Karma-Yoga : Ch-5. Part-2.

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Chapter-5.


WE HELP OURSELVES, NOT THE WORLD :


Part-2.


In one sense we cannot think but in symbols; words themselves are symbols of thought.

In another sense everything in the universe may be looked upon as a symbol.

The whole universe is a symbol, and God is the essence behind.

This kind of symbology is not simply the creation of man; it is not that certain people belonging to a religion sit down together and think out certain symbols, and bring them into existence out of their own minds.

The symbols of religion have a natural growth.



Otherwise, why is it that certain symbols are associated with certain ideas in the mind of almost every one?

Certain symbols are universally prevalent.

Many of you may think that the cross first came into existence as a symbol in connection with the Christian religion, but as a matter of fact it existed before Christianity was, before Moses was born, before the Vedas were given out, before there was any human record of human things.



The cross may be found to have been in existence among the Aztecs and the Phoenicians; every race seems to have had the cross.
Again, the symbol of the crucified Saviour, of a man crucified upon a cross, appears to have been known to almost every nation.

The circle has been a great symbol throughout the world.

Then there is the most universal of all symbols, the Swastika.


Swami  Vivekananda

To be continued   ....




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