‘Vedanta brain and Islam body’ --- Swami Vivekananda preached unique religious harmony
‘He of all men achieved the highest equilibrium between the diverse forces of thought and was one of the first to sign a treaty of peace between the two forces eternally warring within us, the forces of reason and of faith –’ that’s what French dramatist Romain Rolland wrote about Swami Vivekananda and Swamiji’s religious thoughts are so relevant at this hour of crisis when vicious wars are raging through the streets of the National Capital in the name of religion. What exactly did Swamiji feel about religion? Swami Vivekananda emphasized service to other human beings and various forms of life is the basis of all religions. To him it was not a tool of intolerance and hate, rather of service to mankind.
In one of his lectures Swami Vivekananda says: ‘After so much tapasya and austerity, I’ve known that the highest truth is this: He is present in all beings. There is no other God to seek for. He alone is worshipping God who serves all beings. Humankind ought to be taught that religions are but the varied expressions of one religion, that preaches oneness, so that each may choose the path that suits him best. If you go below the surface, you find that unity between man and man, between races and races, high and low, rich and poor, gods and men, and men and animals. If you go deep enough, all will be seen as only variation of the One, and he who has attained this concept of Oneness has no more delusion.’
Swami Vivekananda emphasized the need to harmonize the Vedas, the Bible and the Quran. He wrote, ‘I see in my mind’s eye the future-perfect India rising out of this chaos and strife, glorious and invincible, with Vedanta brain and Islam body.’ For Swami Vivekananda, real spirituality was far from just rituals. He wished any religion to contribute to better life, more harmonious, peaceful and equality-based life. Swami Vivekananda was determined to discover the true essence of his religion and link it to the service of people and all forms of life. In this hour of communal tension and narrow sectarian hatred being spewed all around, India needs to follow the preaching of religious harmony that Swami Vivekananda always advocated.
