Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1834-86), was a simple rustic saint of Dakshineshwar in rural Bengal in the 19th century. He denounced the scriptures, rituals and priestly domination and emphasised on renunciation, meditation and bhakti, for salvation. His disciple, Narendranath Dutta (1863-1902), also known as Swami Vivekananda, popularised the saint's message and made it more socially relevant. Vivekananda's portrayal of Hinduism in his speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, astounded the audience. The Hinduism preached by Vivekananda was called 'Neo-Hinduism'. In 1897, two centres were opened at Belur, near Calcutta, and Mayavati, near Almora, which became the focal points of his Ramakrishna Mission. The Mission worked to help the poor, improve the social conditions for women, overhaul the education system and fought against the caste system and superstition.
Vivekananda urged the youth of ~dia to take inspiration from the Vedanta, which he held as the touchstone of reason, so that they could free India both politically and spiritually. He advocated the acquiring of physical and moral strength and pride in India's past glory. It was through such means that he sought to awaken the Indian nationalism for promoting reform, freedom and unity. Vivekananda's fiery spirit infused confidence in the minds of many freedom fighters. Vivekananda, who never came out with anti-British policies or open nationalism, is recognised by Subhash Chandra Bose as a spiritual leader of India's national struggle.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment