The salient points of meditation of Swami Vivekananda on Rock at Kanyakumari:
1. Each nation has a destiny to fulfill, a message to deliver, a mission to accomplish.
2. The mission of India is to guide the world in spirituality.
3. Spirituality is a way of life based on the vision of Oneness, on the interconnected and interdependent view of the universe.
4. India since ages has understood, owned, nourished and developed this vision, by developing a social order based on it. But due to various reasons this effort was interfered with.
5. The repeated foreign invasions in a way, set in fatigue, impaired the self-confidence of the nation as well as blurred the vision and knowledge of its purpose. The dynamic spirit was lost and what remained were only the rigid forms. So though we continued to be a Dharmik society apparently, the nation degenerated. Swami Vivekananda asked himself, ' What is it that I should do for the regeneration of India’.
6. A capable India was necessary in the interest of the society.
Swamiji sitting on the Rock for three days and three nights on 25, 26 and 27th of December 1892, meditated on this state of India and came to the conclusion that it was not the Dharma of India which was responsible for the degeneration of India. Our lack of understanding of our Dharma and the lack of the dynamic application of the eternal truths in our life led to degeneration. The degeneration in turn led to loss of confidence in oneself, in one’s traditions and culture. The way out was to take a gigantic plan of man-making, of creating men with capital M. He wanted to awaken the dormant spirit of our countrymen and organize them into a powerful nation.
Thus this meditation on the Rock which started on 25th December 1892 became the forerunner of a new era for India. India got back her confidence and also a way out for regeneration. To build a developed India, an awakened India, a powerful India to accomplish her mission, we need to know about her strength and potentiality. Therefore, it was decided that we should take up the period starting from 25th December to 12th January - the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda - to be celebrated as Samartha Bharat Parva. In this celebration the main thrust is to awaken Indians to India and her strength.
Being the victim of media, we are not able to see the inherent strength as well as the actual achievements of India in various fields in the past and also in present. The celebration during this period is to focus on that. First January– the day that we celebrate as Kalpataru day comes during Samartha Bharat Parva. We can focus on how Sri Ramakrishna was born to protect and propagate Sanatana Dharma. If we take care of protection of Sanatana Dharma then we too would not lack anything – 'Dharmo rakshati rakshitah'– that is Sanatana Dharma is the Kalpataru for all of us. The India’s regeneration is possible only if we forget our own individual interest and give the primary importance for the nation. Exactly this is what Swami Vivekananda did while sitting on the Rock. He did not meditate for his own salvation but for the upliftment of India. Thus he became the cause for setting in motion the process of regeneration of India. Since then, many great persons have contributed and accelerated this process.
We have to increase the pace of our work to thwart the incessant designs of anti-national forces to fragment our nation or provoke mutual jealousy or to make Indian youth despise India or to lose confidence in India. The youth of India have tremendous potential that is untapped, unopened because this confidence is not awakened. The youth also have the inherent capacity to respond to the call of sacrifice and service if they are appealed properly. The examples of sacrifice move them. During Samartha Bharat Parva we can also focus on the examples of sacrifice in the past and present, also the security personnel which gave their life protecting the Parliament against the attack of the terrorist or at Kargil, Galwan or the surgical strike of Indian army at Balakote. The focus of the program should be on awakening the confidence and patriotism of the people by taking right information to them either through the CD show or through the exhibition, lectures etc. We have to also formulate the program which would awaken the desire of the youth to dedicate themselves for the nation, to strive for great achievements and to feel as part of the society. Bringing youth together in camps, making them to participate in competitions related to culture, etc can be the focus of the program. Unfortunately, we see that the youth get attracted towards the celebration of 1st January as the New Year day by taking to drinks and indulging in unwanted bash which degrades them further. Therefore, we have to organize the program very powerfully so as to wean away the youth from destructive program and channelize their energies in nation-building.
On 1st December, India has taken over the Presidency of G20. In the logo of G20 as designed by Government of India, first time the thought that world is a family and not just market is being introduced. It is remarkable to note that Swami Vivekananda had immense faith in potentialities of India. Thus, in spite of the poverty, ignorance, degeneration and the oppressive British rule, Swami Vivekananda said with conviction, 'I do not see into the future; nor do I care to see. But one vision I see dear as life before me: that the ancient Mother has awakened once more, sitting on Her throne rejuvenated, more glorious than ever. Proclaim Her to all the world with the voice of peace and benediction.’
Today it is an undeniable fact that India is emerging as a great power, we have to motivate the youth to know about it and hasten her emergence as a powerful nation. But it is also to be seen that the power of India is in the hands of Hindu society which has made India a distinct nation. For that, the Hindus would have to be organized. The youth who get motivated through our programs should also be inspired to get associated with Kendra for working in organized way for the nation. Therefore, the planning of the celebration of Samartha Bharat Parva should also include about in what way the new persons coming in contacts with Kendra, would be associated with Kendra in the coming days.
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti on 12th January 2023 should be a grand program. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava also can be linked with that. As you are aware that Vivekananda Kendra is part of the core team of C20 i.e. Civil Society 20. C20 is one of the few verticals that works and organizes seminars, symposiums with international organisations to send recommendations to the world leaders of G20. The work of Vivekananda Kendra is increasingly being noticed at various levels, we too have to fulfill the needs and expectations of our society by properly utilising the occasions like Swami Vivekananda Jayanti by reaching out to many, involving many and serving many more.
Nivedita Raghunath Bhide
