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DEVOTEES OF VEDANTA
AND VEDIC DHARMA
USHER IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
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| Prologue: |
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India's Special Contribution
to World Harmony
What is India's special contribution to World Peace
and Harmony, particularly, at the present critical juncture?
In the significant words of Arnold Toynbee, English
Historian best known for his comparative study of civilizations:
"Religion is the most important concern of every
human being who passes through this world. Religion
knows no barriers of nationality. It may speak through
a Hindu mouth or through a Christian one or through
a Muslim one; but if the message does truly come from
the source of truth, it speaks to each one of us direct.
This (latter point) is the special insight of Hinduism,
and the special gift that Indian religion has to give
to the world."
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| Toynbee adds:
"Some of the religions that have arisen to the west
of India are inclined to say, 'We have the truth.' Hinduism
would not dispute this, but it would go on to say: 'Yes,
you have the truth; we have it too, but neither of us
has the whole truth or the same piece of it. No human
being ever can have the whole truth, because truth has
an infinite number of sides to it. One human being will
get one glimpse of the truth; another will get a different
glimpse. The two glimpses are different, but both are
illuminating. Also, two glimpses are more than twice as
illuminating as one glimpse. Truth is one, but there are
many approaches to it. These different views do not conflict;
they supplement each other.'…. A Muslim or a Christian
might say: 'You can't take our road unless you give up
all others, because ours is the only right one.' A Hindu
will say: 'I take all these roads and many more, because
they are not mutually exclusive.' " |
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| "On this
point," says Toynbee, "I myself believe that
Hinduism has seen further into the truth than the Western
religions have. I also believe that this Indian understanding
of truth is of supreme significance and value for the
human race today." And he concludes: "Of course,
it always has been, and always will be, right and good
that we should appreciate and value other people's glimpses
of truth as well as our own; but this is particularly
important today, when the peoples of the world are facing
each other at close quarters, armed with fearful weapons.
In this situation, the exclusive minded, intolerant temper
is not more wrong than it has been in the past; it has
always been as wrong as it could be but today it is more
dangerous than it has ever been. The Hindu attitude is
the opposite of exclusive mindedness; and this is India's
contribution to world harmony." These words of the
renowned British Historian have an important point to
ponder. |
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| The "exclusive
minded, intolerant temper", rightly pointed out by
Arnold Toynbee, has wrought havoc on this beautiful earth.
It was in fact the root cause of all crusades, inquisitions
and jihads, resulting in violence, torture and bloodshed.
Its horrible descendant, terrorism, has brought about
mass destruction, ruined societies and heaped misery on
humanity, the latest horrendous experience being in New
York where, on September 11, 2001, the famed, tall twin
towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed by the
terrorists in broad daylight, to the horror of the whole
world, and plunged a whole nation into inconsolable grief,
causing a huge loss of lives and property. This mindless
act of terrorism was most cruel and barbaric, nay demonic
indeed, and hence reprehensible and disdainful to all
right thinking people of the world. |
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| This heinous
act reminds one of the prophetic words of Swami Vivekananda,
who, standing on the soil of America, on the very same
day and month, 108 years ago, declared to the 7000 delegates
thronging the World's Parliament of Religions at Chicago
(on September 11, 1893): "Sectarianism, bigotry,
and its horrible descendant fanaticism, have long possessed
this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with
violence, drenched it often and often with human blood,
destroyed civilizations and sent whole nations to despair.
Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society
would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time
is come." |
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| People fervently
wish, in the words of the great Swami, that the recent,
most unfortunate incident in New York might be the death-knell
of all fanaticism (and terrorism), of all persecutions
with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable
feelings between persons wending their way to the same
goal. |
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| Quite contrary
to this is the grand vision of Oriental spirituality,
which proclaims to humanity: "We are all part of
One Spirit. When you experience the meaning of religion,
which is to know God, you will realize that He is your
Self and that He exists equally and impartially in all
beings. Learn to see God in all persons, of whatever race
or creed. You will know what divine love is when you begin
to feel your oneness with every human being, not before.
In mutual service we forget the little self, and glimpse
one measureless Self, the Spirit that unifies all men."
"Man is what he is, according to his inborn or cultivated
nature. Harshness, intolerance, and selfishness form the
basis of the lives of some people, whereas kindness, tolerance
and selflessness form the basis of some others. The former
are responsible for creating strife and discord in the
world while the latter bring in harmony and peace. All
depends upon the choice, which a man makes in respect
of these two paths". |
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| In antithesis
to the "exclusive minded, intolerant temper",
an ardent devotee of Vedanta and Vedic Dharma, therefore,
has no hesitation in boldly declaring: "I look upon
all religions as paths to God, and shall try to live in
peace and fellowship with the followers of all religions."
Further, in the words of the great Hindu Monk of India,
Swami Vivekananda, he would proclaim: "I am proud
to belong to a religion which has taught the world both
tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only
in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as
true." |
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| And, in today's
dire situation, the devotees of Vedanta and Vedic Dharma
have a crucial role to play in bringing about the much
needed world peace and harmony. It is indeed heartening
that they have already ushered in the new millennium with
a vigorous propagation of the message of spirituality
and the age-old concept of "vasudhaiva kutumbakam"
(the whole world is verily one family), propounded thousands
of years ago in Bharat. |
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| As envisioned
by Swami Vivekananda long ago, "Today man requires
one more adjustment on the spiritual plane; today when
material ideas are at the height of their glory and power,
today when man is likely to forget his divine nature,
through his growing dependence on matter, and is likely
to be reduced to a mere money-making machine, an adjustment
is necessary. The voice has spoken, and the power is coming
to drive away the clouds of gathering materialism. The
power has been set in motion which, at no distant date,
will bring unto mankind once again the memory of its real
nature; and again the place from which this power will
come will be Asia." |
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In this context, recently there were two notable events
in Chicago, a city considered as "the pulse of
America," and a city that was blessed by Swami
Vivekananda, who made history there more than a century
ago. The events were:
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| 1. "VEDANTA
IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM", a special conference
organized by the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago,
June 22-24, 2001. |
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| 2. "VISHWA
DHARMA PRASAAR YAATRA 2001", a significant
program in honor of eminent spiritual leaders from Bharat
who were on world tour, to disseminate the message of
Sanatana Dharma, for World Peace and Harmony (August 24,
2001), organized by the Chicago chapter of the Vishwa
Hindu Parishad Overseas and the Hindu Leaders Forum (formed
earlier this year as a global network of prominent men
and women from a Hindu background and wide variety of
professions). |
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| These programs
were given a wide coverage in the leading American and
the ethnic Indian newspapers in Chicago, including the
"Chicago Tribune" and the "India Tribune".
In fact, they highlighted the significance and uniqueness
of both the programs, as can be seen from the excerpts
appended to this write-up: |
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I. VEDANTA
IN THE THIRD MILLENIUM
(A Significant Conference Organized by the Vivekananda Vedanta
Society of Chicago) |
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The Revered Swami's of the Ramakrishna
Order Attending the Conference
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| [Front row (l to r):
Swamis Shantarupananda, Chetanananda, Gautamananda, Chidananda,
Pramathananda, Prabuddhananda and Tathagatananda. Standing (l
to r) Swamis Prapannananda, Sarvadevananda, Atmarupananda, Tyagananda,
Brahmarupananda, Aparananda and Varadananda)] |
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Devotional Bhajans
by Dr. Ram Bala and
his Group
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Swami Gautamanandaji, Trustee of the
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and Head of
the Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India, inaugurates the
Program by lighting the Lamp.
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A full view of the Conference
at the 'Millennium Hall'.
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Audience at the Millennium
Conference
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| Cloyed
by the surfeit of a materialistic way of life, thinking
people of the West are hungering for something, which
can give them abiding peace and perfect happiness. Paradoxically,
amidst prosperity, pelf and plenty, they feel a sense
of inner (spiritual) impoverishment, thus being ill at
ease. And, aspiring for self-fulfillment in life, they
are seeking the water of life, namely, spirituality, which
alone can quench the human quest for everlasting peace,
happiness and perfection. |
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| Here comes the
relevance of Vedanta which, in the words of Swami Ranganathanandaji,
is a philosophy of a comprehensive spirituality, rational
and practical, that man in the modern age needs to rescue
himself from his stagnation of worldliness and put him
on the highroad of creative living and fulfillment. And
in this regard, following the footprints of the founder,
Swami Vivekananda, who first introduced the Oriental spirituality
to the Occident, more than a century ago, the Vedanta
Societies, (overseas branches of the Ramakrishna Order,
an International Organization) have done a great service
to spiritual seekers in the West, by disseminating, far
and wide, the life-giving and inspiring message of Vedanta
as taught and exemplified by Sri Ramakrishna, the prophet
of spirituality and harmony of religions. |
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| Sri Ramakrishna
and Swami Vivekananda are verily the harbingers of peace
and harmony to the woebegone world and, as Swami Ranganathanandaji
puts it, their special appeal to the West lies in their
thoroughly rational approach and their presentation of
Vedanta as a philosophy which dares to bridge the gulf
between the secular and the sacred, action and contemplation,
in human life through a comprehensive spirituality. |
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| With this backdrop,
the special conference, "Vedanta in the Third Millennium",
recently organized by the Vivekananda Vedanta Society
of Chicago, was highly significant and appropriate. It
was held at the sprawling precincts and the serene atmosphere
of the Vivekananda Monastery and Retreat in Ganges, Michigan,
June 22-24, 2001. Over 600 devotees (from different parts
of the U.S.A, Canada, South America, South Africa, Trinidad
and India) attended the three-day conference. It was the
largest program since the Vedanta conference of 1987,
in Chicago. Altogether, twelve Senior Swamis of the Ramakrishna
Order based in the U. S. A. and Canada, participated in
this notable event. This first ever meeting of so many
Swamis had wide media coverage. |
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| Swami Chidanandaji,
Head of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, led
the program. The valued presence Swami Gautamanandaji,
a Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna
Mission, and the Head of the Ramakrishna Math, Chennai,
as the chief guest of honor, gave an impetus to the proceedings
of the conference. He monitored the three-day program
with his mellowed wisdom, erudite introduction, significant
remarks and conclusions to enlighten the participants.
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| The discourses
by the twelve scholarly Swamis of the Order, on various
aspects of Vedanta as expounded by Swami Vivekananda,
and in the light of the modern science and technology,
were highly absorbing and indeed a grand feast to the
ears and the hearts of the participants. How to live the
Vedantic ideals in one's day-to-day life, in order to
make life smooth, happy and purposeful, was the main burden
of the subject matter, and the speakers successfully hammered
it into the minds of the participants and effectively
motivated them to translate it into action, on their return
to their respective places. |
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| At the commencement
of every session, the atmosphere of the venue was surcharged
with intense divine fervor by the soul stirring and mellifluous
devotional songs rendered by Dr. Ram Bala and joined in
chorus and perfect unison by his well-trained group. Needless
to say that the delegates, who too participated in the
chorus, were all transported to a blissful experience.
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| And, on the conclusion
of the three-day program, while returning home, all the
participants did carry something in their minds and hearts
to cherish and, above all, to live in their day-to-day
life, for their Highest Good. |
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| It can be confidently
said that the conference was a grand success and that
it has gone a long way in making an impact on the Vedanta
Movement in the U. S. A., initiated more than a century
ago by Swami Vivekananda, the 'Lion of Vedanta' (vedantakesari).
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| In the words of
Swami Chidanandaji, the chief organizer, "The conference
was held to usher in the new millennium which has a great
bearing and significance in the West. Many see the millennium
as the dawn of a New Age, more advanced in spirituality
and equivalent to the beginning of the Satya Yuga in India.
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| "Several
events were held in the context of the new millennium.
At the beginning of the year 2000, the city of Chicago
hosted the International Millennium Dinner, to which they
invited representatives from about 200 countries throughout
the world (including India, from where Swami Jitatmanandaji,
Head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Rajkot, also participated,
on an invitation from the Mayor of the city of Chicago),
bearing the huge cost of their air passage and hospitality
accorded to them during their stay at Chicago. |
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| "In August
2000, the United Nations also hosted a Millennium World
Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders which
brought together, on a single platform, more than a thousand
religious leaders from around the world. (On this occasion,
Swami Jitatmanandaji, who represented the President of
the Ramakrishna Order, addressed the delegates of the
Summit and drew their attention to the true significance
of Vedanta in the context of the new millennium, in bringing
about perfect World Peace and Harmony). |
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| "These were
only two of the many programs which were organized throughout
the United States to celebrate the commencement of the
new millennium. |
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| Any major event
taking place in America has a tremendous impact on the
whole world. Hence, our millennium event celebrated in
Chicago is very important and significant. We believe
that the Vedanta Movement, with its universality and spirituality,
is quite in harmony with the spirit of the new millennium,
and it is but meet that the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna
Mission also joins the historic celebrations. |
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| "In the conference,
we explored in detail, the ways and means by which the
Ramakrishna Movement could be a part of this aspiration
for a new spiritual age that is being eagerly welcomed
in the West." |
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| As mentioned already,
the conference was given a wide coverage both in the ethnic
Indian and the American newspapers. Excerpts from one
of them, which published fairly good write-ups, from time
to time, about this historic event, gives a graphic account
of the entire proceedings in a nutshell: |
|
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| "As many
as 108 years after Swami Vivekananda came to Chicago and
introduced Hinduism to the West, the monks of his Order
gathered in a small, rural town in western Michigan, named
after India's most holy river, Ganges, to usher in the
new millennium. |
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| "Billed as
'Vedanta in the Third Millennium,' the three-day conference
attracted nearly 800 followers around the U. S. A., and
other parts of the world as well. It was among the largest
assemblies of senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order in
the history of the West. |
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| "Swami Chidananda,
the chief organizer of the event, and the abbot of the
Order's Chicago Ashram, said exultantly on the day of
inauguration: 'This is the most sacred and historic event,
the first of its kind in the U. S. A.' |
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| "In all,
sixteen Swamis attended, and the event attracted considerable
U.S. media attention. |
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| "It began
on the evening of Friday, June 22, when the Swamis, dressed
in ochre robes, gathered together at the 110-acre Vivekananda
Monastery and Retreat in Ganges. Assembling in the 'Millennium
Hall', the Swamis sat on chairs in a semi-circle, facing
their audience, with a backdrop of the seal of the Ramakrishna
Order, and larger than life-size photographs of Swami
Vivekananda, and Sri Sarada Devi, known to devotees as
The Holy Mother. |
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| "The mood
was expectant, the conference, from the onset, steeped
in the traditions of the oldest monastic Order in the
world. |
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| "Swami Gautamananda,
the abbot of the Chennai Ashram, and guest of honor, began
by lighting a lamp. Then Swami Chidananda sang a Sanskrit
invocation, before introducing the Swamis gathered, and
explaining to the delegates the 'Purpose of the Conference.'
|
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| "During the
three days, the devotees kept a well-regulated schedule.
In between discourses, breaks for meals and free times
enabled many to meet the Swamis, individually, amidst
the lush and spacious monastery grounds. |
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| "On the second
day evening, Swami Chetanananda, head of the St. Louis
monastery, and an author of several books on the life
of Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples, presented an educative
and informative slide show with rare photographs of Sri
Ramakrishna and his birth place and its environs. |
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| "Over the
three-day conference, the monks deliberated on the Vedanta's
role in society, in our day-to-day life, the main emphasis
being on the personal instruction and practical guidance.
|
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| "In order
of presentation, below are listed the titles of lectures
and the Swamis who delivered them: 'Vedanta and the Ramakrishna
Mission' by Swami Gautamananda (Chennai); 'Vedanta in
the West: Past, Present, and Future' by Swami Chetanananda
(St. Louis); 'Our Inheritance Is A Door Awaiting Us' by
Swami Atmarupananda (Ridgely Manor); 'Truth is One But
Sages Call It By Various Names' by Swami Aparananda (Berkeley);
'Unity in Diversity' by Swami Shantarupananda (Portland,
Ore.); 'Vedanta In America' by Swami Tathagatananda (NY);
'Practical Vedanta: Its Future In The West' by Swami Prapannananda
(Sacramento, CA); 'Application of Vedantic Principles'
by Swami Sarvadevananda (Hollywood, CA); 'Ancient Values
in a Technological Age' by Swami Brahmarupananda (Washington,
DC); 'Sri Ramakrishna's Message For The Millennium' by
Swami Prabuddhananda (San Francisco); 'Vedanta and the
Modern Age' by Swami Pramathananda (Toronto); 'Where Are
Vedantic Roots?' by Swami Tyagananda (Boston, MA); and
'Vedantic Wisdom: Way To Real Happiness' by Swami Chidananda
(Chicago). |
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| "On the third
day morning Swami Gautamananda delivered the 'valedictory'
address, enumerating five spiritual principles which he
hoped would find widespread acceptance in the new millennium:
1) Rationality: the courage to find truth against all
superstitions, books and organizations; 2) To find God
in all human beings and render dedicated service to God
in man; 3) To believe in a God of love and give up all
fear of Him; 4) To give up undue sense pleasures which
make us slaves to the body; and 5) To make the goal of
life: the realization of God. |
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| 'Wisdom and loving
service should be the hallmark of the perfected man,'
Swami Gautamananda added. He urged the attendees, among
who were medical doctors, engineers, businessmen, and
college professors, to turn their minds towards God and
spend more time on spiritual causes. 'Success has to be
tempered with spiritual life,' he emphasized. And, as
the conference neared conclusion, Swami Gautamananda invoked
the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, and
Swami Vivekananda upon the assembled devotees, and upon
all humanity throughout the next millennium. |
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| "Overall,
the reaction to the event among was favorable. A number
of Christians also attended. Janet Poole of Naples, FL.,
was raised a Protestant and considers herself a Christian.
She attended the event 'partly out of curiosity', but
found herself 'tremendously impressed' by the Swamis.
'I am just discovering all about it, and it is fascinating
what I am learning,' Poole was quoted in the New York
Times." (Frank Parlato, Jr. in "India Tribune",
Chicago, July 7, 2001). |
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| [For the benefit
of those who could not attend the conference, audio and
vide tapes of the entire conference are available. For
further information contact: Swami Varadananda, Manager,
Vivekananda Vedanta Society, 5423 South Hyde Park Blvd.,
Chicago, IL 60615. Tel: 773-363-0027. Email: [email protected]]
. |
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II. VISHWA DHARMA PRASAAR YAATRA
2001
(World tour of eminent spiritual leaders from Bharat, for
disseminating the message of Sanatana Dharma for World Peace
and Harmony)
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A section of the audience.
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HH Sadhvi Ritambhara, Param Shakti
Peeth,
HH Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth Jyotirmath
Avantar Bhanpura, HH Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Muniji),
Paranarth Niketan, and HH Dr. Pranav Pandya, Global
Gayatri Parivar, on the podium.
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S.J paying homage to the hallowed
memory of Swami Vivekananda.
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Supporting Organizations are being
honoured. (Seen on the podium are the representatives
of the organizations who received the honors).
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| Closely
on the heels of the "Vedanta in the Third Millennium"
conference, there was yet another important program at
Bensenville (August 24, 2001), in connection with the
"Vishwa Dharma Prasaar Yaatra 2001", a world
tour of eminent spiritual leaders from Bharat, for disseminating
the gospel of the Sanatana Dharma, for World Peace and
Harmony. The Yaatra was on its way to five continents,
40 countries and 50 cities, including the five in the
U. S., propagating the age-old message of Bharat that
"the whole world is verily one family" (vasudhaiva
kutumbakam). More than 2000 people participated in the
program. It was educative and enlightening. Many in the
audience wished to have such a program periodically. |
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| It was indeed
a unique experience, which inspired the audience thronging
the auditorium of the Manava Seva Mandir, to dedicate
themselves, heart and soul, for the cause of the Sanatana
Dharma and the Samaj (society). |
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| The Hindu Leaders
Forum, which was formed earlier this year as a global
network of prominent women and men from a Hindu background
and a wide variety of professions, and the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad sponsored the Yaatra. Vishwa Hindu Parishad of
America coordinated it. |
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| The program
at Bensenville was an outcome of the dedicated and committed
team work and labor of love of the Chicago chapter of
the VHP Overseas and the Hindu Leaders Forum under the
unassuming leadership and guidance of Dr. Bharat Barai,
a leading Oncologist-Hematologist, based in Indiana. Many
Hindu organizations of Greater Chicago also participated
in the program. |
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| The Yaatra was
mainly aimed at invigorating the Hindu community. It sought
to reinforce among them a deep sense of belonging and
identity with the spiritual culture of Bharat. |
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| A major component
of the Yaatra was to dispel the long-standing myths and
wrong notions held by others about the Hindu religion,
and to educate them about its principles. (It is widely
felt that there is a definite need for a greater interaction
between the Hindu and non-Hindu population in order to
allow the latter to familiarize itself with the Hindu
culture and belief). |
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| According to
the Sanatana Dharma, the world being one big family, the
Yaatra sought to share with one and all, the message of
love, tolerance and mutual respect, aiming for world peace
and harmony. |
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| The Yaatra provided
ample opportunity to the Bharatiyas (Indians) settled
in the U.S.A., for Darshan and Satsang with the Spiritual
Leaders of Bharat who are the modern torchbearers for
promotion of harmonious living of the humanity. And the
Yaatra also provided an opportunity for Hindus to stress
the importance of their Dharma to their Children. Although
the first generation of Indians in the U.S.A. often remains
devout, their children who are born here sometimes lose
touch with their heritage and faith. |
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| The Yaatra was
lead by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Swami Divyananda Teerth
of Jyotirmath, Avantar, Bhanupur, and three other eminent
spiritual leaders of Bharat: Swami Chidananda Saraswati
of Paramarth Niketan, Dr. Pranav Pandya of Global Gayatri
Parivar, and Sadhvi Ritambhara of Param Shakti Peeth. |
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| President of
Bensenville village John Geils welcomed the members of
the Yaatra. Iftekhar Shareef and Rajinder Singh Bedi felicitated
the Shankaracharya and others on behalf of the Muslim
and Sikh communities. The Consulate General of India,
Chicago, also offered his felicitations. In view of the
Yatra program at Bensenville, the Governor of Illinois
declared August 24 as the "Yatra Day." |
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| Renowned philanthropic-industrialists,
Dr. B. K. Modi (Chairman of the VHP Overseas) and M. L.
Mittal (President, Hindu Leaders Forum), who were part
of the Yaatra, highlighted its purpose, besides reminding
the audience the pressing need of the hour, and how the
Yaatra sought to fulfill it. |
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| Dr. Alfred Ford,
great-grandson of Henry Ford, and chairman of ISKCON,
an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, who participated in
the program, was honored with the presentation of "Hindu
Vibhushan Award", in recognition and appreciation
of his dedicated service to the cause of Sanatana Dharma.
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| "Vedic
Service Awards" were presented to all the leading
Religious and Cultural Institutions in Chicago in recognition
and appreciation of their pioneering service to promote
and preserve Vedic Culture and Hindu Dharma. |
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| To his credit,
Swami Divyanandaji is the first ever Shankaracharya of
Bharat, to have crossed the sea to participate enthusiastically
in the Yaatra. The Swami, with a Master degree, is quite
knowledgeable, well read in the shastras (Hindu scriptures
as well as the western lore), and an impressive speaker
in English. |
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| In his inspiring
speech, Swami Divyanandaji said, inter alia, that the
message of the Sanatana Dharma, with its fourfold ends
of life, namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, can alone
bring about real and abiding peace and prosperity in the
world, and not the Marxian or Freudian theories which
have done more harm than good to society. They have aggravated
and multiplied the social problems by making people hedonistic
and avaricious. |
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The speakers also emphasized the imperative need for
the inculcation of values of the Sanatana Dharma in
the younger generation, for their welfare and true happiness.
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The program was interspersed with melodious devotional
songs rendered by famous Bhajan singer of Bharat, Sri
Anup Jalota.
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During the program, both the organizers and the speakers
remembered Swami Vivekananda who had made history, more
than a century ago, in the city of Chicago.
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Thanks to the organizers, notably, Dr. Bharat Barai,
Jyotirmayananda had a rare privilege of rendering a
reverential homage to the hallowed memory of Swami Vivekananda,
at the commencement of the program. (The text of his
Homage is appended).
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Now that the spiritual leaders of Bharat have come
together on a single platform, for spreading the gospel
of the Sanatana Dharma, the world will experience, before
long, the accumulated spiritual power and glory of Bharat,
to usher in the much needed World Peace and Harmony.
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What a leading American newspaper (from Chicago) reported
just a day before the Yaatra program, is worth noting
in this context:
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| "In a nod
to Chicago's burgeoning Indian population and the area's
growing importance as the midwestern hub for people of
Hindu faith, a worldwide tour by eminent leaders will
stop in Bensenville on Friday. The pilgrimage, called
a Yaatra, began two weeks ago in Delhi, India. The Bensenville
stop, at the Manav Seva Mandir temple, is expected to
draw more than 2,000 people and pack the facility. Arrangements
have been made for some to watch the program on video
screens in the temple's basement. Organizers are hoping
Friday's event will attract people of other faiths as
well. |
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| "Yaatras,
used since ancient times, have traditionally carried a
message of love, peace and understanding. The 2001 pilgrimage
includes Shankaracharya Swami Divyanandaji Teerth, one
of the highest-ranking priests from India. The Bensenville
marks the fourth stop on the American swing of the four-month,
five-continent tour. Already, the Yaatra has been to Miami,
Atlanta and Washington. On Saturday the Yaatra will head
to Los Angeles before departing for Europe. |
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| "Including
the Chicago area on the itinerary is a bow to the importance
of the region as gathering spot for Indians. From 1990
to 2000, Indians and Indian-Americans became the largest
Asian ethnic group in Illinois, numbering 124,723, according
to the latest census. Drawing by high-technology jobs
in Chicago's suburbs, Indians have settled primarily in
DuPage and northwest Cook Counties, building large, immaculate
temples that draw Hindus from across the region. The Chicago
area now counts 116,000 Hindus." ("Chicago Tribune",
Aug. 24, 2001). |
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| "India
Tribune", a renowned ethnic Indian Weekly from Chicago,
besides publishing several attractive color photographs
of the program, also gave a good coverage under the caption:
"Dharma Yaatra gets overwhelming reception in Chicago".
The following are a few excerpts from its long and detailed
report by J. V. Lakshmana Rao, the Managing Editor, who
gave a clear and comprehensive picture of the entire program:
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| "It was
a grand celebration of the glory of Hindu religion and
its philosophy.... The sprawling expanse of the Mahalaxmi
Hall of the temple was flooded with over 2000 devotees.
The hall reverberated with the echoes of saintly discourses
and Bhajans of Swamijis. |
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| "All the
Swamijis in their speeches paid glowing tributes to Swami
Vivekananda, who addressed the Parliament of World Religions
in Chicago in 1893 and enlightened the world with the
knowledge of Hinduism and its philosophy. |
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| "Stating
that Hinduism believed in the unity of all human beings
in the world, Jagadguru Shakaracharya Swami Divyananda
Teerth of Jyotirmath of Bhanpura, said: 'Hinduism believes
and propagates its high ideal and philosophy that the
world is one vast family of Almighty.' Reminding the audience
of the historic Hindu message delivered a century ago
in Chicago by Swami Vivekananda, the Jagadguru said that
he too brought a message of greetings of the largest democracy
of the world -- India -- to the people of the biggest
democracy of the world -- the U. S. A. |
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| "Last century
was a century of conflicts. The world as whole had been
striving for peace. (Recently) the United Nations came
to the conclusion that political leaders cannot establish
peace. It can only be achieved through spiritual leaders.
The millennium conference of world religions and spiritual
leaders arranged by the U. N. last year was an example
in this direction, and India brought the biggest contingent
of over 110 religious leaders to this conference. |
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| "Calling
for a world free of conflicts, he said: 'let the 21st
century turn this hell into a heaven. Hindu Dharma should
take this lead and initiative. It is necessary that all
human beings should practice the feeling of brotherhood,
because all are the creation of God.' |
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| "Stating
that the Hinduism never believed in conversion, he said
that everyone could achieve happiness through any religion
he or she belonged. 'Be a good Hindu, be a good Christian,
be a good Buddhist, and above all, be a good human being,'
he added. He called upon everyone to work for the universal
peace and brotherhood. |
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| "Swami
Chidanand Saraswati (Muniji) of Paramarth Niketan, Rishikesh,
stressed the need for the Indian parents living abroad
to give good parental care to their children. They should
find as much time as possible to spend with their children.
They should communicate to their children in their mother
tongue. They should set an example to their offspring.
|
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| "Dr. Pranav
Pandya of Gayatri Parivar, Hardwar, said that the 21st
century would be the century of Hindus, and the Sanatana
Dharma would become prominent in the world. |
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| "Sadhvi
Ritambara of Param Shakti Peeth of Madhya Pradesh, in
her forceful speech, said that everyone should develop
an ideal relationship and communicate with God. She said
that the world should become a 'Pariwar' or a family and
not a 'Bazaar' (market place) of petty fights or wars.
She said: 'Mother and motherland are very dear to Hindus.
We love peace, but we will not hesitate to respond effectively
and vigorously if our honor and self-respect are threatened. |
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| "Swami
Jyotirmayananda of Chennai, said that Swami Vivekananda
conquered the hearts of the westerners when he addressed
them as 'Sisters and Brothers of America.' 'If one Swamiji,
who came to the U.S. from a country ruled by the British,
could achieve so much, one could imagine how much be achieved
by so many Swamijis from free India who were participating
in this historic Yaatra.' He said that the aim of the
Yaatra was the propagation of the gospel of Sanatana Dharma,
universal peace and brotherhood. |
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| "Earlier,
Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi, chairman and CEO of Modi Group
of companies and chairman of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
Overseas, lighted the lamp to mark the inauguration of
the program. Addressing the gathering, he said that the
world countries had never been so close as of now. 'The
world is moving towards the concept of one family. The
21st century is going to be the century of spiritualism.
The time has come for the world countries to become one
family. In this effort and in this era of spirituality,
India has to lead the world. Hinduism is a way of life.
It is the only religion that allows unity in diversity.
Hinduism is not just the property of Hindus only. All
the peoples of the world should share its noble tenets,
to pave the way for World Peace and Harmony.' " |
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| Recalling how,
through the First Parliament of Religions in Chicago (in
1893), Swami Vivekananda ushered in a new message to the
world -- a message of religious harmony and understanding,
of universal acceptance and respect for all, an author
has poetically expressed his poignant grief, seeing the
present situation of the world. He addresses Swami Vivekananda
thus (vide "Swami Vivekananda in Chicago: New Findings",
by Asim Chaudhury): |
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"You told the people of tolerance and
love,
But now it's a grievous shame;
In spite of all your lifelong work,
The world's still in need of change."
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| III.
Text of the Homage rendered by Swami Jyotirmayananda during
the Yaatra Program at Manava Seva Mandir, Bensenville, Chicago,
on the 24th August, 2001) |
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| Homage
to Swami Vivekananda, the great Hindu Monk of India, who
initiated the first ever-historic Vishwa Dharma Prasar
Yatra in 1893: |
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| Revered Swamijis
and brothers and sisters, we are fortunate to gather here
in Chicago, a city blessed by Swami Vivekananda. And today,
we have the proud privilege of rendering homage to the
hallowed memory of that great Hindu Monk of Bharat who,
in fact, initiated the first ever-historic Vishwa Dharma
Prasaar Yaatra, more than a century ago, to spread the
message of our Sanatana Dharma in the West. |
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To the Spiritually
enlightened eyes of the great Swami, the whole word was
verily one bigh family, and he emphasized universal love,
tolerance and mutual respet. He strove for the promotion
of harmonious living of the human family, even as he freely
shared with the world at large the immortal message of
the spiritual culture of Bharat.
If a single Hindu Monk of India could do so much for the
cause of our Sanatana Dharma, against so many odds, and
that too when our country was under the British rule,
how much more our present religious and spiritual leaders
should be able to accomplish, living as we are in an independent
Bharat, and having come together on a single platform,
and above all, with the unstinted support of a resurgent
Hindu society! |
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| And this evening,
when eminent spiritual leaders from India have gathered
here, as a part of the Vishwa Dharma Prasar Yaatra organized
by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which also did organize,
last year, a historic Yaatra of 108 Religious and Spiritual
Leaders of Bharat, in the context of the U. N. Millennium
World Peace Summit, at New York, it is but meet that we
pay our homage to Swami Vivekananda, and also invoke his
blessings so that we too may work vigorously for the cause
which was very dear to him, namely, the propagation of
the message of the Sanatana Dharma for World Peace and
Harmony. |
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| We render our
reverential Homage to Swami Vivekananda in the following
words: |
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| "Victory
unto Swami Vivekananda, the intrepid Hindu Monk of Bharat,
who was keenly interested in the welfare of the entire
humanity, and who was a rare ascetic totally dedicated
to the service of God in man. Victory unto Swami Vivekananda,
who proclaimed the gospel of our Sanatana Dharma for the
mankind of the New Age, from the platform of the World's
Parliament of Religions at Chicago, more than a century
ago. Victory unto Swami Vivekananda, who was supremely
dispassionate like Mahavira, kind, compassionate and renunciant
like the Christ and the Buddha, a yogi par excellence
like Adi Shankara, and who was endowed with a noble character,
to whom the whole world was one big family, and who is
ever residing in the hearts of hosts of people, all the
world over." |
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vishwahitaishi mahaamanishi
janaseva-taapasi,
jayatu vivekananda swami, jayatu veera sannyasi II
vishwadharma sammelana pithe,
vividha dharma guru garva garishte,
naanaa dharma dhwaja pratishte,
navayuga maanavadharma ghoshanaa
jagarjayo saahasi, jayatu
veera sannyasi II
Mahaaveera iva parama viraagi,
Krista-Buddhavat karuno tyaagi,
shankara iva digvijayi yogi,
udaara charito vishwa kutumbi,
janagana hrdaya nivaasi,
jayatu veera sannyasi II
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| (For full Sanskrit
text of the Homage to Swami Vivekananda, with English translation,
refer to page 852 & 853, of the book: "Vivekananda
-- His Gospel of Man-making", Fifth edition, Aug. 2000).
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* * *
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| The
devotees of Vedanta and the Vedic Dharma, who are the
harbingers of Peace and Harmony, have ushered in the New
Millennium. At this critical juncture, they have an important
function and a divine mission to fulfill, for the welfare
and happiness of one and all. With their message of divinity
of man, unity of all existence, universality of outlook,
and universal brotherhood (vasudhaiva kutumbakam, "world
is one single family"), they have a unique role to
play in the spiritual regeneration of the entire humanity,
thereby paving the way for much needed World Peace and
Harmony. Swami Vivekananda, their spiritual guide, has
already propounded a grand vision and a profound mission
of Vedanta and the Vedic Dharma. In the following words
he has boiled it down and presented to the world at large
as "practical spirituality". It is now for everyone
to respond to him favorably: |
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| "Each soul
is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity
within…. All power is within you; you are the reservoir
of omnipotent power. Arise; awake, manifest the divinity
within you and everything will be harmoniously arranged
around you.... Awake from this hypnotism of weakness.
None is really weak; the soul is infinite, omnipotent
and omniscient. Stand up, assert yourself, proclaim the
God within you.... Teach yourselves, teach everyone his
real nature, call upon the sleeping soul and see how it
awakes. Power will come, glory will come, goodness will
come, purity will come and everything that is excellent
will come, when the sleeping soul is roused to self-conscious
activity. .... This infinite power of the spirit brought
to bear upon matter, evolves material development, made
to act upon thought, evolves intellectuality, and made
to act upon itself, makes man a God. First let us be Gods
and then help others to be Gods. 'Be and make'. Let this
be our motto. Say not, man is a sinner. Tell him that
he is God.... Say that to the world, say it to yourselves
and see what a practical result comes, see how with an
electric flash everything is manifested, how everything
is changed. Tell that to mankind and show them their power.
Then we shall learn how to apply it in our daily lives....
My ideal indeed can be put into a few words, and that
is: to preach unto mankind their divinity and how to make
it manifest in every movement of life.... Man making is
my mission of life.... The older I grow the more everything
seems to me to lie in manliness. This is my New Gospel." |
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