Swami Vivekananda (The Master Builder of Our Nation)

[Guest guest]

UNIVARSALISM AS A FAITH

Swamiji was truly a universal man. In him was embodied the spirit of Hindu tolerance and understanding of other religions and philosophies and when he spoke on any subject, he did so with full authority and conviction. His knowledge and realisation, which had taken him to the pinnacles of Advaita could not tolerate anything narrow and mean. He had no patience with bigotry, fanaticism and narrow-mindedness of any kind, as his universal spirit rebelled against it.

 

Far from spurning modern science and technology, he wished India to absorb them and use them for eradicating poverty and healing the sick. He wanted the synthesis of Hindu religion with modern science. He believed that, certain of the values which the Western countries had acquired after their long experience and through their science and technology, if adopted in right measured doses and with proper correctives, would help revolutionize Indian society and give the Hindu religion the dynamism that it lacked.

 

Cont.

 

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THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love ! Salutations and prostrations unto Thee. Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. Thou art Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute. Thou art the Indweller of all beings. Grant us an understanding heart, equal vision, balanced mind, faith, devotion and wisdom. Grant us inner spiritual strength to resist temptation and to control the mind. Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy. Fill our hearts with divine virtues. Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever. { SWAMI SIVANANDA , Divine Life Society }

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