Narrator:
"Bill" - unknown word.
Narrator:
[00:00 - 00:41] Background sounds of a temple or ashram courtyard; a man is heard sweeping the floor with a traditional broom.
Devotee:
Today marks the 160th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. For many years, Gurudev has celebrated Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary here at Shantikunj. Despite being quite unwell today, suffering from breathing difficulties, a fever since yesterday, and a cough, Gurudev has been present in the temple since early morning. You can see Gurudev here; he arrived early to oversee the activities and rituals. People have gathered, and as usual, Gurudev is organizing the Narayana Seva (service to the needy) on a small scale. Through these activities, Swami Vivekananda's birthday is celebrated.
Devotee:
[01:42 - 02:43] I have come to Gurudev. Gurudev, my respects to you. Viewers are watching you today on this auspicious occasion of Swami Vivekananda's 160th birth anniversary. Please share some words of wisdom with them.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Respects to you. Well, what can I say? A man like him will never be born on this earth again. We are drawn to him. He was born 160 years ago, but we still believe he is alive. He hasn't died; he cannot die. He is still alive for those who meditate and practice yoga with a sincere heart. He was a formidable monk. In our language, we call him a "man of the house," an active member of society. It is his inspiration that keeps us going.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[02:44 - 04:29] I don't just see him as Vivekananda; I see him as "Bile" (his childhood name). His mother, Bhubaneswari Devi, faced many hardships because of Bile's mischief. He was very naughty, had many friends, and was a bit of a bully in his childhood. His mother couldn't manage him and often cried, wondering what would become of him. She thought, "If he is this restless now, how will I handle him later?" Then she thought of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Mother Sarada in Dakshineswar. She decided to take him there to see what Ramakrishna would say. When they arrived, Ramakrishna, who could recognize greatness, told her, "Mother, don't worry. Your son will be very great. Don't worry at all." She replied, "But Father, I can't manage him; he is so mischievous." Ramakrishna told her, "Do one thing: when he becomes too restless, chant 'Shiv Shiv' over his head. You will see him calm down." She did exactly that and saw the results immediately.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[04:30 - 05:58] Gradually he grew up and became Narendranath Datta, known as Noren. Ramakrishna used to call him "Laren." Ramakrishna knew his potential. During that time, Noren's family went through severe financial crisis and legal battles in court. He stood in court many times. They were so poor that they often didn't have food to eat. Noren went to Ramakrishna, and Ramakrishna told him, "Go and ask Mother Kali. Why are you telling me? Go ask Her!" Noren went a few times, but he couldn't ask for money or food. Instead, he asked for "Knowledge, devotion, and renunciation." He never spoke of money. When he came back, Ramakrishna asked, "Did you ask the Mother for money?" Noren replied, "Father, I couldn't. I couldn't speak of money to Her." Ramakrishna jokingly scolded him, saying, "Nothing will come of you," but he loved him deeply.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[05:59 - 08:30] Noren loved cholar dal (split pea dal) and kachori. That was his favorite food. Once, Ramakrishna invited him for a meal. He told Sarada Maa, "Bile will eat here today." She made dal, but she didn't know he liked cholar dal specifically. After eating, Ramakrishna asked, "How was it?" Noren replied, "It's like a patient's diet! I'm not a patient. Why did you give me this dal?" Another time, Noren went to eat chicken curry (murgir mangsho). In those days, chicken was considered "unclean" and wasn't allowed in conservative households like ours. Some friends told Ramakrishna, "Do you know where Laren has gone? He's eating chicken!" Ramakrishna didn't mind. He said, "Let him eat. Laren can eat anything; he is pure." He didn't take offense at Noren's actions.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[08:31 - 11:00] Eventually, Noren became Vivekananda. He decided to go to the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. When he boarded the ship, he saw Ramakrishna in the sky, in a circular halo. He felt assured that his journey would be successful because his Master was watching over him. He arrived in Chicago, where no one knew him. Many others had come for the Parliament, but he was ignored. He sat in a park, very hungry and without a penny. A woman came by with a basket of cucumbers. Seeing him, she offered him some. He ate them and felt a bit better.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[11:01 - 12:28] You've all heard his famous speech where he addressed the crowd as "Sisters and Brothers of America." He was given very little time, maybe five minutes, but he spoke so profoundly that everyone listened in silence. That began the era of Vivekananda. People started following him; some even wanted to marry him, but he brushed it all aside. He completed his work and returned to India. However, when he returned, there wasn't a single person to welcome him with a garland. No one knew the great work he had done. Moreover, because he had crossed the Kala Pani (the ocean), conservative society considered him an outcast.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[12:29 - 14:40] He faced much sorrow from a young age. He once said, "If there were another Vivekananda, he would understand my pain." He kept his sorrows buried in his heart. He returned to Ramakrishna and Sarada Maa. He wanted to buy land and build an ashram. Today, that land is Belur Math, across the Ganges. At that time, there were many complications and opposition to buying the land, but Ramakrishna's grace saw it through.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[14:41 - 16:30] There is a difference between the Ramakrishna Mission and Belur Math. One follows Dvaita (dualism) and the other Advaita (non-dualism). Vivekananda believed in one God, but he also respected the traditions. When he went to Kanyakumari (now called Vivekananda Rock), he meditated and then told the monks to perform Durga Puja and Kumari Puja. He emphasized the worship of the Divine Mother in the form of a young girl.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[16:31 - 18:58] Sarada Maa viewed him as her son. Once, Noren came to see her by boat. He was sweating profusely. His friends asked, "Why are you sweating so much? It's not even hot." He replied, "You won't understand. I am going to see Mother, and I am trembling with fear of what she might say." He respected her that much.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
[18:59 - 21:00] Towards the end, Noren was at his gymnasium talking to an old friend from the South, possibly Kerala. He told his friend, "Look, I might be here for one more year at most. I won't stay much longer." The friend was shocked and said, "What are you saying? You must stay!" But Vivekananda replied, "This body is decayed. It is not fit to be offered to God." He predicted his own death and passed away at the age of 39. In that short span, he did work comparable to Adi Shankaracharya.
Devotee:
[21:01 - 22:40] Since you mentioned Shankaracharya, some say Vivekananda was a reincarnation of Shankaracharya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It may be. I don't know for sure. But his work was immense. Vivekananda was a very spiritual person. His eating habits didn't define him. He used to say, "Eat, but offer it to God first." He once debated on who a Hindu is. He concluded that those who perform rituals, give in charity, and perform Yajna (fire sacrifices) are truly Hindus.
Devotee:
[22:41 - 24:16] One final question. Vivekananda's teachings inspire the youth. You have many young followers. What is your message for the youth of today in his name?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What message? Everything is ruined. If Vivekananda were alive today, he would have committed suicide seeing the state of today's youth. All they care about is alcohol and girls. This is today's youth! What's the point of teaching them Vivekananda's values? It's useless. I feel very bad about it. The indiscipline in today's youth would have broken his heart.
Devotee:
[24:17 - 26:12] We should also mention Sister Nivedita, through whom Vivekananda's legacy grew.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, but we cannot cover everything in such a short time. Sister Nivedita was very close to Sarada Maa, who called her Khuki (little girl). Vivekananda initiated her. On the day he died, he had invited her for a meal. He even washed her hands and wiped her face after she ate. She remembered that Ramakrishna had done the same for Vivekananda before he died. When she saw Vivekananda doing this for her, she realized he wouldn't be around much longer. As she left on a boat, she saw a great light leaving the earth. That was the end of Vivekananda's physical journey.
Devotee:
Thank you, Gurudev. Viewers, you have heard Gurudev's words. We will end the episode here. Stay well, stay healthy. Respects to Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, that's fine.