THE LION OF VEDANTA

There is something absolutely wonderful about history..it celebrates only the time tested..be it individuals,books or great moments in history..nothing which fails to come through that rigorous process of time,will be given the throne of eternity! And that is exactly the reason why this great man from India is living even now,as if he never really died! He is Swami Vivekananda..

Any attempt to explain the greatness of Vivekananda would prove futile,since,he is beyond such man made language and expressions..Still,i found a great account on his biography in a website written with unbelievable brevity,yet with clarity..i'm sharing that with you..

"A spiritual genius of commanding intellect and power, Vivekananda crammed immense labor and achievement into his short life, 1863-1902. Born in the Datta family of Calcutta, the youthful Vivekananda embraced the agnostic philosophies of the Western mind along with the worship of science.

At the same time, vehement in his desire to know the truth about God, he questioned people of holy reputation, asking them if they had seen God. He found such a person in Sri Ramakrishna, who became his master, allayed his doubts, gave him God vision, and transformed him into sage and prophet with authority to teach.

After Sri Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda renounced the world and criss-crossed India as a wandering monk. His mounting compassion for India's people drove him to seek their material help from the West. Accepting an opportunity to represent Hinduism at Chicago's Parliament of Religions in 1893, Vivekananda won instant celebrity status in America and a ready forum for his spiritual teaching.

For three years he spread the Vedanta philosophy and religion in America and England and then returned to India to form the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Exhorting his nation to spiritual greatness, he awakened India to a new national consciousness. He died on July 4, 1902, after a second, much shorter sojourn in the West. His lectures and writings have been gathered into nine volumes.."

The birthday of Swami Vivekananda (January 12th) is declared as national youth day by the goverment of India..and how great a decision was that..why? It was just 39 earthly years that Vivekananda lived..but that makes no sense when you study his life filled with great actions and thoughts..Attention youths! How many of you feel that you have accomplished atleast 10% of what He has done during his 39 years..? I don't think there can be a single claim for that..To be frank,i feel ashamed at this moment..to feel the hollowness of the life we live in..with no real purpose,moving along with the drift..and yet calling ourselves, the future of our nation..do we deserve to be called so, atleast at this point of time?

It's all about living your life by knowing its worth! I have listed few truths about youthhood..this list, as always, is incomplete..:)

• this is the best period of human life! (ask any old man!)
• abundance of energy and creativity (channelise it..you can do miracles!)
• heard health is wealth? then know that, it is a golden reality!

Do you really wish to do something?!! Then,this is the moment to follow your heart..this is the moment to chase your passions and live your dream..but,the real question is a bit ironic..do the modern youth know about,what to dream and what to chase?!! Or is it just that they are pushed into a rat race by the society?..whatever! It's your life and you are going to live it..not the society..so,be selfish! (only to take this decision!)

When the whole world remembers Vivekananda for vedanta and the famous speech he made at the Parliament of religions,i would say that there are much more simple and important things that often go unnoticed about his life..the foremost being the topic which i discussed earlier..about living the youthhood in the best possible way..being productive beyond proportions..and ultimately contributing to the nation building and to oneself..

What made Vivekananda unique among the saints? A woman follower in America once recalled her experience of meeting him..her observations were remarkable.."when we heard that a saint from India is coming,we had the picture of a lean,sickly man in saffron robe..but when Swami Vivekananda entered the room,we were stunned! Head held high,with a robust physique and lion like looks..!" That explains it all..:) He redefined the term 'saint' in his lifetime..he taught us that real 'sannyasa' or renounced state isn't about inaction..but,full of action! It's not about meditating in caves or jungles..but,living for the poor and suffering..and he preached that purity of heart can be easily attained through selfless service to the society..no doubt,he continues to inspire millions across the globe even now..

Finally,i'm dedicating this blog for all the young,wonderful,supertalented youths(including me!) of this world...the world awaits you!

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life..think of it, dream of it, live on that idea..let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone..this is the way to success.."
                                                   ~ Swami Vivekananda

 

WOMANHOOD, STILL A BURDEN?

For the last few days,i was haunted by a little girl..I met her last month, during a train journey to my home town..She was seated opposite to me and looked dull,tired and worried about something..i really didn't care at first,since,her brother was sitting next to me (i picked this from their conversation) So,i decided to leave it to them and let my mind loose..

But,how long can you keep your eyes off from what's happening infront of you? Just five minutes before the train reached my destination,i found the reason..she was abused by an old 'man' (i don't think he qualifies to be called a man) sitting next to her..I was shocked and hurt to see this..but,it was too late for me to respond as the train stopped and i had to get down.. i just had one choice left..i gave her my seat..she looked so relieved and thankful to sit next to her brother..i still can't believe how that criminal managed to do this in public, without being noticed..and i felt really sorry for the girl who suffered it for more than two hours.. :(



Life is not easy for a sexually abused child..especially a girl child..it ruins the whole system of mind..you are no longer a happy child after being abused,since you face an inevitable depression after you experience this..and don't wonder how i'm commenting on this topic with somuch authority..i'm also a victim..not once,but several times..but,thats not going to be the highlight of this blog..i'm more concerned about the level of deterioration of our modern society..i'm not sure about the global picture on this issue..but here in india,it is a silent evil,spreading like a virus..but often covered up and none gets to see the real magnitude..

India is a country with rich tradition..and unlike the western culture,india is known for it's strong foundations in spirituality and morality..a place where women is worshipped as the divine incarnation of universal mother is no longer the same for the last few decades..sexual crimes against women and children are shooting up with every single year..and at the same time,the laws to protect women & children are also being introduced every year..but in vain.With a population hitting 1.2 billion..i do understand how easy it is to break laws which are weakly implemented or not implemented at all..

According to our scriptures,women deserve an inevitable position in determining the destiny of a family.society,country and ultimately the world itself..Hindu sriptures declare them to be the foundation of a good social setup..and it warns of a great disaster that could spring up when women are mistreated..and why? Because, women have a greater role to play..and being a mother is one among the many amazing things that a woman can be proud of..and i don't have to list out other facts..just think about your mother!

I don't advocate equality of men and women..since,i find it absolutely senseless(personal opinion,for clarity,please read on..!) Why do we shout for equality and why don't we accept men and women as two special beings..! I always found them equally special and not equal! Man is blessed with a stronger physique so that he may protect woman & a woman is blessed with a great emotionl strength so that she may support man! That's the way i see things..and it's all about mutual respect than equality..i don't think feminists do any good to a woman than a loving husband,father or a caring son..

Recently, a top police official was targeted for his remark about the reason why crimes against women are on the rise..what he found was this "provacative and obscene dressing"..and i still don't understand what is so wrong about his remark! Of course,it is up to each individual to choose what he or she should wear..but,criminals don't respect your individuality and are driven by baser insticts! So,why deny the fact that you are putting yourself in the risk zone while expressing yourself? Morals and codes of conduct are not to be compromised while holding up individuality..and that can cause instability to society..those who disagree shall reflect on the social evolution..which would show you why the world looks so insecure at the moment..

Debates and discussions can only take the society so far,but not further..that's why i believe in individuals..you and I can make a change..restoring moral values and injecting the same to the social stream through effective ways, can bring about a social revolution..it should start from every home..be devoted to your mother and wife..and respect womanhood..show them why men are special!

Though i don't totally agree with this quote,i found it funny enough to share it with you..:)
"Sure God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece! "

         -anonymous (lacked guts?!!)

WHY THE WORLD REALLY NEEDS A SUPERMAN!

Does the title remind you of a man in red underwear? (or is it 'outer' just in his case!) :) But,i'm sure that nothing will come to your mind, if you aren't a great fan of superhero movies! Infact,you are supposed to remember the title 'WHY THE WORLD DOESN'T NEED SUPERMAN' from the movie superman returns..a pulitzer winning editorial written by heroine Lois Lane in the movie..the film didn't make it big in the box office..but,i am happy that i got inspiration to write this prose from Lois Lane..:)

It's newyear :) 2011 is gone and 2012 is making it's way in to our lives..(i'm happy that we all are still alive,i was really haunted by the movie 2012!) 2011 was a great year for somany good reasons..and it was equally bad for somany contrary reasons as well..listing out the issues would make this more a newspaper than a blog..but,i should tell you this..i am really looking forward to a great year ahead..personally,2012 will be the most important year for me as im trying to bounce back in my life..and so am i concerned about this world..

As the crime rate shoots up,pollution is on the high and the natural calamities disturbing the sleeps of millions..i'm seriously reminded about all the superheroes of the screen,who are always there to save the day..but what about the reality? Well,i'm going to point my fingers at you..Can you be the superman/superwoman for this world?!! It has nothing to do with all those flying,crawling and dangerous combats with bad guys! But..ofcourse, i'm talking about some superhuman skills such as:

• super love to your fellow beings
• super attitude towards your life
• super actions to make earth a green paradise

the list is evidently incomplete and you can add any number of skills to the list..! i stressed about love,attitude and action..just because,it forms the foundation of a great character..unless you have a great character,you aren't ready to take up the greatest responsibilty..

What is so special about love? Only love can bring about the peace that can heal this wounded world..no terrorsim can grow where there is love..love alone heals every wounded heart..beware when i say the word love..i'm talking about the divine or unconditional love that you should radiate to every living thing around you..unconditional love is bliss..:)

Attitude towards your life is important beyond words! I can't explain to you,how important your life is..I can't show you how much it is worth..i can just tell you one thing,this world needs you..very badly! Feel that you are important..and understand that a selfish living is nothing superior to an animal way of life.. you should equip yourself with the best of education,morals and attitude & live for the welfare of the world..use your talents for this world..make this a better place to live in..before you say good bye..leave a legacy!

Actions do speak louder than words..and always let your actions to speak for you..there is no bigger advertisement to your visions than living that visions for yourself..:) Don't do too much talkng,just be silent and be immersed in your work..i read an interesting tweet last day "a seed grows in to a tree silently...but a falling tree creates a lot of sound..creation is silent,destruction is noisy.."

2012..let's make this a wonderful year for all those suffering people around the globe..when nature plays havoc,let's accept the truth that, we are responsible for every change in nature..& at the same time,choose to be a superhuman..who can save this world..:)
This is superman...signing off, from planet earth!


"Be a love bomb..not to break,but to heal the broken hearts..."
                                                                 
                                 -Sister Anila of Avila (from my autograph book)