The message and philosophy of Vivekananda can be understood from his speeches, writings, and sermons. His philosophy was the product of intellectual quest and practical knowledge. His messages and reforms moved crores of Indians and foreigners.
Swami Vivekananda advocated the supremacy of Hindu religion. Which he termed as Sanatana Dharma. He brought into forefront the glorious features of Indian culture and worked hard for the upliftment of the downtrodden.
He proclaimed Vedanta as the grand universal religion of the world. He relieved religion from high intellectual pedestal and made it intelligible to common people. He popularized religious message by putting it in a form that would suit the needs of contemporary Indian society. In 1898 he wrote, “For our own motherland a junction of the two great systems, Hinduism and Islam……is the only hope. Vivekananda as a true disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa advocated universal religion and communal harmony.
He preached spirituality in the light of modern enlightment. He symbolize communal harmony when he said, “In the face of this evidence if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written in spite of his resistance. “Help and no Fight”, “Assimilation and not Destruction”, “Harmony and peace and not dissension”. In his opinion religion should be rational, reasonable, necessary and practical. He was opposed to caste system, supremacy of priestly class, untouchability and other vices of Hinduism.
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The Swami, however, pointed out that religion was not to be blamed for the misdeeds carried out in its name. Religious intolerance and fight proceed like other conflicts from ignorance, vanity, selfishness and brutality ingrained in the basic nature of man. Service to the suffering humanity was the key objective of religious views.
As a social reformer Vivekananda stood for liberty, equality and free thinking. He criticized educated Indians for not devoting their time and energy to uplift the poor and ignorant. He said, “So long as the millions live in Hunger and ignorance, I hold everyman a traitor who having been educated at their expense, pay not the least heed to them.
Further Vivekananda taught the values of modern science and admired western strength. He was more over, convinced that a free and honorable exchange of ideas and ideals between East and West was a desideratum of the age. Vivekananda’s greatest role was regeneration of India. Patriotism and divine love to motherland and appeal to youth contributed to national awakening. Nemai Sadham Bose has observed,” Swamiji took no direct part in politics. But his contribution to the Indian national movement was invaluable. His messages put the image of motherland on a high pedestal.
He gave expression to India’s growing nationalism and spirit of self-help and independence. He was the very embodient of courage, self confidence and strength. “Heaven is nearer through foot ball than through Gita,” “What our country now wants are muscles of iron and nerves of steel.” “For the next fifty years this alone shall be our key note.” It is no wonder that Vivekananda life and teaching had a great impact “Prophet of Nationalism” and the “Rousseau of India.” He instilled a burning patriotism in the minds of Indians and paved the way for the Swedish upsurge of 1905.