Vivekananda on the Vedas (part 145)

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

 

Today(March 5) Sri Ramakrishna's birthday is being celebrated all over India. On

this occasion, it might be relevant to recall a similar re-orientation of the

senses, as taught by 'The Great Master'.

 

I can not quote the reference in exact details, but one is reminded of the

predicament of a lady who wanted to progress spiritually and found that her

inordinate attachment to her nephew happened to be a serious obstacle towards

her spiritual advancement. She, therefore, sought refuge in Sri Ramakrishna.

'The Great Master' advised her to see 'Gopala' in her nephew and serve him. It

is recorded that the lady outgrew her attachment and found a new lease of

spiritual life.

 

Give a right-about turn to your mind and senses -- was the simple technique that

Sri Ramakrishna also advocated.......especially for those in the world who are

faced with this tug-of-war inside.

 

Thanks,

Debajit

--

 

On Tue, 4 Mar 2003 10:49:30

Vivekananda Centre wrote:

>Parts 1 to 144 were posted earlier. This is part 145. 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 145

>

>2. The Mighty Spiritual Genius Chaitanya and His Teaching of Worship through

the Senses

>

>Wherever the Hindi language is spoken, even the lowest classes have more

knowledge of the Vedantic religion than many of the highest in Lower Bengal.

>

>And why so?

>

>Transported from the soil of Mithila to Navadwip and developed by the fostering

genius of Shiromani, Gadadhara, Jagadisha and a host of other great names, an

analysis of the laws of reasoning, in some points superior to every other system

in the whole world, expressed in wonderful and precise mosaic of language,

stands the Nyaya of Bengal, respected and studied throughout the length and

breadth of Hindusthan. But, alas, Vedic study was sadly neglected; and until

within the last few years, scarcely anyone could be found in Bengal to teach the

Mahabhashya of Patanjali. Once only a mighty genius rose above the never-ending

avachchinnas and avachchedakas [determined and determining attribute] - Bhagavan

Sri Krishna Chaitanya. For once the religious lethargy of Bengal was shaken, and

for a time it entered into communion with the religious life of other parts of

India….

>

>The commentary which Sri Chaitanya wrote on the Vyasa-Sutras has either been

lost or not found yet. His disciples joined themselves to the Madhvas of the

South, and gradually the mantles of such giants as Rupa and Sanatana and Jiva

Goswami fell on the shoulders of the Babajis, and the great movement of Sri

Chaitanya was decaying fast, till of late years there is a sign of revival. I

hope that it will regain its lost splendor.

>

>The influence of Sri Chaitanya is all over India. Wherever the bhakti-marga

[path of devotion] is known, there he is appreciated, studied, and worshipped. I

have every reason to believe that the whole of the Vallabhacharya recension is

only a branch founded by Sri Chaitanya. But most of his so-called disciples have

become gadians (heads of monasteries) while he preached barefooted from door to

door in India, begging achandalas (all down to the lowest) to love God. (14)

>

>Vaishnavism (the religion of Chaitanya) says, " It is all right, this tremendous

love for father, for mother, for brother, husband or child. It is all right, if

only you think that Krishna is the child; and when you give him or her food,

that you are feeding Krishna " This was the cry of Chaitanya: " Worship God

through the senses " - as against the Vedantic cry, " Control the senses! Suppress

the senses! " (15)

>

>

 

 

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