MEN ( WHO WRONGLY CRITICISE ARE TO BE TREATED AS WORMS

The worldly-wise instinct is most difficult to root out. . . . Let him come and work in the Math. One is apt to imbibe a lot of mischievous ideas by concerning oneself too long in worldly affairs. If he refuses to take the monastic vow, please tell him to clear out. I don't want amphibious type of men who will be half monks and half householders. . . . Haramohan has coined a Lord Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, I see. What does he mean? English Lord, or Duke? Tell Rakhal, let people say whatever they will — "Men (who wrongly criticise) are to be treated as worms!" as Shri Ramakrishna used to say.

- Swami Vivekananda
C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, ENGLAND,

PURITY, PATIENCE, AND PRESEVERANCE OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES

READING, ENGLAND,
4th Oct., 1895.
DEAR— ,

. . . Purity, patience, and perseverance overcome all obstacles. All great things must of necessity be slow. . . .

Yours with love,
VIVEKANANDA.

WE MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO BE RUN OVER WITH " FADS" FROM THE FIRST.

C/O E. T. STURDY, ESQ.,
HIGH VIEW, CAVERSHAM, READING, ENGLAND,
17th Sept., 1895.

DEAR MRS. BULL,

Mr. Sturdy and I want to get hold of a few of the best, say, strong and intelligent men in England to form a society, and therefore we must proceed slowly. We must take care not to be run over with "fads" from the first. This you will know has been my policy in America too. Mr. Sturdy has been in India living with our Sannyasins in their manner for some time. He is an exceedingly energetic man, educated and well versed in Sanskrit. ... So far so good. ... Purity, perseverance, and energy — these three I want, and if I get only half a dozen here, my work will go on. I have a great chance of such a few.

VIVEKANANDA

HAS DANGER HAS POWER OVER ONE WHOM THE LORD HAS TAKEN INTO HIS FOLD ?

Tell Chuni Babu in private that he has nothing to fear, that those who are protected by the Lord must be above fear. I am a puny man, but the glories of the Lord are infinite. — Discard fear. Let not your faith be shaken. ...Has danger any power over one whom the Lord has taken into His fold?

Ever yours,
VIVEKANANDA.

VIVEKA HAMSA - BANGALORE - HANATHE 2012

VIVEKA HAMSA - HANATHE 2012

A WISE MAN SHOULD STAND FIRM ON HIS OWN LEGS AND ACT

Everybody requests me to return to India. It is all right, but don't you see it is not wise to depend upon others. A wise man should stand firm on his own legs and act. Everything will come about slowly. For the present don't forget to be on the look-out for a site. We want a big plot — of about ten to twenty thousand rupees — it must be right on the Ganga. Though my capital is small, I am exceedingly bold. Have an eye on securing the land. At present we shall have to work three centres, one in New York, another in Calcutta and a third in Madras. Then, by degrees, as the Lord will arrange. ... You must keep a strict eye on your health; let everything else be subordinated to that....

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/LXXVIII Rakhal

WHEN YOU CAN THROW AWAY ALL, ONLY THE TRUE SELF WILL REMAIN

The first thing to be got rid of by him who would be a Jnani is fear. Fear is one of our worst enemies. Next, believe in nothing until you know it. Constantly tell yourself, "I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not thought, I am not even consciousness; I am the Atman." When you can throw away all, only the true Self will remain.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 8/Lectures And Discourses/Discourses On Jnana-Yoga

IF YOU REALLY WANT THE GOOD OF OF OTHERS, THE WHOLE UNIVERSE MAY STAND AGAINST YOU AND CANNOT HURT YOU.

But, mind you, this is life's experience; if you really want the good of others, the whole universe may stand against you and cannot hurt you. It must crumble before your power of the Lord Himself in you if you are sincere and really unselfish.

- Swami Vivekananda
My Life And Mission (Delivered at the Shakespeare Club of Pasadena, California, on January 27, 1900)

THE ONLY CONDITION OF NATIONAL LIFE, OF AWAKENED AND VIGOROUS NATIONAL LIFE, IS THE CONQUEST OF THE WORLD BY INDIA THOUGHT

Spirituality must conquer the West. Slowly they are finding out that what they want is spirituality to preserve them as nations. They are waiting for it, they are eager for it. Where is the supply to come from? Where are the men ready to go out to every country in the world with the messages of the great sages of India? Where are the men who are ready to sacrifice everything, so that this message shall reach every corner of the world? Such heroic spurs are wanted to help the spread of truth. Such heroic workers are wanted to go abroad and help to disseminate the great truths of the Vedanta. The world wants it; without it the world will be destroyed. The whole of the Western world is on a volcano which may burst tomorrow, go to pieces tomorrow. They have searched every corner of the world and have found no respite. They have drunk deep of the cup of pleasure and found it vanity. Now is the time to work so that India's spiritual ideas may penetrate deep into the West. Therefore young men of Madras, I specially ask you to remember this. We must go out, we must conquer the world through our spirituality and philosophy. There is no other alternative, we must do it or die. The only condition of national life, of awakened and vigorous national life, is the conquest of the world by Indian thought.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Lectures from Colombo to Almora/The Work before us

WELL, MY BOY, THIS IS THE SCHOOL OF MISERY, WHICH IS ALSO THE SCHOOL OF GREAT SOULS

 

 

I am called by the Lord for this. I have been dragged through a whole life full of crosses and tortures, I have seen the nearest and dearest die, almost of starvation; I have been ridiculed, distrusted, and have suffered for my sympathy for the very men who scoff and scorn. Well, my boy, this is the school of misery, which is also the school for great souls and prophets for the cultivation of sympathy, of patience, and, above all, of an indomitable iron will which quakes not even if the universe be pulverised at our feet.

 

- Swami Vivekananda
[ From the book: Swami Vivekananda - On Himself ]

FOR IT IS THE TEACHING OF THE VEDANTA THAT YOU ARE ALL PROPHETS, AND ALL MUST BE PROPHETS.

Intellect is like limbs without the power of locomotion. It is only when feeling enters and gives them motion that they move and work on others. That is so all over the world, and it is a thing which you must always remember. It is one of the most practical things in Vedantic morality, for it is the teaching of the Vedanta that you are all prophets, and all must be prophets. The book is not the proof of your conduct, but you are the proof of the book.

- Swami Vivekanananda

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 2/Practical Vedanta and other lectures/Practical Vedanta: Part 1

NO NEGATIVE, ALL POSITIVE, AFFIRMATIVE. I AM, GOD IS, EVERYTHING IS IN ME.

Self-depreciation! What is it for? I am the child of the Infinite, the all-powerful Divine Mother. What means disease, or fear, or want to me? Stamp out the negative spirit as if it were a pestilence, and it will conduce to your welfare in every way. No negative, all positive, affirmative. I am, God is, everything is in me.

- Swami Vivekananda
25th September, 1894 NEW YORK
 The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/XLVII Brother disciples
 Pestilence : A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague

DOING GOOD TO OTHERS IS THE ONE GREAT UNIVERSAL RELIGION

 

RELIGION IS THE REALIZATION OF SPIRIT AS SPIRIT. NOT SPIRIT AS MATTER

"Religion is the realization of Spirit as Spirit. Not spirit as matter."

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Notes of Lectures and Classes/The Gita — III

ONE RAY OF DIVINE LIGHT WILL FREE HIM, REVEAL TO HIM HIS TRUE NATURE.

This idea of one being held down fast by past Karma, or work, is all nonsense. No matter how dense one may be, or how bad, one ray of light will dissipate it all. A bale of cotton, however large, will be utterly destroyed by a spark. If a room has been dark for untold ages, a lamp will end it all. So with each soul, however benighted he may be, he is not absolutely bound down by his past Karma to work for ages to come. "One ray of Divine Light will free him, reveal to him his true nature."

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Notes of Lectures and Classes/The Gita

MOUNTAINS CAN BE CRUMBLED INTO ATOMS

I AM NO MORE TO BE DUPED BY WORDS. LET HIM WHO HAS COURAGE IN HIS MIND AND LOVE IN HIS HEART COME WITH ME. I WANT NONE ELSE.

What if you don't get Mukti? What childish prattle! Lord! They say even the venom of a snake loses its power by firmly denying it. Isn't it true? What queer humility is this to say, "I know nothing !" "I am nothing !" This is pseudo-renunciation and mock modesty, I tell you. Off with such a self-debasing spirit! "If I do not know, who on earth does!" What have you been doing so long if you now plead ignorance? These are the words of an atheist — the humility of a vagabond wretch. We can do everything, and will do everything! He who is fortunate enough will heroically join us, letting the worthless mew like cats from their corner. A saint writes, "Well, you have had enough of blazoning. Now come back home." I would have called him a man if he could build a house and call me. Ten years' experience of such things has made me wiser. I am no more to be duped by words. Let him who has courage in his mind and love in his heart come with me. I want none else.

- Swami Vivekananda
1895, The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/LXXI Rakhal

YOU WILL TEACH THEM HOW TO LOVE GOD AND HOW TO KNOW GOD. YOU WILL HELP THE POOR, TOO ?

The Baranagore Monastery 

After some time, Sri Ramakrishna became ill. He was taken to a garden-house in Cossipore, near Calcutta. Naren and the other boys went there to stay with him and nurse him. When they were not busy nursing Sri Rama­krishna, they spent their time meditating.

One night Naren went into very deep medita­tion. He had a spiritual experience which filled him with bliss. He told Sri Ramakrishna that he wanted to stay in meditation all the time. ‘No, Naren,’ Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘there is much work for you to do. First, do your work. Then you may stay in meditation.’ Sri Ramakrishna did not get any better. He became more and more ill. He could not live much longer.

One day, he said to Naren: ‘I have given you all my spiritual power. With this great power, you will help all the people in the world. You will teach them how to love God and how to know God. You will help the poor, too.’

Naren was still a young boy. He did not understand how these words of his Guru could be true. How could he teach people these things? How could he help the poor?

It was on the 16th August 1886 that Sri Ramakrishna left his body. The boys felt very sad, for they missed him so much! He was like both father and mother to them.

Then they said: ‘Yes, Sri Ramakrishna has left his body. But he is still with us. He lives in our hearts.’

After that the boys left their homes and became sannyasins. Their first monastery was a tumble-down house, so old that hissing cobras lived under it. Sometimes the boys had nothing to eat. But they did not mind. They talked and thought of nothing but God.

It was while he was at the Baranagore Math that Naren began to think of what Sri Ramakrishna had said. How was he going to teach people and help them to overcome the sufferings of life? That was the question in Naren’s mind.

OURS IS TO WORK. THE RESULTS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES

" OUR PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAITH IN THEMSELVES " said Swamiji sadly " I WILL BRING BACK THAT FAITH TO THEM. NOW I GO; BUT WHEN I RETURN, I SHALL AWAKEN THE SLEEPING MILLIONS OF MY PEOPLE "

Journey to the West

Swamiji swam back to the shore. He then went to Madras. There he had many disciples. He told them that in his travels he had found that India was asleep. India was like a person who had been asleep for hundreds of years. She had to be awakened.
Swamiji now explained the plan he had thought of. He would go away from India. He would see what the people in other countries were doing. They had faith in themselves, so they could do any­thing. Also he would tell them all about India. India believes that nothing is stronger than the spirit that is in man. But now India has forgotten this. She has no faith.

‘Our people have lost faith in themselves,’ said Swamiji sadly ‘I will bring back that faith to them. Now I go; but when I return, I shall awaken the sleeping millions of my people.’

A Parliament of Religions was to be held in America, in the city of Chicago. Leaders of all the different religions of the world were going to speak.

‘I will go there,’ Swamiji said, ‘I will tell them about the ancient religion of India. I will tell them what I know, and I will learn from them the things they know.’

Chicago was many thousands of miles away. To get there, money was needed. Swamiji’s disciples in Madras collected money. And the Raja of Khetri, one of his disciples, also gave him much help. But Swamiji said that he was not yet ready to go. He said: ‘I shall not go, until I know that God wants me to go. If it is God’s plan, I shall go, otherwise not.’

One day, Swamiji was standing on the seashore looking at the beautiful sea and thinking about his plan. Then he saw a marvellous thing. In a vision, he saw Sri Ramakrishna walking on the sea. He was asking Swamiji, by signs, to follow him! Now Swamiji knew that it was his duty to go to America. It was the wish of Sri Rama­krishna.

It was on the 31st May 1893 that Swami Vivekananda sailed for America. He boarded the ship at Bombay. The Captain gave his orders. The ship’s whistle sounded a long, loud blast; and the ship sailed out of the harbour.

Swamiji watched the shores of India until they faded into the distance. Mother India faded from his sight But she stayed in his heart and he never ceased to serve her.

- Swami Vivekananda

WHAT YOU ARE DOING, he said, PUT YOU WHOLE MIND ON IT.

Vivekananda in America
After the people had stopped their cheering and clapping, Swamiji began his speech. The speech he made that day made him famous throughout the world.

He said that he was proud to belong to a religion which had taught people to accept all religions as true. His country, India, had given shelter to many people when they were not allowed to follow their own religions in their own countries.

He then told them about a hymn which was repeated every day by millions of people in India. The hymn said that just as dif­ferent rivers all meet in the sea, so the different religions all meet in the one Lord of the universe.

The next day, big pictures of Swamiji were put up in the streets of Chicago. People wrote about him in the newspapers.
After the Parliament was over Swamiji travelled all over America. Wherever he went, he gave lectures and talked to the people. He answered their questions and told them about India.

In those days, people in western countries did not know much about India, and they had many wrong ideas about her. It was through Swamiji that they came to know and respect India.

People said: ‘Swami Vivekananda is not only a great spiritual teacher. He is also a great patriot. When he says the words “my country”, we feel how much he loves India!’
It was not only the grown-ups in America who loved Swamiji, children loved him too. Once Swamiji was watching some boys. They were standing on a bridge trying to shoot at egg-shells that were floating on the river. The egg-shells bobbed up and down. The boys could not hit any of them. They fired the gun many times, but they always missed the target!

They noticed that Swamiji was watching them. So they called out to him: ‘Well, you are watching us. Do you think you can do better?’

Swamiji smiled and said: I will try.’ Then the boys said: ‘It’s not so easy as you think!’ Swamiji took the gun and aimed at the egg-shells. He stood very still for a few minutes. Then he fired the gun. He fired twelve times, and every time he hit an egg-shell! The boys were very sur­prised. How could any man shoot egg-shells like that? They thought. They said to Swamiji: ‘Well, Mister, how did you do it?’ Swamiji laughed. He liked the boys.

‘Whatever you are doing,’ he said, ‘put your whole mind on it. If you are shooting, your mind should be only on the target. Then you will never miss. If you are learning your lessons, think only of the lesson. In my country boys are taught to do this.’
- Swami Vivekananda

TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM. ONLY MAKE IT PERMANENT; KEEP IT UP...WE WANT TO WORK OUT GREAT THINGS IN INDIA

Swamiji in Madras

Long before Swamiji reached Madras, the people of that city were planning to welcome him. It was from Madras that Swamiji had left for the West, taking his ship at Bombay. The people of Madras felt that he was their Swamiji. And so he was!

Swamiji was coming by train from Kumbakonam. It was a through train, and it did not stop at small stations. But at every station there were large crowds of people waiting to get a glimpse of the great Swamiji! At one small station, near Madras, the people wanted very much to see Swamiji. ‘Please,’ they begged the Station-master, ‘flag Swamiji’s train and make it stop. We must see Swamiji!’ ‘I can understand your feelings,’ said the Station-master, ‘but I cannot stop the train. It is a through train, and it will not stop here.’

What could the people do? They saw the train in the distance. It was coming very fast. About a hundred people ran and lay down on the tracks, in front of the rushing train! The Station-master was frightened. He had to stop the train! Then the people ran to Swamiji’s compartment and garlanded him and asked for his blessings. Swamiji stood there, radiant with love for them. He blessed them, and the train moved on.

At last the train reached Madras. Again, there was a huge crowd to greet him. He was garlanded, and many people threw flower petals as he walked.

They cheered and shouted: ‘Welcome, Prince of Men’, and ‘Hail to Sri Ramakrishna’s worthy disciple’.

The streets were decorated with arches and flags and flowers. All the shops were closed. The people filled the streets. Swamiji was taken by carriage through the streets of Madras. Some young men took the horses away from Swamiji’s carriage and pulled it themselves through the streets. Never before in Madras had there been such a welcome for anyone!
Swamiji was taken to a large hall, and there addresses of wel­come were read to him. Wave after wave of people surrounded Swamiji. It became impossible for him to give a long speech. So he said: I am intensely pleased at the show of enthusiasm. That is what is required—tremendous enthusiasm. Only make it permanent; keep it up. … We want to work out great things in India. For that I require your help; such enthusiasm is necessary.’

A day or two later, Swamiji was able to give a long speech to the people. He called it ‘My Plan of Campaign’, and in it he said: ‘Make your nerves strong. What we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel. … Stand on your feet and be men.’ Today, if we want to serve India, we should first understand Swamiji’s ideas and then follow them in our lives. If you want to serve India, he said, three things are necessary. First, you must have great feeling. Love is the gate to all the secrets of the universe. If you want to help the people who are starving and living in ignorance, you must feel for them, you must love them. Secondly, you must find a practical way to help them. Mere talking will not do. Thirdly, you must have a strong will. Even if the whole world stands against you, you must still dare to do what you think is right. If you have these three things you will work wonders. You will be powerful. Even if you live in a cave your thought will go vibrating all over the world and help people. Such is the power of thought, of sincerity, and of purity of purpose.
- Swami Vivekananda

RELIGION IS BUT MOTHER OF US. WHEN SOMEONE ABUSES THE MOTHER, SHOULD A SON LISTEN TO IT QUIETLY ?

 PREACHING IN AMERICA

Swami Vivekananda became world famous with his maiden speech on the first day of the Parliament of Religions at Chic...ago.

The following day large facsimiles of a photograph of Swamiji were displayed on the streets of the city of Chicago. You now see the same photograph on this page. The media went crazy in praise of him.

This was a time when the people of the West usually looked down upon India. Having seen and heard Swamiji, a deep respect for the Indian religion and civilisation began to grow in their mind. Swamiji won a high place for his mother­land among the nations of the world.

When the Parliament was over, he travelled far and wide in the States to deliver lectures. Many became his disciples and a few, even monks.

Swamiji could never tolerate any unjust criticism or cal­umny about India. He used to retaliate like a lion. Once, dur­ing a sea voyage, some Christian missionary was abusing the Indians and the Hiduism. Initially Swamiji tried patiently to explain points. But the man did not relent. At last Swamiji caught the man by his neck and warned, “If you dare to utter a single word more, I shall throw you overboard.” The man had to beat a retreat. Later he observed on this incident as, “Religion is but mother of us. When someone abuses the mother, should a son listen to it quietly?”

- Swami Vivekananda

GITA - WORK INCESANTLY

" This is the one central idea in the Gita: work incessantly, but be not attached to it "

" That wonderful poem, without one note in it, of weakness or unmanliness "

- Swami Vivekananda
 

MOUNTAINS CAN BE CRUMBLED INTO ATOMS

" If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished—mountains can be crumbled into atoms "

" Your Atman is the support of the universe—whose support do you stand in need of? Wait with patience and love and strength. If helpers are not ready now, they will come in time. Why should we be in a hurry? The real working force of all great work is in its almost unperceived beginnings.

- Swami Vivekananda

BE AN IDEAL MAN - STRENGTH IS LATENT WITHIN YOU

INVOKING STRENGHT: SERVICE OF PEOPLE

On his way to Calcutta, specially in Madras, Swamiji had come inspiring his fellow countrymen. He had appealed, “Be an ideal man. Serve your countrymen in the same way as you serve and worship God. Be mentally very strong. Never forget that you can accomplish whatever you wish. Strength is latent within you. It is man who has done everything towards human progress. Now, you shall have to do a lot for the sake of your country. You must not be scared of anything. Be fear­less”.

Swamiji had shown also the practical way to serve men as living God. At the Baranagar monastery, the young disciples of Sri Ramakrishna took to sanyasa. Swamiji started this mission with the help of them. At the call of Swamiji many had joined the Math by this time. He employed them in the service of men. He stressed, “Service of men as God brings the same result as obtained by the ritual worship of God”.

In Calcutta, scores were dying of plague at that time. The disease was of awful type and everybody was dead scared of it. Swamiji along with his brother monks started attending on the plague patients. He declared, “Carry on with your nursing. Do not worry about fund. We shall not fight shy of selling
the very estate of the monastery, if necessary”.

- Swami Vivekananda
http://belurmath.org/kids_section/2010/11/09/invoking-strength-service-of-people/

NO SHILLY - SHALLY, NO ESOTERIC BLACKGUARDISM, NO SECRET HUMBUG, NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE IN A CORNER.

BE STRONG, MY YOUNG FRIENDS; THAT IS MY ADVICE TO YOU

THE GIFT OF INDIA

THINK THAT THE WHOLE WORK IS UPON YOUR SHOULDERS. THINK THAT YOU, YOUNG MEN OF OUR MOTHERLAND, ARE DESTINED TO DO THIS

Think of me as one who has done all his duty and is now dead and gone. Think that the whole work is upon your shoulders. Think that you, young men of our motherland, are destined to do this. Put yourselves to the task. Lord bless you. Leave me, throw me quite out of sight. Preach the new ideal, the new doctrine, the new life. Preach against nobody, against no custom. Preach neither for nor against caste or any other social evil. Preach to let "hands off", and everything will come right.

My blessings on you all, my brave, steadfast, and loving souls.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/What we Believe in

OURS NOT TO QUESTION WHY, OURS BUT TO DO AND DIE

Yes, then it is — when the load would be sufficient to sink a lot of frail vessels — that the man of genius, of strength, the hero, sees that infinite, absolute, ever-blissful Existence per se, that infinite being who is called and worshipped under different names in different climes. Then it is, the shackles that bind the soul down to this hole of misery break, as it were, for a time, and unfettered it rises and rises until it reaches the throne of the Lord, "Where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest". Cease not, brother, to send up petitions day and night, cease not to say day and night — THY WILL BE DONE.

"Ours not to question why,
 Ours but to do and die."

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/A Message of Sympathy to a Friend

LET US TAKE OUR STAND ON THE ONE CENTRAL TRUTH IN OUR RELIGION - THE COMMON HERITAGE OF THE HINDUS, THE BUDDHISTS, AND JAINS ALIKE - THE SPIRIT OF MAN,

Let us take our stand on the one central truth in our religion — the common heritage of the Hindus, the Buddhists, and Jains alike — the spirit of man, the Atman of man, the immortal, birthless, all-pervading, eternal soul of man whose glories the Vedas cannot themselves express, before whose majesty the universe with its galaxy upon galaxy of suns and stars and nebulae is as a drop. Every man or woman, nay, from the highest Devas to the worm that crawls under our feet, is such a spirit evoluted or involuted. The difference is not in kind, but in degree.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

FIRST, LET US BE GODS, AND THEN HELP OTHERS TO BE GODS

This infinite power of the spirit, brought to bear upon matter evolves material development, made to act upon thought evolves intellectuality, and made to act upon itself makes of man a God.
First, let us be Gods, and then help others to be Gods. "Be and make." Let this be our motto. Say not man is a sinner. Tell him that he is a God. Even if there were a devil, it would be our duty to remember God always, and not the devil.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

BRING FORTH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, AND POUR IT OVER THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF INDIA; AND ALL THAT IS NECESSARY WILL COME BY ITSELF

Let the lion of Vedanta roar; the foxes will fly to their holes. Throw the ideas broadcast, and let the result take care of itself. Let us put the chemicals together; the crystallization will take its own course. Bring forth the power of the spirit, and pour it over the length and breadth of India; and all that is necessary will come by itself.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

EDUCATION - WHICH DOES NOT BRING OUT STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, A SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY, AND THE COURAGE OF A LION - IS IT WORTH THE NAME?

 

Disciple: But, sir, all the educated men of the country have joined it.

Swamiji: Well, you consider a man as educated if only he can pass some examinations and deliver good lectures. The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion -- is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one's own legs. The education that you are receiving now in schools and colleges is only making you a race of dyspeptics. You are working like machines merely, and living a jelly - fish existe...nce.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 7/Conversations And Dialogues/VII

MANIFEST THE DIVINITY WITHIN YOU, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE HARMONIOUSLY ARRANGED AROUND IT.

Manifest the divinity within you, and everything will be harmoniously arranged around it. Remember the illustration of Indra and Virochana in the Vedas; both were taught their divinity. But the Asura, Virochana, took his body for his God. Indra, being a Deva, understood that the Atman was meant. You are the children of India. You are the descendants of the Devas. Matter can never be your God; body can never be your God.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

IF ANY SOCIAL INSTITUTION STANDS IN YOUR WAY OF BECOMING GOD, IT WILL GIVE WAY BEFORE THE POWER OF SPIRIT

Do not care under what banner you march. Do not care what be your colour — green, blue, or red — but mix up all the colours and produce that intense glow of white, the colour of love. Ours is to work. The results will take care of themselves. If any social institution stands in your way of becoming God, it will give way before the power of Spirit. I do not see into the future; nor do I care to see. But one vision I see dear as life before me: that the ancient Mother has awakened once more, sitting on Her throne rejuvenated, more glorious than ever. Proclaim Her to all the world with the voice of peace and benediction.

- Yours ever in love and labour, Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

LAY DOWN YOUR COMFORTS, YOUR PLEASURES, YOUR NAMES, FAME OR POSITION, NAY EVEN YOUR LIVES

The Purusha Himself sacrificed Himself to create this world. Lay down your comforts, your pleasures, your names, fame or position, nay even your lives, and make a bridge of human chains over which millions will cross this ocean of life. Bring all the forces of good together.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras addressSee More

YOU MUST GIVE UP. BE GREAT. NO GREAT WORK CAN BE DONE WITHOUT SACRIFICE.

Call up the divinity within you, which will enable you to bear hunger and thirst, heat and cold. Sitting in luxurious homes, surrounded with all the comforts of life, and doling out a little amateur religion may be good for other lands, but India has a truer instinct. It intuitively detects the mask. You must give up. Be great. No great work can be done without sacrifice.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

ETERNAL SOUL OF MAN WHOSE GLORIES THE VEDAS CANNOT THEMSELVES EXPRESS, BEFORE WHOSE MAJESTY THE UNIVERSE WITH ITS GALAXY UPON GALAXY OF SUNS AND STARTS AND NEBULAE IS AS A DROP.

Let us take our stand on the one central truth in our religion — the common heritage of the Hindus, the Buddhists, and Jains alike — the spirit of man, the Atman of man, the immortal, birthless, all-pervading, eternal soul of man whose glories the Vedas cannot themselves express, before whose majesty the universe with its galaxy upon galaxy of suns and stars and nebulae is as a drop. Every man or woman, nay, from the highest Devas to the worm that crawls under our feet, is such a spirit evoluted or involuted. The difference is not in kind, but in degree.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

INDIA WILL BE RAISED, NOT WITH THE POWER OF THE FLESH, BUT WITH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT;

India will be raised, not with the power of the flesh, but with the power of the spirit; not with the flag of destruction, but with the flag of peace and love, the garb of the Sannyâsin; not by the power of wealth, but by the power of the begging bowl. Say not that you are weak. The spirit is omnipotent. Look at that handful of young men called into existence by the divine touch of Ramakrishna's feet.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the Madras address

LET NOT YOUR FAITH BE SHAKEN ....HAS DANGER ANY POWER OVER ONE WHOM THE LORD HAS TAKEN INTO HIS FOLD ?

You remember, I suppose, how after Shri Ramakrishna's passing away, all forsook us as so many worthless, ragged boys. Only people like Balaram, Suresh, Master, and Chuni Babu were our friends at that hour of need. And we shall never be able to repay our debts to them. ... Tell Chuni Babu in private that he has nothing to fear, that those who are protected by the Lord must be above fear. I am a puny man, but the glories of the Lord are infinite. — Discard fear. Let not your faith be shaken. ...Has danger any power over one whom the Lord has taken into His fold?

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles - Second Series/LXXVIII Rakhal

MAN, THEREFORE, ACCORDING TO THE VEDANTA PHILOSOPHY, IS THE GREATEST BEING THAT IS IN THE UNIVERSE

Man, therefore, according to the Vedanta philosophy, is the greatest being that is in the universe, and this world of work the best place in it, because only herein is the greatest and the best chance for him to become perfect. Angels or gods, whatever you may call them, have all to become men, if they want to become perfect. This is the great centre, the wonderful poise, and the wonderful opportunity — this human life.

- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 2/Jnana-Yoga/The Real and the Apparent Man

THE MORE THIS POWER OF CONCENTRATION, THE MORE KNOWLEDGE IS ACQUIRED, BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY METHOD OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE

The more this power of concentration, the more knowledge is acquired, because this is the one and only method of acquiring knowledge. Even the lowest shoeblack, if he gives more concentration, will black the shoes better; the cook with concentration will cook a meal all the better. In making money, or in worshiping God, or in doing anything, the stronger the power of concentration, the better will that thing be done. This is the one call, the one knock, which opens the gates of nature.

- Swami Vivekananda

THEY ASK TO BE UP AND DOING. A HUNDRED YEARS LATER WE CLING TO THE MESSAGE AND GO TO SLEEP

 These [great souls] are signposts on the way. That is all they are. They say, \"Onward, brothers!\" We cling to them; we never want to move. We do not want to think; we want others to think for us. The messengers fulfil their mission. They ask to be up and doing. A hundred years later we cling to the message and go to sleep.

- Swami Vivekananda

YOU ARE QUITE AS GREAT AS JESUS, BUDDHA, OR ANYBODY ELSE. IF WE ARE NOT WE MUST STRUGGLE AND BE

These old people were all messengers of God. I fall down and worship them; I take the dust of their feet. But they are dead! ... And we are alive. We must go ahead! ... Religion is not an imitation of Jesus or Mohammed. Even if an imitation is good, it is never genuine. Be not an imitation of Jesus, but be Jesus, You are quite as great as Jesus, Buddha, or anybody else. If we are not ... we must struggle and be. I would not be exactly like Jesus. It is unnecessary that I should be born a Jew.

- Swami Vivekananda

YOU ARE QUITE AS GREAT AS JESUS, BUDDHA, OR ANYBODY ELSE. IF WE ARE NOT WE MUST STRUGGLE AND BE

These old people were all messengers of God. I fall down and worship them; I take the dust of their feet. But they are dead! ... And we are alive. We must go ahead! ... Religion is not an imitation of Jesus or Mohammed. Even if an imitation is good, it is never genuine. Be not an imitation of Jesus, but be Jesus, You are quite as great as Jesus, Buddha, or anybody else. If we are not ... we must struggle and be. I would not be exactly like Jesus. It is unnecessary that I should be born a Jew.

- Swami Vivekananda

FACE THE TRUTH AS IT IS!

All weakness, all bondage is imagination. Speak one word to it, it must vanish. Do not weaken! There is no other way out.... Stand up and be strong! No fear. No superstition. Face the truth as it is! If death comes — that is the worst of our miseries — let it come! We are determined to die game. That is all the religion I know. I have not attained to it, but I am struggling to do it. I may not, but you may. Go on!

- Swami Vivekananda

WHEN THE SOUL WANTS TO DEPEND UPON NOTHING, NOT EVEN UPON LIFE, THAT IS THE HEIGHT OF PHILOSOPHY, THE HEIGHT OF MANHOOD.

 Independent, Krishna stands out. The very boldness of it frightens us. We depend upon everything — ... upon a few good words, upon circumstances. When the soul wants to depend upon nothing, not even upon life, that is the height of philosophy, the height of manhood. Worship leads to the same goal. Krishna lays great stress upon worship. Worship God!

- Swami Vivekananda