Talks With Swami Vivekananda

416 Pages·2011·19.48 MB·English

by  Swami Vivekananda

TALKS
WITH
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
ADVAITA ASHRAMA
llfAYAVATI, ALMORA, HIMALAYAS
Published by
SWAMI PAVITRANANDA
ADVAITA ASBRA:MA
MAYAVATI. AL:MORA. HIMALAYAS
All rigltt8 Tt8erved
Second Edition-1946
Printed in l ndia
BY PBANI BHUSAN ROY, AT THE
PRABARTAK PRINTING & HALFTONE LTD.,
52{3, BOWBAZAR STREET, CALCUTTA.
PREFACE
Great persons are usually known to us through
their lectlllres, writings or public activities. But it is
always a rare privilege to come into intimate· contact
with them and study their lives and thoughts at close
quarters. This is all the more true of spiritual
geniuses. Those who have attained to a great
spiritual height live in a different plane, as it were,
from that of ours, and in spite of their endeavour
to do good to the world and their great sympathy
for the suffering humanity, none except those who
have been directly touched by them succeed in taking
full advantage of their lives and teachings. Spiritual
giants are worshipped from a distance but the influ
ence of their examples enters into the lives of only a
fortunate few. All are not destined to have direct
contact with spiritual personalities, hence the next
best thing for ordinary people is to know tlteir
teachings, in which is hidden the inspiration of their
lives. It is therefore that the teachings or recorded
sayings of saints are so much in demand. A few
sayings of Christ found in the Bible and a few words
of Buddha that have been left to the woria as a
great legacy are giving spiritual sustenance to millions
of people for thousands of years. It is but natural.
The meteoric success of Swami Vivekananda as a
religious teacher in two hemispheres dazzles us. We
are struck with awe and reverence when we read his
iv PREFACE
writings or go through his recorded speeches. · We
feel he is talking to us from a dizzy height. We e.re
bewildered by the thought of the gulf between his
greatness and our smallness. But when one would
come into direct touch with him, one would feel that
the distance had vanished, and find in Swami Viveka
nanda a close friend or an intimate relation, eager
to do the highest good for all. It is only when such
relationship is established that you can know the
real man. The disciples who recorded their conversa
tions with Swami Vivekananda in the following pages,
had the,privilege not only of finding the Swami as a
Guru, but of being very free with him. So we find,
they were discussing all kinds of subjects with him.
An.i as Swami Vivekananda while giving out his views
was not trammelled by formality as is the case when
one stands on a public platform, his words as found
here have got special value. Here Swami Viveka
nanda gives directions about spiritual practice and
mll,ditation, talks of high philosophy, and in the next
breath discusses the problems of national regenera
tion, social reform, educational ideals, and what not.
Now and then we find how the large heart of that
great giant bled for the sufferings of the poor and
the needy. People in almost all walks of life will
find guidance from these conversations.
The conversations took place in Bengali and were
originally published in the Udbodhan-a Bengali
monthly of 'the R'amakrishna Order. They were
translated, at places abridged, and incorporated in
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. We
PREFACE v
bring them out in a handy book form, hbping they
will be of immense help to a larger circle of the
reading public. May our hopes be justified.
PuBLISHER
ADVAITA ASHRAMA
MAYAV.\TI, HIMALAYAS
The 12th January, 1939

CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE iii
CHAPTER I (1-324)
Sec. I. The first meeting with Swami
Vivelwnanda-Mr. Narendranath Sen,
Editor of the Mirror-Comparison between
the English and the American-The future
result of preaching religion in foreign
countries-The relative value of politics
and religion-a preacher of cow-protection
-Man is to be saved first 1
Sec. II. Rebellion against nature, the sign of
consciousness-The same is true of nations
-The cause of India's degradation-Need
for self-confidence-Men or money ?-The
way to Self-realisation-The Krishna of
Kurukshetra-Need for the development
of Rajas 10
Sec. III. Talking with some Pandits in
Sanskrit-What is ' civilisation-Character
istics of Indian civilisa.tion-Samadhi
Who is the real teacher-Hereditary Gurus
-Sri Ramakrishna 20
Sec. IV. The Birthday anniversary of Sri
Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar-Need of
religious festivals-Swami Vivelcananda did
not preach sectarianism 26
:Viii CONTENTS
PAGE
Sec. V. Initiating the disciP.le__:_Origin of the
sacred thread-The problem of virtue and
vice-When is the Self realised 33
Sec. VI. Starting, the Rama7aishna Mission
-Did Swami Vivekananda differ from Sri
Ramakrishna-Swami Vivekananda's atti
tude towards Sri Ramakrishna-The Law
of grace-Girish Chandra Ghosh 39
Sec. VII. Solar Eclipse-Nature of medita
tion-Practical hints on meditation-Need
for renunciation, 49
Sec. VIU. Female education-Mahakali
Pathshala-Women in India and the West
-Early marriage-Right type of female
education-Spread of education 53
Sec. IX. Rig-Veda-Max Muller--The theory
of creation-Swami Vivckananda's great
heart-Need for the study of scriptures-
& ervice of living beings 62
Sec. X. The ideal of Sannyasa-Buddha and
the institution of Sannyasa-M eeting the
criticism against Sannyasa-Who is a real
Sannyasin 72
Sec. XI. Consecration of the temple of Sri
Ramakrishna 83
Sec. XII. Guru Govind Singh-Psychic
powers 85
CONTENTS' ix·
PAGE
Sec. XIII. Tithipuja of Sri Ramakrishna
Investing some non-Brahmin devotees with)
holy thread-Girish Chandra Ghosh
Karma-Yoga or unselfish worl•-lts aim and
utility 92
Sec. XIV. Installation of Sri Ramakrishna at
B elur M ath-Shankaracharya-Buddha
Cause of the downfall of Buddhism-In
fluence of pilgrimage-Different methods of
worship . . . 100
Sec. XV. In a reminiscent mood-His
psychic power.~-American men and women
-Opposition from the bigoted Christians
Self-surrender and ine1·tia-Nag Mahashaya 110
Sec. XVI. Swami Vivekananda's experiences·
at Amarnath and I(shir Bhavani-Hearing a
divine voice-Existence of ghosts and spirits
-Swami Vivekananda's experience of a
disembodied spirit . . . 119
Sec. XVII. Composing a Sanskrit hymn
About BengaU language and style-"Be
fearless"-N eed for the study of scriptures-
Result of Self-realisation 123
Sec. XVIII. Swami Vivelwnanda's experi-
ence of Nirvikalr.a Sarnadhi-Ex.traordinary
power of Avatar.as . .. 131
Sec. XIX. Need for faith in oneself-Service
and business-So-called educated people-
Masses-Their future 138