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Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

• All the theories, talks, logic, explanations, actions are limited by time and space and hence no satisfactory conclusion can be drawn on rational plane about the problem of existence. Annihilation of subject can not be contemplated without the contemplation of annihilation of object and no conscious action is possible without considering the subject and object as permanent.


• Our idea of permanence includes our idea of being a body but body is impermanent and so is the world. So where from comes the idea of permanency? Idea of freedom is the very warp and woof of human existence; reason tries to smoother it but fails miserably. Either everything is changing phenomenon producing an illusion of permanency or there is something interpenetrating everything that is permanent. Science can't ignore this fact and explain only the remaining, that would be unscientific. The source of this freedom is infinite, uncaused, unchanging, ever-free Spirit, Atman - the soul of man and world.

• Idea of reincarnation existed in many cultures and religions but nowhere was it so developed as among the ancient Aryans of India. Ancient Egyptians and Chaldeans had more or less materialistic idea of soul which was just a body double and suffered after death.


• It was Indian Aryans who first addressed all-pervading God as Father. They figured out that once soul left the body, the corpse is of no use and needs to be burned while soul can be in better place than in this body and this world. Mlenchchhas thought that only place good for the soul was this body and this sense world.


• The ideas of soul came to Hebrew from Egyptians and Egyptians got those from India. Buddhistic activity can be traced in ancient Alexandria. The name for Persian method of disposal of corpse comes from Sanskrit root Dah - to be burn.


• Many thinkers, philosophers in all countries have argued for reincarnation, some even sighting empirical data of human births and deaths in society as evidence. The argument against reincarnation using lack of memory is not strong as it can easily be refuted; memory can't be taken as criterion for existence.


• Hindu philosophers argue that without reincarnation the inequalities of destines of different individuals can not be satisfactorily explained. And neither can the glory and liberty of human soul be vindicated.


• Transmission of past experiences in present birth is explained by spiritualist through reincarnation of soul; the same is explained by materialist by cellular or hereditary chain. One lead to spirituality and other to materialism.

• 'At present, Hindu ascetics are split up into the main divisions of Sannyasins, Yogis, Vairagis, and Panthis. The Sannyasins are the followers of Advaitism after Shankaracharya; the Yogis, though following the Advaita system, are specialists in practising the different systems of Yoga; the Vairagis are the dualistic disciples of Ramanujacharya and others; the Panthis, professing either philosophy, are orders founded during the Mohammedan rule.'


• 'From time immemorial earnest souls in India have always retired to secluded spots, to carry on uninterrupted their study of the mysteries of the inner life ...'


• "The means should be loved and cared for as if it were the end itself."

• Indian history is the melting pot of all races and the whole gamut of humanity's evolution. In the midst of this play of nature one section of humanity found a way to organise and develop culture. They were the Aryans and the method was Varnashramachara - the so-called caste. Though consciously or unconsciously the Aryans kept privileges for themselves, the system was flexible to allow growth of various sections. The spiritually matured Brahmins were the guides.


• In other countries the highest section of society is Kshatriya - the worrier, but in India it was always Brahmin - the spiritual person. Outside India the unit is individual while in India it is caste-community; in other countries, you can rise in social hierarchy based on your wealth, power, intellect etc. but in India you have to take your whole community with yourself if you wish to rise up.


• The dividing line between Aryans and Tamilians was always language and never blood. Varnashrama was a great social system and it has helped Indian society from ancient times but it became distorted and tyrannical due to ignorance and false pride of Brahmins, foreign invasion etc. Brahmins should become spiritual and help others become spiritual. Non-brahnins should not fight caste system with hatred against Brahmins.


• The Aryan theory must be brushed aside especially for South and legitimate pride of Tamils should be restored. Arya is the word used in Indian scriptures to describe all the people now known as Hindu and they always had only 'language' distinction as Sanskrit-speaking and Tamil-speaking; Shudras were considered Arya novitiate - waiting Aryas.


• Pandit Savariroyan finds the racial identity of Tamilians with that of Accado-Sumerians which would make them ancient than Aryans and Semites. Egyptians are the people of Malabar migrated across the ocean to delta of Nile and they fondly refer to their land of origin as land of Punt.

• Problem faced by every nation, culture, society is the assimilation of various races; common language, government and above all religion, is the solution. Greece, Rome tried to fit all races into the dominant type and the result was success for short duration but collapse in long run; this was because gems in variety were crushed. On the other hand India allowed variety to flourish and hence She still lives.


• Sanskrit was linguistic solution, Arya type was racial solution and Brahminhood was social and political solution. Dravidian languages may or may not have been originally Sanskritic but now practically they are so.


• Brahminhood is India's ideal; one must pass through Kshatriyahood before becoming real Brahmin. Monotheism is great but it can not be broad enough and propagates cruelty; Indian solution - Ekam Sat Vipra bahuda Vadanti. Advaita solution of preaching principle yet allowing personalities to flourish is the best. India has been thus progressing always and not degenerating; will flourish greatly in future.

• Religion was and is the life-line of India; India survives because of its spirituality. Those who study the past glory of India and bring that to others, do a great service to India.


• In ancient India, Brahmins and Kshatriyas fought for the mastery over poor and ignorant. The struggle between Jnana and ceremonials continued for long; at last Jnana represented by Kshatriyas won the struggle. Sri Krishna and Buddha, two great prophets of spirituality, were Kshatriyas and they opened the gates of religion for all. Buddhism succeeded in removing the animal sacrifices and Brahminical dominance but being iconoclastic, it degenerated into superstitions, ceremonials, temples, images, symbols etc.


• Because Buddhism degenerated into Vamachara, it was driven out of India by Shankara and his followers. Brahmins and Kshatriyas from Himalaya to Vindhya had vanished and now Southerners were the teachers of Veda. It also recreated the tyranny of priests, as Kshatriyas had declined.


• The slavery of thousand years that India experienced was the law of Karma acting on India for the tyranny of Brahmins and Kshatriyas on masses. Eqaulity as propounded by Vedanta is the answer to all problems; not only monks have to follow it but householders, in fact all humanity, have to follow it.

• Despite centuries of foreign invasions and degradations, the foundation of India, namely its spirituality, remains unshaken and its goal still remains evolution of spiritual humanity. South India had clung to culture and spirituality through centuries and all great Acharyas were born there.


• Shrutis, the Jnana-Kanda, the Moksha-marga have always ruled India; all philosophical systems of Hinduism and also some of Buddhist and Jain have Shruti as the foundation. Gita is the commentary on Shruti while Vyasa-sutras is its organised system. These three form the 'Prasthan-Trayee'; Puranas are modified Vedic Narasamsis and Tantras represent Vedic rituals and Brahmana portion. Masses in India for centuries, consciously or unconsciously - through Tantras, Puranans, and all sects - are executing plan laid in 'Prasthan-Trayee'.


• Bengal was for long under the heavy influence of Nyaya philosophy and hence Vedanta was not known much whereas in Hindi speaking belt Vedanta percolated to the lowest strata of society. Chaitanya got Sannyasa from a Bharati sect monk but his spirituality was aroused by a Puri sect monk! Sri Ramakrishna also got Sannyasa from Puri monk; Puri monks seem to always awaken the spirituality in Bengal!


• The curious tradition of family Gurus in Bengal is also a reason it was cut-off from religious life of rest of India. Also Bengal did not receive the influx of monks who are generally the custodians of spirituality. Hindi speaking belt has been greatly benefited from Tyagis; North-West and Punjab have more religious education than Bengal, Bombay or Madras; example of "Blanket Swami" (Kali Kamli Wale Baba?).


• If we study various commentaries on Veda we would understand that Vedas give the eternal rules that govern the inner life of human being. Not only Hinduism but Buddhism and Jainism too believe in eternity of creation. All sects can be categorized into Jnana-Marga or Bhakti-Marga and neither of them put condition of exclusivity of caste, creed, sex etc. for attaining the goal.


• Vedas teach the absolute God and all the progressive stages to reach it while other religions teach one or the other stage to absolute God and that too is crystallized and unprogressive. India grew free in religion but cramped in society while West grew free in society but cramped in religion. In Nineteenth century various Hindu reformists tried to denounce Hinduism and bring reform into society which naturally failed.


• Onslaught of modern science shook the foundations of religions based on beliefs and organizations but it has rather helped Hinduism in re-establishing the secrets discovered by ancient Vedic sages. Every being and entire universe is manifestation of One Spirit; we have to take our stand on this fact.

• Hinduism and Sri Ramakrishna

• Any religion contains: Symbology, History (includes mythology), Philosophy, and Mysticism (runs through other divisions); highly developed religions have all four and also sacred book or books. Vedic religion has Veda, Avestic - Avesta, Mosaic - Old Testament, Buddhistic - Tripitika, Christians - New Testament, Mohammedans - Koran; Taoists and Confucianists have books but are deeply mixed with Buddhism.


• Roughly speaking Vedic, Mosaic, and Avestic religion remained with the race in which it originated while Christianity, Buddhism, and Mohammedanism spread among many races. No one religion can suit entire world and rather it would be dangerous to make such a claim.


• The dreams of One Religion or One Political Empire for whole world have always been frustrated by emergence of subgroups; diversity with the background of Unity seems to be the plan of nature. Unity can be had in one grand philosophy while diversity in mythology, teachers, and ceremonials is a must. Sending teachers to other races and enlightening them of all religions is good but no criticism or exploiting weakness should be allowed in this.


• In present times there is a tug-of-war between metaphysical and physical and unfortunately even thinking people succumb to denying metaphysical. Science, if it insists only on sense-perceptions, is of no value and can't be true. Senses gather facts and group them but without metaphysical concepts the gathering and grouping is not possible; time, space, causation, law, force, matter, mind etc. are higher and subtler metaphysical generalizations. They are to be considered valid, metaphysical, and being metaphysical, forming the basis of physical - only thus they can be furnished as an explanation to sense-perceptions.


• Whether external causes internal or vice-versa, whether matter causes mind or vice-versa is very old problem which is still as vigorous as thousands of years back. Assuming that external forms internal still unless external conforms to internal we can not know it. That part of existence which is circumscribed by mind can not be cause of mind because it is itself known in and through the mind. Thus it is impossible and absurd to deduce mind from matter. In fact a set of qualities of a substance are termed mind while the remaining qualities are termed matter and as such the relation and causality between the two is mere word-puzzle! Meanings of word like 'mind' and 'matter' also vary and sometimes overlapping.


• The Unity which is background of both mind and matter, internal and external and at the same time which is expressing Itself as mind and matter is running through everything. The argument that, there is no such unity is not strong enough and relies on relatively subtle part of the changing phenomenon. Again, human mind has this idea of freedom which can never be totally extinguished; to say this idea of freedom is illusion does not fit in with reason and experience.

• Indian history can be seen in its sacred texts, philosophical texts, literature etc.; profound culture, thoughtfulness and wisdom first dawned on this race (Aryans). Whether this race was originally in India or migrated to India from outside is difficult to ascertain.


• Indian thought has penetrated the world thought, perceptibly or imperceptibly, over thousands of years. Greeks, known to Indians as Yavanas, have influenced earthly sciences of society, polity, military etc. all over the world; modern Europe is but Greek civilization in new form.


• Historically Aryan and Yavana civilizations have come in contact from time to time and whenever they meet, human civilizations expands intellectually and spiritually. In antiquity, when these two met, Romans, Persians, and other great nations arose; after the meeting during Alexander's time, Christianity arose; later another meeting gave rise to Arabian prosperity and birth of European civilization. In current times the meeting took place in India when British ruled India.


• India aspires after meditation, quietude, Moksha while West aspires after activity, creation of heaven on earth. Modern European or American can be said to be proud descendent of ancient Greeks but modern Hindu is a pale shadow of his ancestors; still all is not lost, there still is fire below the smoke and India can be revived and made great as She was in past. What shape this revival will take?


• India needs a little of Western Rajas; though Sattva and Self-Knowledge is infinitely greater than anything of this world, how many are there fit for Sattva? Very few indeed and on the plea of Sattva, masses have plunged into Tamas. Those who aspire to reach Sattva, which is very near Supreme Self, must pass through Rajas. Transcendentalism must flow from India to West and Indians should get Rajas from West. The end and aim of Udbodhan is to help this intermingling. But Indians, while embracing Western Rajas, must always remember the spiritual heritage of their ancestors.

• Vedic priests had great power over kings due to their knowledge of mantras, sacrifices, boons from gods etc. Kings had to take money from masses, especially from Vaishyas, and supply for royal, military, and priestly expenditure.


• Common masses were lacking awareness, skill, and capacity of power of unity and had no say in governance; rigid social laws, given by inspired Rishis, were guiding them and state. Again, masses being taken care by the state meant that in long run masses lost the capacity for self-governance and responsibility-sharing. Though the germ of self-government was there in village Panchayats but it never grew into a tree. In Buddhist monasteries, self-governance was fully developed. And even now the perfect operation of Panchayat system can be seen in Naga Sannyasins.


• Rise of Buddhist monasticism gave death-blow to priests and their oblation-eating gods; Buddhahood was greater than any godhood. Rise of Emperors was the result of declining priestly power; later these Empires broke into smaller kingdoms during decline of Buddhism and Rajput power gained ascendancy. Priests rose again but not as competitors to Kings but as auxiliary to royal supremacy.


• Priest and royal power had become friends at this stage but both were pale shadows of their ancient past. They were busy in defeating their common enemy - Buddhists, and exploiting masses. Being constantly surrounded by flattering sycophants and entangling themselves in empty rites and rituals, these powers were weakened; and they became an easy prey for Mohammedan invaders from West.


• Brahmanya power chose to please the invading barbarians by incorporating their hateful customs and manners in India; it invented mysterious, abominable new mantras, rites, and ceremonies. Thus it lost all its purity, vigor, wisdom, and strength. Their hope was futile as Islam is dead against priestly power and a Muslim Emperor himself is highest priest! So any Muslim ruler who was slightly fanatic would butcher all Kafirs in one go!


• With rise of Islamic power in India, royal and priestly power of Hinduism almost died. Brief revival of Maratha and Sikh royal power was seen but it did not revive priestly power. After few centuries of Muslim rule, British power came into India. Indian mind was for centuries accustomed to royal or priestly power but Vaishya power of England in the form of East India Company was something entirely novel and hard to grasp.


• The four castes are natural to any human society and as per natural law each of them successively governs the world. This can be observed in the history of any nation. When priests rule, development of wisdom and learning takes place; spirituality flourishes and also they keep check on impulsive nature of king. Power being centered on mental plane, physical clarity of action is missing, as also danger of narrowness of heart and jealousy is present. In course of time, self-concealment tendency leads to selfishness and hypocrisy and with it is lost wisdom, sincerity, and spiritual power. Vain demands of privileges at this stage leads to clashes with other castes. Any power concentrated in a section of society is meant to be redistributed among the society sooner or later.


• When King-caste rule, in the early phase, it aim is sense-gratification, and later it becomes development of arts, science, and civilization; rural, rugged terrain gives way to beautiful urban palace structures, gardens etc.; earthy physical power is centered in the king. In India social changes were effected through religion as religion is the life of India. Jainism, Buddhism, Shankara, Ramanuja, Kabir, Nanak, Brahmo and Arya Samaja etc. all tried to effect social change through religion. King-rule, when deluded by its own power, uses that power to oppress subjects, soon either decays and is conquered or is thrown away by the subjects.


• Then raises the Vaishya rule which controls masses as well as kings with money-power. During Vaishya rule, wealth increases and it is the center of power. Wisdom, art, culture accumulated during priestly and royal power is now diffused to different lands through the commerce of Vaishya. Shudras all over the world always remained brute-like, servile, jealousy-filled and divided barring few exceptions here and there; but in modern times they are rising slowly in many countries.


• British rule in India helped break the deep sleep into which India had gone; new ways of commerce also brought new ideas and ideals necessary to break age old crystallized society. India sees on one side the materialism, science, culture of West and on the other side her own brilliant past in all fields, especially her spirituality. Unfortunately imitating West in dress, manners, customs etc. appeals to slave Indians rather than reasoning, logic, reference to Shastras. O Indian! Remember your life purpose and ancient glory of your land; say that soil of India is greatest heaven, every Indian is my brother.

• Tibet was called Uttarakuruvarsha and was not considered Mlechchha. Due to degraded Tantrika practices, the Buddhists became immoral and were driven out by Kumarila Bhatta. The Southern School of Buddhism, found in Burma and Sri Lanka, transgressed scriptures and discarded Hindu gods and goddesses, as also Tantra and Amitabha Buddha.


• The phase of Buddhism which says 'everything for others' and which is spread in Tibet attracts Europeans greatly. Judaism and other religions teach external sacrifices etc. for the purification of mind just as ancient Veda did; Buddha replaced this with mental exercises. Kapila and Buddha say that the world is full of suffering; Shankara says the world is and is not - manifold and yet One. Shankara tried to protect Vedic religion against the excesses of Tantricism but his exclusion of Shudras creates problems.

• 'Hindu mind was ever deductive and never synthetic or inductive'; this was due tremendous heat of the climate induced rest and contemplation. Also because the Brahmins, who were the custodians of intellectual growth, never travelled other countries to observe and communicate.


• Social tyranny over the masses forced them to be converted to other religions. In South India this was worse.

• Hindu priests tried to reject Buddha by calling his doctrines false; they wanted their tyranny over masses to continue and the result was slavery. Tyranny and Slavery are obverse and reverse of same coin. Jews too paid the price of rejecting Jesus by wandering on face of Earth as beggars.


• Religion/Hinduism is not at fault but the hypocrites who keep on continuing the tyranny by proclaiming theories like Parmarthika and Vyavaharika! Hinduism must be joined with the sympathetic heart of Buddhism.

• Threefold miseries of the world are not natural and hence are removable. Buddha says the root of Adhibhautika misery is due to class distinctions. Sri Krishna say that root of all miseries is Avidya (ignorance) and selfless work purifies mind. Work which is helpful for spiritual evolution is alone work and that which takes us to materiality is no-work. One must decide about work and no-work based on one's aptitude, country, age etc.


• Satya-yuga started from the day Sri Ramakrishna was born. Desire for name and fame is especially missing in this Incarnation and hence he who acts of Sri Ramakrishna's teachings is blessed.


• Without condition of women being improved, the world can not be improved. Hence Sri Ramakrishna's acceptance of woman Guru, sadhana in woman-bhava, and teaching Motherhood of God.


• One can not understand Veda, Vedanta and Incarnations without understanding Sri Ramakrishna's life for His life was the explanation of these.

• 'Sachchidananda is only an approximate definition, and Neti, Neti is the essential definition.'


• Knowledge and Will (Vasana, Trishna) is combination of Absolute and Maya but Knowledge is higher than Will; without knowing there can be no willing.

• Various spheres of existence are varying products of Akasha and Prana; lowest is the Solar sphere which has Akasha manifested as sensible matter and Prana as physical force. Next is Lunar sphere (sphere of gods) where Prana is manifested as psychic forces and Akasha is manifested as subtle particles (tanmatras)


• Beyond Lunar sphere is Electric Sphere i.e. Akasha and Prana are almost inseparable and it can not be distinguished whether electricity is matter or energy. Next is Brahma-Loka in which Akasha and Prana are merged in mind-stuff i.e. primal energy. This is cosmic Purusha but still not Absolute.


• Advaita says that all these visions of spheres occur for jiva till he/she merges in Absolute. Name and form are Maya as they are like wave in ocean; wave as water is inseparable from ocean but can't be proved by itself. As name and form can not be separated, they are said to be non-existent though they are not zero.

• Rishi, Muni, or God can not force institutions on society; they develop according to the present needs of the society. Caste system, widow-marriage, and other social systems developed due to various factors operating within the society. To change a social custom it is necessary to find out the cause and address it; it does not help merely to condemn the custom.


• Those who argue against the liberty given to lower-classes regarding their bodies, wealth, opportunities etc., do so with selfish motive to retain control. Those social rules and institutions which block the way to physical, mental, spiritual freedom of man, are to be dismantled.


• Essence of religion is annihilation of desire i.e. of will also as desire is a particular mode of will.

----------- Om Tat Sat -----------