Vivekananda on the Vedas (part 152)

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Parts 1 to 151 were posted earlier. This is part 152. 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 152

Our Hindu ancestors sat down and thought of God and morality, and so we have brains to use for the same ends; but in the rush of trying to get gain, we are likely to lose them again.(26)

On one side the new India is saying, "We should have full freedom in the selection of husband and wife, because in the marriage in which we are involved [is] the happiness and misery of our future life; we must have the right to determine according to our own free will." On the other, old India is dictating, "Marriage is not for sense-enjoyment, but to perpetuate the race. This is the Indian concept of marriage. By producing children you are contributing to and are responsible for the future good or evil of society. Hence, society has the right to dictate whom you shall marry and whom you shall not. That form of marriage obtains in society which is conducive most to its well-being; do you give up your desire for individual pleasure for the good of the many."

On one side, new India is saying, " If only we adopt Western ideas, Western language, Western food, Western dress, and Western manners, we shall be as strong and powerful as the Western nations"; on the other, old India is saying, "Fools! By imitation, others’ ideas never become one’s own; nothing, unless earned, is your own. Does the ass in the lion’s skin ever become the lion?’

On the one side, new India is saying, " What the Western nations do is surely good; otherwise how did they become so great?" On the other side, old India is saying, "The flash of lightning is intensely bright, but only for a moment; look out, boys, it is dazzling your eyes. Beware!"

Have we not, then, to learn anything from the West? Must we not needs try and exert ourselves for better things? Are we perfect? Is our society entirely spotless, without any flaw? There are many things to learn, we must struggle for new and higher things till we die - struggle is the end of human life…. That person or that society which has nothing to learn is already in the jaws of death. Yes. Learn we must many things from the West; but there are fears, as well….