Saturday, June 29, 2013

AGAIN, ONWARD, FORWARD!



Don't worry, do not fear. Everything before you will be swept away......Hail to MA who delights in battle!........Truly speaking, there's no greater vice than cowardice.......Take one blow and deliver ten - that is manliness.........Have no fear. She is coming and you will conquer all, you will conquer the whole world with great power.........Again, onward, forward!

- Swami Vivekananda

DO NOT SEEK HELP FROM ANYONE.


It is a termendous error to feel helpless. Do not seek help from anyone. We are our own help. If we cannot help ourselves, there is none to help us. This is the lest and greatest lesson, and Oh, what a time it takes to learn it! We seem to get hold of it, and the next moment the old wave comes. The back bone breaks. We weaken and again grasp for that superstition and help. Just think of that huge mass of misery, and all caused by this false idea of going to seek for help!

- Swami Vivekananda

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

THIRUVANNAMALAI - I AM ONE OF THE PROUDEST MEN EVER BORN


 
 
Sunday 23rd morning reached Thiruvannamalai { Anna means all powerful in Tamil and malai means hills } at around 3:00 AM, and was able to witness once in a life time image; Sea of people coming around the holy hill on bare foot { called as “Girivalam – in tamil" and to come one full around on road which covers about 14 km’s }. Kids, children, their parents [young and old] participated in this ritual.
One thing which is un-comprehensible by human mind is, why do people like us, who don’t get up from their beds ever after sun rise [ unless it is money driven ], get up at 3:00 AM or before, for GOD [ or faith or for selfish motives or whatever it can be categorized ] venture to take such holy journey, with logical reason or not, one thing which is indicative is the greatness of India and it’s might to move sea of people, in this fashion.

If these very minds are introduced [in the form of eductiveness] towards a great vision and rightness of purpose, an unthinkable astonishing INDIA will arise for reformation of entire world.

Will people of India [US] give any heed to such transformation, is an answer which time alone can answer, but we have a duty to perform [as Indian’s] which is very well portrayed in the below quote of Swami Vivekananda: -

 “I am one of the proudest men ever born, but let me tell you frankly, it is not for myself, but on account of my ancestry “.

Thanks
Rajhashekher BC - Raj

25th, June, 2013  

Friday, June 21, 2013

NONSENSE! WE ARE IMBECILES THAT IS WHAT WE ARE !!!


In this short life there is no time for the exchange of compliments. We can compare notes and compliment each other to our hearts' content after the battle is finished. Now, do not talk; work, work! work! I do not see anything permanent you have done in India — I do not see any centre you have made — I do not see any temple or hall you have erected — I do not see anybody joining hands with you. There is too much talk, talk, talk! We are great, we are great! Nonsense! We are imbeciles; that is what we are!

- Swami Vivekananda

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE SPENT IN TALKING ABOUT FRAUDS AND CRANS



Enough of books and theories. It is the life that is the highest and the only way to stir the hearts of people; it carries the personal magnetism. . . . The Lord is giving me a deeper and deeper insight every day. Work, work, work. . . . Truce to foolish talk; talk of the Lord. Life is too short to be spent in talking about frauds and cranks.

- Swami Vivekananda
To G.G. Narasimhachariar
CHICAGO
11th January, 1895
DEAR G. G
 

Monday, June 17, 2013

WORK ON, BE LIONS

To G.G. Narasimhachariar
CHICAGO,
11th January, 1895.

In future do not pay any heed to what people say either for or against you or me. Work on, be lions; and the Lord will bless you. I shall work incessantly until I die, and even after death I shall work for the good of the world.
VIVEKANANDA.

PS. Tell Alasinga, Kidi, Dr. Balaji, and all the others not to pin their faith on what Tom, Dick, and Harry say for or against us, but to concentrate all their energy on work.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Swami Vivekananda Letters - INSPIRED SOULTS LIKE YOURSELF



Dear friend,

Many many thanks for your very instructive book. I have been going through a few pages already and have already learned a few great and beautiful lessons - one specially where you insist that the life of Lord Jesus is the only commentary to His teachings as recorded contradict the life we are sure that the record was wrong. That is wonderful insight and keen reason. I am sure to read the book several times over and learn many a lesson. May the Lord speak through you long - for the world needs and never more than now inspired souls like yourself.

Ever yours in the Lord,
Vivekananda
63 St George's Road, London SW. July 17th.  

Friday, June 7, 2013

WHO HAS EVER BECOME GREAT

Brought up in the lap of luxury, lying on a bed of roses, and never shedding a tear, who has ever become great, who has ever unfolded the Brahman within ?

- Swami Vivekananda
[ Letters of Swami Vivekananda - Page 445 ]

Thursday, June 6, 2013

WE BEGIN, ANEW BUT ON ADAMANTINE FOUNDATIONS.



Everywhere it is better to have a whirlwind come over the work. That clears the atmosphere & gives us a true insight into the nature of things. We begin, anew but on adamantine foundations.

I am strong very strong now - I always am when left to stand alone. May you be strong very strong always.

Ever yours with love and blessings,

- Swami Vivekananda
2nd September 1899

Sunday, June 2, 2013

SKILLFUL MANAGEMENT

Skillful management lies in giving every man work after his own heart.

- Swami Vivekananda

Letters of Swami Vivekananda - 379

THE RELIGION

We want to lead mankind to the place where - there is neither the Vedas, nor the Bible, nor the Koran; yet this has to be done by harmonizing the Vedas, the Bible, and the Koran. Mankind ought to be taught that religions are but the varied expressions of the THE RELIGION, which is Oneness, so that each may choose the path that suits him best.

- Swami Vivekananda
Letters of Swami Vivekananda - 380

Thursday, May 30, 2013

GIVE UP HOPE, SAYS THE VEDANTA



Give up hope, says the Vedanta. Why should you hope? You have everything, nay, you are everything. What are you hoping for? If a king goes mad, and runs about trying to find the king of his country, he will never find him, because he is the king himself. He may go through every village and city in his own country, seeking in every house, weeping and wailing, but he will never find him, because he is the king himself. It is better that we know we are God and give up this fool's search after Him; and knowing that we are God we become happy and contented. Give up all these mad pursuits, and then play your part in the universe, as an actor on the stage.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 2/Practical Vedanta and other lectures/Practical Vedanta: Part II

IT IS THESE WORKS THAT WILL TRIUMPH - CAN DOCTRINES AND DOGMAS TOUCH THE HEARTS ?



It is these works that will triumph - can doctrines and dogmas touch the hearts ? Work, work - LIVE THE LIFE; what do doctrines and opinions count ? Philosophy and Yoga and penance - the workship-room - your sunned rice or vegetable offerings - all these constitute the religion of one man or one country; doing good to others is the one great, universal religion.

- Swami Vivekananda
Letters of Swami Vivekananda - 346

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

GOOD MOTIVES, SINCERITY AND INFINITE LOVE



" I have experienced even in my insignificant life that good motives, sincerity, and infinite love can conquer the world. One single soul possessed of these virtues can destory the dark designs of millions of hypocrites and brutes. "

- Swami Vivekananda
Letters of Swami Vivekananda  - Page325

Sunday, May 26, 2013

FIGHT ALWAYS. FIGHT AND FIGHT ON, THOUGH ALWAYS IN DEFEAT



And then he went off into a musing on Kali.

" I am not one of those, he chanted,

" Who put the garland of skulls, round Thy neck,
" And then look back in terror
" And call Thee " The Merciful"!
" The heart must become a burical ground,
" Pride, selfishess, and desire all broken into dust,
" Then and then alone will the Mother dance there ! "

" I love terror for its own sake, " He went on, " Despair for its own sake, misery for its own sake. Fight always. Fight and fight on, though always in defeat, That's the ideal. That's the ideal. "

" The totality of all souls, not the human alone, " He said once, " Is the Personal God. The will of the Totality nothing can resist. It is what we know as Law. And this is what we mean by Shiva and Kali " and so on.

- Swami Vivekananda
[ The Master As I Saw Him ]
 

"And so what would you say, Swamiji, to the women of this country?



"Why, to the women of this country." said the Swami, "I would say exactly what I say to the men. Believe in India and in our Indian faith. Be strong and hopeful and unashamed, and remember that with something to take, Hindus have immeasurably more to give than any other people in the world."

- Swami Vivekananda
ON INDIAN WOMEN — THEIR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
(Prabuddha Bharata, December, 1898)

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Swami Vivekananda - Wednesday, March 16, 1898

The Evening Republican
Wednesday, March 16, 1898
 

Swami Vivekananda - August 30,1893

 The Arizona Republican
August 30, 1893

 
 

FIGHT AGAINST IMPOSSIBILITIES


All those rosy ideas we had before starting have melted, and I have now to fight against impossibilities. A hundred times I had a mind to go out of the country and go back to India. But I am determined, and I have a call from Above; I see no way, but His eyes see. And I must stick to my guns, life or death......

- Swami Vivekananda

Friday, May 24, 2013

YOU NEED NOT WRITE IN THE NEWSPAPERS, YOU NEED NOT GO ABOUT LECTURNING; YOUR VERY FACE WILL SHINE.


Have you got the will to surmount mountain-high obstructions? If the whole world stands against you sword in hand, would you still dare to do what you think is right?

If your wives and children are against you, if all your money goes, your name dies, your wealth vanishes, would you still stick to it? Would you still pursue it and go on steadily towards your own goal? As the great King Bhartrihari says, "Let the sages blame or let them praise; let the goddess of fortune come or let her go wherever she likes; let death come today, or let it come in hundreds of years; he indeed is the steady man who does not move one inch from the way of truth." Have you got that steadfastness? If you have these three things, each one of you will work miracles. You need not write in the newspapers, you need not go about lecturing; your very face will shine.

- Swami Vivekananda
MY PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
(Delivered at the Victoria Hall, Madras)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

AS LONG AS WE REQUIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO MAKE US HAPPY, WE ARE SLAVES.



Isolation of the soul from all objects, mental and physical, is the goal; when that is attained, the soul will find that it was alone all the time, and it required no one... to make it happy. As long as we require someone else to make us happy, we are slaves. When the Purusha finds that It is free, and does not require anything to complete Itself, that this nature is quite unnecessary, then freedom (Kaivalya) is attained.

- Swami Vivekananda
See More

Monday, May 20, 2013

FILL YOURSELVES WITH THE IDEAL



Do you know how many energy, how many powers, how many forces are still lurking behind that frame of yours ? What scientist has known all that is in man ? Millions of years have passed since man first came here, and yet but one infinitesimal part of his powers has been manifested. Therefore, you must not say that you are weak. How do you know what possibilities lie behind that degradation on the surface ? You know but little of that which is within you. For behind you is the ocean of infinite power and blessedness.......

Fill yourselves with the ideal; whatever you do, think well on it. All your actions will be magnified, transformed, deified, by the very power of the thought. If matter is powerful, thought is omnipotent. Bring this thought to bear upon your life, fill yourselves with the thought of your almightness, your majesty, and your glory

- Swami Vivekananda
Page 493 { VIVEKANANDA AS THE TURNING POINT ]

Friday, May 17, 2013

NEVER FORGET THE GLORY OF HUMAN NATURE!


" Never forget the glory of human nature! We are the Greatest God...Christs and Buddhas are but waves on the boundless Ocean which I AM."

- Swami Vivekananda in America, 1895

Monday, May 13, 2013

THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE RELIGION OF THE VEDANTA !

First of all try to ameliorate the terrible distress that is prevailing everywhere, to still the heart-rending cry of your hungry countrymen for a morsel of food; after that come to me to have a debate on the Vedanta. To stake one's whole life and soul to save thousands who are dying of starvation -- this is the essence of the religion of the Vedanta!

So long as even a dog of my country remains without food, to feed and take care of him is my religion, and any thing else is either non - religion or false religion!

- Swami Vivekananda

Saturday, May 4, 2013

CONSTANT PRAYER OF VIVEKANANDA


There is too much talk, talk, talk! We are great, we are great! Nonsense! We are imbeciles - that is what we are. This hankering after name and fame and all other humbugs - what are they to me? What do I care about them?......That you may catch my fire, that you may be intensely sincere, that you may die the heroes' death on the battlefield - is the constant prayer of Vivekananda.

- Swami Vivekananda
[From Swami Vivekananda - Leader of Sacred Nationhood - Flashes of Omniscience]
 

Friday, May 3, 2013

THE WHOLE OF NATURE CANNOT CRUSH ME; IT IS MY SERVANT.



Many times I have been in the jaws of death, starving, footsore, and weary; for days and days I had no food, and often could walk no farther; I would sink down under a tree, and life ...would seem ebbing away. I could not speak, I could scarcely think, but at last the mind reverted to one idea: "I have no fear nor death: I never hunger nor thirst. I am It ! I am It ! The whole of nature cannot crush me; it is my servant. Assert thy strength, thou Lord of Lords and God of gods ! Regain thy lost empire! Arise and walk and stop not!" And I would rise up, reinvigorated, and here am I, living today.

- Swami Vivekananda

Thursday, May 2, 2013

MEDITATION


" There is the infinite joy, unchanging. Meditation is the gate that opens that to us. Prayers, ceremonials, and all the other forms of worship are simply kindergartens of meditation "

- Swami Vivekananda

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NO COWARDICE



....If these scoldings don't make you brave, I shall have no more hopes of you. I want to see you die even, but you must make a fight. Die in obeying commands like a soldier, and go to Nirvana, but no cowardice.

- Swami Vivekananda
21 West 34 St..., New York, 21st November, 1899

Monday, April 22, 2013

I WANT BOLD, DARING, ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS TO HELP ME

The upshot of the whole thing is - I want bold, daring, adventurous spirits to help me. Else I will work alone. I have a mission to fulfil. I will work it out alone. I do not care who comes or who goes.

- Swami Vivekananda

Saturday, April 20, 2013

BRAVO, MY COUNTRYMEN!


“.....a year has rolled by, and our countrymen could not even do so much for me as to say to the American people that I was a real Sannyasin and no cheat, and that I represented the Hindu religion. Even this much, the expenditure of a few words, they could not do! Bravo, my countrymen! I love them, Diwanji Saheb. Human help I spurn with my foot. He who has been with me through hills and dales, through deserts or forests, will be with me, I hope; if not, some heroic soul would arise some time or other in India, far abler than myself, and carry it out. So I have told you all about it. Diwanji, excuse my long letter, my noble friend, one of the few who really feel for me, have real kindness for me. You are at liberty, my friend, to think that I am a dreamer, a visionary; but believe at least that I am sincere to the backbone, and my greatest fault is that I love my country only too, too well “
*
- Swami Vivekananda
CHICAGO, 20th June, 1894


 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

BOOKS AND LEARNING, YOGA AND MEDIATION


" Books and learning, Yoga and mediation and illumination - all are but dust compared with love. It is love that gives you the supernatural powers, love that gives you bhakti, love that gives illumination, and love, again, that leads to emanicpation "

- Swami Vivekananda
Page 342. Letters of Swami Vivekananda

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

HUMAN HELP I SPURN WITH MY FOOT.


Human help I spurn with my foot. He who has been with me through hills and dales, through deserts or forests, will be with me, I hope; if not some heroic soul would arise some time or other in India, far abler than myself and carry it out.

- Swami Vivekananda
Page 116. Letters of Swami Vivekananda

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Stop Worshiping Actors and Start Worshiping Hero’s

IN OUR COUNTRY, IT IS A CASE OF ROUSING MEN THAT ARE, AS IT WERE, DEAD:

The subject line of this article does seem to be a contradiction. But factually it is not. Since it is mis – communicated, it is misunderstood to fullest possible extent. The fact is “An actor is one, who dies in a movie and comes back alive in next movie. But a hero is one, who dies only once and does not get a second chance to die again“. The fact is “An actor is one, who acts as if he is died to achieve the selfish motives {Lust, money and fame} in each movie of which comes his way. But a hero is one, who die’s for once own country only once and does not get a chance for retakes”. The fact is “An actor lives to see his movie released, even if he is assumed to be dead in the movie. But a hero does not live to see Indian freedom for which he willingly sacrificed his life“


Swami Vivekananda in connection to this state of human mind wrote these prophetic lines of 21st February 1900 from California, which has to be hung to every main door of India, if not every house of world. “It is only a few that understand the language of the brain, but everyone from the creator down to a clump of grass, understands the language that comes from the heart. But then, in our country, it is a case of rousing men that are, as it were, dead. It will take time, but if you have infinite patience and perseverance, success is bound to come. No mistake in that “
Make no mistake; this statement of his is still alive, for human minds are still used to worship actors and not heroes. This state of human mind is to be considered as the highest order of intellectual irony which has to be realized and corrected if men have to be roused from there dead living state.
Six day’s from today – The 23rd March is the death anniversary of one such Indian HERO “ Bhagat Singh “. He gave his life for India ’s freedom at a tender age of 23 years, 5 months and 25 days. If Last day {s} of this immortal man is looked at keenly on this mortal earth of ours, it is both mesmerizing and sends raptures even to this day.

LAST DAYS OF BHAGAT SINGH, RAJGURU AND SUKHDEV:
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore Conspiracy Case and were ordered to be hanged on March 24, 1931.



Bhagat Singh a day before he was pronounced to be hanged had a very sound sleep. In today's date and time our youth do not get sleep if there examinations are scheduled to be held the next day or a day after. Forget our youth’s; Even so called elders, do not get sleep if an interview or a presentation is scheduled to be given the subsequent day. But here was Bhagat Singh at an tender age of 23 years, 5 months and 25 days, who even after knowing that he will be hanged next day had the tenacity and courage to have a sound deep sleep without a iota of worry. This is Indian Man’s Heart. It can be further acknowledged by the fact of reality by the actions of British Government, they did not have the courage nor the manhood to wait till scheduled date of pronounced death sentence for Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev; and had preponed the death sentence by eight hours.

At the time preponed time when Bhagat Singh was called by Jailer for hanging; Bhagat said “Wait for two minutes! I am reading last two pages of a book on Lenin. He was also a freedom fighter like me”. After completion of book he happily accompanied the Jailer towards the place where he was supposed to be hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. There were only five people who were allowed to witness the execution; The Inspector General of Police, The Inspector General of Prison, and Lahore ’s Deputy Commissioner, Medical Officer and Superintendent of the Jail. One among the five asked:

“What was the reason for them to be so happy? “. For which Bhagat Singh said: “We three are going to be hanged in next few minutes. We are happy because each of you are very fortunate to witness us being hanged till death”.
Another asked Bhagat Singh: “You will be dead in next couple of minutes, then why do you consider us to be fortunate? “

For which Bhagat Singh replied: - “Out of thirty crore Indian’s, you are the fortunate five who are fortunate enough to see how three Indian’s are going to sacrifice there lives happly in service of there country! – Enjoy! “ [An answer given by a 23 years, 5 months 25 days boy]

More words seem irrelevant and unwarranted for…….Before, I let the silence take the centre stage to contemplate on such Indian sacrifice’s; Let this be a remainder that Bhagat Singh is death and we are alive but there is no difference between him and us. For, we are dead or will be considered to be dead if we don’t realize the need to know Indian History, It ’s struggles and it’s subtle sacrifices which it holds in it’s womb to be bestowed upon us – The Indian’s.


THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING HISTORY:

The importance of knowing Indian History is as important for as to the further of India. Again, Swami Vivekananda's words torrentially surfaces from highest possible echelons in the form of one of his replies written to Maharaja of Khetri { On March 4th, 1895 } where in he stress on the importance of knowing Indian History to its very subtleties:

“Nowadays everybody blames those who constantly look back to their past. It is said that so much looking back to the past is the cause of all India’s woes. To me, on the contrary, it seems that the opposite is true. So long as they forgot the past, the Hindu nation remained in a state of stupor; and as soon as they have begun to look into their past, there is on every side a fresh manifestation of life. It is out of this past that the future has to be moulded; this past will become the future “
Is it not!?

- Thanks
Rajhashekher BC - Raj
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2013




 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

WORLD'S FIRST RELIGIOUS PARLIAMENT


EVERY MOMENT IS A NEW CHANCE

Every moment is a new chance
 



 - Swami Vivekananda
Reincarnation
(Delivered in Memphis on January 19, 1894: Reported in Appeal-Avalanche)

Saturday, March 9, 2013

YOU HAVE IN YOU A THOUSAND TIME MORE THAN IS IN ALL THE BOOKS.


You have in you a thousand times more than is in all the books. Never lose faith in yourself, you can do anything in this universe. Never weaken, all power is yours.

- Swami Vivekanananda

INDIA WILL BE RAISED


Monday, March 4, 2013

OUR COUNTER - QUESTION HAS BEEN!!??

Are we then to go back to the days of the primitive caveman, the stone age! Our counter-question has been: Is the 24-hour cyber society created in the sci-tech era more natural, organic and humane than the bygone ages? Let us listen attentively to these philosophical truths of Swami Vivekananda uttered in London during the fall of 1896:

 
" As we increase our power to be happy, we also increase our power to suffer; and sometimes I am inclined to think that if we increase our power to become happy in arithmetical progression, we shall increase, on the other hand, our power to become miserable in geometrical progression. We who are progressing know that the more we progress, the more avenues are opened to pain as well as pleasure. And this is Maya.

- Swami Vivekananda
[ Swami Vivekananda - Leader of Sacred Nationhood ]

Saturday, March 2, 2013

I SHALL MEDIATE ON THE HEART OF A LION. THAT GIVES STRENGTH.


Swamiji's first night at Camp Taylor [ Northern California ], May 2, 1900. I close my eyes and see him standing there in the soft blackness with sparks from the blazing log fire... flying through it and a day-old moon above. He was weary after a long lecture season, but relaxed and happy to be there. " We end life in the forest, " he said, " as we begin it, but with a world of experience between the two states." Later after a short talk, when we were about to have the usual mediation, he said: "You may meditate on whatever you like, but I shall mediate on the heart of a lion. That gives strength." The bliss and power and peace of the meditation that followed could never be described.

- Swami Vivekananda
[ Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda: Ida Ansell ]
See More

Saturday, February 23, 2013

AN INDIAN LULLABY - THE SOUL NEVER KILLS OR IS KILLED




There was once a Hindu queen, who so much desired that all her children should attain freedom in this life that she herself took all the care of them; and as she rocked them to sleep, she sang always the one song to them - "Tat tvam asi, Tat tvam asi" ("That thou art, that thou art")

Three of them become Sannyasins [ monks ], but the fourth was taken away to be brought up elsewhere to become a king. As he was leaving ho...me, the mother gave him a piece of paper which he was to read when he grew to manhood. On that piece of paper was written, " God alone is true. All else is false. The soul never kills or is killed. Live alone or in the company of holy ones." When the young prince read this, he too at once renounced the world
and became a Sannyasin.

- Swami Vivekananda
VII. 89-90
[LULLABY - A soothing song with which to lull a child to sleep]

WORK INCESSANTLY



You should work like a master and not as a slave; work incessantly, but do not do slave's work.

- Swami Vivekananda

HAVE FAITH IN MAN, WHETHER HE APPEARS TO BE AN ANGEL OR THE VERY DEVIL HIMSELF.



Have faith in man, whether he appears to you to be a very learned one or a most ignorant one. Have faith in man, whether he appears to be an angel or the very devil himself. Have faith in man first, and then having faith in him, belive that if there are defects in him, if he makes mistakes, if the embraces the crudest and the vilest doctrines, believe that it is not from his real nature that the...y come, but from the want of higher ideals. You give him the truth, and there your work is done. Let him compare it in his own mind with what he has already in him; and, mark my words, if you have really given him the truth, the false must vanish, light must dispel darkness, and truth will bring the good out. Put the good before them, see how eargerly they take it, see how the divine that never dies, that is always living in the human, comes up awakened and stretches out its hand for all that is good, and all that is glorious.

- Swami Vivekananda

Sunday, February 17, 2013

PURITY IS OUR REAL NATURE

To the believers of original sin, Vivekananda said in America:


" Be not deluded by your religion teaching original sin, for the same religion preaches original purity. When adam fell, he fell from purity, { Applause }. Purity is our real nature, and to regain that is the subject of all religion. "

- Swami Vivekananda 

THE VERY INCARNATION OF LORD SHIVA

“CHHARAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ – THE VERY INCARNATION OF LORD SHIVA”



Two days from today, is the day when an great indian, was born - Whom Swami Vivekananda called as the very incarnation of lord Siva. 19 February, is the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. My words on Shivaji Maharaj is very limited, for how can we understand the grandeur of Shivaji Maharaj, by reading text books which were crafted during British role of India ? If I remember correctly, these test books only carried one page on him, out of which half page was his photo. But it is in these below words of Swami Vivekananda, that we as INDIANS should revisit this great Indian in the true spirit and try to imbibe him in our blood of this Indian body.

“ Shivaji was the greatest Hindu king that India had produced within the last thousand years; one who was the very incarnation of lord Siva, about whom prophecies were given out long before he was born; and his advent was eagerly expected by all the great souls and saints of Maharashtra as the deliverer of the Hindus from the hands of the Mlecchas, and as one who succeeded in the reestablishment of Dharma which had been trampled underfoot by the depredations of the devastating hordes of the Moghals ”

- Swami Vivekananda

“ Shivaji was one of the greatest national saviors who emancipated our society and our Dharma when they were faced with the threat of total destruction. He was a peerless hero, a pious and God-fearing king and verily a manifestation of all the virtues of a born leader of men described in our ancient scriptures. He also embodied the deathless spirit of our land and stood as the light of hope for our future”

- Swami Vivekananda
 

Friday, February 15, 2013

EACH ONE CAN ATTAIN THE HIGEST

 
If jesus could reach Chrsthood, if Siddhartha Gautama could reach Buddhahood, Vivekananda argued, each one can attain the higest if he or she so desires:

" If a thing happens once, it can happen again, we too can do so. If we cannot becom...e perfect here and now, we never can in any state or heaven or condition we may imagine. "

" What has it to do with you that Moses saw God in a burning bush ? The fact that Moses saw God in burning bush does not constitute your seeing him, does it ? If it does, then the fact that Moses ate is enough for you, you ought to stop eating. One is just a sensible as the other."

" It is not the study of external nature that makes [ one ] strong - But there is the internal nature of man - a million times more powerful than any volcanic eruption or any law of nature - which conquers nature, triumphs over all its laws, And that alone teaches man what he is."

- Swami Vivekananda
Page 100
[ From the book: Swami Vivekananda - Prophet and Pathfinder ]
See More

Sunday, February 10, 2013

WE WILL STOP AND COMPARE NOTES LATER ON.



" My children must be ready to jump into fire, if needed, to accomplish their work. Now work, work, work! We will stop and compare notes later on. Have patience, perseverance and purity. "

- Swami Vivekananda

Saturday, February 9, 2013

WHAT IS RELIGION ?


What is religion? To pray, "Give me this and that"? Foolish ideas of religion! Those who believe them have no true idea of God and soul. My Master used to say, "The vulture rise higher and higher until he becomes a spec...k, but his eye is always on the piece of rotten carrion on the earth." After all, what is the result of your ideas of religion? To cleanse the streets and have more bread and clothes? Who cares for bread and clothes? Millions come and go every minute. Who cares? Why care for the joys and vicissitudes of this little world?

Go beyond that if you dare; go beyond law, let the whole universe vanish, and stand alone.

"I am Existence-Absolute, Knowledge-Absolute, Bliss-Absolute; I am He, I am He."

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures and Discourses/The Free Soul

Sunday, February 3, 2013

IN YOU IS ALL POWER.


 What makes you weep, my friend? In you is all power. Summon up your all-powerful nature, O mighty one, and this whole universe will lie at your feet. It is the self alone that predominates and not matter.

- Swami Vivekananda
(VI.274)

THE SIGN IS THAT GOOD OR ILL FORTUNE CAUSES NO CHANGE IN HIS MIND



It is very hard thing to understand, but you will come to learn in time that nothing in the universe has power over you until you allow it to exercise such a power. Nothing has power over the self of man, until the self becomes a fool and loses independence. So, by non - attachment, you overcome and deny the power of anything to act upon you. It is very easy to say that nothing has the right to act upon you until you allow it to do so; but what is the true sign of the man who really does not allow anything to work upon him, who is neither happy nor unhappy when acted upon by the external world? The sign is that good or ill fortune causes no change in his mind; in all conditions he continues to remain the same.

- Swami Vivekananda

Saturday, February 2, 2013

IT IS IN THE NATURE OF THINGS THAT MANY HSOULD FALL, THAT TROUBLES SHOULD COME


It is in the natrue of things that many should fall, that troubles should come, that tremendous difficulties should arise, that selfishness and all the other devils in the human heart should struggle hard, when they are about to be driven out by the fire of spirituality. The road to the good is the roughest and steepest in the universe. It is a wonder that so many succeed; no wonder that so many fall. Character has to be established through a thousand strumbles.

-Swami Vivekananda
{ VIII.383 }