ll ॐ नमो भगवते रामकृष्णाय ll नमो महावीराय विवेकानन्दाय ll
We have heard the roar of the lion of Vedanta; yes, the roar that jolted our slumbering nation to throwing off the oppressive yoke of centuries, and breathe free...
Vivekananda, from whom emanated the words of fire... exemplified the prayer of the Vedic Rsis, in our times, "अग्निर्मे वाचि श्रितः","may fire be enshrined in my speech!
We know well how he wished that the youth of the nation may hold Mahaveera Sri Hanuman as their ideal, ideal in every possible way! In his own life, we get a clear image of the personality of Sri Hanuman!
"Aye, I am ever the servant of Sri Ramakrishna.." or, "out of dust he could produce a thousand Vivekanandas..", or "G.C., ask me to pulverise the mountains, or dry up the oceans... but how can I speak about Sri Ramakrishna.." (meaning, I am too small to describe my Master) - describe his attitude as Ramakrishna-dasa, like Sri Hanuman exemplifies dasya-bhakti in this world as Ramadasa). Such self-effacing giants, who served their Masters with devotion exemplary, had so much in common.
One performed Rama's work, and the other worked out Ramakrishna's command...
...and Mother Sita who blessed Sri Hanuman, blessed Vivekananda as Mother Sarada!
Despite stupendous accomplishments, where was Hanuman in his own reckoning, other than as Rama-dasa?
Swamiji says, "our best work is done, our greatest influence is exerted when we are without thought of self" or "the world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like a thunder bolt!"
Yes, for its own good, the world must know him (them) as " अतुलित-बलधामं and ज्ञानिनां अग्रगण्यं and सकल-गुण-निधानम् " , as also pray to him (them) for निर्भयत्वं and वाक्-पटुत्वम् !!
A look at the figures of both these Mahaveeras would convince anyone of 'Strength' assuming a form!
Look at the immortal words that emanate thence, "make your nerves strong. What we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel....stand on your feet and be men!"
"If there is one word that you find coming like a bomb from the Upanishads, bursting like a bomb-shell upon masses of ignorance, it is the word, 'अभीः' fearlessness."
"This is a great fact: strength is life; weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery, weakness is death."
" To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. "I will drink the ocean", says the persevering soul; " at my will mountains will crumble up." Have that sort of energy, that sort of will; work hard, and you will reach the goal."
In as many words, is Swamiji describing Sri Hanuman for us to emulate, to hold as the ideal - for a nation that needs just this elixir of life?
Words of fire that can only come from 'अतुलित-बलधाम ' 'निर्भय ' one of
extraordinary strength, wisdom, perseverance. The National ideal has to be Mahaveera Hanuman from Ramayana of yore, or Mahaveera Vivekananda from Ramakrishnayana of now, for they are non-different, the two names for the same phenomenon!!
Salutations yet again!!
ll ॐ नमो भगवते रामकृष्णाय ll नमो महावीराय विवेकानन्दाय ll
--
Swami Sheshadri
