I do not ascribe
Swamiji with any religious cult or put him at any higher pedestal for his
religious teachings. To me, he is another noble man and a person very much like
you and me with an ingrained value system and a burning passion of doing good
to others. Many of us can attain that
level if we really want.
First point first. I would like to bring up is his health consciousness
towards youth. The same is very much evident when he called out for youth to
have muscles of iron and nerves of steel. He always encouraged people to take up
football or any other games and to go to gymnasium instead of spending time on
Gita. It is not that he undermined study of Gita but, in the context of youth,
building physical health was equally, if not more, important than mental and
spiritual health. It does not need a
mention that these thoughts exactly echo the concerns of un-healthy lifestyle
in our children and youth. Medical experts, today, are always placing prime
importance to involve children in more physical activities, drawing them out
from their sedentary lifestyle.
Secondly, I consider Swamiji the first Indian to bring-up the
concept of globalization in the mind of masses. While he did put India in world
map through his famed Chicago address on Sept 11, 1893, he was very much open
to imbibe the material benefits of west. He always used to visualize a world
having synthesized the technological prowess of west with spiritual harmony of
east. Today we witness how true this is and the way this thought is being
lapped of by common people in both regions – east and west through Yoga,
increased interest of ancient literature of India and to top it all, the Indian
and eastern value system in family and
society are getting recognized all across.
Though he always encouraged this synthesis to happen, he also
asked people to remain rooted to Indian culture with the self-belief that we
are inferior to none –a much needed thought in today’s world. Without the roots firmly grounded, we see how
there are numerous distractions for our children and youth towards going astray
in their social lives.
Swamiji said, “I pity them from the bottom of my heart, and
point out to them that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written,
in spite of resistance: ‘help and not fight’, ‘assimilation and not
destruction’; ‘harmony and peace and not dissension.’ “
When we read and re-read the above few lines, the importance
of tolerance and respect to another self with the deep belief on “As Many Ways-
So Many Paths” does not need any further explanation.
I would like to conclude today’s discussion on his forward
looking thoughts of creating a unique school system through Ramakrishna Missions.
Without this, probably the whole Ramakrishna Math and Culture would have
remained confined to just another religious cult like others. He could very
well expand on the strong base of Ramakrishna ideology for doing increased good
to the society through the arm -that is called Ramakrishna Mission. These
schools are amongst the finest schools that our country is proud of producing many
stalwarts in the all fields of life.
I request our young generation to explore more of Swamiji
through “Complete Works of Vivekananda”. There are many a thoughts in those
pages that we can take it up at our individual level as an inspiration.
Thank You.
