Brahman - The Ideal Man

Swami Vivekananda had a deep understanding of our scriptures. He also knew that the common man’s understanding of the same was weak. He wanted the truth to reach each one of us. He put forward the vedantic conception of who a Brahman is.

In our culture the ideal man is the Brahman. But what do we mean by ideal man?

Swamiji explains the ideal of Brahman-ness. , meaning in which worldliness is altogether absent and true wisdom is abundantly present. Therefore it was said that the Brahman is beyond law, he has no law and is not governed by kings, and that his body cannot be hurt. This is the true and original vedantic interpretation.

He said if all men and women were Brahmans, i.e. those who were not selfish, were spiritual, moral and good, it is not difficult to understand or know of a country as being above and beyond law. No police or military power is necessary to govern them.

We have read that only such men lived in Satya Yug, there was only one caste and that was Brahman.

We read in the Mahabharata that the whole world in the beginning was full of Brahman only. As they started to degenerate, they were divided into castes. The cycle will turn someday and all will move to becoming Brahman. However an effort has to be made in this direction.

Swamiji said.” The command is the same to you all, that you must make progress without stopping, and that from the highest man to the lowest Pariah, everyone in this country has to try to become the ideal Brahman.”

We all have to move towards becoming an ideal spiritual man, who is non-resisting, calm, steady, worshipful, pure and meditative. 

How do we bring about this change?

Good results can only be produced through love and through sympathy. Vivekananda urged the people to come out. He compared the nation to a ship that had developed a leak. “Today perhaps it has become even more worn out. Be patient. Be patriots. Let us not abuse our country. Love the country and the race that has given so much to us. Let us together create a class of purity and culture. In the success of this cause lies the salvation of humanity.”

So what is the ideal of patriotism? Swamiji said three things are necessary.

First, feel from the heart. Because through heart comes inspiration.

Secondly, find a way out. Give a practical solution to take our people out of misery they are presently living in.

And the last and most important, Have the will to surmount high mountains of obstructions. Nothing comes easy. Be ready to face the challenges.

All this is possible only after one is ready to put Nation before our personal goals. Vivekananda, called out to the youth of the nation

Arise, Awake and Stop Not Till the Goal is Reached.