Jnana-Yoga : - 1-11.

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CHAPTER  : I - THE NECESSITY OF RELIGION-11.

Man is man so long as he is struggling to rise above nature, and this nature is both internal and external.

Not only does it comprise the laws that govern the particles of matter outside us and in our bodies, but also the more subtle nature within, which is, in fact, the motive power governing the external. It is good and very grand to conquer external nature, but grander still to conquer our internal nature.

It is grand and good to know the laws that govern the stars and planets; it is infinitely grander and better to know the laws that govern the passions, the feelings, the will, of mankind.

This conquering of the inner man, understanding the secrets of the subtle workings that are within the human mind, and knowing its wonderful secrets, belong entirely to religion.

Human nature — the ordinary human nature, I mean — wants to see big material facts.


The ordinary man cannot understand anything that is subtle.

Well has it been said that the masses admire the lion that kills a thousand lambs, never for a moment thinking that it is death to the lambs.

Although a momentary triumph for the lion; because they find pleasure only in manifestations of physical strength.

Thus it is with the ordinary run of mankind.

They understand and find pleasure in everything that is external.

But in every society there is a section whose pleasures are not in the senses, but beyond, and who now and then catch glimpses of something higher than matter and struggle to reach it.

Swami Vivekananda
To be continued  ...

BELUR MATH

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