Vivekananda Way

ISSUE 10 ISSUE 40

PULLOUT FOR REFERENCE Covid Special Issue - 2 Messages from India's Spiritual General

Swami Vivekananda is India's Spiritual General, exhorting us − inspiring us, to stand up and fight, to transcend difficulties and sufferings, to manifest the highest in ourselves in the worst of moments. In this special issue on Covid, we present eleven of Swami Vivekananda's inspiring messages of strength. Each message of strength gives a way to respond to the extraordinary crisis, that we, individually and collectively, are facing.

01 Recognize the infinite strength within you

… every one of us, All battles begin with a every being, has as recognition of one’s real strengths his own background and weaknesses. If we think of such a reservoir of strength, ourselves as mere biological … only these locks, these entities, then even a virus looks bodies, are hindering us from like a mortal enemy.

expressing what we really are

to the fullest CW.III. 408.1 01 But, if we think of ourselves as having an infinite reservoir of strength, then, we know that we can have the inner resources to fight any battle at multiple levels – physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual. It is then a battle we are likely to win.

02 Always remain fearless

Fearlessness is the key to us winning the battle against Covid. Fearlessness does not mean unscientific and risky behavior like moving around without masks. Fearlessness means not giving way to unfounded fears, or stigmatizing neighbors and acquaintances who have been afflicted. Fearlessness means dealing with the ailment patiently and carefully, without giving way to panic reactions, even if we have to face it in ourselves and those around us.

We have a place for struggle in Vedanta, but not for fear. All fears vanish when you begin to assert your own

nature CW. V. 286. 5

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03 Build your immunity

Swami Vivekananda recognized that inner strength and resilience determines how we, both as individuals and as a society, are susceptible to external influences – not just at a physical level, but also intellectually, culturally, and economically. Therefore, this is the time to build immunity and resilience, as an individual, and as a community.

Until the body is in a state to admit the germs, until the body is degraded to a lower vitality so that the germs may enter and thrive and multiply, there is no power in any germ in the world to produce a disease in the body

CW III. 288.2

04 A challenge outside is a call to rise from within

The force from the outside evokes the force

within CW. VIII. 245. 3

Any crisis is really an opportunity to grow. The Covid crisis is an opportunity for all of us to strengthen ourselves at a physical level; strengthen our relationships with people around us; strengthen our ability to act collectively for a common cause that has affected poor and rich alike; and strengthen ourselves as a nation in areas like quality of our health care system and our state of preparedness to deal with such challenges in future. We can either react or cope with the pandemic that has affected us, or transform the situation into creating a better tomorrow. Serve the needy − that is a great ideal to live for

There is no greater Dharma than this service of living beings CW. VI. 502.8

05

This is the moment where each of us can affirm the Dharma of service. This service need not be carried out in some village, or as part of an NGO, but to our friends, our relatives, the members of our community, and to the public at large. Moreover, it is an opportunity to serve in so many different ways – through some physical help; through financial help for those who may have lost their income; through emotional help for those facing a crisis in their own family, etc. This need is great, but our collective capacity to serve is far, far, greater.

06 Combine reason with emotion Forget yourself and … let everyone have an infinite think about others amount of heart and feeling, and at the same time and infinite amount of reason CW.II. This is the time where narrow thinking and selfishness can cause 145.2 harm. One example is occupying scarce hospital beds even if you don’t really need it, simply because If Covid affects our family or loved ones, you have some influence and it is natural that we may be emotionally money to do so. Rather, by being affected. unselfish, using scarce resources But if we let emotion rule rather than reason in a measured manner, and helping and science-based actions, we could end those in need in whatever manner up ‘punishing ourselves’. One example is necessary, our own minds will when families insist that doctors prescribe become clearer and stronger, and powerful antibiotics and other drugs, even we are likely to awaken our inner though the scientific evidence doesn’t strengths. support the use of such drugs.

Even the least work

Emotionalism without reason is also visible done for others awakens when people let go of safe social-distancing the power within; even practices because of their emotional desire thinking the least good of others to be part of a religious congregation, or a gradually instills into the heart the large social function like marriage, etc. strength of a lion CW. V. 382.1

Tell a child a lot of ghost stories, and let him go out into the street in the evening. There is a little stump of a tree. What does the child see? A ghost, with hands stretched out, ready to grab him

07

08 Don't believe in rumors; and don't spread weakening ideas

Crises are the breeding grounds for lies, rumors, and tendentious exaggerations. All around us, we experience WhatsApp and other social media messages carrying all kinds of unverified information and stories; news media and TV channels competing with each other to show horrifying scenes and create panic in users; and friends and relatives turning into overnight doctors based on some cursory readings on the internet or some experiences they have heard about. Swami Vivekananda's message here is clear – these rumors and messages will end up creating unnecessary fear, thereby weakening you – besides, of course, conveying information that could be more harmful than helpful.

CW. III.22.2

09 Don't criticise the efforts being made by others Tremendous efforts are being made by many people to deal with the multiple challenges that have arisen – the oxygen crisis, making medicines available, treatment of Covid patients, dealing with the economic backlash on people, etc. Government entities, private companies, NGOs, foreign countries, pharmaceutical companies and vaccine producers, NRIs, and individual good samaritans are all contributing in their own way. Our role in these efforts is to help, encourage, or get out of the way – but not to criticize, pull down, and continuously raise doubts and objections.

Break not, pull not anything down, but

build CW II. 384.3

Suffering will only make you stronger

In suffering is greater strength than in doing CW. IX. 255.3

10

Many of us have experienced terrible suffering during this crisis. Several have lost near and dear ones. How do we deal with the pain associated with loss and suffering? Do we allow it to overwhelm us, making us incapable of fighting? Do we allow it to weaken us, both physically and emotionally, thereby destroying our resilience? Do we allow it to make us fatalistic, thereby making us lose both today's battle and tomorrow's war? Swami Vivekananda reassures us gently – suffering can strengthen us immeasurably, endowing us with the fortitude and resilience necessary to deal with life on equal terms. It is our approach to the suffering and pain we experience, that is critical.

11 Spread positive thoughts

This is a time for strength, for positivity, for mutual encouragement, and mutual help. This is not the time for blaming, finding fault, spreading predictions of doom and destruction for the country, and some of us trying to convince ourselves and others that we Indians can do nothing well, and that we are ever dependent on foreign help. Positive thoughts will give strength to those afflicted by Covid and give them the will to fight; positive thoughts will give strength to those serving Covid patients and energize them to work vigorously; positive thoughts will give the public faith and strength, and will The remedy for weakness boost their mind and body’s intrinsic ability is not brooding over to withstand an ailment; and most important, weakness, but thinking positive thoughts will lift and bless those who are creating them with optimism and a desire to contribute in this situation. of strength... Teach men of the strength that is already within them CW. II. 300.1

The Covid Code from Hanuman

SMT UMA MAHESWARI B

Kuttan could wait no longer for his Ammamma (maternal grandmother) to reach home. He sat perched on the window sill of their home overlooking the driveway, impatiently waiting for Acchan’s car. Acchan (father) had driven all the way to Chalakkudy to bring her from their old ancestral home, where she stayed alone. He saw the car turn into the compound, jumped down from the sill and ran out the door to welcome his grandmother – almost forgetting his mask in his excitement. “Acchaa … where is ammamma ?” Kuttan excitedly asked. He saw her sparkling white sari peep out of the rear door – and ran to welcome her with a hug. She stopped him and said “No Kuttan … let us go in and sanitise first”.

He helped carry her bag inside the house, and she disappeared into the washroom. Kuttan washed his hands and face and waited for her. Finally, his grandmother came to sit on the dining table, and Kuttan promptly plopped himself on her lap. They exchanged details of the month’s happenings, she told him about how lonely it was in Chalakudy, and he regaled her with funny incidents that transpired in his online school sessions.

Kuttan could not wait to listen to her enthralling stories - their favourite bedtime activity. She would spin tales sending him into the world of fantasy and imagination, he would picture himself as the hero, the God, or the poor boy. His mind wandered with thoughts about his mother, who was the Head Nurse in the KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. She was stationed at the hospital, managing, treating and monitoring the incessant influx of patients during the pandemic. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not notice she had come into his room until she spoke to him.

“So Kuttan … a penny for your thoughts?” she said. “I want Amma (mother) to come back home. I worry that she is always in danger of catching the virus. What if she falls sick ? I don’t want her to be at the hospital anymore.”

“I know how you feel. But you need to understand that she is extremely good at what she does. The hospital needs her now more than ever. She is in a responsible position, and I’m sure the doctors and nurses will take care of each other.”

“But I want her to be safe, I want her to come back, and I feel so helpless !!” he said bursting into tears. Ammamma gave him a warm hug, and said “Do you remember the story of Sri Rama and Hanuman that I told you? Do you know that even the strong and brave Hanuman felt helpless and frustrated ?” Kuttan’s eyes grew wide as he wiped his eyes. “Really ? But he is the strongest – the bravest !!” he exclaimed. Ammamma smiled.

“Yes, his exemplary bravery and perseverance is well known. You remember

A recognised Bharatanatyam dancer/teacher with a background in computer science, the author teaches at School of India, Bengaluru, and trains young minds to study their curriculum through Kinaesthetic learning — through dance, movement and music. umavivek@gmail.com

Hanuman flew over the ocean to Lanka in search of Sita? While flying over the sea, he faced the fearful demoness Simhika, who drew him to her by capturing his shadow. He defeated her, and the Gandharvas sang this verse in his praise: यसय तवरेिातन चतवारर वानररे्द् य्ा िव । सम्तिम्शतिर्तिदा्शर्य्यं स कम्शसु न सरीदति ॥

“Do you know what this means ? They sang – ‘O king among all Vanaras! Like you whosoever has the four virtues of courage, vision, intellect, and skill, that person will not fail in any task.’1 Hanuman was truly powerful, determined and would never take his attention away from his goal.”

“But you say he was helpless?” Kuttan persisted.

“Yes. Hanuman then flew on and reached Lanka. Once he landed, he wasted no time, and immediately set out to search for Sita Devi. He searched high and low, in homes, buildings, towers, courtyards, streets, parks, and marketplaces, and yet he could not locate her. He felt so dejected and despondent. He despaired that the rakshasas might have slain Her, and was apprehensive as to how he would respond to the barrage of questions that would be posed by the wise Jambavan, the powerful Angada, and feared the strong punishment that would be meted out by King Sugreeva.

“He sat down, and didn’t know how to proceed. His mind then realised that this feeling of helplessness was the root cause of all the questions, doubts and fears that disturbed his mind.”

Ammamma then quoted another shloka: अतनववेदः तश्यतो मूल मूल अतनववेदः पर सुिम् । अतनववेदतो ति सििवं सवा्श्वेषु प्रवि्शकः ॥

“It means – ‘Self Reliance is the root of all wealth. Non-Despondence is the ultimate happiness. Confidence is the perpetual promoter of all meaningful work.’”2

“We see that even the most courageous and skilled intellectuals can be bogged down momentarily by despondency. During these days of extreme despondency, the feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming. We do not know when the virus will be eradicated, or when the world will return to normal. It is natural to feel isolated, worried, helpless and lonely. But remember — by remembering Hanuman, we can gain the wisdom, the power, the courage and good health to tide over these trying times.”

“Do you know, Hanuman has given us the COVID CODE to overcome this pandemic?” Ammamma asked with a twinkle in her eye. “Really …. When ? How?” Kuttan asked.

“He has asked us to keep in mind the five essential requirements to beat this virus:

“We need to employ our intellect, and identify truth from falsity while assessing safe practices and keeping away from endangering ourselves as well as others around us.

We need to develop our strength both physically with a daily routine of exercises, as well as mentally by calming the mind with meditation and connecting with people who make us happy and enrich our interactions.

We have to work on building our courage to face and tackle the situation. In dire circumstances, we need to remain collected and not give in to panic.

We must focus on our health in order to escape the disease. Taking nutritious food, maintaining distancing, wearing of the mask, taking the vaccine are all steps towards achieving this.

We need to think before we speak, analyse the outcomes before we say anything which might impact the reasoning and thought processes of others around us.”