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Swami Vivekananda was like the Sun which brought light to the world and is known for his universal love. He had come to gladden our hearts; to make us strong like lions and to realise that we are the immortal children of God and sharer of immortal bliss; to awaken the nation to raise to her past glory – free from hunger, ignorance and have faith in oneself and God. He revealed the true foundations of Indian culture, treasure of knowledge, equality, love and the true sense of Hinduism which is based on the principles of Vedanta. He gave the call to strengthen the nation with unity in spite of its innumerable linguistic, ethnic and regional diversities. Tagore said, “If you want to know India, study Vivekananda.” Swami Vivekananda roared in heroic spirit – the immortal atman (soul) to march to war. He was the general, explaining his plan of campaign and calling his people to rise en masse: “My India, Arise! Where is your vital force? In your immortal soul? Throw away weakness, superstition and rise to build a new India.” India preached the spiritual oneness of the whole universe.
He travelled throughout the country, often on foot, for nearly three years coming to know the country first hand. The terrible poverty and misery of the masses caused his
soul to burn in agony. He meditated on the past, the present and the future of India, the cause of her downfall and the means of her resurrection.
The debt which the world owes to our motherland is immense. Look at her art, her mathematics, her philosophy, her astronomy, her method of healing and surgery! All amazing! The rational ideas of India are renunciation and service. India has shown the light in teaching the glories of the real religion – the highest spiritual truth. This is why the Lord has preserved the race through its entire vicissitudes.
The degeneration of India came because of the laws and customs of the ancients not being taken to their legitimate conclusions. These were poisoned with the vice and greed for power hungry, money mongers feeding off the blood of the masses. Disobedience, disunity, jealousy, indiscipline, pomp and show, ceremonies, processions, greed, lust has led to the fall of our Motherland.
India lives in its villages. The national sin is the neglect of the masses. We have forgotten the doctrine of Vedanta: the doctrine of universal equality. Women have been neglected. Look at our girls becoming mothers in their teens! We are horrible sinners. Look at female foeticide. The old Manu said, “The Gods are pleased where women are held in esteem.” We worship ‘Shakti’, but we neglect women. All the wealth of the world cannot help one little Indian village if the people are not taught to help themselves. So educate morally, intellectually and technologically. Then the nation will move forward. With power and people, moral reform will come. Education! Equal chance for all! Raise the lower; don’t bring down the higher. Do not be narrow minded, narrow-hearted like oysters. Oyster is killed for the pearl. Do not get killed.
India will be raised not with the power of flesh but with the power of spirit. Not with the flag of destruction, but with the flag of peace and love. India is a sleeping dragon. When it will awake, move and rise, no power on earth can stop its glory. Lord is with his/her righteous children. Swamiji has gone but his spirit is working to give light to the universe. Let the messages and voices in our soul, mind and body create universal brotherhood and sisterhood and build our nation. So all can have two simple nutritious meals and live happily.
In religion, there is no caste; caste implies a social institution. Do not blame Hinduism or Vedanta. But curse power and money mongers. In Gita, Lord Krishna had given a vivid description - Brahman – knowledgeable, wise with scrip  tures; Kshatriya – fighters, defenders, administrators; Vaishya – business-men, traders, industrious, Sudra – in service. This variety does not mean inequality or any special privilege.
Essentials for a great human being and a great nation:
• ‘Work! Work! Work!’ • Have faith in oneself
• Cultivate-obedience
• Unity  
• Discipline
• Conviction of power of goodness
• Absence of jealousy and suspicion
• Education – moral, intellectual and technical
• Help all
• Respect women as mother, sister, wife and above all ‘Shakti’ - powerful, merciful, embodiment of God’s love
•Be steady, pure and sincere
• Have fire and spread it all; serve while leading; be unselfish
• Never listen to one friend in private accusing another
• Stick to truth. Beware of untruth.