VIVEKANANDA STUDY CIRCLE
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - MADRAS
Annual report for the academic year 1997-1998
Revered Swami Gautamanandaji, Swami Brahmeshanandaji, Respected Director Prof. R.Natarajan, members of the faculty, distinguished audience and my dear friends,
Background of the study Circle:
It is my great pleasure and privilege to present before you the annual report of the activities of Vivekananda Study Circle for the year 1997-98. We began our activities last year in the month of September. It was the centenary year of Swami Vivekananda's triumphant return from the west After a series of stirring lectures in the USA, it was also the year of 50th year of independence. We are grateful to the senate and our director who gave their consent for starting the Vivekananda Study Circle. We were especially fortunate that Swami Brahmeshanandaji, a qualified doctor and who was already experienced in conducting a study circle at IT-BHU, Varanasi was in Chennai and he consented to conduct the classes. The study circle has been going on very well for the last two semesters
What was the background of the study circle? Here we were in IIT Madras where we were exposed to the highest technology with a vast library, e-mail and internet. Inspite of all this, we were not really able to come to terms with this feeling of deep seated unrest and void within us. There appeared to be a gap between what we thought we knew about our culture on one hand and the lessons we learnt from modern science and technology on the other. Modern education starting from our schools had failed to bring out the meaning, ideals and importance of the Indian and the Indian Culture which led to a deplorable lack of confidence on our part. We were unable to integrate ?science? with our cultural heritage. Further were questions like
· Are the ideals practiced and realized by the sages of yore relevant in an age of computers and space travel?
· What do we mean by the word values and what is its place in the modern context? And,
· What actually is the central theme and nature of our cultural heritage?
These were the burning challenges confronting the study circle at the time of
its commencement.
The first semester
The starting lecture was an introduction to the dynamic and inspiring personality of Swami Vivekananda. To those of us who did not know much about Swamiji, it motivated us to know more about his life. We learnt that apart from being a spiritual giant and an intellectual and scholar of the highest order, swami Vivekananda was also a great humanist and patriot.
In the next sessions, first the theory of meditation was taken up wherein we learnt about the enormous diversity existing today among the various schools of meditations, including the Buddhist, the Jain, the Zen and the Hindu system. The next lecture was on the steps of meditation. Here we learnt the techniques and advantages of concentrating the mind, which can then be directed into constructive channels. Later on a guided meditation session was held for which there was a tremendous response. In this session a copy of the guidance pamphlets on the steps was circulated for the benefit of those who attended.
We also learnt in the first semester about the four Yogas namely Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga. It was only then that we realized that by the word yoga is not meant just a series of postures or asanaas which improve health and fitness but is actually a profound and holistic approach to unravel the deeper dimensions of the human personality. Then there was an inspiring lecture on the ideal of service which brought out the glory of sacrifice and selfless service which have been the watch words of this nation through out its long history. On this note ended the activities for the semester.
Vivekananda study circle also organized a special lecture by Kumari B. Nivedita, life worker, Vivekananda kendra at the C.L.T. The topic of the lecture which was suggested by Dr.L.S.Ganesh was, "The tormented Indian spirit - redemption or regression". This scholarly talk highlighted the concept of nation, what is meant by Dharma and the national ideals of India.
The Second Semester
In the even semester of January-June 1998, a
series of enlightening lectures on Katha Upanishad were held. It is not at all
an exaggeration to say that it was wonder struck to learn about the central
character of story, the young boy Nachiketa who had deep faith in himself. With
boundless courage and thirst for knowledge, he is ready to face any circumstance
nay even to the jaws of death to achieve his goal, i.e., to acquire knowledge of
supreme truth. Katha Upanishad was divided into a series of lectures on six sub
topics, one of them being, "The characteristics of an ideal teacher and an ideal
student". The Upanishad was full of positive and elevating ideas. We could get
some idea of why Swami Vivekananda repeatedly used to recommend the Katha
Upanishad to develop faith in oneself. Next Swami Bodhmayanandaji from Sri
Ramakrishana ashram, T.Nagar, Chennai delivered two inspiring lectures. Through
the first lecture, "Swami Vivekananda as a student", we learnt about how this
remarkable personality faced the difficult circumstances during his career as a
student. In the next lecture, namely, "Practical Vedanta for students", he made
simple and clear the essential principles of Vedanta and its significance in
leading a complete student life.
Format of
the sessions:
Now about how our sessions are held:
The session typically runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In every session we chant Shanti Mantras or Peace chants. This is followed by a short Meditation. Next the inspiring "Letters of Swami Vivekananda" are read out. Swami Brahmeshanandaji explains the import and background of the letters. This is followed by the main lecture for the day. At the end of every lecture there is a question answer session. There would be remarkable and ingenious questions asked by students in their enthusiasm and curiosity to know more about the new dimensions of knowledge, which are revealed to them.
We also have a good collection of books on relevant topics, which are circulated among interested people. The lectures are recorded and the cassettes are circulated for the benefit of the interested.
Visions for the future:
In retrospect, we have been doing well till now and hope to do better in the future. The desire to know about and understand India and to serve this nation must spring forth from the depths of our hearts. A lot of our questions have no doubt been answered in the previous two semesters, but it has also inflamed the burning desire to know more about all these wonderful truths. The Vivekananda Study Circle also wants to learn more about the soil and culture on which we stand. Let us pledge to uphold the culture and integrity of the nation as responsible citizens. With this I dedicate this report to you all.