Vivekananda on the Vedas (part 182)

[Guest guest]

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 182

 

 

PART III, SECTION 8: VEDANTA ARRIVES IN THE WEST

Chapter 21: The Development of Vedic Ideals through the Meeting of East and West

a) Let Us Take an Impartial View of the Distinct Parts Played in the Civilization of the World by the Greeks and Indo-Aryans

Two curious nations there have been, sprung of the same race but placed in different circumstances and environments, working out the problems of life each in its own particular way. I mean the ancient Hindu and the ancient Greek. The Indian Aryans - bounded on the north by the snowcaps of the Himalayas with freshwater rivers like rolling oceans surrounding them on the plains, with eternal forests which to them seemed to be the end of the world - turned their vision inward; and, given the natural instinct, the superfine brain of the Aryans, with this sublime scenery surrounding them, the natural result was that they became introspective. The analysis of their own minds was the great theme of the Indo-Aryans. On the other hand, with the Greek, who arrived at a part of the earth which was more beautiful than sublime - the beautiful islands of the Greek archipelago, nature all around them generous, yet simple - their minds naturally went outside.(1)

[The Indian Aryans’ chief aim was to evolve the infinite coiled up in the frame we call human]; another branch of the Aryans went into the smaller and more picturesque country of Greece, where the climate and natural conditions were more favorable [than India’s]; so their activity turned outward and they developed the external arts and outward liberty. The Greek sought political liberty. The Hindu has always sought spiritual liberty. Both are one-sided. The Indians care not enough for national protection or patriotism; they will defend only their religion; while with the Greek and in Europe (where the Greek civilization finds its continuation) the country comes first. To care only for spiritual liberty and not for social liberty is a defect; but the opposite is a still greater defect. Liberty of both body and soul is to be striven for.(2)

The study of the Greeks was of the outer infinite, while that of the [indo]-Aryans was the inner infinite; one studied the macrocosm, the other the microcosm. Each had its distinct part to play in the civilization of the world. Not that one was required to borrow from the other; but if they compared notes they would both be gainers.(3)

To us at the present time, perhaps, has been given the privilege of standing aside from both these aspects and taking an impartial view of the whole. (4)

Cross reference to:

Brihad. Up., 2.4.10

Cha. Up., 3.14.1