SWAMIJI AND INDIAN NATIONALISM - A book review

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AND INDIAN NATIONALISM. By Subodh Chandra Sen Gupta. The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Gol Park,Calcutta 700029; First Ramakrishna Mission Edition, 2001. Pages 170, Soft Cover, Rs. 50/-

Many people turn to the teachings and writings of Swami Vivekananda for help to quench their thirst for spiritual knowledge or even to find solutions to various social and secular problems. Everyone is guaranteed something there, but what he/she receives depends entirely upon him/her. The same thing can be applied to Swami Vivekananda's Nationalism. One may see him as a Hindu patriot, and another may see him as the champion of universal brotherhood proclaiming that the national boundaries are hurdles to human welfare and fulfilment. Thus, patriotism for Swami Vivekananda was 'always partial'. This peculiarity is well noted when one considers the role Swami Vivekananda played, albeit indirectly, in building or shaping Indian Freedom Movement. Never was the Swami interested in the politics of freedom struggle. While putting forward the resolutions for Sri Ramakrishna's monastic and lay disciples on May 1, 1897, he categorically says: 'Aims and Ideals of the Mission being purely spiritual and humanitarian, it would have no connection with politics.'

The author of the book under review also makes this point. The book mostly deals with the history and analysis of Indian freedom struggle, with special references to the role played and contributions made by such great leaders and visionaries as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati, Bankimchandra, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Out of ten chapters, three chapters (3, 4, and 5) are devoted to expounding the basic philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. An attempt is also made to focus on the views and inspiration offered by Swami Vivekananda to Indian freedom struggle. However, the author regrets that the Swami was never fully understood by these leaders including Gandhi and Nehru. This thinking finds its cumulative culmination in the last chapter 'Today and Tomorrow' where the author expresses his unhappiness at the way the Indian situation, both economic and social, has deteriorated.

Even though many of the Indian leaders were influenced and inspired by Swamiji's writings and teachings it was not possible for them to assimilate his teachings. Thus, the role of the Mission and role of the politicians, although complementary, would by necessity differ. This claim can be substantiated if we consider the answer given by his Guru-bhai, Swami Shivananda to one of the devotees when he was asked: 'Maharaj, at this hour the whole country is stirred to its very depths by Non-cooperation Movement of Mahatma Gandhi…. But why is Ramakrishna Mission silent in this immense countrywide movement? Has not the Mission some duty in this national struggle for freedom? Don't you feel for the country at all?' Swami Shivananda replied: '...Swami Vivekananda could certainly have stirred the country to political revolution, had he so chosen. Who is more patriotic than he was? How many hearts bleed for the downtrodden masses, as his did? Swamiji did not start a revolution. Had he known it would really help India, he would surely have done so…. We are actually accomplishing things, not through politics, but in our own way. Mahatma Gandhi is working out similar ideas through politics….' Interested readers may refer 'For Seekers of God', page 8 to 12; Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, 1985, for more details.

What this means is that even if we accept the influence of Swami Vivekananda on Indian Nationalism and Freedom struggle, one should be careful in lending the degree of importance to it. It can be said that for want of a comprehensive understanding of his core message of spiritual fulfillment on the parts of leaders of Indian Freedom Movement, correct application of his teachings in Indian Freedom struggle was not possible. He loved Mother India only for one thing, and that is because from time immemorial she has produced men and women of exalted character who manifested highest spiritual truths in their lives. One may call them saints, prophets, or incarnations; one may try to find gradations in them, but for Swamiji anyone manifesting higher spiritual consciousness was a valuable asset in search of and as an expression of human excellence. As Swami Ashokananda reflects 'behind all his (Swami Vivekananda's) patriotism, deep down there was the spiritual motive. For him India was synonymous with the spirit of religion….'

- C.S. SHAH : Vedanta Kesari May 2002

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कथा : विवेकानन्द केन्द्र { Katha : Vivekananda Kendra }

Katha Blog : http://katha.vkendra.org

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Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra : http://www.vivekanandakendra.org
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Let's work on "Swamiji's Vision - Eknathji's Mission"

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मुक्तसंग्ङोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वित:।
सिद्ध‌‌यसिद्धयोर्निर्विकार: कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ॥१८.२६॥

Freed from attachment, non-egoistic, endowed with courage and enthusiasm and unperturbed by success or failure, the worker is known as a pure (Sattvika) one. Four outstanding and essential qualities of a worker. - Bhagwad Gita : XVIII-26

The Advice of Bulbul

In a jungle, many monkeys lived. They spent their days leaping from branch to branch, tree to tree, eating sweet fruits and sour tamarinds. While they were generally happy, they had one major issue: they struggled during the winter. They didn't know how to build homes, and when the leaves fell from the trees, they lost their warmth.

Once, during the cold month of Margashirsha, severe weather struck with unexpected rain and biting winds. The monkeys were miserable, their teeth chattering from the cold. Seeking a solution, one monkey noticed some chanothi/gunja seeds, which appeared like fire, and suggested collecting them for warmth. All the monkeys agreed and began gathering the chanothi/gunja seeds.

Nearby, a bulbul bird, observing their actions, tried to warn them that these were chanothi/gunja seeds, not fire, and wouldn't provide warmth. The bird advised the monkeys to build homes to stay warm. However, the monkeys, irritated by the bird's interference, ignored the advice. Angrily, they captured the bird, broke its neck, and destroyed its nest.

The moral of the story: "Never offer advice to fools. They will not only ignore it but may also harm you."

(Story from Panchtantra)

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एक जंगल में बहुत सारे बंदर रहते थे। पूरा दिन इस डाल से उस डाल, इस पेड़ से उस पेड़... बस कूदते रहते। मीठे-मीठे फल खाते, खट्टी-खट्टी इमली खाते। वैसे तो उन्हें हर बात में सुख था लेकिन एक बात का बहुत दुख था।

सर्दी आने पर ठंड में ठिठुर जाते। दुखी हो जाते। घर बनाना उन्होंने सीखा नहीं था। सर्दियों में पेड़ों के पत्ते भी गिर जाते, जिससे उनकी गर्मी भी कम हो जाती।
एक बार, जब मार्गशीर्ष का महीना चल रहा था। कुदरत कोप में थी और भयंकर ठंड शुरू हो गई। उसमें बेमौसम बारिश पड़ने लगी। ऊपर से सन-सन करती ठंडी हवा...
बंदर तो परेशान हो गए। भीगने से ठंड और ज्यादा लगने लगी। सभी के दांत कटकटाने लगे।

सभी बंदर ठंड से बचने का उपाय खोजने लगे। तभी एक बंदर को चनोथी दिखी। उसने कहा, 'यह आग के टुकड़े लगते हैं। इन्हें इकट्ठा करें। फिर इसे जलाकर गर्मी पाएंगे और ठंड दूर होगी।'

सभी बंदर सहमत हो गए। और जब चनोथी इकट्ठा कर रहे थे, तभी एक बुलबुल का घोंसला था। बुलबुल अपने घोंसले में बैठकर बंदरों की गतिविधि देख रही थी। उसने सोचा, ये मूर्ख बंदर ये नहीं समझते कि ये चनोथी हैं, आग नहीं। इससे उनकी ठंड कम नहीं होगी! लाओ, मैं उन्हें समझाती हूँ ताकि वे ये मेहनत छोड़कर ठंड से बचने का दूसरा उपाय खोजें।
बुलबुल ने एक बंदर से कहा, 'भाई! यह तो चनोथी है, आग नहीं। आप बेवजह इसे इकट्ठा कर रहे हैं। इससे आपको ठंड से कोई राहत नहीं मिलेगी।'

'ओए, तुम अपने काम से काम रखो। तुम्हें समझ है, यह हम जानते हैं। हमारे काम में दखल मत दो।' बंदर ने गुस्से में दांत दिखाकर कहा। 

'हम छोटे-छोटे पक्षी होते हुए भी घोंसला बनाकर रहते हैं। जबकि तुम इतने बड़े हो, भगवान ने तुम्हें दो हाथ दिए हैं, समझ दी है। तो तुम अपना घर क्यों नहीं बना लेते! घर होता तो ठंड नहीं लगती, है ना?'

अब बंदरों को गुस्सा आ गया। इतनी छोटी बुलबुल हमें सलाह दे रही है! बंदरों ने बुलबुल को पकड़कर उसकी गरदन मरोड़ दी और नीचे फेंक दिया। उसका घोंसला भी तोड़ दिया। बेचारी बुलबुल तुरंत मर गई।

'हे बच्चों! मूर्खों को कभी सलाह नहीं देनी चाहिए। नहीं तो वे आपका ही विरोध करेंगे और आपको नुकसान पहुंचाएंगे।'

(पंचतंत्र से)

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कथा : विवेकानन्द केन्द्र { Katha : Vivekananda Kendra }

Katha Blog : http://katha.vkendra.org

Katha Google Group : https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/daily-katha

Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra : http://www.vivekanandakendra.org
Read n Get Articles, Magazines, Books @ http://prakashan.vivekanandakendra.org

Let's work on "Swamiji's Vision - Eknathji's Mission"

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मुक्तसंग्ङोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वित:।
सिद्ध‌‌यसिद्धयोर्निर्विकार: कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ॥१८.२६॥

Freed from attachment, non-egoistic, endowed with courage and enthusiasm and unperturbed by success or failure, the worker is known as a pure (Sattvika) one. Four outstanding and essential qualities of a worker. - Bhagwad Gita : XVIII-26

GURU (Teacher of Men) - THE AVADHUTA AND HIS UPA-GURUS

THE Guru is only one, but Upa-gurus (secondary gurus) may be many. He is an Upa-guru from whom anything whatsoever is learned. It is mentioned in the Bhagavata that the great Avadhuta (a great yogi) had twenty four such Upa-Gurus.

(a) One day, as the Avadhuta was walking across a meadow, he saw a bridal procession coming toward him with loud beating of drums and great pomp. Hard by he saw a hunter deeply absorbed in aiming at his game and perfectly inattentive to the noise and pomp of the procession, casting not even a passing look at it. The Avadhuta, saluting the hunter, said, "Sir, thou art my Guru. When I sit in meditation let my mind be concentrated upon the object of meditation, as yours was on your game."

(b) An angler was fishing in a pond. The Avadhuta approaching him asked, "Brother which way leads to such and such a place?" The float of the rod at that time was indicating that the fish was nibbling at the bait; so the man did not give any reply but was all attention to his fishing rod. Having first hooked the fish, he turned round and said, "What is it you have been saying sir?" The Avadhuta saluted him and said, "Sir, thou art my Guru. When I sit in contemplation of the Deity of my choice (Ishta), let me follow thy example and before finishing my devotions let me not attend to anything else."

(c) A kite with a fish in its beak was followed by a host of crows and other kites, which were pecking at it and trying to snatch the fish away. In whatever direction it went, its tormentors followed it cawing, till at last they made it let go the fish in vexation. Another kite instantly caught the fish and was in its turn followed by the whole lot. The first kite was left unmolested and sat calmly on the branch of a tree. Seeing this quiet and tranquil state of the bird the Avadhuta saluting him, said, "Thou art my Guru, for thou hast taught me that peace of mind is possible in this world, only when one has given up one's adjuncts (upadhis); otherwise there is danger at every step."

(d) A heron was slowly walking on a marsh to catch a fish. Behind, there was a fowler aiming an arrow at the heron, but the bird was totally unmindful of this fact. The Avadhuta saluting the heron, said, "When I sit in meditation, let me follow thy example and never turn back to see who is behind me."

(e) The Avadhuta found another Guru in a bee. The bee had been storing up honey with long and great labour. A man came from somewhere, broke the hive and drank up the honey. The bee was not destined to enjoy the fruit of its long labour. On seeing this, the Avadhuta saluted the bee saying, "Lord! Thou art my Guru; from Thee I learn what the sure fate of accumulated riches is." (166)

ref : Parables of Sri Ramakrishna 

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कथा : विवेकानन्द केन्द्र { Katha : Vivekananda Kendra }

Katha Blog : http://katha.vkendra.org

Katha Google Group : https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/daily-katha

Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra : http://www.vivekanandakendra.org
Read n Get Articles, Magazines, Books @ http://prakashan.vivekanandakendra.org

Let's work on "Swamiji's Vision - Eknathji's Mission"

---

Follow Vivekananda Kendra on   blog   twitter   g+   facebook   rss   delicious   youtube   Donate Online

---

मुक्तसंग्ङोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वित:।
सिद्ध‌‌यसिद्धयोर्निर्विकार: कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ॥१८.२६॥

Freed from attachment, non-egoistic, endowed with courage and enthusiasm and unperturbed by success or failure, the worker is known as a pure (Sattvika) one. Four outstanding and essential qualities of a worker. - Bhagwad Gita : XVIII-26