SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Introduction
1. Swami Vivekanand had a burning love for the country and believed that India has both to give to the West as well to take from it. According to him Indian religion is the most rational and dynamic one. He was a true Sanyasi and chief exponent of Hindu philosophy with remarkable power of understanding and that of giving exposition of Indian religion and its spirit. He undoubtedly inspired the Indian youth and his lectures and ideas were torch-bearers for the nationalists. He believed in the theory of Vedanta and Maya and his source of influence were Upanishads and Brahmans. He had deep love for the down-trodden and the poor because, according to him, true religion is in uplifting those who have been neglected by the society.
His Early Life
2. Swami Vivekananda`s birth name was Narinder Nath Dutta. He was born on 12th January, 1863 in a very well-to-do and educated family. From his very childhood the influence of his mother on him was immense and this was subsequently reflected in his ideas as well. It was in a very dramatic manner that he came in contact with Rama Krishna Paramahansa after he completed his early education. It is usually believed that Rama Krishna Paramahansa saw him in meditation and recognised him as soon as he came in his contact. Gradually Vivekanand began to get the confidence of his Guru and became his most popular and loving disciple. The greatest influence on Swami Vivekanand was that of Shri Ram Krishna Paramahans. He learnt everything which his Guru could teach.
His Works
3. Swami Vivekanand’s ideas are available to us mostly in what he said at the Congress of Religions at Chicago and also in his lectures from Almora to Colombo. It was through these lectures that he tried to expound his Philosophy. However, his other works are the ‘Jnana Yoga’, ‘The East and West’, ‘Modern India’, ‘The Mission of Vedanta’, ‘India and Her Problems’, ‘Own Duties to the Masses’, ‘The Cycle of Caste’ and ‘Karma Yogi’. The works of Swami Vivekanand have been brought out in eight volumes by Rama Krishna Mission under the title ‘The Complete Works of Swami Vivekanand’.
His Ideas
4. (a) On Politics. Swami Vivekanand very clearly and without any ambiguity declared that his ideas in no way should be interpreted as a political philosophy. The main reason behind it perhaps was that he did not wish that he should indulge in political controversies.
(b) On Religion and Politics. According to Swami Vivekanand religion was life and soul of India and in our land no political philosophy can flourish unless it is closely associated with religion. Religion spiritualises politics and makes it healthy.
(c) On State Activities. It was during his tour of the country that he saw with his own eyes the miserable condition of millions of Indians with poverty writ large on their faces. He, was stricken on seeing the agony and starvation. He therefore, came to the conclusion, that it is the foremost duty and function of a State to see that the poor and the needy are uplifted and essential unity of India is maintained.
(d) On Socialism. Swami Vivekanand was essentially a socialist in the sense that he stood to help the poor and down-trodden. His showed genuine concern for the poor than most of the so called socialists. He associated religion and God more with the poor than rich.
(e) On Freedom. Swami Vivekanand believed in the concept of freedom as it is most essential for proper development of all human beings. He advocated freedom both at national and international levels.
(f) On Indian National Congress. He was not satisfied with Indian National Congress working under the control of the liberals. He coaxed Congress to make more positive and constructive efforts to get some benefits from British Government for the people of India.
5. Inspite of the fact that Swamiji desired that his philosophy should not be interpreted to have political bias, the fact remains that his ideas left a great bearing on political life of the country and influenced many leaders.
1. Swami Vivekanand had a burning love for the country and believed that India has both to give to the West as well to take from it. According to him Indian religion is the most rational and dynamic one. He was a true Sanyasi and chief exponent of Hindu philosophy with remarkable power of understanding and that of giving exposition of Indian religion and its spirit. He undoubtedly inspired the Indian youth and his lectures and ideas were torch-bearers for the nationalists. He believed in the theory of Vedanta and Maya and his source of influence were Upanishads and Brahmans. He had deep love for the down-trodden and the poor because, according to him, true religion is in uplifting those who have been neglected by the society.
His Early Life
2. Swami Vivekananda`s birth name was Narinder Nath Dutta. He was born on 12th January, 1863 in a very well-to-do and educated family. From his very childhood the influence of his mother on him was immense and this was subsequently reflected in his ideas as well. It was in a very dramatic manner that he came in contact with Rama Krishna Paramahansa after he completed his early education. It is usually believed that Rama Krishna Paramahansa saw him in meditation and recognised him as soon as he came in his contact. Gradually Vivekanand began to get the confidence of his Guru and became his most popular and loving disciple. The greatest influence on Swami Vivekanand was that of Shri Ram Krishna Paramahans. He learnt everything which his Guru could teach.
His Works
3. Swami Vivekanand’s ideas are available to us mostly in what he said at the Congress of Religions at Chicago and also in his lectures from Almora to Colombo. It was through these lectures that he tried to expound his Philosophy. However, his other works are the ‘Jnana Yoga’, ‘The East and West’, ‘Modern India’, ‘The Mission of Vedanta’, ‘India and Her Problems’, ‘Own Duties to the Masses’, ‘The Cycle of Caste’ and ‘Karma Yogi’. The works of Swami Vivekanand have been brought out in eight volumes by Rama Krishna Mission under the title ‘The Complete Works of Swami Vivekanand’.
His Ideas
4. (a) On Politics. Swami Vivekanand very clearly and without any ambiguity declared that his ideas in no way should be interpreted as a political philosophy. The main reason behind it perhaps was that he did not wish that he should indulge in political controversies.
(b) On Religion and Politics. According to Swami Vivekanand religion was life and soul of India and in our land no political philosophy can flourish unless it is closely associated with religion. Religion spiritualises politics and makes it healthy.
(c) On State Activities. It was during his tour of the country that he saw with his own eyes the miserable condition of millions of Indians with poverty writ large on their faces. He, was stricken on seeing the agony and starvation. He therefore, came to the conclusion, that it is the foremost duty and function of a State to see that the poor and the needy are uplifted and essential unity of India is maintained.
(d) On Socialism. Swami Vivekanand was essentially a socialist in the sense that he stood to help the poor and down-trodden. His showed genuine concern for the poor than most of the so called socialists. He associated religion and God more with the poor than rich.
(e) On Freedom. Swami Vivekanand believed in the concept of freedom as it is most essential for proper development of all human beings. He advocated freedom both at national and international levels.
(f) On Indian National Congress. He was not satisfied with Indian National Congress working under the control of the liberals. He coaxed Congress to make more positive and constructive efforts to get some benefits from British Government for the people of India.
5. Inspite of the fact that Swamiji desired that his philosophy should not be interpreted to have political bias, the fact remains that his ideas left a great bearing on political life of the country and influenced many leaders.