Vivekananda Way

issue 10 Issue 16

IN THIS ISSUE:

Message 4 Awaken the spirit of 'rajas' within you

Swami Vivekananda says that the three qualities of Tamas, Rajas and Sattva are in everyone. Further, he also says that "we must strive to overcome Tamas by Rajas and then to submerge both in Sattva".

(CW.VII.12.2, CW.VIII.29.3)

...we must counteract Tamas by Rajas.. - Swami Vivekananda “

CW:VII.13.2

Series 4: Swami Vivekananda's messages to the youth of India – a nine-part series

ISSUE 13: MESSAGE 1: It is the youth who will transform this nation

ISSUE 14: MESSAGE 2: Take up an ideal and give your whole life to it

ISSUE 15: MESSAGE 3: Stand on your own feet

ISSUE 16: MESSAGE 4: Awaken the spirit of ‘rajas’ within you

ISSUE 17: MESSAGE 5: Believe in yourself

ISSUE 18: MESSAGE 6: Be bold and fearless

ISSUE 19: MESSAGE 7: Expand your heart

ISSUE 20: MESSAGE 8: Be open to learning from anyone

ISSUE 21: MESSAGE 9: Develop a gigantic will

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When even the great Arjuna was overcome by Tamas... As narrated by Swami Vivekananda

The Gitâ requires a little preliminary introduction. The scene is laid on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. There were two branches of the same race fighting for the empire of India about five thousand years ago. The Pândavas had the right, but the Kauravas had the might. The Pandavas were five brothers, and they were living in a forest. Krishna was the friend of the Pandavas. The Kauravas would not grant them as much land as would cover the point of a needle. [CW:I:459.1]

The opening scene is the battlefield, and both sides see their relatives and friends — one brother on one side and another on the other side; a grandfather on one side, grandson on the other side. ...When Arjuna sees his own friends and relatives on the other side and knows that he may have to kill them, his heart gives way and he says that he will not fight. Thus begins the Gita. [CW:I:459.2]

The Blessed Lord said: In such a strait, whence comes upon thee, O Arjuna, this dejection, un-Aryan-like, disgraceful, and contrary to the attainment of heaven? Yield not to unmanliness, O son of Prithâ! Ill doth it become thee. Cast off this mean faint-heartedness and arise, O scorcher of thine enemies!" [CW:IV:108.1]

In the Shlokas beginning with , how poetically, how beautifully, has Arjuna's real position been painted! Then Shri Krishna advises Arjuna; and in the words etc., why is he goading Arjuna to fight? Because it was not that the disinclination of Arjuna to fight arose out of the overwhelming predominance of pure Sattva Guna; it was all Tamas that brought on this unwillingness.

The nature of a man of Sattva Guna is, that he is equally calm in all situations in life — whether it be prosperity or adversity. But Arjuna was afraid, he was overwhelmed with pity. That he had the instinct and the inclination to fight is proved by the simple fact that he came to the battle-field with no other purpose than that.

RECOGNIZING TAMAS AND RAJAS

1 Waking up late everyday, groggily lazing around ... Not taking up any initiative or project and instead complaining about teachers, college, not finding jobs... Tamas in action Rajas in action

Starting the day with morning jogs & exercises...

Focused on developing one's personality, one's character, and one's career

Mindlessly browsing the web for hours... Continuing to eat junk food despite having problems...

Do you think there is any other means of achieving progress except through rajas? CW:VI:459.4

Positively engaging with activities at home, school/ college, or work... Consciously choosing healthier food options...

What Swami Vivekananda wanted from us was a spirit of rajas dominated by good intentions and a desire for development of self & others.

THE CASE OF TAMAS MASQUERADING AS SATTVA...

2

A hit-and-run accident has just taken place. A man is lying on the road, bleeding. How passersby are reacting ... It is so sad! He looks like a good person It is the duty of the police to handle such cases... I wonder when they will come!

Poor guy... it must be his karma!

We should have better rules for pedestrians and vehicles like they have in foreign countries

I would have helped out, but I'm late for a meeting

Not one of the passersby takes positive action and helps the hurt person get to the hospital!

“On the outside, there is a simulation of the Sâttvika (calm and balanced) state, but inside, downright inertness like that of stocks and stones – what work will be done in the world by such people? How long can such an inactive, lazy, and sensual people live in the world?

CW:VII:181-82

THE WAY TO COUNTERACT TAMAS - POSITIVE ACTION

3

Malini & Kiran are software engineers in an MNC who have been 'put on bench' for a few weeks as they don't have any new projects. This is typically how they spend their day...

MALINI'S DAY (full of pass-time)

Sits in the canteen having a long breakfast while chitchatting with others 11:00 AM

Checks her mails out of habit, spends time on social media After a leisurely lunch, browses through company portal, wishfully looking at projects going on Coffee time – also time to gossip & complain about no work, delay to colleagues Time to leave, hopes she gets a project soon 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM

KIRAN'S DAY (full of "positive action")

11:00 AM

It’s time for her online course on advanced computing, she has taken up to build her skills

2:00 PM

After lunch, she focuses on building a mobile application to make team work more effective. It is an internal project she volunteered to work on.

5:00 PM

She checks on the company forum all the latest projects and writes to management on how she is eager to work & contribute to them in any capacity

Time to leave, a day well spent 6:00 PM

How is the "positive action" approach helping Kiran counteract Tamas? How will Malini's approch affect her future career prospects?

Let people be made energetic and active in nature by the stimulation of rajas. Work, work, work “

CW:VI:459.2

AWAKENING THE SPIRIT OF RAJAS: A FOUR POINT CHECKLIST

Whenever you find yourself inert, lazy, unwilling to take up a challenge, or too focused on enjoyment (in short, overcome by 'tamas') apply these four principles of positive action

The Positive Action Checklist

Get involved

Take up responsibility

Be fearless in the face of challenges

Focus on achieving on positive outcomes not only for yourself but also for others

THE POSITIVE ACTION CHECKLIST HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY ILLUMINE