The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
by Srila Narayana Maharaja | 2003 | 1,508,963 words | ISBN-10: 8175053925 | ISBN-13: 9788175053922
"The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda" compiles the teachings and writings of Swami Vivekananda, capturing his vast influence as a pivotal figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of the mystic Ramakrishna, delivered profound lectures across the United States and Europe af...
Shri Ramakrishna: The Nation's Ideal
In order that a nation may rise, it must have a high ideal. Now, that ideal is, of course, the abstract Brahman. But as you all cannot be inspired by an abstract ideal, you must have a personal ideal. You have got that, in the person of Shri Ramakrishna. The reason why other personages cannot be our ideal now is, that their days are gone; and in order that Vedanta may come to everyone, there must be a person who is in sympathy with the present generation. This is fulfilled in Shri Ramakrishna. So now you should place him before everyone. Whether one accepts him as a Sadhu or an Avatara does not matter.
He said he would come once more with us. Then, I think, he will embrace Videha-Mukti (Absolute Emancipation). If you wish to work, you must have such an Ishta-Devata, or Guardian Angel, as the Christian nations call it. I sometimes imagine that different nations have different Ishta-Devatas, and these are each trying for supremacy. Sometimes I fancy, such an Ishta-Devata becomes powerless to do service to a nation.