Swami Vivekananda was a leading spiritual leader and social reformer of modern India, who was not only known for his truth-based interpretation of the Dharma, but also for introducing to the world the pride and prestige of the Dharma-Bhoomi India.
Swami Vivekananda an outstanding scholar and the interpreter of the Vedanta philosophy of his time. The Vedanta philosophy presents before man the truth of the Superior Being of the creatures – God, the only reality; the Supreme Authority –Paramatma, Parmeshwara (God) or Brahmana, which is also the Ultimate Truth Himself.
In the clear words of Swami Vivekananda, “If you teach (the) Vedanta to a fisherman, he will say, I am as good a man as you; I am a fisherman, you are a philosopher, but I have the same God in me as you have in you.”
Indivisible wholeness- centered around universal unity and human equality - is one of the foremost fundamentals of the Vedanta philosophy. That is why Swami Vivekananda while pushing forward his above-mentioned point said, “And that is what we want, no privilege for anyone, (but) equal chances for all; let everyone be taught that the divine is within (everyone), and everyone will work out his own salvation.”
In the words of Swami Vivekananda, “Our sacred Motherland (Bharat-Bhoomi) is the land of religion (the Dharma) and philosophy –the birthplace of (Sanatanadharmi) spiritual giants –the land of renunciation, where and where alone, from the most ancient to modern times, there has been the highest ideal of life open to man.”
In the eyes of Swami Vivekananda, the Sanatana Dharma, developed on the doctrine of universal unity, remained based on the truth of Indivisible Whole. It rejected artificial distinctions among human beings and also disregarded man-made rules, customs, and practices designed for the selfish attainment of individuals, groups, or communities. He emphasised on the need to move in the path of complete harmony. The need was to achieve the same objective by providing openness in life to each and every one through the realisation of her/his own divinity and dignity and making full and proper use of one’s capabilities.
This has been strongly wished in the Mantras of the Rigveda:
“Saṃgachchadhwaṃ Saṃ Vadadhwaṃ Saṃ Vo Manaamsi Jaanataam/
Devaa Bhaagaṃ Yathaa Purve Sanjaanaanaa Upaasate//
Samaano Mantraḥ Samitih Samaanii Samaanam Manaḥ/
Sahachittameshaam Samaanaṃ Mantramabhimantraye Vaḥ Samaanena Vo Haviṣhaa Juhomi// Samaanii Va Aakuutiḥ Samaanaa Hrdayaani Vaḥ/
Samaanamastu Vo Mano Yathaa Vaḥ Susahaasati//”
It means, “May (we) live in harmony and concord, be organized and co-operative/ Speak with one voice, and make resolution with one mind// May (our) prayers be one and the same, we belong to one fraternity/ May our minds move together, may our hearts work in accord// May our intentions and aspirations be alike, so that a common objective unifies us all//”
For the propagation and promotion of the basic spirit of the Sanatana Dharma – its fundamentals like firm belief in the truth of Indivisible Whole and the Universal Unity for which the Vedanta philosophy is committed, Swami Vivekananda himself strived throughout his life as a Warrior Monk. With the reality of natural human unity and equality, he kept acquainting the world along with India. He called everyone to adopt the ideals of equality and unity in every aspect of human behaviour. Swami Vivekananda expected his compatriots to discard all those arbitrary and untrue interpretations of the fundamentals of the Hindu Dharma, which were designed to serve the interests of individuals or groups of individuals. He called on Indians to reject man-made rules reflecting inequality between woman and man, causing exploitation and reproach of the poor on the basis of discrimination and depriving the downtrodden and the marginalised from the fields like education. He wished that Indians understand that without the participation of the poor, backward and marginalised as well as women in every sphere of life, the real progress of India is not possible. Indians must move ahead with everyone's co-operation and cohesion by accepting natural human equality of fellow-beings. While doing so, Indians should reclaim the pride of their Motherland for the welfare of the whole world and establish India as a Vishwaguru.
‘Through the revival of Bharat, Indians pave the way to the welfare of the world’, was the foremost longing of Swami Vivekananda. This is also his most important legacy. We have to understand this and proceed accordingly. If we do so, it will be our true tribute to him.
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