காலமெனும் காற்றில் அணையா ஞான தீபம் சுவாமிஜி!!!
சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர் பாடல்
(the Unstruck Sound)
Sunday, August 2, 2026
A Voice Without a Form
காலமெனும் காற்றில் அணையா ஞான தீபம் சுவாமிஜி!!!
சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர் பாடல்
Swami Vipulananda & Swami Asangananda meeting Yogaswami - Light of Jaffna
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Black Snake & Red Snake |
Light of Jaffna - Yogar Swami - Jaffna Jyothi
Asangananda, Swami (Panchanan Maharaj)
Ancestral home at Calcutta. Disciple of Holy Mother, joined the Order at the Kankhal Sevashrama (1921). Initiation into brahmacharya by Swami Shivananda and ordained into sannyasa by him (1923). Having served at Belur Math and Madras Math, successively Head of Colombo (1933-41, 1951-53), Bhubaneswar and Srinagar centres. Died at the Seva Pratishthan, Calcutta, on 27.12.1974 at the age of 76 (Udbodhan, 77.1.44).
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Ramayana Places in Sri Lanka
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 | One of the greatest epics of Hindu Mythology, the Ramayana is not just a tale, but also an educational medium that has taught us the code of conduct or 'Dharma' through the ages. |
In Ramayana,there is a broad discussion regarding Rishi Agastya.. who also gave idea to Ram regarding capturing the sea to cross it. it is also mentioned in the Ramayana that Agastya is considered as the father of the Tamil language and the compiler of the first Tamil grammar, in Tamil tradition he is called Agattiyam or Akattiyam. Agastya has been a culture hero in Tamil traditions and appears in numerous Tamil texts.
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The oldest known epic in Tamil Silappathikaram refers to Ramayana.
"பெருமகன் ஏவ லல்ல தியாங்கணும்
அரசே தஞ்சமென் றருங்கான் அடைந்த
அருந்திறல் பிரிந்த அயோத்தி போலப்
பெரும்பெயர் மூதூர் பெரும்பே துற்றதும்"
Meaning: Kaviripompattinam became sorrowful like Ayodhya did when Rama left for forest on his father's orders
Although a full fledged epic/translation was not written till Kambar did in 9th/12th century CE , the epic was known in Tamil Nadu well before that.
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The oldest known epic in Tamil Silappathikaram refers to Ramayana.
"பெருமகன் ஏவ லல்ல தியாங்கணும்
அரசே தஞ்சமென் றருங்கான் அடைந்த
அருந்திறல் பிரிந்த அயோத்தி போலப்
பெரும்பெயர் மூதூர் பெரும்பே துற்றதும்"
Meaning: Kaviripompattinam became sorrowful like Ayodhya did when Rama left for forest on his father's orders
Although a full fledged epic/translation was not written till Kambar did in 9th/12th century CE , the epic was known in Tamil Nadu well before that.
Swami Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Hall
Promotion of Art & Culture
Swami Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Hall
Service to public since March 1969.
Capacity 1100 seats.
The foundation stone for the International Cultural Centre was laid on the 17th June 1959 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of the Republic of India, and was declared open on the 15th October 1962 by Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. This centre provides accommodation to guests and tourists.
The construction work of the Swami Vivekananda Memorial Hall was started in 1965 and was completed in March 1969. This Hall, fully furnished and equipped, is one of the biggest and magnificent halls in the Island. It is widely used by the public for holding religious events like discourses, lectures, seminars, etc. and for staging cultural events like musical concerts, dances, dramas, etc.
Renovation & Refurbishment was done during May 2018 to 2019. Total Cost is about 33 Million.
(including loss of Income due to closing of the Auditorium during the period of Renovation & Refurbishment work for 2 years).
Swami Vivekananda Sangeeta Sadhanalaya was started in 2015 in connection with 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda for promotion of Art.
The Indian Culture in the Eyes of Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda, a great proponent of revival of ancient Indian culture rich in its spiritual, philosophical and cultural heritage, firmly believed that it’s resurgence will help in removing the problems plaguing the modern society.
Smt Indra Gandhi addressing in the Auditorium
The International Cultural Centre - Guest House, was declared open on the 15th October 1962
by Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India
For More Information
Ramakrishna Movement in Sri Lanka
Website
Swami Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Hall
Service to public since March 1969.
Capacity 1100 seats.
The foundation stone for the International Cultural Centre was laid on the 17th June 1959 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of the Republic of India, and was declared open on the 15th October 1962 by Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. This centre provides accommodation to guests and tourists.
The construction work of the Swami Vivekananda Memorial Hall was started in 1965 and was completed in March 1969. This Hall, fully furnished and equipped, is one of the biggest and magnificent halls in the Island. It is widely used by the public for holding religious events like discourses, lectures, seminars, etc. and for staging cultural events like musical concerts, dances, dramas, etc.
Renovation & Refurbishment was done during May 2018 to 2019. Total Cost is about 33 Million.
(including loss of Income due to closing of the Auditorium during the period of Renovation & Refurbishment work for 2 years).
Swami Vivekananda Sangeeta Sadhanalaya was started in 2015 in connection with 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda for promotion of Art.
The Indian Culture in the Eyes of Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda, a great proponent of revival of ancient Indian culture rich in its spiritual, philosophical and cultural heritage, firmly believed that it’s resurgence will help in removing the problems plaguing the modern society.
Smt Indra Gandhi addressing in the Auditorium
The International Cultural Centre - Guest House, was declared open on the 15th October 1962
by Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India
For More Information
Ramakrishna Movement in Sri Lanka
Website
Narada Bhakt Sutra on Holy Association
सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।
निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥
Satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam,
nirmohatve niscalatattvam niscalatattve jivanmuktiH.- 9
Through the company of the wise or the good, there arises non-attachment;
from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion;
where there is freedom from delusion, there is abidance in self-knowledge,
which leads to freedom while alive.
Explanation by Rev. Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj
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Explanation by Swami Tejomayanandaji Maharaj
Quotes - Swami Vivekananda
‘Association’
The rain drop from the sky: If it is caught in hands, it is pure enough for drinking. If it falls in a gutter, its value drops so much that it can’t be used even for washing the feet. If it falls on hot surface, it perishes.
If it falls on lotus leaf, it shines like a pearl and finally, if it falls on oyster, it becomes a pearl. The drop is same, but its existence & worth depend on with whom it associates.”
Always be associated with people who are good at heart.
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After so much austerity, I have understood this as the real truth— God is present in every jiva; there is no other God besides that, ‘Who serves jiva, serves God indeed
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One moment of company with the holy makes a ship to cross this ocean of life."
Such is the power of association.
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This is the gist of all worship — to be pure and to do good to others.
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This is the gist of all worship — to be pure and to do good to others.
He who sees Shiva in the poor, in the weak, and in the diseased, really worships Shiva; and
if he sees Shiva only in the image, his worship is but preliminary.
He who has served and helped one poor man seeing Shiva in him, without thinking of his caste, or creed, or race, or anything, with him Shiva is more pleased than with the man who sees Him only in temples.
Swami Vivekananda & Yogaswami
Yogaswami's Darshan of Vivekananda
The year 1897 was very significant in Yogaswami’s life. It appears that Swamigal quit His job at the end of that year and returned to Jaffna. He was about twenty-five years of age at that time. It was a period when Swamigal was advancing systematically in spiritual life. Swami Vivekananda came to Sri Lanka in January 1897. A reception procession was given to him in Jaffna on 24-01-1897 and Yogaswami took part in that reception. The procession started from Chavakachcheri and ended in the Jaffna Hindu College. Yoga Swami participated in that procession.
Devotion to the End
Yogar Swamigal used to describe with great enthusiasm, in later years, about the way Vivekananda delivered his speech in the specially constructed dais after the procession reached Hindu College. Swamigal said that Vivekananda walked criss-cross both ends of the stage and began his speech with the words, “The subject is large but the time is short.”
Yogar Swamigal saw Siva in Swami Vivekananda - As Avatara.
He said that Vivekananda’s bright and electrified eyes enchanted the audience. Yogar Swamigal had great respect and devotion for Ramakrishna Paramahamsar and Vivekananda till to the end. Swamigal made arrangement to translate the book, “In the Hours of Meditation” written by Vivekananda’s disciple, Alexander in 1925. This was the first publication which was published under Swamigal supervision. Later in 1955 Swamigal arranged for publications of small-size books on the “Essence of orations of Swami Vivekananda” as Sivathondan publication.
Yogar Swamigal had special respect for the monks of Ramakrishna Mission. Swamigal had issued directives that whoever hailed from the Mission, they should be received in full respect in the Sivathondan Nilayam. Moreover, Swamigal had supported and blessed Swami Vipulanandar when he wanted to become a monk in the Ramakrishna Mission. Swamigal gave the first donation to the students’ Orphan Home in Mattakaluppu, which was originally started in Jaffna by Ramakrishna Mission.
Swami Vipulananda & Swami Asangananda meeting Yogaswami - Light of Jaffna
Yogaswami: The Strange Saint of Sri Lanka
Yoga Swami by Sam Wickramasinghe
Life History Courtesy: Hinduism Today
Yogaswami had four sayings, which he repeated to most people who came to see him. They were known as the Maha Vakyas. These were interpreted by many in different ways according to each one's level of understanding, because they contained truths at various levels of application—some very profound on the metaphysical level.
These sayings were:
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Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902) is considered as one of the most influential spiritual educationist and thinker of India. He was disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and was the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
He is considered by many as an icon for his fearless courage, his positive exhortations to the youth, his broad outlook to social problems, and countless lectures and discourses on Vedanta philosophy.
“The Swami’s mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence.
These sayings were:
- Everything has been perfected long ago;
- Nothing is wrong in anything;
- I know nothing; and
- All is truth.
பிற்கால ஈழத்து சித்தர் பரம்பரை முன்னோடி கடையிற் சுவாமிகள்
கடையிற் சுவாமி -செல்லப்பா சுவாமி -யோகர் சுவாமி
கடையிற் சுவாமிகள் வாழ்ந்த காலம் கி.பி 1810-1875.
கடையில் சுவாமிகள் யோக சுவாமிகளின் குரு, செல்லாப்ப சுவாமிகளின் குரு ஆவார்.
இவருடைய தீட்சைப் பெயர் முத்தியானந்தா என்பதாகும். யாழ்ப்பாணம், பெரிய கடைப் பகுதியில் வசித்ததால் கடையிற் சுவாமிகள் என அழைக்கப்பட்டார்.
வைரமுத்துச் செட்டியார் என்ற யாழ்ப்பாணத்தைச் சேர்ந்த வணிகர் ஒருவரே முத்தியானந்தாவாக இருந்த கடையிற்சுவாமிகளை இலங்கைக்கு வருமாறு 1860ம் ஆண்டளவில் அழைத்ததுடன் அவர் இலங்கை வரவும் காரணமாக இருந்தார். கப்பல் ஒன்றின் மூலம் இலங்கையை வந்தடைந்த இவர் முதன்முதல் வந்திறங்கிய இடம் ஊர்காவற்றுறையாகும். அங்கிருந்து கால்நடையாக யாழ்ப்பாணம் நோக்கி வந்து மண்டை தீவில் குடியிருந்தார்.
யாழ்ப்பாணம் வந்த இச்சித்தர் தங்கியிருந்த இடம் பெரிய கடை ஆகும். இதன் காரணமாகவே கடையிற் சுவாமிகள் என்ற பெயர் இவருக்கு உருவானது. ஆதிகடைநாதன் என்றும் அழைக்கப் படுகிறார்
ஆதிகடைநாதன் என்று மிகுந்த அன்புடன் கொண்டாடப்படும் யாழ்ப்பாணம் கடையிற்-சுவாமிகள் இலங்கையில் ஒரு அருட்பரம்பரைக்கு மூலவித்திட்ட குரு முதல்வராவார்.
இத்தவ சிரேஷ்டர், கன்னட தேசத்தவர்; யாழ்ப்பாணம் வருமுன்னர், சுவாமி முக்தியானந்தா என்ற நாமம் உடையவர். தமிழ் ,ஆங்கிலம், வடமொழி, கன்னடம ஆகிய நான்கு மொழிகளையும் பயின்றவர். உயர்ந்த உத்தியோகமான நீதிபதி தொழில் இல் இருந்து திடீரென ஏற்பட்ட வைராக்கியம் காரணமாக, அதனை உதறிவிட்டுத் துறவு பூண்டவர் .மைசூரைச் சேர்ந்த இம்மகானுக்கு, ஞானோபதேசம் அருளிய குரு மைசூர் சிருங்கேரி மடத்தின் சங்கராச்சாரிய பீடத்தில் 32ஆவது தலைவராக வீற்றிருந்து, 1817ஆம் ஆண்டு தொடக்கம், 1879ஆம் ஆண்டு வரையில், அருட்செங்கோலோச்சிய அற்புத ஞானசித்தர் நரசிம்ம பாரதிஆவார் .
கடையிற் சுவாமிகளுடைய ஈழத்தின் முதல் சீடரும், யாத்திரை செய்தபோது அவரைத் தென்னாட்டில் தரிசித்து ஆசி பெற்றவருமான வண்ணார்பண்ணை வைரமுத்துச் செட்டியார் அவர்களே குறித்த மகானின் யாழ்ப்பாண வருகைக்குத் துணைக்காரணமானவர்.
யாழ்ப்பாணப் பெரிய கடை அண்மையில் சாமிகள் வாழ்ந்தாலும் அப்பொழுது பலருக்கு அவரின் மகிமை தெரியாதகாலம் ,
ஒரு கன்னடக்காரன் வை ரவச் செட்டியார் இந்தியாவில் இருந்து கூட்டிக் கொண்டு வந்தவர் இருக்கிறார் என்பது தான் அப்போதைய பேச்சு .
சாமிகளுக்கு பசித்தபோதேல்லாம் சுவாமிகள் வீடு தேடிச்சென்று உணவு கேட்டருந்தியது, திரு வைரமுத்துச் செட்டியார் மனையிலாகும்.
வைரமுத்துச் செட்டியார் சுவாமிகளின் பழைய தொண்டர்.
இவரின் குருபக்தியின் சின்னமாகப் பின்னாளில் உண்டாக்கப்பட்டதே கந்தர்மட அன்னசத்திரம்.
முப்பது ஆண்டளவு யாழ்ப்பாண மக்களுக்கு அல்லல் களைந்து, அளப்பரும் , ஞானகுரு பரம்பரைக்கு வித்திட்ட இந்த மகான் , கர வருடம், புரட்டாசி மாதத்தில் பூரணையும் பூரட்டாதி நட்சத்திரமும் பொருந்திய 1881 ஆம் ஆண்டில் புண்ணிய வேளையில் மகாசமாதியடைந்தனர்
சுவாமிகளுடைய சமாதிக் கோயில் வண்ணார்பண்ணை நீராவியடியில் உள்ளது.இவ்வாலயத்தின் மூலமூர்த்தியான சிவலிங்கப் பெருமான், ஸ்ரீ வாலாம்பிகை சமேத வைத்தியநாதன், கடையிற் சுவாமிகள் மற்றும் பரிவார மூர்த்திகள் உள்ளன தனது இறுதி வாழ்நாளைக் கழித்துக் கடந்த-1881 ஆம் ஆண்டில் கடையிற் சுவாமிகள் சமாதியடைந்த இடத்தில் 1900 ஆம் ஆண்டில் சிவன் கோயிலுக்குரிய சகல பரிமாணங்களுடனும் கடையிற்சுவாமிகள் சமாதிச் சிவாலயம் அமைக்கப்பட்டமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்க அம்சம்.
கடையிற் சுவாமிகளுக்குச் சீடராக குழந்தைவேலுச்சுவாமிகள், வைரமுத்துச் செட்டியார், சின்னச் சுவாமி, நன்னையார், சடைவரதர், செல்லப்பாச் சுவாமி,சார்ஷன் சுவாமி எனப் பலரும் இருந்தார்கள் .
Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902) is considered as one of the most influential spiritual educationist and thinker of India. He was disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and was the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
He is considered by many as an icon for his fearless courage, his positive exhortations to the youth, his broad outlook to social problems, and countless lectures and discourses on Vedanta philosophy.
“The Swami’s mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence.
Swami Vivekananda - A Man of Cosmic Vision & with Global Mission
A mystic of the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soul stirring language of poetry.
The Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch), from the day of its inception in Sri Lanka in 1930, has been maintaining a cordial relationship with the people of all faiths and the successive Governments as well. Our sole motto is spiritual growth, which is stimulated by meditation inwardly, and by work done in a spirit of service outwardly to the needy without any distinction. Harmony of all faiths and creeds is our ideal.
The Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission is dedicated to the twin ideals of - Realizing God Within- Serving God In Man.
In 1893, Swami Vivekananda Introduced universal spirit of Hinduism - soul that is everyday realizing its oneness with the Brahman, a heart, that is every moment expanding to reach oneness with the Universal.
His famous speech that began with the words "Sisters and brothers of America.
Swami Vivekananda was a global leader with a global vision and a global mission.
Swami Vivekananda was a global leader with a global vision and a global mission.
Former Director General of UNESCO in his speech in 1993 (during the centenary celebration by UNESCO of the participation of Swami Vivekananda in the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893,) said, "I am indeed struck by the similarity of the constitution of the Ramakrishna Mission which Vivekananda established as early as in 1897 with that of UNESCO drawn up in 1945.
Federation-ground of Universal religious ideas.
Swami Vivekananda spoke the following of the SCOPE & IDEALS on the CONSECRATION of the Ramakrishna Math
“Know for certain that so long as His name shall inspire His followers with His ideals of purity, holiness and loving spirit of charity to all men…. It should be a centre in which would be recognized and practiced a grand harmony of all creeds and faiths as seen in the life of Sri Ramakrishna, and only life-giving ideas of religion in its universal aspect would be preached”
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa belonged to no sector denomination or to put it in another way, he belonged to all sects and denominations both Indian and non-Indian. He was a true Universalist. Swami Vivekananda preached the message of universal brotherhood.
Swami Vivekananda was offered academic positions in two American universities - one for the chair of Eastern Philosophy at Harvard University and another similar position at Columbia University - which he declined since such duties would conflict with his commitment as a monk. The University of Chicago recently established a new visiting professorship in Indian studies.
Ramakrishna Mission stands for the promotion of Universal Brotherhood in all time and in all countries.
by Ramakrishna Mission,
Colombo
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COSMIC VISION
The Jivanmukta beholds the one Reality or God everywhere and in all things. For him there is no distinction between a rogue and a saint, gold and stone, honour and dishonour. He actually feels that all is himself only, that snakes, scorpions, tigers, bears, and lions are as much part of himself as his own eyes, nose, ears, hands, and feet. He is one with the flower, ether, sun, ocean, mountain, and sky. He has cosmic vision and cosmic feelings.
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Unity, The Goal of Religion – Swami Vivekananda
“This universe of ours, the universe of the senses, the rational, the intellectual, is bounded on both sides by the illimitable, the unknowable, the ever unknown. Herein is the search, herein are the inquiries, here are the facts; from this comes the light which is known to the world as religion. Essentially, however, religion belongs to the supersensuous and not to the sense plane. It is beyond all reasoning and is not on the plane of intellect. It is a vision, an inspiration, a plunge into the unknown and unknowable, making the unknowable more than known for it can never be “known”. This search has been in the human mind, as I believe, from the very beginning of humanity. There cannot have been human reasoning and intellect in any period of the world’s history without this struggle, this search beyond. In our little universe, this human mind, we see a thought arise. Whence it arises we do not know; and when it disappears, where it goes, we know not either. The macrocosm and the microcosm are, as it were, in the same groove, passing through the same stages, vibrating in the same key.” - Swami Vivekananda
"All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything."
Vivekananda proved that man and his true nature is already divine. But that divinity is hidden. Therefore, the realization of that divinity is the purpose of life; that is the religion. To realize that religion, man should have to practice four yogas. Those are the yoga of knowledge or control of mind, or of selfless work, or of love of God. That is the realization of religion. Therefore, religion is the main essence of human life and it has the great motive power to life. Accordingly to him, religion is a value oriented concept too.
His formation of new ideal on universal religion, we can call as universal love or universal brother-hood. It is given an equal value for all of religions of the world, as it is exists with truth. His identification of truth is not only absolute truth but also scientific. And his religion can be practice by each and every body. To understand that it is not necessary deep literacy knowledge, but the practice, it is very much needed. Therefore, it can be applied for all nations, all societies and individuals. It is the harmony of the all religions, so that it is one of best solutions for the prevalent religious conflicts in the world.
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Be Ever Ready for New Truths
Mind is an instrument in the hand of atman just as body is an instrument in the hand of mind. Matter is motion outside, mind is motion inside. All change begins and ends in time. If the Atman is unchangeable, It must be perfect: if perfect, It must be infinite; and if It be infinite, It must be only One; there cannot be two infinities. So the Atman, the Self can be only One. Though It seems to be various. It is really only One. If a man were to go toward the sun, at every step he would see a different sun, and it would be the same sun after all.
Asti, ‘isness’, is the basis of all unity and just as soon as the basis is found, perfection ensues. If all color could be resolved into one color, painting would cease. The perfect oneness is rest; we refer all manifestations to one Being. Taoists, Confucianists, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Mohammedans, Christians and Zoroastrians, all have preached the golden rule and in almost the same words; but only the Hindus have given the rationale, because they saw the reason: man must love others because those others are himself. There is but One.
Of all great religious teachers the world has known only Laotze, Buddha and Jesus transcended the golden rule and said, ‘Do good to your enemies’, ‘Love them that hate you’.
Principles exist; we do not create them, we only discover them……. Religion consists solely in realization. Doctrines are methods, not religion. All the different religions are but applications of the one religion adapted to suit the requirements of different nations. Theories only lead to fighting; thus the name of God that ought to bring peace has been the cause of half the bloodshed of the world. Go to the direct source. Ask god what He is. Unless He answers, He is not; but every religion teaches that He does answer.
Have something to say for yourself, else how can you have any idea of what others have said? Do not cling to old superstitions; be ever ready for new truths. ‘Fools are they who would drink brackish water from a well that their forefathers have digged and would not drink pure water from a well that others have digged’. Until we realize God for ourselves we can know nothing about Him.
Each man is perfect by his nature; prophets have manifested this perfection, but it is potential in us. How can we understand that Moses saw God unless we too see Him? If God ever came to anyone He will come to me. I will go to God direct; let Him talk to me.
I cannot take belief as a basis that is atheism and blasphemy. If God spoke to a man in the deserts of Arabia two thousand years ago, He can also speak to me today, else how can I know that He has not died? Come to God any way you can; only come. But in coming do not push anyone down.
The knowing ones must have pity on the ignorant. One who knows is willing to give up his body even for an ant, because he knows that the body is nothing.
Excerpts from ‘Inspired Talks’ By Swami Vivekananda (P196)
The Role of Mythology
Language evolves along with our worldview. It will be proper to say that the worldview evolves because the mind evolves and unfolds itself. The two main view of the mind are: one, material and the other, psychic. Through what does the mind evolve? The answer is, through knowledge. And to the invariable question that follows this: what is its goal? The answer is again knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda opens his Karma Yoga with: ‘The goal of mankind is knowledge’. Sri Ramakrishna also says: the aim of human life is to realize God (the essence of knowledge). Matter is insentient, sentiency belongs to the mind, as it were, and this struggle to work itself out on matter. To another question: does every type of knowledge help? The answer is, yes; but specifically religious knowledge.
Religion has been the greatest force that has impelled humanity towards its goals. It is not to be understood as narrow, fanatical or sectarian but as the essence of searching and discovering truth. ‘Science and religion are both attempts to help us out of the bondage; only religion is more ancient, and we have the superstition that it is more holy. In a way it is, because it makes morality a vital point and science does not….. This purity of the heart will bring the vision of God. It is the theme of the whole music of the universe.’
‘Now in every religion there are three parts: philosophy, mythology and ritual. Philosophy is of course the essence of every religion; mythology explains and illustrates it by means of more or less legendry lives of great men, stories and fables of wonderful things and so on; ritual gives to that philosophy a still more concrete form….’.
Take up any Hindu scripture and one will be amazed to see at how mythology and philosophy or metaphysics have blended perfectly with each other. Even some of the purely philosophical treatise illustrate their points with the help of mythology, for it is found effective in orienting philosophical thought.
To Hindus there is no dichotomy between philosophy and mythology and rituals. Can there be a dichotomy between the superconscious, subconscious and conscious aspects of the mind? Never! There cannot be any compartmentalization between thoughts, feelings, intuitions, instincts, supernal visions, etc.
Man is growing all the time; that does not mean a person disowns the stages of childhood and youth after growing out of them. We cannot disown our past but we build on it. This is one of the reasons why Hindus as a race are not iconoclasts. Do parents pull away toys from the hands of a child? A growing mind needs supports; similarly a mind growing in spirituality needs mythology.
-Excerpts from ‘How to Organise Life-A Vedanta Kesari Presentation’ (P180)
UNIVERSAL RELIGION OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AND ITS IMPORTANCE
The Concept of Religion according to Swami Vivekananda
R. A.N.FERNANDO,
Lecturer in Philosophy, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayawardenepura.
Swami Vivekananda’s Scientific Cosmology
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