Gospel of Strength by Swami Vivekanada - Part 3

Stop becoming weak , Be strong:

We speak of many things parrot-like, but never do them; speaking and not doing has become a habit with us. What is the cause of that? Physical weakness. This sort of weak brain is not able to do anything; we must strengthen it.

You are lions; you are souls, pure, infinite and perfect. The might of the universe is within you. Why weepiest thou my friend?

The brain and muscles must develop simultaneously. Iron nerves with an intelligent brain – and the whole world is at your feet.

You must learn to make the physique very strong and teach the same to others—Body and mind must run parallel.. When the necessity of strengthening the physique is brought home to people, they will exert themselves of their own accord.

This is not the time with us to weep even in joy; we have had weeping enough; no more is the time for us to become soft. This softness has been with us till we have become like masses of cotton and are dead. What our country now wants are muscles of iron and nerves of steel, gigantic wills which nothing can resist, which can penetrate into the mysteries and the secrets of the universe, and will accomplish their purpose in any fashion even if it meant going down to the bottom of the ocean and meeting death face to face.

If you, my sons, can proclaim this message to the world. “Yield not to unmanliness, O son of Pritha it does not befit thee” – then all this disease, grief, sin and sorrow will vanish off from the face of the earth in three days.

First of all , our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and mighty strength of Krishna better with a little of strong blood in you. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of Atman when your body stands firm upon your feet, and you feel yourselves as men.

That is all I have to say to the world. Be strong! The sign of life is strength and growth, the sign of death is weakness. What—ever is weak, avoid! It is death! If it is strength, go down into hell and get hold of it!

Be strong. Be manly. I have respect even for a wicked person so long as he is manly and strong, for his strength will someday make him give up his wickedness, and even renounce all work for selfish ends. It will thus eventually bring him to the truth.

The sign of vigor, the sign of life, the sign of hope, the sign of health, the sign of everything that is good, is strength.

Mark you, those things which you see in pusillanimous effeminate folk who speak in a nasal tone chewing every syllable whose voice is a thin as of one who has been starving for a week, who never protest or are moved even if kicked by anybody – those are the signs of death, not of sattva [the calm and balanced state] – all corruption and stench… During these last thousand years, the whole country is filling the air with the name of the Lord and is sending its prayers to him; and the lord is never lending his hears to them. And why should He? When even man never hears the cries of the fool, do you think God will? Now the only way out is to listen to the words of Lord in Gita – “Yield not to unmanliness, O partha!”

This I lay down as the first essential in all I teach: anything that brings spiritual , mental or physical weakness, touch it not with the toes of your feat.

In your country it is as if the blood has become congealed in the heart, so that it cannot circulate in the veins as if the paralysis has overtaken the body and it has become languid, So my idea is first to make the people active by developing their Rajas [ the tendency for activity ] .. With no strength in the body, no enthusiasm at heart, and no originality in the brain, what will they do- these lumps of dead matter! By stimulating them I want to bring life into them – to this I have dedicated my life... Be you my helpers in the work!
Tell each and all that infinite power resides within them, that they are sharers of immortal bliss. Thus rouse up the Rajas within them – make them fir for the struggle of the existence and then Speak to them about salvation.

Infinite strength is religion and God.