Swami Vivekananda's View on Theory of Evolution

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Here is the view of Swami Vivekananda's view on darwins theory of

evoulution:

 

Rambrahma Babu: What is your opinion of the evolution theory of

Darwin and the causes he has put forward for it?

 

Swamiji: Taking for granted that Darwin is right, I cannot

yet admit that it is the final conclusion about the causes of

evolution.

 

Rambrahma Babu: Did the ancient scholars of our country

discuss this subject?

 

Swamiji: The subject has been nicely discussed in the

Samkhya Philosophy. I am of opinion that the conclusion of the

ancient Indian philosophers is the last word on the causes of

evolution.Rambrahma Babu: I shall be glad to hear of it, if it can

be explained in a few words.

 

Swamiji: You are certainly aware of the laws of struggle

for existence, survival of the fittest, natural selection, and so

forth, which have been held by the Western scholars to be the causes

of elevating a lower species to a higher. But none of these has been

advocated as the cause of that in the system of Patanjali. Patanjali

holds that the transformation of one species into another is

effected by the "in - filling of nature" [(Sanskrit)]. It is not

that this is done by the constant struggle against obstacles. In my

opinion, struggle and competition sometimes stand in the way of a

being's attaining its perfection. If the evolution of an animal is

effected by the destruction of a thousand others, then one must

confess that this evolution is doing very little good to the world.

Taking it for granted that it conduces to physical well - being, we

cannot help admitting that it is a serious obstacle to spiritual

development. According to the philosophers of our country, every

being is a perfect Soul, and the diversity of evolution and

manifestation of nature is simply due to the difference in the

degree of manifestation of this Soul. The moment the obstacles to

the evolution and manifestation of nature are completely removed,

the Soul manifests Itself perfectly. Whatever may happen in the

lower strata of nature's evolutions, in the higher strata at any

rate, it is not true that it is only by constantly struggling

against obstacles that one has to go beyond them. Rather it is

observed that there the obstacles give way and a greater

manifestation of the Soul takes place through education and culture,

through concentration and meditation, and above all through

sacrifice. Therefore, to designate the obstacles not as the effects

but as the causes of the Soul - manifestation, and describe them as

aiding this wonderful diversity of nature, is not consonant with

reason. The attempt to remove evil from the world by killing a

thousand evil - doers, only adds to the evil in the world. But if

the people can be made to desist from evil - doing by means of

spiritual instruction, there is no more evil in the world. Now, see

how horrible the Western struggle theory becomes!

 

Rambrahma Babu was astonished to hear Swamiji's words and

said at length, "India badly needs at the present moment men well

versed in the Eastern and Western philosophies like you. Such men

alone are able to point out the mistakes of the educated people who

see only one side of the shield. I am extremely delighted to hear

your original explanation of the evolution theory."

 

HARI OM TAT SAT

 

Yours in the Lord,

 

Br. Vinayaka