Miscellaneous - Religion   

Life of fulfilment

CHENNAI: : The resolve to renounce worldly life by many spiritual seekers is born either out of disillusionment with the world or the need to run away from personal problems rather than an ardent desire to attain liberation in this birth. Even a spiritual novice considers it as an alternative to pursuing a householder's life. Only when one peruses the biographies of great saints is it possible to know the zeal and vision with which they chose to dedicate themselves to the spiritual goal.

In his discourse, Swami Vimurtananda said in Swami Vivekananda's case he had the future of humanity in mind when he decided to renounce the world. It was a natural progression from a fulfilled worldly life to seeking fulfilment of higher ideals. His overwhelming love for the suffering masses prodded him to take this momentous decision, which later proved that God chose him for the mission of spiritual renaissance through the instrumentality of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who immediately recognised his potential.

When he decided to become a monk, Naren as he was known then, was aware that his immediate family members would be upset with his decision. It has been documented that he said at the time of renunciation that he did not forsake his family members but only entrusted them to the care of the Almighty. What must have been his faith that God guides every individual's destiny! His renunciation was not the type born of a momentary impulse, which he would regret later when there was a worldly pull. His life shows that when one has a higher selfless cause in life God takes care of all personal needs.

As for Swami Vivekananda he had three ideals that he strived to attain within the brief span of his life. They were: welfare of humanity, the highest state of Self-realisation, and providing for his family. That every movement has to face opposition and boycott before acceptance was proved in his life also. Vivekananda used to say that very few people appreciated his dynamism and vision. Was he not fired with tremendous zeal to declare, "he would do or die" in his chosen mission? He wanted to take the highest ideal of spiritual goal to the doorstep of every downtrodden person. His renunciation was not for his spiritual gain but for the sake of the entire mankind.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoon
The Hindu Crossword No. 8542
Solution to Puzzle No. 8541
Life of fulfilment
dated March 4, 1956: Lok Sabha Speakership
dated March 4, 1956: Report of budget leakage
dated March 4, 1956: Magic of engineers
Weather

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu