Swami Vivekananda was an incredibly versatile personality with extensive knowledge of various subjects, including Western philosophy. He was the first Hindu monk in India to spread the message of Hinduism and ‘Sanatan Dharma’. He founded the ‘Sanatan’ dominion values, culture and Hinduism decisively.It was a great achievement because Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863 in Calcutta, did it at a time when the whole world was looking down on us.
Blessed with a yogic temperament, he practiced meditation since childhood. His life was inquisitive to the core and from the time he came in contact with Sri Ramakrishna Paramhana he underwent a fundamental change which later developed into a unique guru-disciple relationship with few parallels in the history of spiritual masters. One day in November 1881, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa asked, “Sir, have you seen God? He replied, “Yes, I do. I see Him as clearly as you do, only in a much more intense sense.”
Under the divine guidance of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhans, Swami Vivekananda took steps on the spiritual path. His speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893 left an indelible mark on the gathering of religious and spiritual figures of different faiths from all over the world. He opened his speech by speaking from the bottom of his heart to the gathering as “Sisters and Brothers of America”, which was followed by thunderous applause from the audience.
Swami Vivekananda said: “It fills my heart with unspeakable joy to rise in response to the warm and hearty welcome you have given us. Thank you on behalf of the oldest monastic order in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religion; and I thank you on behalf of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.’
Swamiji further added, “I am proud to belong to a religion that teaches the world tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance but we accept all religions as true… I am proud to belong to a nation that provides protection to the persecuted and refugees of all religions and all nations on earth.” Swamiji was of the firm opinion that all roads lead to the one true God as also mentioned in the Rig Veda that “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti” (Truth is one; the wise call it by various names.)
Swami Vivekananda view on modern Indian secularism
His views on modern Indian secularism were based on equal respect for all faiths. He promoted religious tolerance as part of public culture because he wanted harmony and peace. It was not just an empty proposition but a strong intention to serve the people with compassion and without any discrimination on the basis of caste or religion. There was no room for appeasement in his views on secularism. It was all encompassing, which he preached in the USA and Great Britain, two countries he visited extensively after his historic lecture at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893.
Swami Vivekananda principle of morality and ethics
Swami Vivekananda’s concept of the potential divinity of the soul, the principle of morality and ethics and being a bridge between East and West, and a sense of unity, pride in the past and a sense of mission are real assets to us. It defined and strengthened the sense of unity for us as a nation and provided a proper understanding of the great spiritual heritage of our country. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose wrote, “Swamiji harmonized East and West, religion and science, past and present. And that’s why he’s great. Our compatriots gained unprecedented self-esteem, self-confidence and self-assertion from his teachings.”
In the words of the distinguished British historian A L Basham, he will be remembered for centuries to come as one of the main creators of the modern world…!”
Swami Vivekananda was an inspirational personality. For him, youth was a harbinger of hope and a fulcrum of change. His clarion call still rings in our hearts and minds – Arise and don’t stop until the goal is reached. He said he wanted young men with muscles of iron, nerves of steel and huge hearts. He wanted the youth of the country to have a strong will to serve the motherland and the masses. He once said, “Go, all of you, wherever there is pestilence or famine, or wherever people are in need, and relieve their suffering” by serving the country.
Swami Vivekananda India travel journey
During his travels in India, Swami Vivekananda was deeply moved to see the appalling poverty and backwardness of the masses, especially the downtrodden. He was the first religious leader in India who understood and openly declared that the real cause of India’s downfall was the neglect of the masses. Because of centuries of oppression, they have lost faith in their ability to improve their lot. He realized that despite their poverty, ‘the masses clung to religion but never learned the life-giving, ennobling principles of Vedanta and how to apply them in practical life’.
He saw education as the only means to improve their economic situation and spiritual knowledge that instilled faith in themselves and strengthened their moral sense. What was education for him? In his own words: “An education which does not help the common mass of men to prepare themselves for the struggle of life, which does not impart strength of character, the spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion—is it worth the name? True education is what enables a man to stand on his own two feet.” That is self-confidence!
As a divine soul, Swami Vivekananda visualized the role of science and technology in improving the lives of human beings. So when he met Jamshedji Tata on the ship, he asked him for help in creating human capital dedicated to science. Inspired by the words of Swami Vivekananda, Jamshedji Tata founded the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru! Swamiji wanted to “bring the best aspects of both the traditional Hindu and Western educational systems”.
During Amrit Kaal, let us utilize as much as possible the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the great philosopher, thinker, orator, poet and the greatest patron of youth to create Atmanirbhar Bharat! We celebrate 12th January, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, as National Youth Day to draw inspiration from “Swamiji’s philosophy and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the youth of India”.
The dream of Ek Bharat, Sarvshrestha Bharat and creation of Vishwa Guru India can be realized by following the path shown by Swami Vivekananda which is the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s governance. Let us resolve today to assimilate the essence of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings – national spirit, patriotism, unity in diversity, inclusiveness and purity! This will be a real tribute to Swami Vivekananda.
By: Vaishali Verma
