The author’s latest book is an effort to challenge the Sangh Parivar’s depiction of the spiritual leader.
Govind Krishnan V.’s recently published Vivekananda: The Philosopher of Freedom is a conscious effort to challenge the Sangh Parivar’s depiction of the monk as an exemplar of right-wing values. Instead, as Krishnan demonstrates through a close and meticulous reading of the swami’s works, Vivekananda, even as he anchored his ideas in Hinduism, stood firmly on the side of modernity as opposed to reactionary revivalism. His writings, which are phenomenal in their range and content, are clear on the importance of dissent, of the centrality of critical thinking, and take a broad, sober view of history that neither vilifies nor romanticises men and events. Excerpts from an interview:
What caused you to research and write a book specifically about Vivekananda and the RSS’s recruitment of his icon? In a personal sense, where did this journey begin?
I encountered Vivekananda relatively early. At 16, I became haunted by existential questions: “What is the meaning of life?” “Does it have a purpose?” No teachers, parents, mentors, and friends were able to help. In college, I chanced upon The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. I started with the first volume and went on till the eighth, mesmerised. My thought world was revolutionised, because Vivekananda was addressing these very existential questions. The answers he offered, however, were not comfortable, just like the Buddha’s are not, and it opened up as many questions as answers for me. But the upshot was that my understanding of religion and Hinduism were formed by Vivekananda, for whom absolute freedom, critical enquiry, and non-normativity were essential conditions for spirituality and the modern human. And according to him, Hinduism, properly understood, exemplified these values.
This story was originally published in frontline.thehindu.com. Read the full story here
