Swami Vivekananda on Man a Critical Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineThe great epic Mahaand#772;bhaand#772;rata declares: newlineGuhyamand#775; brahman tad idamand#775; vo braviand#772;mi newlinena maand#772;nusand#803;cchresand#803;tand#803;hataramand#775; hi kinand#834;cit and#1472;and#1472; (Sand#769;aand#772;ntiparva: 288) newline and#8213;I tell you this, the secret of Brahman; there is nothing greater than man.and#8214; newlineThe greatness of man was not highlighted in the era of the Mahaand#772;bhaand#772;rata only (supposed to be 5,000 years ago), but he occupies the supreme position in all ages also. So our attention is directed to the study of man, the greatest gift as well as the most problematic species of evolution. newlineThe present study is an attempt to understand man in respect of some of his distinctive dimensions, as explained by SwamiVivekananda. The whole of human race is at present tormented by various problems within himself and without in the society. Depression, angst, psychological break down, alienation, deprivation, etc., and suicidal tendency arising from those- are increasingly afflicting man. Exploitation by the privileged, clashes in society in the names of cast, religion, nationality are common facts now-a-days in the human society. The root of the present day plight of man, alarmingly growing in degrees day by day, lies more in man himself than in anything else, and it is due to lack of true notion about himself. Man s inhumanity to man engenders a sense of distrust in his own race. A comprehensive idea of man can only give a holistic philosophy of life (jiand#772;vanadarsand#769;ana) and make us aware that we do need to become and#8215;man in the real sense of the term and behave humanly with ethical values. So, such a philosophy of man is urgently required that can give us not only rational theories, but a practical method to translate those ideas in our, i.e. day-to-day life of common people. The thesis at issue attempts to establish that Swami Vivekananda s concept of man is such a philosophy. His philosophy of man newlineii newlinedoes not only provide a life-view, but a goal in life and ways to achieve this goal also. This also gives required strength, stamina, and steadfastness in the struggle of life, on the way to the goal. newlineIn