Fearlessness was a unique concept that Swami Vivekananda offered to the masses as he displayed rare courage and wisdom and stirred the soul of the nation
Swami Vivekananda was energy personified. Freedom was his passion; he never liked subjugation. To him it was a badge of shame. He asked, "What would you do if someone insulted your mother?" One reply was, "I would fall upon him, and teach him a good lesson".
"Bravo", said Swamiji. "Yet you see this occurring every day and you are quite indifferent. Where is your patriotism? How many are there amongst you whose blood boils with righteous indignation?"
Swami Vivekananda's words carried a tremendous force to awaken the people. Fearlessness was a unique concept that he offered to the masses. He said, "Never say no; never say, I cannot, for, you are infinite. Even time and space are nothing compared with your nature. You can do anything and everything. You are almighty".
He again said, "It is the cowards and the fools who say, 'this is fate'. But it is the strong man who stands up and says, 'I will make my fate'." Yes, Vivekananda embraced the man of action. He said, "We want infinite energy, infinite zeal, infinite courage and infinite patience; then only will great things be achieved".
In childhood his name was Bireswar; in short Biley; in youth Narendranath Dutta. Thereafter was born Swami Vivekananda, energy personified. Biley was a bright child. Since childhood, he faced several odds and unveiled the virtues of fortitude.
He never tolerated anything unwarranted. "Who are you to beat me?" was the protest of little Bireswar against a cruel teacher in school. He cried, "Take care not to touch me again!" The incident was regretted. Thereafter, in school, such cruelty was never repeated. Thus little Bireswar had the code of conduct established in the institution. Bireswar always looked cheerful. He was always cordial, and friendly. His movement signified energy, enthusiasm and life. He was exuberant, he was vigorous in what he did. When he talked he talked with confidence, and dignity. He was winsome when he talked, and the listeners were enlivened. He never liked blind belief. He was full of curiosity to know the reality.
One old man, Ramratan Bose wanted to frighten the naughty Bireswar and his friends. Once he narrated a frightening story. But Bireswar laughed at it. The old man raised his finger and warned, "Look here, don't laugh! If you go there, the ghost will come and devour you all!" All but Bireswar got scared at the mention of a ghost. Yet, Bireswar asked the old man, "Is that so?"
"Yes!" said the old man.
"Then, I want to see the ghost!"
So saying he looked at his friends and asked, "Will you?" They all ran away leaving him alone. But, Bireswar was firm on discovering the truth. He deliberately walked to the location, and stood there waiting. He waited, waited, and waited. But no ghost appeared. Thereafter, he told his friends, "What asses you are!? Don't believe what others say''. Bireswar was a person of courage. He had the ability to do the right thing at the right time. He displayed that rare capacity at several moments in his life. Once there was a commotion in the street. What happened? A horse-drawn carriage was speeding like thunder, and the passers-by were scared. A woman was in the carriage. She was terribly afraid. Noticing it, Bireswar jumped onto the carriage, brought the wild beast under control and saved the woman.
Narendranath was a strong-willed youth. He was a good scholar. He was a good singer, musician and wrestler. In every sphere, he performed with an unflinching spirit, and achieved success.
That was the time when Narendranath stood at a turning point of his life: he was blessed by Sri Ramakrishna. He discovered his mission and began his pilgrimage in saffron. It was then a dedicated life. He became a wandering sanyasi. He travelled throughout India for two years. He walked from east to west; from north to south.
Wherever he went, he was proud to be a humble brother. He was on an equal footing with all sorts of men. He happily embraced a beggar's life sheltered by pariahs. He spoke with one and all on equal terms. He probed the luxury of the rich. He spoke with pundits and with the masses. He was the conscience of India, its unity and destiny. The time was then the fourth quarter of the 19th century. India was under British rule. It was painful for Swami Vivekananda to see the misery of the masses. He could not restrain his tears.
It was then his firm conviction that it was futile to preach religion among the wretched people without first trying to reduce their suffering.
That was the very time when Vivekananda had a vision of Ramakrishna. He went to America to address the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He enthralled the affluent West with his eastern ideal: and he was named a cyclonic Hindu monk. In England, the dignity of his bearing and the profundity of his wisdom made him an object of reverence.
He returned to India on 15 January 1897. He was a nameless sanyasi when he left for the West. He was extraordinary when he returned. His return was a glorious national event. He was then filled with the zeal to rebuild India. He began his historical mission. Startling were the words he spoke: man is man as long as he is struggling to rise above nature and sets free the fetters.
His proclamations stirred the soul
of the nation. The band of heroes marched forward and fought for freedom.
And we are free.