[On a postcard, showing the temple of Hepaistos, popularly called Thesion, Swami Vivekananda wrote.]
[Postmarked: Athens,
November 11, 1900]
Great fun. I write without the possibility of being written to, as I am changing place all the time. How do you do?
Vivekananda
The divine life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda have been illuminating the paths of innumerable souls, giving a new meaning to their lives. Renunciation and service – these were the twin glowing ideals that Vivekananda placed before Indians. Thousands of men and women, inspired by those ideals, have dedicated themselves to implementing them and made their lives fully worthy; such individuals have also been the sources of inspiration to millions of others. In the class of such distinguished and eminent men is Swami Japanandaji Maharaj, the founder and Chairman of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Pavagada.
Born in 1958 into a family of culture and higher values, Japanandaji was fortunate to receive the backing for spiritual life at home itself. Getting in touch with the Ramakrishna Ashrama of Mysore at an early age, he came under the influence of the monks there. The youngster realized that he was destined to lead a life of renunciation and service, and soon joined the Ramakrishna Order as a Brahmacharin. In the following years, he formulated his life in the holy company and loving guidance of such senior monks as Revered Swamis Shambhavanandaji, Somanathanandaji, Adidevanandaji, Harshanandaji, Chidanandaji, Sureshanandaji, Jagadatmanandaji, Prasannanandaji, and Purushottamanandaji. He received initiation from the tenth President of the Order H.H. Srimath Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaja direct disciple of Holy Mother and a great ascetic. As a novice, Japanandaji served in the Mysore, Belur Math, Ranchi, Udagamandalam and Bangalore centres. In 1986, he received sannyasa diksha from H.H. Swami Gambhiranandaji Maharaj, the eleventh President of the Order. Afterwards, at the wish of Swami Adidevanandaji, he came back to the Bangalore centre and for many years managed a variety of duties including ritual worship, altar decoration, conduct of Bhajans, and management of civil works with commendable efficiency and earned the appreciation of all concerned. There was a seal of perfection, vigour, and novelty in everything he took up. Japanandaji, who had charged himself up with the ideal of service since childhood, now had the excellent opportunity to put it to practice. As the years passed by, he adopted the principles of Karma Yoga in himself, and his entire personality reflected the ideal of service.
In 1986, many parts of Karnataka faced severe drought conditions. At that time Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore, took up relief works in Pavagada of Tumkur District, and the surrounding regions bordering Andhra Pradesh. The task of establishing relief centres in about 40 villages and serving thousands of poor, affected people came to Swami Japanandaji. Plunging himself into the job with great fervour, he strived day and night, without a trace of fatigue or lethargy. It was nothing but the Lord’s worship for him. He also inspired many volunteers and devotees to come forward to lend a hand. He opened a number of shelters for cows on death throes, arranged for their fodder, water and medical help, and managed the drought relief mission with great success. Rendering such unselfish service based on a spiritual outlook, it was only natural that he endeared himself so much to the villagers. In the meanwhile, the people of a famine-ravaged hamlet called Kottala had another tragedy waiting for them in the form of a fire accident, which destroyed most their belongings rendering them homeless. The Ramakrishna Math, again, rushed to their rescue, and decided to build new houses for them. This responsibility too was easily shouldered by Japanandaji. The construction of forty houses on a war footing was no small job. However, by God’s grace, the Swami successfully completed the task with the active cooperation of volunteers and philanthropists.
The rural upliftment programmes of the Ramakrishna Mission are world-renowned. It has been running several such projects in thousands of poor villages throughout India. The Ramakrishna Math of Bangalore also has been carrying on such a mission around the most backward hamlets of Ragihalli and Shivanahalli near Bangalore since the 1980’s. It has commissioned electricity and drinking water projects, started a residential school, provided loans and subsidies, and imparted intensive training in agriculture and various vocations as also in right livelihood, thereby achieved a completely uplift of the community. As long as he was in the Bangalore Math, Swami Japananda was closely associated with this activity too, and served day and night with his usual zeal and love.
Certainly this was not an easy mission, but the will power to bring it about was not an issue. Japanandaji had it in abundance. To mobilize external help and participation also were not a problem. The only restraining factor was the binding of his mother-institution. The Swami finally decided to go by the diktats of his conscience and pursue his goal without further delay. Go alone, like the rhinoceros! is Swami Vivekananda’s directive to the brave Sannyasin. Remembering this, Japanandaji with the blessings and encouragement of the elders of the institution, plunged into the work field. In the company of a couple of sympathizers, he came back to Pavagada region struck by ill luck, poverty, disease and ignorance and started Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama whose supreme goal was the service of God in man. This was in 1991-92. After he was entrusted with the drought relief project in Pavagada, the Swami carried on with the same passion to bring new life to thousands of worn out souls. He grasped the pulse of the people and deeply empathized with them. They, in turn, placed their complete faith in him, looking upon him as their saviour. He must stay with them and carry on the relief works on a permanent basis, they pleaded. Well, a sannyasin is not to be swayed by the show of people’s love and honour. However, Japanandaji knew the ground realities too well. He had understood that temporary relief works would have no long-lasting effect on this backward region for long neglected by the civilized world and that only sustained and intense struggle can bring about any real change. He was worrying about the enormity of work yet to be done to eradicate of leprosy, TB, and blindness, which had played havoc with the wellbeing of the community. He could plainly see the dire need for a permanent institution to achieve an awakening of the masses, and for the preachings of the Holy Trio of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sharada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda to reach them and achieve the desired goals.
Ever since then, Swami Japanandaji has continued to receive the unstinted support and guidance of the senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order. Especially, the loving blessings of Most Revered Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, the President of the Order, have always been his protective shield. When Swami Ranganathanandaji was the head of the Hyderabad branch of the Math, Japanandaji would regularly visit him to appraise of the developments and seek guidance. Even now, Japanandaji frequents the Belur Math to see the revered Swamiji and other senior monks.
Once the Ramakrishna Sevashrama was started, by Gods grace, Swami Japanandaji has never had to look back with regret. Within a year or two of the founding of the Ashrama, were born the Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Health Centre(SVIRHC), and its branch Sri Sharada Devi Blindness Control Project. Soon the scope of the Centres activities expanded vastly, and it grew into a major institution, firmly rooted in the hearts of the masses. It won the acclaim of discerning philanthropists from within the country and abroad who extended their helping hand. The state and central governments have conferred recognition and assistance in many ways, and increasingly sought the Centre’s cooperation in their own ventures.
The services being rendered by the SVIRHC are focused under these heads: Eradication of (1) Leprosy, (2) Tuberculosis, and (3) Blindness, and general medical service. Its achievements have been extraordinary in each of the three divisions. This has spurred several governmental and non-governmental organizations to participate and share the profits of its experience.
The hub of all the activities of the Centre is its own hospital complex in Pavagada. The services of this hospital, now a household name in these backward districts bordering Andhra Pradesh reach out to nearly a thousand villages. Collaborating with the Karnataka health ministry, it has been in the forefront of projects for leprosy, TB and blindness eradication in the Pavagada taluk and the surrounding villages. Till date (May 2006), 3379 leprosy and 6431 tuberculosis patients, and 4202 visually affected have been cured by SVIRHC. 79 of the leprosy-cured have benefited from the exclusive reconstructive surgery facility offered by it. The rural hospital has so far treated 1,70,430 outpatients and 5810 inpatients. And the task of visiting every house in every hamlet for identifying leprosy and TB infected goes on, under Swami Japanandaji’s inspired leadership, on a war footing.
A PHC under the Management of a NGO!
Venkatapura, 15 kms from Pavagada, is a very backward village, completely surrounded by Andhra Pradesh. A Primary Health Centre (PHC) of the Karnataka Government has been in existence here for many years. It is the only hospital in the vicinity, serving 20,000 poor people of 19 villages. But the PHC was always plagued by problems, and finally, because of lack of personnel, come to a standstill, putting thousands of poor villagers to great hardship. The government, in response to their pleadings, decided to hand over the hospitals administration to SVIRHC. Respecting the wish of the honourable government on the one hand, and that of the distressed people on the other, Swami Japanandaji agreed to take this responsibility. Accordingly, SVIRHC took over the PHC on 16 April, 2003. Soon all the required personnel were appointed by SVIRHC, and the PHC sprang back to life.
Venkatapura Villagers Show the Way
For this PHC to be running so well, a lot of credit is due to the local public. When they expressed relief and happiness that SVIRHC would take over the management of their PHC, Swami Japanandaji spoke to them and said, Don’t think of this PHC as just a government institution; remember that it is meant for your benefit, so it belongs to you. Its well being is your responsibility. Taking the hint, the villagers came forward to join hands and help overhaul the PHC. They raised a subscription among themselves, gave an uplift to the building, cleaned the entire premises, and welcomed revered Swamiji into the PHC, in a way that was a precedence for other communities. In this regard, the role of the Panchayat president and other senior members was commendable. Swami Japanandaji has, through his words and actions, won over the people, and is all set to make this a model PHC. Under his direction, the surrounding barren land is being turned green by growing plants and trees. The hospital is now under an able and well-experienced medical officer Dr. Sanjanna. A laboratory and OBG sections, as well as male and female wards, have been opened, much to the joy of the people.
The help and cooperation of all the officials of the Health Dept., Deputy Commissioner, the District Medical Officer (Tumkur), the Chief Administrator , and medical officer of Pavagada Taluk also must be acknowledged.
A Rural Institution Extends Service to the Metropolis!
Under the Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Health Centre (SVIRHC) of Pavagada is a Unit of RNTCP the TB control programme of the Government of India. This Unit catering to about five-lakh population of Madhugiri and Pavagada taluks is being run as an experimental model for RNTCP. It has the distinction of being the only NGO in entire south India whose collaboration the government has enlisted in this field. Impressed by its outstanding success record, the state and central governments have now placed in its hands a major project of implementing RNTCP in the Bangalore Urban District of 35 lakhs population. This is indeed an honour bestowed on the institution. Swami Japanandaji accepted it with confidence and has been running it successfully with the help of experts. The SVIRHC is also successfully managing RNTCP implementation in the entire Tumkur District with the cooperation of the government medical officers.
Shree Sharada Devi Blindness Control Project
Given the backwardness of Pavagada region, it is only natural that the incidence of blindness and eye ailments is also high. These contribute significantly to the community’s distress. Before SVIRHC was set up, there was not a single eye hospital or specialist available to service a community of six lakhs in this vast area. Lack of road and transport means and poverty deter people from travelling to distant places, or seek lengthy or expensive treatments. Apparently, a hopeless situation! Swami Japanandaji who had realized this, girded up to build a complete, self-sufficient infrastructure. Now the SVIRHC is well equipped to provide free examination, treatment and surgery to thousands of patients, with a modern 50-bed hospital. Moreover, through periodic eye camps it reaches out to the most interior hamlets. Availability of specialists service, latest equipment or drugs, highest standards and practices, free food, courteous service – all these make this a no-compromises hospital, naturally endearing it to the people. Hundreds are examined everyday, and about 30 surgeries conducted weekly. Over 2000 have their eyesight through this hospital so far.
School Children Eye Care Programme
That todays children make the country’s future is a cliched. But the task of sculpting them into well-educated, healthy individuals is yet to receive due attention at all levels. Recognizing this lacuna, Swami Japananda has, ever since the founding of the institution, evinced great concern for children’s education and health. In this regard, one precious gift of SVIRHC to children’s cause is the ultra modern mobile eye clinic. Through this, every school in the remotest village has been visited; about 20,000 free eye tests have been done so far, and followed up with dispensing of spectacles or drug treatment, and even surgeries where required. There are plans to expand the scope of this programme further to serve even more people, especially children.
Annapurna Nilaya
Every inpatient at the SVIRHC Hospital, along with one helper, is assured of free food (a breakfast and two meals) three times a day, irrespective of ones economic status or other criteria. Annapurna Nilaya is the exclusive block within the hospital premises where the cooking and catering is done. This system is especially a boon to the poor, those from outstations, and to single, helpless patients. The fact that many staff members including doctors take their food here testifies to the quality of preparations, as well as to the principle of equanimity practiced here!
Ideal Vision – Implementation
The scope of revered Swamiji’s work has expanded to now include Madhugiri, Madakashira and nearby villages. The SVIRHC has indeed proved to be a blessing for over a million people of this region.
Thus, the institution makes rapid strides absorbing more service-minded individuals, reaching more people; carries on its work with renewed spirit in newer ways. But there is no contentment for Swami Japanandaji, the tireless Karmayogi. Swami Vivekananda declared that he would have no rest until the last worm of his motherland had attained salvation. The same holds good for every one of his true disciples!
The one strong desire of Japanandaji is that more individuals must come forward to independently carry out the ideas of Swami Vivekananda and that such projects should take off in rural India in large numbers. Therefore, whether in Karnataka or elsewhere in India, he fervently talks about Swamiji’s fiery ideas of man-making, rousing patriotic feelings in the hearts of young people. Along with spiritual ideas, he discusses the lives and messages of such great men like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji, Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad. Japanandaji who has the need and opportunity to mingle with the most backward communities in the remote hamlets, mixes freely with even those regarded as untouchable. The way he personally touches and treats the lepers abhorred by everybody reminds us of the highest ideal of recognizing man’s divinity.
Multifaceted Person Multifaceted Service
Many find it remarkable that Swami Japanandaji can effortlessly manage all these service activities, almost single-handedly. But there is one more aspect of his being which is equally intense that is his intellectual and spiritual side. Through Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, he has been carrying on a variety of programmes to quench the thirst of the citizens for peace and higher values. Revered Swamiji is gifted with the power of winning people’s hearts through his melodious singing and simple-effective talk. Under his leadership, many daily and weekly routines, including puja, bhajans and discourses, as well the celebration of various festivals and Jayantis, take place. Thousands of devotees from the town and surroundings take part in these. It is surprising that Sri Swamiji can find time to take part in some other functions under the auspices of local religio-educational institutions also. Indeed, if he had devoted himself to just these forms of service instead of the health and hospital oriented activities it would have been no lesser a gift to his fellow-men! Swami Japananda is always self-inspired, enthusiastic. And for the hundreds of his associates he is a fount of inspiration. That he is the high mast of the institution is too obvious. But the Swami does not want it to be dependant on any individual for its existence, and has trained others accordingly. This becomes clear from the way every activity goes on smoothly, even when he would be gone abroad for long periods. His firm belief is that he is only a tool, and the power behind is that of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sharadadevi, and Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Japanandaji was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award by the Government of India. He was also conferred a honorary Doctorate by the Tumkur University in 2012 ( Editor)
From the publication “Colouring Outside The Lines – Innovatives Approaches of NGOs working with the Disabled“, Pub. Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts, Mumbai, 2010
Watch TV9 Documentary on Swami Japnandaji
Idealistic foundations
The story goes back to 1984 when a group of students led by Dr.R.Balasubramaniam from the Government Medical College, Mysuru(in Karnataka State,India), with a radically different outlook on their future career and life, launched the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) for the service of their poor and marginalized fellow-beings. e movement was inspired by the ideals and spirit of Swami Vivekananda, the patriot-saint and youth-icon of modern India. e medicos made humble beginnings by offering free medicines, blood ,consultation & counselling to poor patients. They later started weekly clinics in the nearby rural areas. In 1987, they were drawn to one of the most backward belts of Karnataka, Heggadadevanakote (HD Kote) taluk of Mysuru district with a considerable population of displaced and dispossessed communities of indigenous tribes. These people were living under highly distressing conditions that impacted the young doctors and gave them the mission of their lives.
A defining moment
Shifting to HD Kote proved to be a defining moment in the Movement, as it was from here that SVYM got all the nourishment to reach its present 3 standing. e founder doctors naturally chose health as their entry point and started a tribal hospital in January 1987 at Brahmagiri, a tiny hamlet in the tribal belt. Soon, they added a mobile health unit to reach out to distant tribal colonies. At this juncture, their service spirit and medical skills were their only assets and they had to overcome serious challenges to establish themselves in a wholly alien environment. But their perseverance and performance saw them through all their teething troubles.
Evolution without end
Gradually, the doctors discovered that they needed to integrate their medical services with solutions to other basic problems of the local populace, particularly poverty and illiteracy. They also found out that beyond the tribal belt, the rural poor of HD Kote taluk as a whole needed their services desperately. These eyeopeners triggered the explosion of the doctors’ mission into a mighty movement that spans a whole cluster of institutions and a broad spectrum of development programmes today. SVYM has emerged as a holistic development organization, engaged in building human and social capital in India through its work from the grassroots levels, right through to policy-level action in Health, Education and Community Development. Today, the programs directly and indirectly impact more than 1.5 million people across the state of Karnataka.
Vivekananda Memorial Hospital (VMH), Sargur offers 24X7 multi-specialty services to a population of 300 thousand from HD Kote taluk and neighbouring taluks of Hunsur, Nanjangud and Mysuru.
Hospital focuses on delivering care to the following sections of community: tribal population; women & children through its RCH services; people suffering from infectious illnesses like tuberculosis & AIDS; people with diabetes and other chronic health conditions; children with disability; and people and family affected by mental health illnesses, substance abuse mainly alcoholism.
Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Kenchanahalli has a target population of about 16,000 encompassing all age groups within a radius of 15 kilometres which also includes indigenous tribal population.
Palliative Care program is working towards creating a collaborative platform for a patient-centric community-based integrated model that adopts a life-span approach to management of chronically ill.
Reproductive and Child Health program-“Vatsalya Vahini” intends to improve the maternal and child health status of forest based tribes in H.D.Kote taluk through direct and facilitatory intervention. Tribal women in the reproductive age, pregnant mothers, children below 5 years and adolescents are the target group of this initiative.
Rehab initiative for people with disability was initiated with children affected with Cerebral Palsy (CP) & differently abled people as the target community. e programme provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for this target community in H D Kote and the surrounding rural areas inclusive of institution-based rehabilitation facilities as well as awareness and behaviour change in the community, leading to improved quality of life and empowerment.
SVYM’s approach to HIV/AIDs Care & Control programs are multi-focal, involving counselling, distribution of antiretroviral drugs, training of caregivers, prevention and advocacy in the community.
VMH, Saragur is one of the very few private hospitals in India offering holistic treatment for HIV which includes counseling and testing services. e hospital is running a 10 bedded Community Care Center in VMH, Saragur.
WASH Project aimed to address the issues of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene environment in a Holistic way through multiple activities including Awareness generation, Behaviour Change Communication, Capacity Building and Advocacy since 1999.
In pursuit of its goal of a just and equitable society, SVYM has accorded prime importance to education. It provides and facilitates quality education through joyful, experiential and child-centric means to children between the age group of 6-15 years. e education system focuses on human values, literacy, numeracy and vocational training.
Viveka Tribal Center for Learning (VTCL) was started with an aim to provide access to quality education for the rst generation learners and create agents of social change among the indigenous tribal community. VTCL is a affiated to the Karnataka Secondary Education Board.
Viveka School of Excellence (VSOE) was started to provide affordable quality education for the students in rural areas of H D Kote taluk. VSOE is affliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Vivekananda Teacher Training and Research Center (VTTRC) was established to create a community of competent and value based teachers to bring about a qualitative change in the present education system with a special focus on tribal education. e college offers a 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
Premavidya envisions breaking the cycle of poverty for families by improving the quality of education at the school level through technology aided learning and encouraging students to pursue higher education.
Science Education Program (Vijnana Vahini) aims at promoting scienti c temperament among students and community at large in rural areas. e program includes Mobile Science labs, Science Exploratory Park, Science resource center and science promotion programs through the community radio.
Vijnana Vedike – a forum of science teachers of the taluk to share ideas, facilitate capacity building and conduct monthly science promotion programs was formed in March 2015.
Vidyodhaya is a program to support the elementary education of the girls from marginalised community studying in the 5 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in Mysuru district. e program aims to empower the girl children to lead a self-reliant life with dignity and honour through academic inputs, development of life skills (including leadership and nancial literacy) and promotion of awareness of health and hygiene.
Viveka Scholar Program identifies, nurtures and empowers meritorious students passed out of government high schools or those studying in government PU Colleges to excel in their board and competitive exams.
SEEP (earlier known as Community Development Services) supports tribal people in improving their health status by addressing social and economic determinants.
Janadhwani, the community radio station aims to provide the community with key information and knowledge in diverse aspects of everyday life, and thereby improve the quality of life of people.
Pradhan Mantri Graam Sadak Yojana consultancy project aims at awareness generation and promoting the participation of citizens in monitoring the quality of roads constructed under the PMGSY.
Nammuru is a weekly program focusing on addressing the developmental issues of HD Kote taluk through live phone-in programs with Government o cials and community representatives. Issues discussed and resolved through the program include supply of safe drinking water, quality of road construction, shutting down of illegal arrack shops, provision of bus facilities to remote villages and deputation of teachers & doctors to schools and PHCs in need.
V-LEAD is a premier Training and Research centre dedicated to the mission of building managerial and leadership capabilities for sustainable development. It o ers a variety of training programmes to government institutions, nonpro t organizations, corporates and youth.
VLEAD has initiated a 2 yrs post graduate program, Masters in Development Management (MDM). is specialized course for the development sector is a blend of social work, management and eld work. MDM is recognized by University of Mysore and is rst of its kind in India.
Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) aims to expand human and social capital in order to create global citizenship to make the world a better place. It also aims to create a platform for mutual learning and understanding between people among international community. It facilitates and creates educational, immersion, and experiential opportunities for students across the globe.
(Source : Annual Report of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement 2015-2016)
India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as a series of events spread over the last year and extending till January 12th next year. The National Youth Festival will begin today and go on till the 16th in Mangalore. All this is in commemoration of the life and message of an extraordinary saint-philosopher-nationalist, Swami Vivekananda.
Swamiji lived for only 39 years (1863 – 1902) but left behind a Nation deeply inspired by him and his teachings. Apart from the Ramakrishna Mission that he established, there are hundreds of other organizations that have found inspiration from his nationalistic and service ideals and have been quietly carrying on the work of national reconstruction.
Swamiji was a multifaceted personality. His talks and writings covered a vast array of subjects. This led to a wide variety of people being inspired by him and each one saw him in a perspective that was suited to their own temperament. If a few saw him as a monk, others saw him as a philosopher, orator, writer, nationalist, friend of the poor, and a fiercely independent thinker. A few of us saw in him the ideals of service and sacrifice, that he so fondly called our ‘national ideals’.
As a young impressionable 17-year-old, when I first read his works, what struck me deeply was his love and concern for the poor and the less fortunate. For Swamiji, the amelioration of the masses was of a greater concern than his own moksha. Over the years, as I started to internalize and understand his works better, I began to learn and interpret his teachings as that coming from the mind of a ‘development thinker’. My own understanding of development is built around Swamiji’s call for the constant evolution of man. From this understanding was built my view of development being the constant expansion of human capabilities. This whole concept was based on the indomitable and ‘never say die’ spirit of man, whom Swamiji considered as a representation of God himself. Swamiji’s concept of service was very simple – learn to serve the God in man and you achieve not only the betterment of society but also the spiritual evolution one’s own self.
Swamiji’s development philosophy was practical and has socialist leanings. His writings clearly indicate how he differentiated charity from development. He knew that people below the safety net needed charity, while at the same time he felt that it should not be disempowering and make them dependants on others. He wanted any act of service to be filled with respect and dignity for both the participants – the so called ‘provider’ and the ‘recipient’. His statements like “I do not believe in a religion or God that cannot wipe away the widow’s tears or bring a piece of bread to the orphan’s mouth” show not only his concern for the marginalized but also brings in the religious basis for both service and development programs. His remark that “half a loaf of bread is better than no bread at all” reflects the socialist leaning in him. At the same time, he realized that any economic growth had to be inclusive without hurting either the rich or the poor. He writes, “It is not by bringing down the rich but by pushing up the poor can we hope to bring in equity”. Apart from being intensely practical, it provides the space for all to participate in a growing economy like India of today. No wonder his brother Mahendranath, a known communist of his days called Vivekananda one of the greatest socialists that he knew of. He said about Swamiji that spirituality’s gain was socialism’s loss. Swamiji also realized that equity could not and should not be something that is forced on people either through the State or by violence.
Swamiji always maintained that it was only by ‘evolution’ and not by ‘revolution’ that India should grow and progress. And all this he wanted to happen on the platform of science and technology. He always felt that what India needed was a scientific temperament in everything that it did, and this would go a long way in ushering in the much-needed change in the lives of the masses. His constant concern for the masses and what needed to be done is reflected in the many letters he wrote to his disciples and the Maharajas of different princely states in India.
Celebrating his birthday should go beyond mere sloganism and iconization. We need to integrate his message into our daily lives. Swami Vivekananda is more relevant to India and her progress today than a century ago. We now need to ensure that his life and message becomes integral to the development interventions that both the Government and NGOs undertake in the pursuit of national reconstruction.
More than a century ago, Rabindranath Tagore wrote “If you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative”. Romain Rolland, the French Nobel Laureate had this to say: “I cannot touch these sayings of his…without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock…what transports must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero”. Romain Rolland is known to have expressed that his greatest regret in life was not to have met Swami Vivekananda and learnt at his feet. Understanding Swami Vivekananda and his personality is more than a life-time study for many. Gauging his intellectual prowess is not something that all and sundry can indulge in. One needs to study his life, understand his message and try to live it – before one can even come close to commenting on them. I have always been fascinated on how Swamiji who lived more than a hundred years ago continues to inspire people even today.
In August 1893, Swami Vivekananda met with Prof John Henry Wright of Harvard University to request him for an introduction to enable him to get invited to the Parliament of Religions at Chicago. After a brief interaction with him, Prof Wright told Swami Vivekananda “To ask you, Swami, for your credentials is like asking the sun to state its right to shine”. One also needs to recall that Swami Vivekananda was the first Indian to be invited to chair the Department of Oriental Philosophy at the Harvard University, though he politely turned it down saying ‘as a wandering monk, he could not settle down to work of this kind’.
We see examples of Swamiji’s brilliant intellect and the way he could explain the complexities of Vedanta and Advaita philosophy in simple and understandable English. He himself had this to say about it (in his letter to Alasinga Perumal, dated 17-Feb-1896):
To put the Hindu ideas into English and then make out of dry philosophy and intricate mythology and queer startling psychology, a religion which shall be easy, simple, popular, and at the same time meet the requirements of the highest minds – is a task only those who have attempted it can understand. The dry, abstract Advaita must become living – poetic – in everyday life; out of hopelessly intricate mythology must come concrete moral forms; and out of bewildering Yogi-ism must come the most scientific and practical psychology – and all this must be put in a form so that a child may grasp it. That is my life’s work.
Such was the extraordinary genius of Swamiji that he could not only teach his many disciples about it, but has also left behind huge collections of his writings that are both relevant and necessary for mankind even today.
Many of the experiences that we have in our young age shape our lives and character. Each of us form our own interpretation of our early experiences and this impacts the way we think and react to what happens around us. People who influence our thinking usually mould these interpretations. For most of us, it is either an immediate family member or a charismatic teacher in our school. While Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the key architect of Swami Vivekananda and his thinking in his later life, much has been written about on what could have shaped young Narendra’s life and thoughts in his childhood.
Two key people had a deep seated influence on him and some of his fiercely independent qualities that we see manifest throughout his life. They were his parents – father Vishwanath Datta and mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi. Swami Vivekananda used to say time and again that he was indebted to his mother for his intellectual development. What was unique about his mother’s influence was the fact that it was done unobtrusively and in a non-prescriptive manner. One often-quoted illustration is Narendra getting punished at school for no fault of his. His geography teacher had asked a question in class which he had answered correctly. The teacher thought that Narendra was wrong and punished him. Narendra insisted that his answer was correct and refused to change it. This made his teacher furious and he caned Narendra mercilessly. Narendra returned home eyes filled with tears and narrated the events to his mother. Her consoling words were “Why do you care if you are right? Follow the truth always, whatever happens”.
In another instance she gave this advice: “Be pure, live a clean life, defend your dignity and be respectful to others. Be gentle and modest, but do not hesitate to be firm when the situation requires it”. His father Vishwanath Datta is known to have shaped his concern for the poor and the suffering. Vishwanath Datta influenced Naren by living the values of charity and sympathy for the poor by his everyday actions.
While each one of us may have similar experiences in our own lives, very few of us will have the courage to stand by our convictions. Fewer still will have the ability to think through them and form own conclusions. The lessons learnt in our formative years go a long way in shaping our attitudes and the way we react to the reality and context around us.
Most people know that Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission which today has grown into a large spiritual-social mission quietly working in all parts of the world for the betterment of humanity and amelioration of suffering. Very few know of another extraordinary organization that was founded on the suggestion of Swami Vivekananda.
It was early 1894 and Swamiji was traveling around the United States giving lectures. He had become very popular after his famous speech at the Parliament of Religions. It was around the same time another American had amassed a lot of riches from the oil business. This was John D. Rockefeller and he was known for his ruthlessness and single-minded pursuit for making money. In fact, he was known to be obsessed with his wealth and making profits that it had begun to tell on his health. It was around then that he learnt of the wonderful and extraordinary Hindu monk staying in the house of one of his business colleagues in Chicago. Rockefeller was invited many times by this friend but he refused the invitation. One day, although he did not want to meet the Swamiji, he was pushed to do so by an impulse and went directly to the house of his friend, brushing aside the butler saying that he wanted to meet the Hindu monk. The butler ushered him into the living room and not waiting to be announced, Rockefeller entered Swamiji’s adjoining study room and was much surprised to see Swamiji behind the writing table, not even lifting his eyes to see who has entered.
After a while, in a quiet voice Swamiji, who had not seen Rockefeller even once, talked to him of his (Rockefeller’s) innermost secrets and anxieties. He talked of things which even his closest friends and relatives would not have known. It seemed miraculous, almost supernatural to Rockefeller. “How do you know all this? Who has talked of this to you?” he burst out. Swamiji looked at him with a quiet, calm smile on his lips as if a child standing before him had asked a foolish question. Swamiji said, “Forget the past. Become gay again. Build up your health. Do not dwell on your sorrows. Transmute your emotions into some form of creative external expression. Your spiritual health requires it. You are only a channel for God’s money that you have accumulated and it is your duty to do good to the world. God has given you all His wealth in order that you may get an opportunity to serve Him and His starving millions of children”.
On hearing this, Rockefeller was annoyed that anyone dared to talk to him in that manner. He left the room in irritation, not even saying goodbye. But after a week, again without being announced, he entered Swamiji’s study and finding him the same as before, threw on his desk a paper which told of his plans to donate an enormous sum of money towards financing a public institution. “Well, there you are Swami” Rockefeller said, “You must be satisfied now and you can thank me for it”. Swamiji did not even lift his eyes, did not move for a time. Then taking the paper he quietly read it and said, “It is for you to thank me”. That was all!
That was Rockefeller’s first large donation to public welfare and that was how the activities of The Rockefeller Foundation started.
Youth is that wonderful time in life when energy is limitless, human creativity is at its best and the ‘never say die’ spirit is at its peak. Today, one keeps seeing and reading about the achievements of hundreds of young people in practically all spheres of life. Demographically, the India of today is at its youngest best. Nearly 78 percent of India’s population is less than 40 years old. Imagine the potential energy in these millions of young Indians and you can then fathom the fact that we could face any challenge as a Nation. Youth is also an impressionable age wherein we try and model our life against that of a ‘role model’ or ‘icon’. This is the time when one is ready to take on tasks however onerous they are; the time when ideals can drive and determine one’s actions. This is the time when we are easily motivated by the environment and by what we see and value around us. Swami Vivekananda mentioned repeatedly, “My faith is in the younger generation”. His clarion call to the youth was to focus their collective energies towards Nation Building. Amongst the many inspirational writings of his, one that conveys what the youth can do is his call to focus on the 3 ‘H’s.
The first ‘H’ that he writes about is the ‘Heart’ to feel. He wanted every one to feel for the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalized. He wanted us to feel till our head reeled and our hearts stopped. Only with the power of emotion driving us, can one inspire oneself or others to think beyond the ordinary mundane existence. While an emotional reaction in isolation has its own limitations, Swamiji wanted one to go beyond and bring in the thinking that is required for appropriate action.
Finding solutions to the complex social, economic, infrastructural, political and poverty-related problems that India faces today is indeed a great challenge. This challenge needs enormous energy, a fresh new perspective, a grandiose vision and superhuman effort. Our response to solve these issues cannot be emotional. We need to think through, strategize and then arrive at a workable, well thought-out solution. Swamiji called this cognitive phase as the second ‘H’ – the ‘Head’ to think.
Merely feeling for the poor and thinking through a solution is by itself a meaningless exercise. One needs to be able to implement the plans and strategies that we conceive of. This is the third ‘H’ that Swamiji wrote about. We need the ‘Hands’ to work too. We need to convert our emotions into concrete strategies and have the discipline and willingness to apply ourselves to the task of translating them into pragmatic action. Only then can the young of today help in realizing Swami Vivekananda’s dreams for India.
A illustration of this could be seen in the recent anti-corruption movement that we saw in India. The youth of this country responded to the issue emotionally and joined in the thousands to protest against corruption. If only, they had spent some time in thinking through the problem, strategizing a solution framework and then implementing it, we could have possibly made a better impact. The heart and hands were surely there, but a head in-between would have made a huge difference.
What qualification should one possess to involve oneself in the world of social work? This is a common question asked in the many interactions that I have with young people. Many of them feel that they need to be either a doctor or a teacher or a professional social worker before they can get involved in the service of others. While formal qualifications and training do add to the competence of people engaged in this kind of work, I would like to mention the qualities that Swami Vivekananda saw as a basic requirement of people wanting to work for others.
Swami Vivekananda felt that unless one knew how to swim, one should not attempt to jump into the ocean. I have seen many people begin to engage in social service activities with a lot of enthusiasm, only to crumble at the first sign of a problem. Swamiji has said “Purity, Patience and Perseverance are three qualities that every social worker needs to have”. This is not only extremely relevant but a very practical mantra. In a world filled with corruption and negativism, purity in thought, word and deed helps build strength of character and one can stand out like an oasis.
Social service is also a very stressful activity and it is easy for one to give up in frustration. It is during these circumstances that the virtue of patience pays off. The tendency of most people is to keep searching for motives and they tend to look at those doing selfless service with a lot of suspicion. One needs enormous patience to accept people as they are and continue to do what one is doing with no desire for name, fame or any other tangible return. Gandhi also talks about the need for enormous patience. In his remarks on ‘Social Service and Reform’, he mentions that since it is the social worker who goes in search of people to serve, he needs to cultivate enormous patience to not get demotivated by the non-responsiveness of society towards the acts of service that he does.
Finally one needs to understand that any social change is a gradual process. In these days of instant gratification, one should have enormous perseverance to sustain the attempts and energy at bringing about this change. Surmounting a societal problem requires enormous will power and Vivekananda maintained that perseverance will always conquer.
Having these qualities of purity, patience and perseverance not only helps a social worker serve society better, but also enables him to mature spiritually. Swami Vivekananda always saw selfless service to mankind as an opportunity for self-purification and a means to attain salvation.
Having founded an organization inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda more than 28 years ago, a question often asked of me is “How has your organization managed to grow into a large one managed by a team of highly committed people today?” People often ask me if there is a deliberate, purposive management or leadership strategy that the organization has deployed to achieve the seemingly difficult challenge of a group of young like-minded persons working together for nearly three decades. After all, Swami Vivekananda had mentioned in one his talks that it was a challenge for two Indians to work together. He had said, “If 2 Indians get together, then they will fight over the 3 ideas that they get and fall apart in 4 minutes”.
The answer lies in another simplistic, yet profound and practical saying of Swami Vivekananda. He wrote that three things were needed to make an organization and a Nation great – (1) absence of jealousy and suspicion, (2) conviction in the power of goodness and (3) doing good and helping all those who want to do good.
Team work is truly possible only when the team members not only have respect and love for each other but also learn to operate with a high level of trust, reciprocity and interdependence. This is possible only when there is absence of jealousy and suspicion. The situation of the world around us may look despondent, but needs a lot of positive and constructive action. The environment today can appear bleak and discouraging to young people who set out with noble ideas. Self doubt can be dreadful at times and one is constantly challenged by a seemingly hopeless situation. One needs tremendous strength and faith in oneself to persevere at such times. The belief that good will always triumph is not only a truthful reality but can serve as a very good motivator and keep the spirit alive in times of such extreme crisis. The change that we hope to bring about can seem small, insignificant and hopeless when one looks at the larger picture. While this need not be necessarily true, it can wear us down and push us to inertia. It is only then does the statement of doing good and helping all those who are doing good truly has a profound and practical meaning.
Swamiji was always a very practical man and knew the difficulties that ordinary men would face. It is for us to internalize what he said and raise above the ordinary and take ourselves, our organizations and our Nation towards greatness.