A Comprehensive Collection - Swami Vivekananda

VEDANTA IN INDIAN LIFE. 417we cannot work ;we cannot combine ;we do not love eachotjier ;we are immensely selfish ;weare what the womenof Europe are ;not three of us can come together withouthating each other, without being jealous of each other.That is the state in which we are, hopelessly disorganized mobs, immensely selfish ; fighting each other forcenturies, whether a certain mark is to be put this wayor a certain that way writing volumes and volumefe upon;sucli most momentous questions whether the look of aman spoils my food or not These we have been doing!far the last few centuries. We cannot expect anythingmore except what we are just now, of a race whose wholebrain energy has been occupied in such wonderfullybeautiful problems and researches ! And we are notashamed. Aye, sometimes we rre but we cannot do what;\ve think. Think we, many things and never do ;tillparrot-like, thinking has become a habit and never doing.What is the cause of that? Physical weakness. Thisweak brain is not able to do anything ; you must changethat. Our ;young men must be strong first of all.Religionwill come afterwards. Be strong my young friends, thatismy advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven,through foot-ball than through the study of the Gita.Hold words are these. I have to say them. I love you.I know where the shoe pinches. I have got a little experience. You will understand J the Gita better with yourbiceps muscles a little stronger. You will understand themighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna betterwith a little of strong blood in you. You will understandthe Upanishads better and the gloryof the Atman whenyour body stands firm upon your feet and you feel yourselves as men. Thus we have to apply these to our needs.People get disgusted many times at my preaching Adwaitism.27