Hindu Law

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna , " Manish Solanki " <yam65@h...>

wrote:

>

Namaste,

 

These two excerpts will give some inkling of Swamiji's views:

 

http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_5/vol_5_fram

e.htm

 

Swamiji: We must revive the old laws of the Rishis. We must initiate

the whole people into the codes of our old Manu and Yâjnavalkya, with

a few modifications here and there to adjust them to the changed

circumstances of the time. Do you not see that nowhere in India now

are the original four castes (Châturvarnya) to be found? We have to

redivide the whole Hindu population, grouping it under the four main

castes, of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, as of old.

The numberless modern subdivisions of the Brahmins that split them up

into so many castes, as it were, have to be abolished and a single

Brahmin caste to be made by uniting them all. Each of the three

remaining castes also will have to be brought similarly into single

groups, as was the case in Vedic times. Without this will the

Motherland be really benefited by your simply crying as you do

nowadays, " We won't touch you!; We won't take him back into our

caste! " ? Never, my boy!

 

 

http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_7/vol_7_fram

e.htm

 

Disciple: But, sir, such a state of things seems impossible unless

sages like Manu and Yâjnavalkya are again born in the country.

Swamiji: Goodness gracious! Was it not purity and unselfish labour

that made them Manu and Yajnavalkya, or was it something else? Well,

we ourselves can be far greater than even Manu and Yajnavalkya if we

try to; why will not our views prevail then?

Disciple: Sir, it is you who said just now that we must revive the

ancient usages and observances within the country. How then can we

think lightly of sages like Manu and the rest?

Swamiji: What an absurd deduction! You altogether miss my point. I

have only said that the ancient Vedic customs must be remodelled

according to the need of the society and the times, and passed under

a new form in the land. Have I not?

Disciple: Yes, sir.

Swamiji: What, then, were you talking? You have read the Shastras,

and my hope and faith rest in men like you. Understand my words in

their true spirit, and apply yourselves to work in their light.

Disciple: But, sir, who will listen to us? Why should our countrymen

accept them?

Swamiji: If you can truly convince them and practise what you preach,

they must. If, on the contrary, like a coward you simply utter

Shlokas as a parrot, be a mere talker and quote authority only,

without showing them in action — then who will care to listen to you?

Disciple: Please give me some advice in brief about social reform.

Swamiji: Why, I have given you advice enough; now put at least

something in practice. Let the world see that your reading of the

scriptures and listening to me has been a success. The codes of Manu

and lots of other books that you have read — what is their basis and

underlying purpose? Keeping that basis intact, compile in the manner

of the ancient Rishis the essential truths of them and supplement

them with thoughts that are suited to the times; only take care that

all races and all sects throughout India be really benefited by

following these rules. Just write out a Smriti like that; I shall

revise it.

Disciple: Sir, it is not an easy task; and even if such a Smriti be

written, will it be accepted?

Swamiji: Why not? Just write it out. " — Time is infinite, and the

world is vast. " If you write it in the proper way, there must come a

day when it will be accepted. Have faith in yourself. You people were

once the Vedic Rishis. Only, you have come in different forms, that's

all. I see it clear as daylight that you all have infinite power in

you. Rouse that up; arise, arise — apply yourselves heart and soul,

gird up your loins. What will you do with wealth and fame that are so

transitory? Do you know what I think? I don't care for Mukti and all

that. My mission is to arouse within you all such ideas; I am ready

to undergo a hundred thousand rebirths to train up a single man.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder