Swami Vivekananda: The Great Indian Monk
Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk of India. He was the favorite disciple of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna, who wanted him ‘to grow like a huge banyan tree’ for sheltering thousands from the scorching misery of the world. Vivekananda turned himself to that position as was desired by his preceptor. Swamiji’s teachings and philosophy are a reinterpretation and synthesis of various strands of Hindu thought, most notably classical Yoga, and (Advaita) Vedanta, with Western esotericism and Universalism. He blended religion with nationalism and applied this reinterpretation to various aspects of education, faith, and character building as well as social issues pertaining to India. His influence extended also to the West, and he was instrumental in introducing Yoga to the West. Vivekananda was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj and Western universalism and esotericism by his guru Ramakrishna, who regarded the Absolute and the relative reality to be non-dual aspects of the same integral reality.
India’s development, India’s future, and India’s growth firmly reside in the teachings of our philosophers and religious gurus, particularly Swami Vivekananda. He said, “Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith, faith in God – this is the secret of greatness.” Let us have faith in our inherent capacity, the strength of ourselves, and in God Almighty. For the poor and weaker sections of society his inspiring words shall rejuvenate them, I am sure. He asserted “Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest hearsay to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin – to say that you are weak, or others are weak.” Never underestimate yourself. You have the strength of 100 lions within you. Only thing is that you have to realize it in mind. Man’s mind is the mightiest instrument, biggest robot, and greatest powerful engine in the world. Remember, the word ‘impossible’ finds only in the dictionary of the fools. The book –Vivekananda: His Call to the Nation asserts that “Whatever you think of yourself you are so. If you think you can win, if you can think you are the best, you are actually the best. So, never say “No”, never say, “I cannot,” for you are infinite.”
Vedanta
Vivekananda propagated that the essence of Hinduism was best expressed in Adi Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Nevertheless, following Ramakrishna, and in contrast to Advaita Vedanta, Vivekananda believed that the Absolute is both immanent and transcendent. He felt that each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work, worship, mental discipline, or philosophy – by one, or more, or all of these—and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, dogmas, rituals, books, temples, or forms, are but secondary details.
Yoga and Samkhya
Vivekananda’s emphasis on nirvikalpa samadhi was preceded by medieval yogic influences on Advaita Vedanta. In line with Advaita Vedanta texts like Drg-Drsya-Viveka (14th century) and Vedantasara (of Sadananda) (15th century), Vivekananda saw samadhi as a means to attain liberation.
Vivekananda popularized the notion of involution, a term which Vivekananda probably took from western Theosophists, notably Helena Blavatsky, in addition to Darwin’s notion of evolution, and possibly referring to the Samkhya term satkarya. Theosophic ideas on involution have “much in common” with “theories of the descent of God in Gnosticism, Kabbalah, and other esoteric schools.” According to Meera Nanda, “Vivekananda uses the word involution exactly how it appears in Theosophy: the descent, or the involvement, of divine consciousness into matter.” With spirit, Vivekananda refers to prana or Purusha, derived (“with some original twists”) from Samkhya and classical yoga as presented by Patanjali in the Yoga sutras.
Vivekananda linked morality with control of the mind, seeing truth, purity, and unselfishness as traits that strengthened it. He advised his followers to be holy, and unselfish, and to have shraddha (respect) for others. Vivekananda supported Brahmacharya, believing it the source of his physical and mental stamina and eloquence. He wanted shraddha for the teachers and elders. What makes one man great, and another weak and low is this shraddha. With respect for elders, parents, and teachers one can attain the goal of perfection.
His Teachings of Fearlessness
Swamiji’s inspiration awakens the needy and even “Those who are meek and afraid to fight for good, and fight for survival.” He said, “Never mind the struggles, the mistakes….Never mind the backsliding, hold the ideal a thousand times, and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more.” Professor Sachinandan Sau in his book – Life, Philosophy, and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda (2021) highlights that “It is fear that is the great cause of misery in the world and it is the greatest of all superstitions. It is the cause of our woes and it is fearlessness that brings heaven even in a moment.” Swamiji advised the young friends to be strong – both mentally and physically. Unless you are bold, fearless, and strong how can you win the struggle of life? How can you bear the responsibility of society and family? Make yourself strong first by physical exercise daily including sports, games, swimming, and running, you will feel like a fresh morning bird free to move anywhere and do whatever strenuous work you may be given. Remember, strength is life, and weakness is the other name of death. The journey of life is risky. The way of life is very difficult, like walking on the edge of a razor; yet don’t allow despair to enter your mind. Keep on smiling in mind, strengthen your jaws, harden your mind, dispel the despair and increase your labor, you are the ultimate winner, friends.
His Teachings on Concentration
A man cannot do all the work in his entire life. So make only one goal – a noble goal of life. And keep on pursuing your goal without looking hither and thither. “All the great prophets, saints, and seers of the world – what did they do? In one span of life, they lived the whole life of humanity, traversed the whole length of time that it takes ordinary humanity to come to perfection. In our life they perfect themselves; they have no thought for anything else; never live a moment for any other idea, and thus the way is shortened for them. This is what is meant by concentration, intensifying the power of assimilation, thus shortening the time.”
An Ideal Way of Life
Every good successful man is hard-working, sincere, and very honest. Someone may differ in relating to ‘honesty,’ but the former two concepts cannot be denied at all. Also, an ideal life is that which is based on truthfulness, purity, and unselfishness. Another important thing is that we should do good to others. Doing good work always generates good results; whereas doing evil work always brings misery to your life. Doing good and thinking good is a great virtue while injuring others; stealing, killing, raping, and cheating are sins. Swamiji said, “It is my firm conviction that no great work is accomplished in this world by low cunning.”
Swamiji’s Call to the Young Generation
Swami Vivekananda relied much on young people. They are full of vigor and vitality. He said, “My faith is in the younger generation, the modern generation, out of them will come my workers. They will work out the whole problem, like a lion. I have formulated the idea and have given my life to it….They will spread from center to center until we have covered the whole of India.” The young boys and girls, many of whom are now directionless, shall renounce everything and sacrifice their lives for their country’s sake.
I appeal to every individual and especially all my students and the younger generation of this country to forget your caste, creed, color, gender, and social position. Our country is very beautiful; love the country, and do whatever you can for increasing the capability and skill of people, especially the rural and urban slum dwellers, poor day laborers, lowly educated people, distressed women, and children, and other backward people. We must not examine the caste, gender, or color of a man. He is our brother. He needs our assistance. Take a vow to help him or her in whatever way you can. India needs the participation of all educated and skilled individuals more actively in nation-building. You are the gifted children of God because you have got food, education, shelter, healthcare, and other facilities. If I and you do not help them, how can they develop themselves? Remember India’s development depends on the larger poor people, and not on the fewer rich. Let us join hands; come together with the feelings of oneness to bring our brethren out of poverty, ill health, and illiteracy. Please do not shy away from this noble task. Remember, we have brought nothing when we took birth, and we could take nothing from this world at the crematorium or graveyard. Only our words and actions will go with us or may exist on this earth. So, think good, be good, and do good to the people. We have to work very fast. Time is very short. Let us start from today itself. Our existence depends upon the work we perform at home, workplace, and society.
I see the day is not far when my young friends will start working very sincerely, diligently, and selflessly for the upliftment of their own families and of their needy neighbors. By doing good to others, they will actually do good to themselves. Lastly, with Vivekananda’s clarion call, I will conclude the chapter here.
Swamiji said, “Let us all work hard, my brethren; this is no time for sleep. Our work depends on the coming of the India of the future. She is there ready waiting. She is only sleeping. Arise and awake and see her seated here on her eternal throne, rejuvenate, more glorious than she ever was – this motherland of ours.”
