Imitate Vivekananda & Francis Papa! Swami Vivekananda’s thought is as relevant to India’s future as it was in its past
Swami Vivekananda’s birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. (File Photo)
THE INDIAN EXPRESS
13 January 2021
Swami Vivekananda combined thinking of different religions, communities and traditions. His thoughts inspire liberation from inertia.
We are all products of our past, but destined to build a better future till our last breath without rest! Vivekananda lived only 39 and Jesus just 33 years. Both accomplished much and are remembered till today!
Both Vivekananda and John the Baptist were precursors to Jesus making straight the way of the Lord the ideal Son of Man! The living generation of Indian youth who make up the 3rd largest in 13 world economies should take that lead now!
Universal acceptance or ‘Tutti fratelli’
Both were totally for “universal acceptance” as ‘sisters & brothers’ of “Frattelli Tutti” of the current Pope or with “Sab ka sath, sab ka vikas” of Modiji, in his words at least. You and I can’t do that remaining a mute spectator.
So start being out-spoken leaders like “I have pity on the multitude” (Misereor super turbam”) of Jesus or “a Poor church for the poor” of Papa Francis and our frankly speaking columnist PAMPLANIL! Our appreciation for writer Prahlad Singh Patel! james kottoor editor ccv,
Please read below Prahlad on Vivekanda
Swami Vivekananda is the inspiration behind National Youth Day. In just 39 years, 14 of which were in public life, he filled the country with a thought whose energy is still felt today. Generations to come will continue to feel this energy.
One of India’s most important resources is the youth. Every fifth young person in the world is an Indian. It is due to this segment of the population that India’s growth rate has been the third-highest among the 13 major economies in the last five years. After the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as a country that is full of possibilities in the race for development. Those among the youth who are associated with Swami Vivekananda’s ideas are preparing India for a leadership role on the world stage.
“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.” This mantra of Vivekananda’s is as effective, relevant and inspiring today as it was in the days of colonialism. Now, India is ready to be a global leader. With the power of yoga and the energy that comes from spirituality, the youth of the country are impatient about giving direction to the world.
Swami Vivekananda’s lessons still inspire the youth: “Make a life’s aim and incorporate that idea into your life…. Think that thought over and over again. Dream it, Live it… that is the secret to being successful.”
His mantra for the youth is evergreen: “Until you can trust yourself, you cannot trust Allah or God.” If we are not able to see God in other humans and ourselves, then where can we go to find divinity?
Vivekananda caught the world’s attention with his ideas when he represented Sanatan Dharma in Chicago in 1893. A speech like the one he made then could not be made today. The themes in that speech included “Vishwabandhutva”, tolerance, cooperativeness, participation, religion, culture, nation, nationalism and the collective India-Indianness.
At the Parliament of World religions, Vivekananda said he is “from that Hindustan, which gives shelter to persecuted people from all religions and countries”. He also said that Sanatan Dharma is the mother of all religions. He was also proud that the land of India and the Sanatani religion had taught the world the lesson of tolerance and universal acceptance. It is the nature of the Indian soil to accept all religions as true. We were the first laboratory and protector of secularism.
He addressed the Parliament of World Religions as: “American brothers and sisters”. The eternal message of universal brotherhood was clear in his speech. The New York Herald wrote: “Hearing him (Swami Vivekananda) seems that sending a Christian missionary to a knowledgeable nation like India is foolish. Even if he only passes through the stage, the applause starts.”
Swami Vivekananda took forward the efforts made by other thinkers to reach the roots of Indian culture. This thinking makes him acceptable worldwide and establishes him as the spokesperson of Sanatan Dharma, a symbol of Hindustan and Hindustani culture.
Swami Vivekananda taught the world that it is our duty to encourage all those doing good so that they can make their dreams come true. His vision also gave rise to the idea of Antyodaya. Until the upliftment of the last poor person in the country is ensured, development is meaningless, he said.
Swami Vivekananda’s belief about God is tied to every religion. His idea of charity is at the root of Sanatan Dharma. Charity was a way of life for him. For Vivekananda it was important to connect everyone with this way of life. He said, “The more we come to help and help others, the more pure our heart becomes. Such people are like God.”
Swami Vivekananda combined thinking of different religions, communities and traditions. His thoughts inspire liberation from inertia. This is the reason Swami Vivekananda has no opponent in this country. Everyone bows to his ideas. In the 19th century, the spokesperson of Sanatani religion, who was called the "Cyclonic Hindu" due to his views, is still standing firmly on the world stage with his positive thinking. His ideas remain fresh and relevant.
This article first appeared in the print edition on January 13, 2021, under the title “An abiding inspiration”.
(The writer is Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
