Resurgent Hindu Nation: RSS mission is a tribute to Swami Vivekananda’s vision

BOOK REVIEW

 (K. Suryanarayana Rao, Ed., 2012, National Regeneration, The Vision of
Swami Vivekananda and The Mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS),
Chennai, Vijaya Bharatham Pathippagam, 12 MV Naidu Street, Chetpet,
Chennai 600031. Rs. 100).

In this 150th centenary year of Swami Vivekananda, a tribute is being paid by RSS which is just following the spiritual-nationalist, patriot-saint’s call for action.

The best account of RSS in action is provided by K. Suryanarayana Rao, a Senior Pracharak of RSS who has edited a veritable tour de force. Recollecting the writings and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda for national regeneration, is but a reaffirmation of the mission of RSS.

 

The mission carrying out Swamiji’s vision, is spelt out by another great Hindu nationalist, MS Golwalkar: “Let our workers keep their minds free and work for our people, our Dharma, in the right spirit, lend a helping hand to all our brethren who need help and strive to relieve distress wherever we see it. In this service no distinction should be made between man and woman. We have to serve all, be he a Christian or a Muslim or a human being of any other persuasion: for, calamities, distress and misfortunes make no such distinction but affect all alike. And in serving to relieve the sufferings of man let it not be in a spirit of condescension or mere compassion but as devoted worship of Lord abiding the hearts of all beings, in the true spirit of our Dharma of surrendering our all in the humble service of Him who is Father, Mother, Brother, Friend and everything to us all. And may our actions succeed bringing out the glory and effulgence of our Sanathan-Eternal-Dharma.”

 

Suryanarayana Rao is eminently qualified to select the compilation of Vivekananda’s inspiring call for national regeneration because Suryanarana Rao joined the RSS in 1942 at Bangalore, and has been a swayamsewak for 70 years. He has been a witness to the growth of the RSS from the days of the inception setting forth the mission of the organization which has no parallel anywhere on the globe in terms of its membership and range of socio-cultural activities in multi-disciplinary domains.

 

Starting with a review of the life-sketch of Swami Vivekananda and his mentor, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the editor shows how the institution-builders Dr. Hedgewar and Guruji Golwalkar, followed the shankha-naada (the clarion call) of the young patriot-saint, who has inspired a very large number of citizens of the world. The editor also underscores the evolving role of RSS, in the process, creating a garland of tributes, which brings forth the effulgence of the resurgent, Hindu Nation.

 

The compilation is also a reminder to every citizen of the Nation that the unfinished task has to be completed with dedication. The editor recalls the words of Swamiji’s ardent disciple, Sister Nivedita in her book , “The Master as I saw him : Swamiji’s main mission in his life as expressed often by himself, was to make Hinduism aggressive and uplift the country to its ancient glory finding out the common bases of Hinduism.”

 

The editor cites Swami Vivekananda:”I am proud to call myself a Hindu, through the grace of the Lord, may you my countrymen, have the same pride, may that faith in your ancestors come into your blood, may it become a part and parcel of your lives, may it work towards the salvation of the world.”

 

I can do no better than recount the observations of many savants about the importance of the compilation to guide the activities of swayamsevaks of RSS.

 (K. Suryanarayana Rao, Ed., 2012, National Regeneration, The Vision of Swami Vivekananda and The Mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Chennai, Vijaya Bharatham Pathippagam, 12 MV Naidu Street, Chetpet, Chennai 600031. Rs. 100).

What they say

A brilliant compilation. It is indeed a fitting tribute to Swami Vivekananda when the nation is in the midst of celebrating his 150th Birth Anniversary –“ Swami Gautamananda, Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai.

While providing an enlightening information and new insights for general readers the book becomes a ‘must-read’ for swayamsewaks working in any field of activity including the sangh work. It is an excellent and sustaining recharge for their missionary zeal. – Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Parama Pujaniya Sarsanghachalak, RSS.

This compilation shows that the working of the RSS is a divine dispensation and is sure to enthuse, inspire, awaken and arouse all those who are working for the vision and mission of RSS and not to stop till the goal is achieved. – Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, Retd. Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana Highcourt, Former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand, MP, Rajyasabha.

RSS is in fact, the vision of Swami Vivekananda in Action. This is a book with a difference. It is a treasure-house of practical wisdom and also guidance. Shri Suryanarayana Rao has generously bestowed on us a Priceless Gift. – Padmashri Shri P. Parameswaran, President, Bharateeya Vichara Kendram, Tiruvananthapuram, President, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari.

This compilation is a brilliant effort, a must read for all nationalist, social activists. Also a must on your Book shelves -  Organizer, English Weekly, New Delhi.

The call for a resurgent Hindu Nation is also a gentle reminder to RSS on the tasks ahead. Citing Aurobindo (Vol. 17, p. 332), the compilation notes: Vivekananda was a soul of puissance if ever there was one, a very lion among men, but the definite work he has left behind is quite incommensurate with our impression of his creative might and energy. We perceive his influence still working gigantically. We know ot well how, we know not well where, in something not yet formed, something that is genuine, grand, intuitive upheaving that has entered that soul of India and we say Behold Vivekananda still lives in the soul of his Mother and the souls of his children.

Highlighting the work of RSS in Tamilnadu in the context of Swami  Vivekanand’s vision, Swami Chidbhavananda of Shri Ramakrishna Tapovanam told an annual meet of Sanghachalaks of Tamilnadu: “…it is the desire of God Almighty that Hindu Dharma and Society should be saved and developed and hnce he has created this organization (RSS). This work is God’s work!”

The editor of the compilation cites the views of Shri Bhupendranath Datta, the youngest brother and biuographer of Swamiji: The primary object of Swami Vivekananda was nationalism. To arouse the sleeping lion of India and to put it on its proper pedestal was his life’s mission. His national ideal was the ideal of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya as depicted in the revolutionary novel Ananda Math, (in which the present national song Vande Mataram first appeared in full)…while Swamiji was guest of Balagangadhar Tilak, it was agreed that ‘while Tilak would work for nationalism in the political field, Swami Vivekananda would work for nationalism in the religious field. (Swami Vivekananda “ Patriot “ Prophet, 1954, Calcutta, Nav Bharat Publishers, p. 201).

 

The book has to be essential reading for every student of the nation to clearly understand what the life-mission of Swami Vivekananda was. Within a very short span of life, he breathed life into the nation. As Sister Nivedita exclaimed: He was the embodiment of India in flesh and blood. He was India. He was Bharat. This patriot shall live on in the minds and hearts of everyone in this youngest nation on the globe, with 35% of the population less than 15 years of age. That is, every third person we meet in India, that is Bharat is a child and the elders have an enormous responsibility to educate the youth about the Sanatana Dharma of the Hindu Nation. Guruji said: From experience I have realized that what I am doing in Sangh (RSS) is in consonance with Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy, guidance and method of work. No other great personality’s life and teching has influenced me so much. I believe by doing the Sangh work, I shll be carrying out only Swamiji’s work.

The range and expanse of this work has been begun beautifully and eloquently summarised by Suryanarayana Rao in his compilation which should be cherished by everyone who lives to protect Dharma. This should be a reference-guide to take the citizens of the Indian Nation on their destined path of contributing to the welfare of all while reaching out to unite with the Paramaatman.

 

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