All paths lead to Thee
As the different streams having their sources in different places, all mingle their waters in the sea, so, Oh Lord, the different paths which different men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.
~Swami Vivekananda
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It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world;
I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honour of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration.
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.
I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny.
I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.
I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings:
As the different streams having there sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita:
'Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.'
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 civilisation, 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; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
~ Message delivered by Swami Vivekananda ji - 11th Sept 1893 -
Other speeches of Swami Vivekananda ji delivered at Chicago Sept 1893.
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Today is July 4th, is the 115th death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda ji. A great and towering son of humanity and the youth icon of India. He may not be physically with us but his thoughts based on the eternal truths will always guide us.
People come and go, but the truth lives on.
Swami Vivekanada's observance of Hinduism from 1893, is certainly not the Hinduism practiced today in India. It is fast becoming an country of intolerance, with no recourse for those who are touched by it. Secular laws to protect non-Hindus are not implemented, and the highest offices in the nation does not speak out against the intolerance, which appears to show their tacit support.
ReplyDeleteThe current PM was banned from the US for many years because of his lack of support for protecting minorities. Now that he is allowed to visit as a head of state, he comes with a begging bowl to ask for "relaxation" of immigration laws in the US, a secular country. The mainstream Indian media headlines the prime minister's visit to the US, while getting marginal local coverage.
As a Hindu, the PM needs to not only articulate Vivekananda's message but ensure that it practiced.
Sudhir ji,
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right. There are many people who have their own convoluted ideas of what is Hinduism. Are they the majority or are they the minority?
The crazies are few but they are noisy. The media likes to play it up. Alternate way to get news is social media and foreign press. ( I watch Pakistani, Chinese and Russian channels) to learn what are the good things happening.
As a Sikh in 1984 we know the intolerance and viciousness of the State machinery in the hands of criminals. Yet we have come to terms that a few bad people do not reflect the character of the vast numbers of our countrymen and women.
There is a big difference between perception and fact.
It might interest you to know that Mr. Modi is the only person in 14 years ever denied a visa to the U.S. under the provision of a little-known U.S. law passed in 1998 that makes foreign officials responsible for "severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for visas. Is it not a case of victimisation?
More of this can be read in the Wall Street Journal at https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-narendra-modi-was-banned-from-the-u-s-1399062010
I have many Muslim friends in Gujarat. They swear that they feel safer, are more prosperous and comfortable than they ever felt under so called 'Secular' rule.
The people of India have voted in Modi. He is now India's leader. All we can do is support him to make a more peaceful, happy and successful India.
We have seen 60 years of rule under Congress leadership, wait and watch what the current leadership under Modi will do. I am confident that within a few years, you will have a completely different view point.