Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekanand is the most influential philosopher and authority on Hinduism from modern times. His original name was Narendra Datta. He was born on January 12, 1863 in the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata). He belonged to an educated family. His father Vishwanath Datta used to practice law in Calcutta High Court. He was an attorney. Swami Vivekanand’s grandfather knew Sanskrit and Persian languages and had become monk.

Since the childhood young Narendra was inclined towards the spirituality and ascetics. He studied from Presidency College in Calcutta. He was a genius and possessed great intellect and photographic memory. He was a fast reader and could remember the contents of the book read by him to details. His contemporaries had accepted the fact that he was an extraordinary person.

He was interested in variety of subjects like history, philosophy, religion, art, etc. He was very much interested in studying the Hindu scriptures in depth.

Swami Vivekanand accepted Ramkrishna Paramahansa as his Guru. Ramkrishna Paramahansa was born on February 18, 1836 in Kamarpukur, Bengal in a Brahmin family. He was a mystic. It means that he used to go in trance while meditating and literally experience the God. He was a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Calcutta. He believed in and followed different traditions in Hinduism such as Advaita Vedanta, Shaktism, etc. He also believed that all religions are different parts going towards the same goal. Young Narendra Datta met Ramkrishna Paramahansa in 1881 and subsequently became his disciple.

Swami Vivekanand decided to follow the Brahmacharya Dharma throughout his life and became a monk. He extensively travelled throughout India. He was a well-known authority on Hinduism. Swami Vivekanand is considered as the one who introduced essence of Hinduism to the Western World during the Parliament of World’s Religions held in the city of Chicago, United States of America in 1893. He addressed the gathering as his Brothers and Sisters. By doing so he gave the Hindu message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ meaning the whole world is my family. He became immensely popular religious figure in United States after his speech and invited at many places in America and Europe for giving the lectures. Thus, Swami Vivekanand brought Hinduism to the world stage in real sense of the term.

Swami Vivekanand also can be considered as the one who brought Hindu principles belonging to different schools and traditions together. But, one has to accept that he was profoundly influenced by Advaita Vedanta and teachings of Ramkrishna Paramahansa. He is also considered as the one who promoted Neo-Vedanta or Hindu Modernism. He  practiced the Yoga and meditated ardently. He was the one who immensely popularised the southern most tip of Indian peninsula i.e. Kanyakumari by meditating on the Rock situated at the confluence of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. This Rock is famous as Swami Vivekanand Rock.

In 1897 the Ramakrishna Mission was established in the memory of Ramkrishna Paramahansa. The Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission are located at Belur Math located in Belur on western bank of river Hooghly in Howrah district of Bengal.

Apart from spreading the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta the Ramkrishna Mission also believes in the social work. Since its inception this organisation is committed to the social work related to education, heath services, helping the rural population, promoting the welfare of the tribal people and promoting spiritual teachings, especially among the youth of India. Hence, the Ramkrishna Mission has established many hospitals, schools and Colleges since the beginning. The volunteers of Ramakrishna Mission used to help the people affected by natural calamities like floods, epidemics, earthquakes, etc.

Swami Vivekanand was against caste system and believed in the upliftment of women. He was the firm believer in the concept of service to people is service to God.

This great Hindu Monk and messenger of universal human values died on July 4, 1802 at the age of thirty nine. He died while he was meditating. It shows that he was totally devoted towards the pure way of life and meditation.

 

 

Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Swami Dayanand Saraswati was one of the greatest philosophers, ascetics, scholars of Hinduism and social reformer witnessed by India in nineteenth century.

He was born on 12 February 1824 in Tankara town of erstwhile Morvi Princely State in Kathiyawad region of present day Gujarat. He was a Brahmin by birth. His original name was Mool Shankar. His father’s name was Karshanji Lalji Trivedi and his mother’s name was Yashodabai. His family was the worshipper of Lord Shiva.

One incident on the night of Shivratri changed the future course of life of young Mool Shankar. On the night of Shivratri Mool Shankar decided to remain awake during night in order to worship Lord Shiva. But, he saw that one mouse was going up and down on the idol of Lord Shiva and was also eating the Prasada or offerings kept for Lord Shiva. This incident made young Mool Shankar to think that there is no God in the idol, otherwise it would have stopped the mouse. Henceforth, Swami Dayanand Saraswati dis not believe in Idol Worship. According to him God is present everywhere and is in different forms.

He left his house in 1846 in search of true knowledge and discover the true essence of Hinduism. He started practicing Yoga and travelled to different places. He got one teacher at Mathura. The name of that teacher was Virajnanda.

After leaving house he became an ascetic. Swami Dayanand Saraswati realised that the authentic knowledge of Hinduism is found in Vedas. Hence, he not only studied Vedas deeply but wanted to revive the Vedic knowledge among common people as well. He gave the slogan of ‘Go Back to the Vedas’. He wrote a book titled ‘Satyartha Prakash’ in order to spread the original teachings of Hinduism.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati established the Arya Samaj in 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai). The purpose for the formation of Arya Samaj was to promote the true Hinduism, social reforms and ideas of nationalism among the Indians.

Arya Samaj movement became very popular in India. Swami Dayanand Saraswati believed that Indians are needed to be given knowledge about ancient Indian Hindu philosophy at the same time the modern scientific knowledge promoted in Europe should be embraced. Hence, in order to promote the ancient Indian learning he formed the Gurukulas and for promoting the modern education Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools were established by taking inspiration from Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

His nationalist views and concept of use of Swadeshi goods influenced and attracted many prominent Indian freedom fighters of the time towards Arya Samaj. Lala Lajpat Rai, one of the important Extremist leaders of Indian National Congress was very much impressed by the teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

He also started the ‘Shuddhi Movement’ in order to bring back those Hindus who got converted to other faiths. He came down heavily on superstitions.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati criticised and opposed untouchability, caste system and child marriage  among others.

Thus, the work of Swami Dayanand Saraswati helped for the all-round development of Indian society and revival of true essence of Hinduism. He also encouraged the nationalist movement and enthused spirit of Swadeshi among the Indians. He undoubtedly remains the true Swami or Monk who contributed for bringing positive changes in society.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati died on 30 October 1883 near Ajmer.

 

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar 

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar popularly known as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is one of the greatest Indians of all times. He is considered as the real liberator of the downtrodden people i. e. Dalits in India. Dalits were and even today are mostly given very inhumanely treatment by the upper caste people. Earlier their touch was considered as polluted and hence they were called as the untouchables. They were forced to live outside the boundaries of the village and not given entry in the village during the morning and evening time. Hence, they had to enter the village in the simmering heat of afternoon. They were not allowed to fetch water from the wells or ponds meant for upper castes. Even, they were not allowed to enter the temple in the village. They were denied the right to education and property. Thus, the socio-economic conditions of the downtrodden or Dalits were hard beyond imagination.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar devoted his entire life for the betterment of the downtrodden. He was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, a town located in western Madhya Pradesh. According to the experts this town was established by John Malcolm in the year 1818. It was a cantonment during British period. As it was a birth place of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar it has been renamed as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself was born in Dalit family. He belonged to a Mahar caste. This caste is one of the dominant castes from Maharashtra. Mahar caste is one of the major martial castes known for its valour, bravery and fighting skills. This caste was very instrumental in traditional village administration in Maharashtra. His father was Ramji Sakpal and his mother’s name was Bhimabai Sakpal. Ramji Sakpal was Subedar in British army. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ancestors hailed from Ambawade village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The original surname of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was Ambawadekar which was changed to Ambedkar by his teacher Krishnaji Keshav Ambedkar. Since his school days he started experiencing the heat of caste system and untouchability. He had to sit separately on his gunny sack in school. He was not allowed to drink water with his own hands. A school peon used to pour water into the hands of young Bhimrao whenever he felt thirsty in school.

His family later on moved to Mumbai where he studied from the Elphinstone High School and Elphinstone College. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar studied from world renowned educational institutions like Columbia University, United States of America and London School of Economics, United Kingdom. He did MA and Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University He completed Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Science (DSc) degrees from London School of Economics. He became Bar-at-Law from Gray’s Inn in London. He studied from University of Bonn, Germany as well. . He had also earned Doctor of Laws (LLD) and D.Litt. Degrees.

The above description shows that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a very highly qualified and intelligent person. He had completed his studies in United States and United Kingdom in record time. He was born in a caste which was denied the right of education but he went on to study from the most reputed world class educational institutions. He was well versed and possessed immense knowledge about politics, economics, sociology, history, anthropology, philosophy and law and constitution among others. 

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda princely state and Chhatrapati Rajarshee Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur played crucial role in the life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. These two Indian rulers sponsored his foreign education. Chhatrapati Rajarshee Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur declared Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as the real leader of the Dalits and downtrodden. 

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar started a newspaper titled Bahishkrit Bharat in 1927. This newspaper was devoted to the cause of upliftment of depressed classes. He had demanded separate electorates for depressed classes during the Round Table Conferences held in London which was also accepted by the British. Mahatma Gandhi was against the separate electorates as he thought it would divide the Hindu community. Hence, Mahatma Gandhi went on fast and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had to sign a Poona Pact in 1932.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had organised agitations like entry for untouchables in famous Kalaram Temple in Nashik and Chawdar Tale (pond) Aandoln in Mahad, Raigad. 

He became the member of Governor General’s Executive Council in 1942 and handled the Labour Department successfully.

He was an economist and wrote extensively about economic issues and considered as the driving force behind the formation of Finance Commission of India.

Dr. Ambedkar wanted to give the long due equal legal rights to Indian women, hence, he had drafted the famous Hindu Code Bill. He had written about the water resources of India as well. He wanted that water resources should be used for multi purposes. Hence, supported the Damodar Valley Project. The Central Water Commission was formed in India in 1945 thanks to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. 

He became the member of the Constituent Assembly and was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution. He single-handedly drafted the Constitution, hence, aptly called as the Father or Architect of the Indian Constitution. 

One of the major provisions of the Indian Constitution is the reservations for the weaker sections of the society i.e. Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes which has proved to be crucial for their educational and social upliftment.

He became the Law Minister in the first Cabinet of Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He resigned as the Law Minister mainly on the issue of Hindu Code Bill. 

We have mentioned about Bahishkrit Bharat earlier, apart from it Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also started and published newspapers like Mooknayak, Janata and Prabuddha Bharat. 

This great liberator of depressed classes died on December 6, 1956 before this he had got  converted to Buddhism on 14 October 1956. He had declared in a meet held at Yeola in 1935 that though he was born as a Hindu but will not die as a Hindu. 

Due to the painstaking efforts made by this great son of India Dalits or depressed classes are able to see the light in their life. The Hindu Code Bill drafted by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had to be passed by the Indian Parliament by breaking it into different Acts. This gave rights to the women in the matters related to marriage, succession, guardianship, adoptions and maintenance.