Swami Vivekananda
Ravi is a
successfull software exporter.He is younger to me but has some
affection towards me and rarely he calls on me and those
occasions have always been more joyful than ever.He called me 3 days
ago and he said "Uncle we must get together and we must all have dinner
on July 4th."
In todays world,especially you have such a successful software exporter calling you for dinner -that means there will be free flow of alcohol and thats enjoyment.It is not that I have suddenly become a saint and one becomes Saint throgh the hardest way as you should know the good and bad side of all sides!
I was in a dilemma to accep t the invitation as today(4th of July)is Swami VIvekananda's death anniversary.There are certain days in my life,more important than my own Birth days as I consider them as very sacred ,just to tell my inner sole :"Man such wonderful people had been on this mother Earth and look at what they have achieved!"
Swami Vivekananda's Birth and Death anniversary days are as important to me as any other .I cannot forget Swami Vivekanandas Death aniversary date easily as Swam Vivekananda is always closely linked to USA.He travelled to USA in July ,tahnks to the benevolence of Bhaskara Sethupathi of Ramnad and Swamiji was not easily accepted in USA conferenec of the world religions.More pathetic was the postponement of the conference itself to September and Swami was penniless in the streets .One benevolent Lady saw him on the platform and took him to her House and after giving Swamiji his life back,she listened to him and she was astonished that this man must be none other than God's representative.So much was his skill of Oration,easy eloquence of Hindu Scriptures,ability to communicate Hinduism even to a child of 3 yrs old in such a way,that he was an apostle of unparallelled personality that in the 20yh century-why 20 th century-from the avatar of Adi Sankara till 20th century-there was none-literally none who upheld the cause of Hinduism and made the flag high evry where,starting point being the greatest speech he gave in Chicago,thanks to this wonderful lady,who saw him on the streets and gave his life back-that speech also took place on 9/11!There was always a coincidence in Swami's days and destiny of USA,thats where he was recognised and appreciated.
In todays world there are hardly a handful of people who are tracking the good works of Saints like Swami Vivekananda.People must read his simple speechs,People must understand what he talks about and how he portrays that Hinduism is not a religion,it is a way of life.How very easily takes on an innocent lady Journalist in LOndon when she asked :"So according to your philosophy,a human form cannot be God-is it what you say?"
Swamiji doesn't answer Yes or No.He simply asks the lady back:"My dear young Lady,you tell me how a cat will lok at God?"
The answer is implied meaning a Cat will look at God only as another Cat.What a simple way of putting across a mind boggling philososphy-thats the same word she used after the answer!
His greatness lies not in his speech according to me.His bring up,which is Princely.He gives up every thing rich and takes to a simple Monk's attire out of his devotion to Ramakrishna.His knowledge of Upanishads is so astonishing people wonder how he,being a non-brahmin(those days only Brahmin regularly underwent Sanskrit studies!) became a master of all Upanishads!Unless God is you yourself,it is not possible.
His speechs at the Marina was highly inspiring and even to orthodox Brahmins it gave such a punch that mere Rituals is not what our scriptures recommend-society's welfare is our utter most concern-he said!
So I had to tell Ravi,"Sorry I will come for the party but cannot be a party to the alcohol around especially on July 4th!"
"Why uncle -you have given up alcohol?"
"I wont say I have given up.I take a bit of beer once in a while to be in touch with Societys compulsions,whenever I need to meet big shots like you but there are many days in a month -it is a taboo.July 4th happens to be one.!"
"Uncle can I know the significance of July 4th as I thought being a software exporter mainly to USA,we must drink and dance ONLY ON JULY 4TH BEING INDEPENDENCE DAY!!"
I narrated to Ravi about Swami VIvekananda and he also told me " if thats such a sacred day I will cancel my party uncle."
"No Ravi.It is not correct.You carry on!"
"No uncle I must also know about such Great people and from what you have told me just now I would rather visit Ramakrishna ashram in RK MUtt road atleast today since I have never ever entered that place in my life time,tho' I cross that place almost every day.!"
Ravi is visiting RK Ashram and I have told him to visit the book stal and find out what RK Mutt has done for HInduism-Yeomon service is not even the appropriate word.Their Tamil Translations of all the Upanishads are so easy reading,revealing the mind boggling concepts of "That Thvam Asi" and "Aham Brahmasmi" ins such a sweet language-I told him to pick up a few books and read them just like a story book.
Ravi has promised to tell me tomorrow itself after reading a few of them today while watching the FIFA World Cup SEmi Finals.
I am happy that I cahnaged atleast one man in my life to a straighter path!
In todays world,especially you have such a successful software exporter calling you for dinner -that means there will be free flow of alcohol and thats enjoyment.It is not that I have suddenly become a saint and one becomes Saint throgh the hardest way as you should know the good and bad side of all sides!
I was in a dilemma to accep t the invitation as today(4th of July)is Swami VIvekananda's death anniversary.There are certain days in my life,more important than my own Birth days as I consider them as very sacred ,just to tell my inner sole :"Man such wonderful people had been on this mother Earth and look at what they have achieved!"
Swami Vivekananda's Birth and Death anniversary days are as important to me as any other .I cannot forget Swami Vivekanandas Death aniversary date easily as Swam Vivekananda is always closely linked to USA.He travelled to USA in July ,tahnks to the benevolence of Bhaskara Sethupathi of Ramnad and Swamiji was not easily accepted in USA conferenec of the world religions.More pathetic was the postponement of the conference itself to September and Swami was penniless in the streets .One benevolent Lady saw him on the platform and took him to her House and after giving Swamiji his life back,she listened to him and she was astonished that this man must be none other than God's representative.So much was his skill of Oration,easy eloquence of Hindu Scriptures,ability to communicate Hinduism even to a child of 3 yrs old in such a way,that he was an apostle of unparallelled personality that in the 20yh century-why 20 th century-from the avatar of Adi Sankara till 20th century-there was none-literally none who upheld the cause of Hinduism and made the flag high evry where,starting point being the greatest speech he gave in Chicago,thanks to this wonderful lady,who saw him on the streets and gave his life back-that speech also took place on 9/11!There was always a coincidence in Swami's days and destiny of USA,thats where he was recognised and appreciated.
In todays world there are hardly a handful of people who are tracking the good works of Saints like Swami Vivekananda.People must read his simple speechs,People must understand what he talks about and how he portrays that Hinduism is not a religion,it is a way of life.How very easily takes on an innocent lady Journalist in LOndon when she asked :"So according to your philosophy,a human form cannot be God-is it what you say?"
Swamiji doesn't answer Yes or No.He simply asks the lady back:"My dear young Lady,you tell me how a cat will lok at God?"
The answer is implied meaning a Cat will look at God only as another Cat.What a simple way of putting across a mind boggling philososphy-thats the same word she used after the answer!
His greatness lies not in his speech according to me.His bring up,which is Princely.He gives up every thing rich and takes to a simple Monk's attire out of his devotion to Ramakrishna.His knowledge of Upanishads is so astonishing people wonder how he,being a non-brahmin(those days only Brahmin regularly underwent Sanskrit studies!) became a master of all Upanishads!Unless God is you yourself,it is not possible.
His speechs at the Marina was highly inspiring and even to orthodox Brahmins it gave such a punch that mere Rituals is not what our scriptures recommend-society's welfare is our utter most concern-he said!
So I had to tell Ravi,"Sorry I will come for the party but cannot be a party to the alcohol around especially on July 4th!"
"Why uncle -you have given up alcohol?"
"I wont say I have given up.I take a bit of beer once in a while to be in touch with Societys compulsions,whenever I need to meet big shots like you but there are many days in a month -it is a taboo.July 4th happens to be one.!"
"Uncle can I know the significance of July 4th as I thought being a software exporter mainly to USA,we must drink and dance ONLY ON JULY 4TH BEING INDEPENDENCE DAY!!"
I narrated to Ravi about Swami VIvekananda and he also told me " if thats such a sacred day I will cancel my party uncle."
"No Ravi.It is not correct.You carry on!"
"No uncle I must also know about such Great people and from what you have told me just now I would rather visit Ramakrishna ashram in RK MUtt road atleast today since I have never ever entered that place in my life time,tho' I cross that place almost every day.!"
Ravi is visiting RK Ashram and I have told him to visit the book stal and find out what RK Mutt has done for HInduism-Yeomon service is not even the appropriate word.Their Tamil Translations of all the Upanishads are so easy reading,revealing the mind boggling concepts of "That Thvam Asi" and "Aham Brahmasmi" ins such a sweet language-I told him to pick up a few books and read them just like a story book.
Ravi has promised to tell me tomorrow itself after reading a few of them today while watching the FIFA World Cup SEmi Finals.
I am happy that I cahnaged atleast one man in my life to a straighter path!
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