Swami Vivekananda s Views
What ails INDIA? – in the words of SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Following is the excerpt from the book “Swami Vivekananda ON INDIA AND HER PROBLEMS” PUBLISHED BY ADVAITA ASHRAMA
Physical weakness: In spite of the greatness of the Upanishads, we are weak, very weak. First of all, is our physical weakness. That physical weakness is the cause at least of one-third of our miseries.
Our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. You will understand the Upanishads better when your body stands firm upon your feet. Strength, manhood, kshatra-virya plus brahmateja
Lack of faith in ourselves: We have lost faith. We have less faith than the Englishman and woman, a thousand times less faith.
We want faith in our own selves. Strength is life, weakness is death. Have faith that you are all born to do great things! Be strong and have faith and everything else is bound to follow.
Lack of Self- help: The whole national character is one of childish dependence. You do not deserve to live if you cannot help yourselves. Do not look to others for help; you must not depend on any foreign help. This is real patriotism..
Lack of obedience: Everyone wants to command and no one wants to obey. First learn to obey. The command will come by itself. Always first learn to be a servant, and then you will be fit to be a master.
Laziness, selfishness and jealousy: There is too much talk, talk, talk! We speak of many things, parrot-like, but never do them; speaking and not doing has become a habit.
We are lazy; we cannot work; we do not love each other; we are intensely selfish. Not three of us can come together without hating each other; without being jealous of each other.
Lack of organizing capacity: The faculty of organization is entirely absent in our nature. Why is it that 40 millions of Englishmen rule 300 millions of people here? What is the psychological explanation? These (Englishmen) 40 million put their wills together. Therefore to make a great future of India, the whole secret lies in organization, accumulation of power, co-ordination of wills.
Lack of business integrity: We have not yet developed strict business principles. Business is business in the highest sense and no friendship. One should keep the clearest account of everything in one’s charge; never, never apply funds intended for one thing to any other use whatsoever- even if starves next moment. This is business integrity.
Lack of love: No man no nation can hate others and live. Love never fails; today or tomorrow or ages after, truth will conquer. Love shall win the victory. Do you love your fellow -men?
Following is the excerpt from the book “Swami Vivekananda ON INDIA AND HER PROBLEMS” PUBLISHED BY ADVAITA ASHRAMA
Physical weakness: In spite of the greatness of the Upanishads, we are weak, very weak. First of all, is our physical weakness. That physical weakness is the cause at least of one-third of our miseries.
Our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. You will understand the Upanishads better when your body stands firm upon your feet. Strength, manhood, kshatra-virya plus brahmateja
Lack of faith in ourselves: We have lost faith. We have less faith than the Englishman and woman, a thousand times less faith.
We want faith in our own selves. Strength is life, weakness is death. Have faith that you are all born to do great things! Be strong and have faith and everything else is bound to follow.
Lack of Self- help: The whole national character is one of childish dependence. You do not deserve to live if you cannot help yourselves. Do not look to others for help; you must not depend on any foreign help. This is real patriotism..
Lack of obedience: Everyone wants to command and no one wants to obey. First learn to obey. The command will come by itself. Always first learn to be a servant, and then you will be fit to be a master.
Laziness, selfishness and jealousy: There is too much talk, talk, talk! We speak of many things, parrot-like, but never do them; speaking and not doing has become a habit.
We are lazy; we cannot work; we do not love each other; we are intensely selfish. Not three of us can come together without hating each other; without being jealous of each other.
Lack of organizing capacity: The faculty of organization is entirely absent in our nature. Why is it that 40 millions of Englishmen rule 300 millions of people here? What is the psychological explanation? These (Englishmen) 40 million put their wills together. Therefore to make a great future of India, the whole secret lies in organization, accumulation of power, co-ordination of wills.
Lack of business integrity: We have not yet developed strict business principles. Business is business in the highest sense and no friendship. One should keep the clearest account of everything in one’s charge; never, never apply funds intended for one thing to any other use whatsoever- even if starves next moment. This is business integrity.
Lack of love: No man no nation can hate others and live. Love never fails; today or tomorrow or ages after, truth will conquer. Love shall win the victory. Do you love your fellow -men?
