VIVEKANANDA WRITES AND INSPIRES US

LETTER NO. 35

Swami Vivekananda writes

Dear……………..,*

‘…You must not depend on any foreign help. Nations, like individuals, must help themselves. This is real patriotism. If a nation cannot do that, its time has not yet come. It must wait. It is from Madras that the new light must spread all over India. With this end you must stork.’

Yours affectionately,

VIVEKANANDA.

*[You may treat these letters as if addressed to you]

Dear……………..,*

‘… Several things are necessary. First there should be strict integrity. Not that I even hint that any of you would digress from it, but the Hindus have a peculiar slovenliness in business matters, not being sufficiently methodical and strict in keeping accounts etc.

Secondly, entire devotion to the cause, knowing that your SALVATION depends upon making the ………(work) a success. Let this….. (duty) be your Ishtadevata, and then you will see how success comes….Remember that perfect purity, disinterestedness, and obedience to the Guru are the secret of all success. . . .

 . . . Our countrymen must remember that in things of the Spirit we are the teachers, and not foreigners — but in things of the world we ought to learn from them.

Work on! Hold on! Be brave! Dare anything and everything!

. . . It is all misery, this Samsâra, don't you see!'

Yours affectionately,

VIVEKANANDA.

*[You may treat these letters as if addressed to you]

Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

              Volume-5 [Epistles- First Series-LETTER NOS.:LXII & LXIV] 

STORY: SAGE AND DISPUTE ABOUT GOD

One said that the only God was Shiva; another said, the only God was Vishnu, and so on; and there was no end to their discussion. A sage was passing that way, and was invited by the disputants to decide the matter. He first asked the man who was claiming Shiva as the greatest God, "Have you seen Shiva? Are you acquainted with Him? If not, how do you know He is the greatest God?" Then turning to the worshipper of Vishnu, he asked, "Have you seen Vishnu?" And after asking this question to all of them, he found out that not one of them knew anything of God. That was why they were disputing so much, for had they really known, they would not have argued.

When a jar is being filled with water, it makes a noise, but when it is full, there is no noise. So, the very fact of these disputations and fighting among sects shows that they do not know anything about religion. Religion to them is a mere mass of frothy words, to be written in books.

SOURCE: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda;

                  Volume-2 (Chapter: Bhakti or Devotion)

HAPPY DIWALI: 2012

MAY SWAMI VIVEKANANDA BLESS YOU WITH JOY, PEACE AND PROSPERITY

VIVEKANANDA WRITES AND INSPIRES YOU

LETTER NO.34

Dear……………..,*

'...In India the one thing we lack is the power of combination, organisation, the first secret of which is obedience.

…. Go on bravely. Do not expect success in a day or a year. Always hold on to the highest. Be steady. Avoid jealousy and selfishness. Be obedient and eternally faithful to the cause of truth, humanity, and your country, and you will move the world. Remember it is the person, the life, which is the secret of power — nothing else. Keep this letter and read the last lines whenever you feel worried or jealous. Jealousy is the bane of all slaves. It is the bane of our nation. Avoid that always. All blessings attend you and all success.'

Yours affectionately,

VIVEKANANDA.

*[You may treat these letters as if addressed to you]

 SOURCE: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda,

                  Volume-5 [Epistles-First Series- LXI]