Social philosophy of Swami Vivekananda

by Baruah Debajit | 2017 | 87,227 words

This study deals with Swami Vivekananda’s social philosophy and his concept of religion. He was the disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. Important subjects are discussed viz., nature of religion, reason and religion, goal of religion, religious experience, ways to God, etc. All in the context of Vivekananda....

Chapter 2.1b - Social Reforms: Religion

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[Summary: Social Reforms of Swami Vivekananda (b): Religion.]

In the above we have discussed that during the time of Vivekananda, religion played utter negative role in Indian society. Religious superstitions made peoples mentally handicapped. Swami Vivekananda tried to make religion, specially Hinduism free from superstitions. Vivekananda says that religion is the idea which is raising the brute unto man and man unto God. According to him religion is the manifestation of man’s innate divinity. This divinity can be manifested by controlling both the internal and external nature of man. This can be done either by work or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy by one or more or all of these. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, dogmas, rituals, books, temples etc. are only secondary details of religion.

Swami Vivekananda learned from Shri Ramakrishna the great lesson ‘Tato Math Tato path (As many creeds, so many paths) and he emphasized the democratic spirit even in the matter of spirituality. Ramakrishna and Vivekananda can not be considered to be mere religious leaders as they are commonly looked upon. They were prophets of human emancipation, of equality and of human progress. Their beliefs are clearly reflected when Ramakrishna says, “There is no religion in an empty stomach.”^[1] or when Vivekananda says, “I do not believe in that God or in that religion that can not wipe out the tears of a widow or cannot give bread to a hungry mouth, or the only God I believe in is He whom the ignorant call man.”^[2] From this it has been seen that he wanted a very pragmatic religion. If religion can not help us in removing our poverty and such other problems then it is not necessary to cling to that religion.

Religion is not anti-moral but it is for the well-being of mankind. There is no mystery in religion. The purpose of religion is man making. Vivekananda says that Religion is the manifestation of divinity already in man. Religion is not the outcome of the weakness of human nature. It is love, unfolding, expanding, and growing. It is in love that religion exists and not in ceremony. According to Vivekananda the only medium through which spiritual force can be transmitted is love. This love makes the whole universe one’s own home. Vivekananda’s conception of God was expressed through his love for humanity. His worship of God was identified with service of the masses. Worship means love and love means service with dedication. His love for the Indian masses and worship of God became the service of mother India. His religion did not make him an austere Sannyasian. His religion opened his heart to the flood gates of love and compassion for his country men, who were suffering from poverty and disease, ignorance and superstition.

He says that in India religion is realization. It is not learning some doctrine like a parrot. He says “Above all there is another thing to remember which I am sorry we forget time to time, that religion in India means realization and nothing short of that. ‘Believe in the doctrine, and you are safe’, can never be taught to us, for we do not believe in that you are what you make your selves. You are more believing in certain theories and doctrines will not help you much. The mighty word that comes out from the sky of spirituality in India was Anubhuti, realization.”^[3] From this it is clear that Vivekananda viewed religion as a realization only. That realization is the realization of our divine nature. For this we need not be over dependent on the religious doctrines, rituals etc.

While delivering his religions lectures Vivekananda taught us that unselfishness to be the remarkable sign to be nearer to God. He says “Unselfishness is God. One may live on a throne, in a golden palace, and be perfectly unselfish; and then he is in God. Another may live in a hut and wear rags, and have nothing in the world; yet if he is selfish, he is intensely merged in the world.”^[4] He again says “selfishness is the chief sin. He who tries to secure his position first say, he who says, I will eat first, I will have more money than others and I will do everything is the selfish man. Again a man who says I will be last I do not case to go to heaven;will go to hell if by doing so I can help my brother; is an unselfish man. According to Vivekananda this unselfishness is the last of religion.”^[5]

From the above lines of Vivekananda on religion, some points may be deduced. First he tried to make religions, specially Hindu religion free from formalities. Religion in no way bound by rituals, dogmas etc. Taking the advantage of the rituals the priests badly corrupted the poor Indian peoples. Secondly, it goes without saying that a selfish people can never be truly religious. One who only thinks for himself can not come any use of the betterment of the society. Vivekananda used religion as an instrument for social welfare. It is his conviction that if peoples become truly religious they will be unselfish and will come forward to help the suffering individuals.