Vivekananda on the Vedas (part 63)

July 19, 2001

Parts 1 to 62 were posted earlier. This is part 63. Your comments are welcome... Vivekananda Centre London

Earlier postings can be seen at http://www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk/veda.htm

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON THE VEDAS AND UPANISHADS

By Sister Gayatriprana

part 63

3. It Is More Logical to Explain the Universe by the One Force of Love, to Be Worshipped in Every Form, Which Is Its Temple

This idea of oneness is the great lesson India has to give; and, mark you, when this is understood, it changes the whole aspect of things, because you look at the world through other eyes than you have been doing before. And this world is no more a battlefield where each soul is born to struggle with every soul and the strongest gets the victory and the weakest goes to death. It becomes a playground where the Lord is playing like a child, and we are His or Her playmates, His or Her fellow-workers. This is only a play, however terrible, hideous, and dangerous it may appear. We have mistaken its aspect. When we have known the nature of the Soul, hope comes to the weakest, to the most miserable sinner. (19)

Thus the motive power of the whole universe, in whatever way it manifests itself, is that wonderful thing, unselfishness, renunciation, love, the real, the only living force in existence. Therefore the Vedantist insists upon that oneness. We insist upon that explanation because we cannot admit the causes of the universe. If we simply hold that by limitation the same beautiful, wonderful love appears to be evil or vile, we find the whole universe explained by the one force of love. If not, two causes of the universe have to be taken for granted, one good and the other evil, one love and the other hatred. Which is the more logical? Certainly, the one force theory. (20)

The individual's life is in the life of the whole, the individual's happiness is in the happiness of the whole; apart from the whole, the individual's existence is inconceivable - this is an eternal truth and is the bedrock on which the universe is built. To move slowly towards the infinite Whole, bearing a constant feeling of intense sympathy and sameness with it, being happy with its happiness and being distressed by its affliction, is the individual's sole duty. Not only is it his or her duty, but in its transgression is his or her death, while compliance with this great truth leads to life immortal. (21)

Worship everything as God - every form is God’s temple. All else is delusion. Always look within, never without. Such is the God Vedanta preaches, and such is Its worship. Naturally, there is no sect, nor creed, no caste, in Vedanta. (22)

Cross reference to:

Taitt. Up., 2.7.1

Gita 13.13