Swami Vivekananda's Last Letter (To Sister Christine)

This is the last available letter written by Swami Vivekananda to Sister Christine-

THE MATH, BELUR, DIST. HOWRAH,

21st June 1902.

MY DEAR CHRISTINE,

You have not the least cause to be anxious. I am getting on anyhow and am quite strong. As to diet, I find I have to restrict myself and not follow the prescription of my doctor to eat anything I like. The pills continue, however. Will you ask the boys if they can get "Amalaki" [Emblic myrobalan] fruits in the place now? We cannot get them in the plains now. They are rather sour and puckery eaten raw; but make marmalade of whole [ones] — delicious. Then they are the best things for fermentation I ever get.

No anxiety on the score of Marie Louise's* arrival in Calcutta. She has not yet made any noise.

Things go on the same. I am trying to go to Monghyr — a place near Calcutta and said to be very salubrious.

We will think of your coming to Baghbazar after Nivedita has fairly started; till then keep quiet and lay on food.

With all love to yourself, the boys and Mother [Mrs. Charlotte Sevier],

VIVEKANANDA.

PS — I am laying on adipose tissues fast — especially about the abdominal regions: "It is fearful to see!"

Vir Vani - Songs Of Sanyasi Of Swami Vivekananda In English

If you have read Gyan Yoga of Swami Vivekananda in Bengali, then you have noticed a book with 13 short poetries named 'Vir Vani' have been included in that book. In this post, you will get those 13 poetries of Vir Vani (Songs Of Sanyasi) in English!

01

Wake up the note! the song that had its birth
Far off, where worldly taint could never reach,
In mountain caves and glades of forest deep,
Whose calm no sigh for lust or wealth or fame
Could ever dare to break; where rolled the stream
Of knowledge, truth, and bliss that follows both.
Sing high that note, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

 

02

Strike off thy fetters! Bonds that bind thee down,
Of shining gold, or darker, baser ore;
Love, hate—good, bad—and all the dual throng,
Know, slave is slave, caressed or whipped, not free;
For fetters, though of gold, are not less strong to bind;
Then off with them, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

03

Let darkness go; the will-o’-the-wisp that leads
With blinking light to pile more gloom on gloom.
This thirst for life, for ever quench; it drags
From birth to death, and death to birth, the soul.
He conquers all who conquers self. Know this
And never yield, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

04

"Who sows must reap," they say, "and cause must bring
The sure effect; good, good; bad, bad; and none
Escape the law. But whoso wears a form
Must wear the chain." Too true; but far beyond
Both name and form is Atman, ever free.
Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om! "

05

They know not truth who dream such vacant dreams
As father, mother, children, wife, and friend.
The sexless Self! whose father He? whose child?
Whose friend, whose foe is He who is but One?
The Self is all in all, none else exists;
And thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

06

There is but One—The Free—The Knower—Self!
Without a name, without a form or stain.
In Him is Maya dreaming all this dream.
The witness, He appears as nature, soul.
Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

07

Where seekest thou? That freedom, friend, this world
Nor that can give. In books and temples vain
Thy search. Thine only is the hand that holds
The rope that drags thee on. Then cease lament,
Let go thy hold, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

08

Say, "Peace to all: From me no danger be
To aught that lives. In those that dwell on high.
In those that lowly creep, I am the Self in all!
All life both here and there, do I renounce,
All heavens and earths and hells, all hopes and fears."
Thus cut thy bonds, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

09

Heed then no more how body lives or goes,
Its task is done. Let Karma float it down;
Let one put garlands on, another kick
This frame; say naught. No praise or blame can be
Where praiser praised, and blamer blamed are one.
Thus be thou calm, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

10

Truth never comes where lust and fame and greed
Of gain reside. No man who thinks of woman
As his wife can ever perfect be;
Nor he who owns the least of things, nor he
Whom anger chains, can ever pass thro’ Maya’s gates.
So, give these up, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

11

Have thou no home. What home can hold thee, friend?
The sky thy roof, the grass thy bed; and food
What chance may bring, well cooked or ill, judge not.
No food or drink can taint that noble Self
Which knows Itself. Like rolling river free
Thou ever be, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

12

Few only know the truth. The rest will hate
And laugh at thee, great one; but pay no heed.
Go thou, the free, from place to place, and help
Them out of darkness, Maya’s veil. Without
The fear of pain or search for pleasure, go
Beyond them both, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

13

Thus, day by day, till Karma’s powers spent
Release the soul for ever. No more is birth,
Nor I, nor thou, nor God, nor man. The "I"
Has All become, the All is "I" and Bliss.
Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say—
"Om Tat Sat, Om!"

The Power Of The Mind - Swami Vivekananda's Speech!

Swami Vivekananda delivered this speech "The Power Of The Mind" on January 8th, 1900 at Los Angeles, California. He was almost 37 years old then (Swami Ji was born on January 12, 1863). i am quoting a portion from Swami Vivekananda's that speech here, though i suggest to read the full text here (Click on "The Power Of The Mind" in the content list in left sidebar!)

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"All over the world there has been the belief in the supernatural throughout the ages. All of us have heard of extraordinary happenings, and many of us have had some personal experience of them. I would rather introduce the subject by telling you certain facts which have come within my own experience. I once heard of a man who, if any one went to him with questions in his mind, would answer them immediately; and I was also informed that he foretold events. I was curious and went to see him with a few friends. We each had something in our minds to ask, and, to avoid mistakes, we wrote down our questions and put them in our pockets. As soon as the man saw one of us, he repeated our questions and gave the answers to them. Then he wrote something on paper, which he folded up, asked me to sign on the back, and said, "Don't look at it; put it in your pocket and keep it there till I ask for it again." And so on to each one of us. He next told us about some events that would happen to us in the future. Then he said, "Now, think of a word or a sentence, from any language you like." I thought of a long sentence from Sanskrit, a language of which he was entirely ignorant. "Now, take out the paper from your pocket," he said. The Sanskrit sentence was written there! He had written it an hour before with the remark, "In confirmation of what I have written, this man will think of this sentence." It was correct. Another of us who had been given a similar paper which he had signed and placed in his pocket, was also asked to think of a sentence. He thought of a sentence in Arabic, which it was still less possible for the man to know; it was some passage from the Koran. And my friend found this written down on the paper.

Another of us was a physician. He thought of a sentence from a German medical book. It was written on his paper.
Several days later I went to this man again, thinking possibly I had been deluded somehow before. I took other friends, and on this occasion also he came out wonderfully triumphant.
Another time I was in the city of Hyderabad in India, and I was told of a Brâhmin there who could produce numbers of things from where, nobody knew. This man was in business there; he was a respectable gentleman. And I asked him to show me his tricks. It so happened that this man had a fever, and in India there is a general belief that if a holy man puts his hand on a sick man he would be well. This Brahmin came to me and said, "Sir, put your hand on my head, so that my fever may be cured." I said, "Very good; but you show me your tricks." He promised. I put my hand on his head as desired, and later he came to fulfil his promise. He had only a strip of cloth about his loins, we took off everything else from him. I had a blanket which I gave him to wrap round himself, because it was cold, and made him sit in a corner. Twenty-five pairs of eyes were looking at him. And he said, "Now, look, write down anything you want." We all wrote down names of fruits that never grew in that country, bunches of grapes, oranges, and so on. And we gave him those bits of paper. And there came from under his blanket, bushels of grapes, oranges, and so forth, so much that if all that fruit was weighed, it would have been twice as heavy as the man. He asked us to eat the fruit. Some of us objected, thinking it was hypnotism; but the man began eating himself — so we all ate. It was all right.

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Vivekanandang Sharanam Gachchami - An Image

Let's surrender ourselves to Swami Vivekananda. Let's try to apply His teachings in our lives. Let our call be-

Vivekanandang Sharanam Gachchami

Vivekanandang Sharanam Gachchami

Vivekanandang Sharanam Gachchami

The meaning of "Vivekanandang Sharanam Gachchami" is "i am approaching towards (Swami) Vivekananda (for shelter). It is inspired by Budhdhang Sharanam Gachchami.

You can read complete works of Swami Vivekananda here.
Om Tat Sat Om!

Om Tat Sat Om

If you have read Swami Vivekananda's "Vir Vani", then probably you have noticed that each of the thirteen poetries ends with the appeal(!)- "So say loudly, Om Tat Sat Om". In this pots, ia m going to discuss on the phrase "Om Tat Sat Om".
Om Tat Sat Om or Om Tat sat is a Sanskrit Mantra which is considered to be a divine mantra for its very deep meaning.
The word "Om" means, "The Supreme Being". In Patanjali's Yoga Shastra, it is written "Tashya Bachaka Pranava", that means, The God is described/called/depicted by "Pranava", and "Pranava" is "Om. Here it needs to be mentioned that, Om is mainly related to Vedanta. And the main pronciple of Vedanta is unitarian, i.e. one God and He is covered all over the universe. In Gita, it is told, the whole universe (regardless of time) is the body of that "One" God! So, "Om" the word represents that One omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God!
"Tat" is a pronoun in Sanskrit. 'Tat' means, 'That'.
"Sat" means, 'true' or 'truth'. Here, the definition of truth  according to Vedantist beliefs should be discussed. Truth, according to Vedanta is another name of God, which does not change from time to time or from place to place. We know, the word the root word of Vedas is "Vid" which means, knowledge. And knowledge is that which helps someone to progress mentally or spiritually or acquire mental or spiritual strength.So, here, knowledge is "truth". As we are discussing here on "Om Tat sat Om" and not "Sat" or "truth" only, so, we'll mot go further here, but, one should not think the meaning of truth in general way when (s)he is studying/thinking about Om Tat Sat Om, otherwsie (s)he will not understand  the meaning of the Sloka.

So, now if we put together the meaning of the three words we just got, that becomes "The Supreme Being (God) is the Truth", more clearly, Om Tat Sat Om means "The Supreme Being" or God is the Ultimate and Only Truth.

(Primarily) everything is beautiful (truthful), but, according to Vedanta, the God or the Supreme Being is the Most Beautiful (truthful), and in the sloka, actually this very meaning has been tried to describe. Everything is tending to perfectness, no one and nothing is perfect, only God or The Supreme Being is Perfect!
Om Tat sat Om!

Swami Vivekananda - Never Think You Are Powerless Or Helpless

Once a man approached Swami Vivekananda and pleaded his helplessness. Swami Ji listened to him carefully and then thundered- "What nonsense are you talking? Within you lies indomitable power.If you think, you are powerless, you will become powerless, on other hand if you think you are powerful, you will be so. No one can help you unless you try to help yourself."

There is another saying of Swami Vivekananda- “Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin ? to say that you are weak, or others are weak.”

Power- Energy= Shakti -that should be our weapon- we can do everything. We are children of immortality (Amritsahya Putra). So, as Swami Ji warned we should never think, we are powerless or helpless, as “We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.”

So, let's try to "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached" 

Jai Swami Vivekananda.

Maula Salim Chisti, Aaqa Salim Chisti - A Sufi Song

Film: Garam Hawa (1973), Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi, Music composed by Ustad Bahadur Khan, Singer: Aziz Ahned Khan Warsi

Here is the lyrics of the song. (Of course), I am dedicating it to Swami Vivekananda-

Lyrics

Sukhi Rut Mein Chhaai Badariya, Chamaki Bijuriya Saath
Duubo Tum Bhi Sang Mere, Ya Thaamo Mera Haath

Maula Salim Chishti, Aaqa Salim Chishti - 2
Aabaad Kar Do Dil Ki Duniya Salim Chishti - 2

Jitani Balaayein Aai, Sab Ko Gale Lagaaya - 2
Khuun Ho Gaya Kaleja, Shikava Na Lab Pe Aaya - 2
Har Dard Ham Ne Apana, Apane Se Bhi Chhupaaya
Har Dard Ham Ne Apana, Ha
Har Dard Ham Ne Apana, Apane Se Bhi Chhupaaya - 2
Tum Se Nahin Hai Koi Parda Salim Chishti
Maula Salim Chishti

Jaaega Kaun Aake, Pyaasa Tumhaare Dar Se - 2
Kuchh Jaam Se Pienge, Kuchh Maharbaan Nazar Se - 2
Kuchh Jaam Se Pienge, Ha
Kuchh Jaam Se Pienge, Kuchh Maharbaan Nazar Se - 2

Ek Pyaali Bhar Ke De Saaqi Mai-E-Gulafaam Ki
Ek Apane Naam Pi, Aur Ek Allaah Naam Pi
Met De Puuri Meri Hasarat Dil-E-Naakaam Ki
Dede Dede Dard Mein Koi Suurat Aaraam Ki
Ghuunt Hi Pila Magar Josh-E-Tamanna Daal Kar
Ek Qatara De Magar Qatare Mein Dariya Daal Kar
Kuchh Jaam Se Pienge, Kuchh Maharbaan Nazar Se

Ye Sang-E-Dar Tumhaara, Todenge Apane Sar Se - 2
Ye Sang-E-Dar Tumhaara, Ha
Ye Sang-E-Dar Tumhaara, Todenge Apane Sar Se - 2
Ye Dil Agar Tumhaara Tuuta Salim Chishti - 2
Maula Salim Chishti

Is Sang-E-Dar Ke Sadaqe, Is Rahaguzar Ke Sadaqe
Bhatake Hue Musaafir, Manzil Pe Pahunche Aakir
Ujade Hue Chaman Mein, Ye Rang-E-Pairahan Mein
Sau Rang Muskuraae, Sau Phuul Lailahaae
Aai Nayi Bahaarein, Pahalane Lagi Phuaarein
Ghuunghat Ki Laaj Rakhana, Is Sar Pe Taaj Rakhana
Is Sar Pe Taaj Rakhana

Aaqa Salim Chishti, Maula Salim Chishti

Video

 Also watch the video of the song here. It is VERY WELL presented. :)

Amazing Grace By John Newton

Recently, I have read an amazing poetry of John newton - Amazing Grace. The poetry is truly wonderful. It may be a song also, but, I read it as a poetry.
John, you were lucky that you got Lord's grace! But, when shall I get my Lord's grace? I am loosing my path, when will Lord show me mercy?
Anyway, the poetry can be read here.

Quest For God - A Poetry OF Swami Vivekananda

I have recently read a poetry of Swami Vivekananda. I have downloaded Complete Works Of Swami Vivekananda, and now spending some regularly in that book (though I have been reading Swami Vivekananda's works for last many years now)

Quest For God- the poetry of Swami Vivekananda is awesome. This poetry was written to J.H Wright. on September 04, 1983. Wright was the person who introduce Swami Vivekananda to Parliament Of Religion in Chicago. Here I am sharing the poetry.

Quest For God

O'ver hill and dale and mountain range,

In temple, church, and mosque,

In Vedas, Bible, Al Koran

I had searched for Thee in vain.

Like a child in the wildest forest lost

I have cried and cried alone,

"Where art Thou gone, my God, my love?

The echo answered, "gone."

And days and nights and years then passed

A fire was in the brain,

I knew not when day changed in night

The heart seemed rent in twain.

I laid me down on Ganges's shore,

Exposed to sun and rain;

With burning tears I laid the dust

And wailed with waters' roar.

I called on all the holy names

Of every clime and creed.

"Show me the way, in mercy, ye

Great ones who have reached the goal."

Years then passed in bitter cry,

Each moment seemed an age,

Till one day midst my cries and groans

Some one seemed calling me.

A gentle soft and soothing voice

That said 'my son' 'my son',

That seemed to thrill in unison

With all the chords of my soul.

I stood on my feet and tried to find

The place the voice came from;

I searched and searched and turned to see

Round me, before, behind,

Again, again it seemed to speak

The voice divine to me.

In rapture all my soul was hushed,

Entranced, enthralled in bliss.

A flash illumined all my soul;

The heart of my heart opened wide.

O joy, O bliss, what do I find!

My love, my love you are here

And you are here, my love, my all!

And I was searching thee -

From all eternity you were there

Enthroned in majesty!

From that day forth, wherever I roam,

I feel Him standing by

O'ver hill and dale, high mount and vale,

Far far away and high.

The moon's soft light, the stars so bright,

The glorious orb of day,

He shines in them; His beauty - might -

Reflected lights are they.

The majestic morn, the melting eve,

The boundless billowing sea,

In nature's beauty, songs of birds,

I see through them - it is He.

When dire calamity seizes me,

The heart seems weak and faint,

All nature seems to crush me down,

With laws that never bend.

Meseems I hear Thee whispering sweet

My love, "I am near", "I am near".

My heart gets strong. With thee, my love,

A thousand deaths no fear.

Thou speakest in the mother's lay

Thou shuts the babies eye,

When innocent children laugh and play,

I see Thee standing by.

When holy friendship shakes the hand,

He stands between them too;

He pours the nectar in mother's kiss

And the baby's sweet "mama".

Thou wert my God with prophets old,

All creeds do come from Thee,

The Vedas, Bible, and Koran bold

Sing Thee in Harmony.

"Thou art," Thou art" the Soul of souls

In the rushing stream of life.

"Om tat sat om." Thou art my God,

My love, I am thine, I am thine.

Tvameba Mata Cha Pita Tvameba... The Absoulte Truth.

Tvameba Mata Cha Pita Tvameba [1.1]

Tvameba Bandhuscha Sakha Tvameba [1.2]

Tvameba Vidya Dravinang Tvameba [2.1]

Tvameba Sarvam Mama Deva Deva. [2.2]

[Oh Supreme Lord, You are my mother and You are my father. [1.1]. You are my friend, and it is You, who is my companion. [1.2]. You are knowldege and wisdom and You are the highest wealth. [2.1]. You are everything (You are everywhere), Oh Lord, You are my absoulte need and desire! [2.]

Tomay Boksho Majhe Rakhbo....