J.V. Lakshmana Rao India Tribune Chicago, Jan. 4, 2013
“Vivekananda – His Gospel of Man-making”; Compiled, edited and published by Swami Jyotirmayananda; Sixth Enlarged Edition (in commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda); Pages: 1,064; Price: Rs. 300; Copies available at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, (www.arshavidya.in), Anaikatti Post, Coimbatore - 641 108. India can be singularly proud of being the ancient land giving to the world many spiritual scriptures, including the ageless Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, but Swami Jyotirmayananda’s latest edition of “Vivekananda – His Gospel of Man-making” can easily be termed as a modern compendium of all the essence of these scriptures as enunciated by the 19th century Vedic and Vedanta messenger – Swami Vivekananda. This book, which forcefully conveys the message of Swami Vivekananda, commemorates his 150th birth anniversary being celebrated the world over on January 12, 2013. Swami Vivekananda is a yuga purusha – ‘a man of the era’, who became a bridge between the East and the West with his universal message of Vedanta. He interpreted Indian values in the universal language of science, and harmonized philosophies of the East and the West. He expounded the real meaning of Sanatana Dharma – the dharma of universal oneness. In his short life of 39 years, he had turned out work of thousands of years put in by thousands of people. His wisdom is boundless; his knowledge of life as envisaged by him is as old as the universal existence, his teachings are allencompassing; and he lives beyond his times. He stunned the audience with his eloquence, oratory and depth of knowledge, with his historic “Sisters and Brothers of America” address when he spoke at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. In the last nine years of his life he addressed several gatherings, met many religious personalities, scholars, authors and even common people and influenced them with his profound knowledge of the Vedanta. While paying tributes to his Master Sri Ramakrishna, Swamiji said that he was only the human form, while his Master spoke through him. With clarity of thought and in simplest words, he had explained the intricate and deepest inner meaning of the Vedanta. According to him Vedanta seeks the realization of the Ultimate Truth beyond all diversities. The whole world is one family. 1
As Swamiji put it, “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work or worship or psychic control or philosophy – by one or more or all of these – and be free.” Swamiji’s message has strongly influenced the scholars, intellectuals and common people of both the East and the West. In this voluminous compilation – “Vivekananda – His Gospel of Man-making” -Swami Jyotirmayananda has distilled the essentials of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. The book comprising five parts, consists of Benedictions by Swami Ranganathananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Tattvavidananda Saraswati; a homage by Sri Anandshankar Pandya, publisher’s note, foreword by Swami Tapasyananda, reviews by M. V. Kamath, and Prof. K. R. Sirnivasa Iyengar, and a synoptic view of the whole book by K. P. Shivkumar, besides a detailed introduction, appendices, glossary, general index and subject index. While the book makes an interesting reading, it carries a special article about the significance of “Man-making”; and also the Tributes paid to Swami Vivekananda by many people of light and leading. This book is enough for one to grasp, gather and understand thoroughly all about Swami Vivekananda and his philosophy. It is a gospel of practical Vedanta as revealed by Swami Vivekananda. Besides all accolades that Swami Jyotirmayananda has been receiving for the contents and years of labor put in by him in compiling the book – “Vivekananda: His Gospel of Man-making” – he deserves a doctorate. It is a priceless book that should find a prestigious place in all libraries. ––––––– (J.V. Lakshmana Rao is the Editor of Chicago-based India Tribune, one of the oldest nation-wide Indian newspapers, for the past 18 years. Prior to that, he worked in India, with Indian Express, Deccan Chronicle, West Coast Times and The Hitawada, spanning over 30 years. He may be contacted at: rao@indiatribune.com)
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