Guest guest Posted July 22, 2002 Report Share Posted July 22, 2002 Parts 1 to 112 were posted earlier. This is part 113. 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 113 2. Worship of the True Guru and Repetition of Om Worshipping of the guru is the first duty inculcated in the Vedas. (26) Those alone, say the Shastras, are the real gurus who have studied the Vedas and Vedanta, who are knowers of Brahman and who are able to lead others beyond to fearlessness [Vivekacudamani, 33]; when such are at hand, get yourself initiated. (27) Japa is repeating the holy Name; through this the devotee rises to the Infinite. This boat of [ritual] sacrifice and ceremonies is very frail; we need more than that to know Brahman, which alone is freedom. Liberty is nothing more than destruction of ignorance, and that can only go when we know Brahman. It is not necessary to go through all these ceremonials to reach the meaning of Vedanta. Repeating Om is enough. (28) Around this word Om are centered all the different religious ideas in India; all the various ideas of the Vedas have gathered themselves around this word Om. What has that to do with America and England, or any other country? Simply this, that the word has been retained at every stage of religious growth in India, and it has been manipulated to mean all the various ideas about God. Monists, dualists, mono-dualists, separatists, and even atheists look up to this Om. Om has become the one symbol for the religious aspiration of the vast majority of human beings. Take, for instance, the English word God. It covers only a limited function; and if you go beyond it, you have to add adjectives to make it personal, or impersonal, or absolute God. So with the words for God in every other language; their signification is very small. This word Om, however, has around it all the various significances. As such, it should be accepted by everyone. (29) Cross reference to: Brih. Up., 2.4.5 Brih. Up. 4.3.33 Ka. Up., 1.2.7 Ka. Up.,1.2.15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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