Guest guest Posted December 14, 2001 Report Share Posted December 14, 2001 Pranam, Here i would like to know the opinion of the group as this group comprises both Sanyasis and Grahasths.I have been largely inspried by the works of Swami Vivekanada particulalrly his message of 'Service to God through Service to Man'. But I have found some of his statements confusing with regard to the issue of sanyasis and grahasths and belittling the householders.Of course it could be I who has failed to understand those lines fully. In 'Complete Works of Vivekananda' Vol. 5,the Swami says "its impossible for householders to realise Brahmo as being in the world and realising Brahmo are two mutually contradictory things." Similarly, in another Volume he says that he won't trust God if Narayan comes in the form of householders.What did Swami Vivekananda mean in this passages? Haven't many exalted people whom we regard as GOD incarnate like Ramchandra ji, Shri Krishna themselves had been houselholders though they still did their duties towards the world.If the author of 'Geeta' which preaches renunciation and union with Brahmo himself can be a householder,how could the Swami say what he said. Moreover in all ages there have been men who had been householders but still served the world and had a great message for the world.In our own age we can take example of Gandhiji and others. Similarly there have been a number of Sanyasis who have been embodiments of egoism,demanding obeisance,having self-vanity, which is just opposite to the goal of spiritual realisation. There have been Sanyasis in India right from Vedic ages.Then why did vices like untouchability and Sati prevail in India and were condoned and in many cases practised by these Sanyasis. What I am saying is that the duty of a Sanyasi is different from the duty of a householder,they both can be great in their own right.Their greatness should be judged by how they perform their own duty. Regards, Vinayak Check out Shopping and Auctions for all of your holiday gifts! Check out Shopping and Auctionsfor all of your holiday gifts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2001 Report Share Posted December 14, 2001 Namaste Sri Vinayakji: Interestingly you posted the questions and you have also answered the question by several of your statements. Here is my understanding and I hope others to correct me if I am wrong. Swamiji's statement, "its impossible for householders to realise Brahmo as being in the world and realising Brahmo are two mutually contradictory things." is a reference to the mental attitude. The determination of Sanyasi or householder is not determined by status but by the deeds. You have rightly shown the examples to demonstrate this point. Lord Krishna who represent the 'SELF' had hundreds of Gopis around him and His nick name was - 'Nithya Brahmachari.' Just by putting a robe, one can't become a 'true Sanyasi.' and is necessarily demonstrated by the deeds. In conclusion, I do not see any contradiction in Swamiji's statement. warmest regards, Ram Chandran advaitin, Vinayak Lohani <vinayaklohani> wrote: > > > Pranam, > Here i would like to know the opinion of the group as this group comprises both Sanyasis and Grahasths.I have been largely inspried by the works of Swami Vivekanada particulalrly his message of 'Service to God through Service to Man'. > > But I have found some of his statements confusing with regard to the issue of sanyasis and grahasths and belittling the householders.Of course it could be I who has failed to understand those lines fully. In 'Complete Works of Vivekananda' Vol. 5,the Swami says "its impossible for householders to realise Brahmo as being in the world and realising Brahmo are two mutually contradictory things." > > Similarly, in another Volume he says that he won't trust God if Narayan comes in the form of householders.What did Swami Vivekananda mean in this passages? Haven't many exalted people whom we regard as GOD incarnate like Ramchandra ji, Shri Krishna themselves had been houselholders though they still did their duties towards the world.If the author of 'Geeta' which preaches renunciation and union with Brahmo himself can be a householder,how could the Swami say what he said. Moreover in all ages there have been men who had been householders but still served the world and had a great message for the world.In our own age we can take example of Gandhiji and others. Similarly there have been a number of Sanyasis who have been embodiments of egoism,demanding obeisance,having self-vanity, which is just opposite to the goal of spiritual realisation. There have been Sanyasis in India right from Vedic ages.Then why did vices like untouchability and Sati prevail in India and were condoned and in many cases practised by these Sanyasis. > > What I am saying is that the duty of a Sanyasi is different from the duty of a householder,they both can be great in their own right.Their greatness should be judged by how they perform their own duty. > > Regards, > > Vinayak > > > > > > Check out Shopping and Auctions for all of your holiday gifts! > > > > > Check out Shopping and Auctionsfor all of your holiday gifts! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2001 Report Share Posted December 14, 2001 Hari OM! Narayana Smrithis Blessed Vinayakji, For a real Sanyasi...that is totally detached... totally realised souls. Even if he is a Householder the attitude counts. For a realised soul there is no body consiousness. And also nobody consiousness! ie Unity in diversity. Swami Vivekananda meant in that context that (Householder means) one who is not self realized and having lot of attachment to the world. Towards impermanent things. Taking that as permenant. The importance goes to whether the person is self realized or not. When we meditate we come to the conclusion that we are Nothing! but also everything! He can be at any stage does not apply. The attitude counts. With Love & OM! Krishna Prasad --- Vinayak Lohani <vinayaklohani wrote: > > > Pranam, > Here i would like to know the opinion of the > group as this group comprises both Sanyasis and Grahasths.I have > been largely inspried by the works of Swami Vivekanada > particulalrly his message of 'Service to God through Service to > Man'. > > But I have found some of his statements confusing with regard to > the issue of sanyasis and grahasths and belittling the > householders.Of course it could be I who has failed to understand > those lines fully. In 'Complete Works of Vivekananda' Vol. 5,the > Swami says "its impossible for householders to realise Brahmo as > being in the world and realising Brahmo are two mutually > contradictory things." > > Similarly, in another Volume he says that he won't trust God if > Narayan comes in the form of householders.What did Swami > Vivekananda mean in this passages? Haven't many exalted people whom > we regard as GOD incarnate like Ramchandra ji, Shri Krishna > themselves had been houselholders though they still did their > duties towards the world.If the author of 'Geeta' which preaches > renunciation and union with Brahmo himself can be a householder,how > could the Swami say what he said. Moreover in all ages there have > been men who had been householders but still served the world and > had a great message for the world.In our own age we can take > example of Gandhiji and others. Similarly there have been a number > of Sanyasis who have been embodiments of egoism,demanding > obeisance,having self-vanity, which is just opposite to the goal of > spiritual realisation. There have been Sanyasis in India right from > Vedic ages.Then why did vices like untouchability and Sati prevail > in India and were condoned and in many cases practised by these > Sanyasis. > > What I am saying is that the duty of a Sanyasi is different from > the duty of a householder,they both can be great in their own > right.Their greatness should be judged by how they perform their > own duty. > > Regards, > > Vinayak > > > > > > Check out Shopping and Auctions for all of your > holiday gifts! > > > > > Check out Shopping and Auctionsfor all of your > holiday gifts! > > > > Check out Shopping and Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at or bid at http://auctions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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