1899
Belur Math Diary
Swami Vivekananda went to the Thakur Ghar and sang before the relics and picture of Ramakrishna. The younger members of the Math presented Nivedita with an address.
“ ... All others went to Thakur-Ghar [chapel] to hear Swamiji's song, who sang many songs about Siva, Kali, etc. The women relations of Swamiji were also present. Swamiji was much excited."
In the late afternoon, all the members of the Belur Math (except Brahmananda and a brahmacharin) gathered at the monastery and a photographer was called in. "A photo of Swamiji and of S. Turiyananda were taken," the Math Diary relates. Two group photographs were taken.
That night a meeting was held to offer parting address to Swamiji. All were present.
The meeting was opened by Swami Saradananda. An address was given to Swamiji and Swami Turiyananda by the junior members of the Math. Swami Akhandananda, Swami Trigunatita, Haramohan Babu and the Marhatti Brahmin spoke. Turiyananda gave a short reply. Swamiji spoke.
... In our country, the old idea is to sit in a cave and meditate and die. To go ahead of others in salvation is wrong. One must learn sooner or later that one cannot get salvation if he does not try to seek the salvation of his brother. You must try to combine immense idealism and immense practicality in you. You must be prepared to go into deep meditation now and the next moment you must be ready to go and cultivate these fields...
The next thing to remember is that the aim of this institution is to make men. You must not merely learn what some rishi says. Those rishis are gone. Their opinions are also gone with them. You must be rishis yourselves. You are also as much a man as the greatest of men-even an Incarnation. You must stand on your own feet. What can mere book learning do? What can meditation do even? What can the mantras and tantras do? You must have this new method-the method of man-making.
"Red blood began to flow through their veins as people listened to his words," Mr. Sachindranath Basu, who was present, wrote to a disciple of Swamiji's in Benares . "On hearing him, everyone felt himself to be a man. Swamiji said with great enthusiasm, `My sons, all of you be men. This is what I want! If you are even a little successful, I shall feel my life has been meaningful'."
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- www.vivekananda.net edited by Frank Parlato Jr.
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