan’s greater than strength.” wails. It is an insult to starving 4 . “Avoid weakness and slavery”. people to offer them religion, it 5 . “Be and make”. is an insult to a starving man to 6 . “Be bold and fear not”. teach him metaphysics.” In the words 7 . “Be strong, and stand on your of his Master (Guru) Sri Ramakrishna own feet.” Paramahamsa ‘Religion is not for 8 . “The goal of the soul is empty bellies.’ Thus as a patriot freedom”. nationalist, Swamiji loved India very much and he believed that it has a Swami Vivekananda loved his message for the world and can give motherland and its people. He used spiritual help to the world. to say frequently that “I am the worshipper of Daridranarayana, of Swami Vivekananda’s conception of the Narayana who is located in all India’s nationhood and national the poor people of the world. So vitality is very comprehensive. For long as they are there, how can I him nationalism did not mean merely content myself with my own love of our motherland but also means salvation….It is my duty to look that we should love our religion

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 46 and culture, our spiritual heritage He said, India will be raised not and scriptures, and should feel with the power of the flesh but with proud of them. It also means that the power of the spirit, not with we should have love and reverence the flag of destruction but with for all the great men and women in the flag of peace and love….He loved our history and revere their memory. India not because it was the land At the same time we should love the of his birth, but because it was a poor, the downtrodden, the helpless great country, a country which had and miserable who are with us. produced the loftiest possible truths. He wanted India to live on Swami Vivekananda has been more for the sake of the world than described as the patriot-saint of for her own sake. India, an Indian nation-builder. He emphasized in almost all his lectures In foreign tour to America Swamiji and discussions that ‘Religion and could not sleep for pondering over religion alone is the life of India, India’s plight. He said with tears and when that goes, India will die, ‘O Mother what do I care for name in spite of politics, in spite of and fame when my motherland remains social reforms, in spite of Kubera’s sunk in utmost poverty! Who will wealth proud upon the head of every raise the masses in India? Who will one of her children’. give them bread? Show me, O Mother, how I can help them.’ As a nationalist and lover of India, Swamiji has few noble ideas.

47 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 VK Samachar

KODUNGALLUR Ganesha. This was part of the yagna which every mother should start her A UNIQUE WORKSHOP AT ANANDA DHAM day with. A small piece of coconut After conducting regular monthly dipped in ghee was offered in the satsanghs a feeling was creeping in burning embers of the Homa kunda that something should be done to with prayer to Lord Ganesha for cement these ideas in the day today prosperity and right conduct. The lives of our listeners more firmly. significance of this was explained The very sad state of family life, as this is a simple ritual of Deva the absolute lacklustre homes and yagna. This was followed by an hour negligence of one’s dharmic duty have talk on the relevance of Pancha started eroding into the vitals of mahayagnas in upholding Sanatana Hindu faith. It was therefore felt dharma. Sri L. Girish Kumar, that something should be done to Director, School of Tantric Studies expand the individual’s awareness explained in detail the theory and and make him see the divine play in practice of all the five Yagnas, and around in which everyone has Brahma yagna, Deva yagna, Pitru his or her role to play. yagna, Bhoota yagna and Nara yagna. The importance of daily prayer and To bring this fact of meditation on the Supreme was interdependence home, our great emphasised as it denotes Brahma teachers have introduced the Yagna. To take care of the infinite beautiful concept of Pancha Maha number of visible and invisible Yagnas. Unfortunately nobody is living forms around us, it is practising this with proper necessary to feed them with grains, awareness. If this could be rice powder, water and so on. popularized in a scientific way it Planting trees and caring for them can enliven the individual and the are also part of Bhoota yagna which family in a beautiful harmonious way. has great relevance in today’s day A workshop was therefore arranged today life. Equally important is on 25th November ‘07 with the Pitru yagna which is symbolically participation of some sixty men and done by feeding crows with cooked women. The workshop started with food before we partake of it. In Vedic chanting, lighting of the lamp practical life it should manifest and a simple, Ganapati Homa where as the care and concern we show to everyone made their offerings to Lord the elderly members in the family

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 50 and the society. Last but not the of popularizing amrita surabhi least comes the Nara Yagna through programme among our well-wishers. which we extend our heartfelt It is intended to take up such hospitality to the guest and other workshops in different parts of human beings who are in need of help Kerala in collaboration with the and attention. School of Tantric Studies.

Every yajna was symbolically Nagpur carried out by each member with great reverence and cordiality which left A Sadhana Divas was observed on th every participant with a deep sense 19 November ’07. Sri Anand Bagedia, of satisfaction arising out of the Nagar Pramukh, spoke on the expansion of mind. importance of the day. Sri Suresh Patil, Vibhag Sanghatak, narrated Due to popular demand the workshop some incidents from the life of was again repeated on 16th December. Ma.Eknathji. 46 Karyakartas including This gave us an opportunity to 24 sisters attended the function. introduce our long cherished dream

51 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 Sri S.K.Jain (IPS), S.P.West Siang, Aalo, “Nayi dagar, Gaya safar”… song by the tiny- inaugurates the sports meet on 7th December ‘07. tots of VKV Jirdin.

Volleyball Tournament. Traditional Galo reception to Chief Guest and other guests on 9th December 2007 – Inaugural function of 25th year celebration.

Galo Traditional Mantra chanting by Sri Mogi Mananeeya Sri A.Balakrishnanji, Vice- Ori. President, VK, KK releases – VKVs School Magazine ‘Arohi’. Dr.Joram Begi, Pranta Pramukh, VK Arunachal Pradesh, is near..

Published and printed by L.Madhavan on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra from 5, Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. at M/s. RNR Printers and Publishers, 8, Thandavarayan Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. Editor: P Parameswaran.

YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 52 Pyramid by students of VKV Jirdin.

Sri Boken Ete releases ‘Ome Lou’ Souvenir of VKV Jirdin receives Mandakini Memorial Kho- VKV Jirdin. Kho Tournament Winner Trophy from Susri Rekha Davey.

Winner & Runner (Jirdin & Nivedita Vihar), Band display on inaugural function by VKVs team of Mandakini Memorial Kho-Kho Tourna- Jirdin, Nirjuli and Balijan. ment 2007 with Kendra elders & teachers.

Procession on concluding day of 25th year Celebration.

53 YUVA BHARATI - January 2008 Please Bear With Us

An Appeal

With the goodwill and patronage of all our readers and well-wishers, Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust, has been able to bring out two periodicals, Yuva Bharati, a monthly, and Vivekananda Kendra Patrika, a half-yearly. Without the unstinted support and co-operation of our subscriber-friends and well-wishers, many of whom have been helping the cause of the periodicals through their valuable advertisements, it would have been well-nigh impossible for us to run these periodicals, when the general climate and the commercial trends are not congenial to the sustenance of such publications. The cost of paper and the printing of books and periodicals is soaring beyond manageable limits. But then, the cause for which the publications stand, should continue to be served. After much deliberation, we are constrained to revise the rate of subscription as given below with effect from 1.2.2008. We are confident that we will continue to receive the same co-operation and support from our friends and well-wishers in our efforts to publish and propagate the value-based ideals of Swami Vivekananda aimed at Man-making and Nation-building.

(D.Bhanudas) Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust, Chennai – 600 005

Revised Subscription Rates for YUVA BHARATI (With effect from February 2008 issue) Current Rate New Rate (Inland) Rs. Rs.

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