Dream Meeting with Swami Vivekanada

Dream Meeting with Swami Vivekananda

Dream Meet

I snuggled deeper into the sheets and closed my eyes tightly. It had been a long tiring day and all I wanted to do was sleep, but right now, it didn't seem to be possible. Finally, I gave up and threw the bed sheet off and walked into the kitchen for a glass of water. I chugged it down just as someone tapped me on my shoulder and turned and my eyes widened. In front of me stood a man who probably in his thirties. He wore an orange turban around his head and a maroon robe. He smiled warmly and I gasped.

"Who are you?" I asked. 

"I am Naren." 

"Naren?" 

"Narendranath Dutta. You probably would know me better as Swami Vivekananda." 

"Swami Vivekananda? As in the one of the great spiritual leaders and gurus?" 

"Yes, child. It truly is me."

'How can this be possible? Swami Vivekananda?' I thought.

"From the heavenly abode, I looked down to earth and to my motherland, India. The poverty and treachery among men today struck me. I wished for someone to change it all, someone who will make true use of my teachings. I chose you. Now I shall put you to a test. Are you willing to accept it?" he asked and I nodded.

"Then let's go." Swami said and took my hand. A second later, the world spun out of focus and before long, I was in front of a house. I looked around, and realized, we had travelled back in time! A young boy, probably around five years, ran out of the house with another one close on his heels. They ran towards me and passed right into me. I gasped and stumbled, but swami was there to catch me.

"Do you recognize those young boys?" he asked. 

I thought for a while, watching them play.

"The young boy must be you, sir. And the older one is your brother." 

"What is my brother's name?" 

"Bhupendra Dutta?" I asked and he nodded. 

"Yes, he is Bhupendra. It is 12th January 1868, my fifth birthday. My mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi is inside the house with my father, Viswanath. My sisters have gone to the temple to pray. It was from now, that I began my great journey towards spiritual bliss."

We travelled through time and I saw Swami grow up. I saw him mother tell him stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and when we reached 1888, when Swami was 25, I saw him kneeling at the feet of an old man.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"That is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, my guru. He tested me in so many ways and I in turn tested him in order to ascertain the truth of his spiritual assertions. When my father passed away, my family suffered many troubles and privations. My guru advised me to pray to Mother Kali at Dakshineshwar but I found that god can never give me wealth, only knowledge and devotion. Gradually, I surrendered myself to my master and he, with infinite patience, calmed my rebellious spirit and led me forth from doubt to certainty and from anguish to spiritual bliss."

I watched in fascination as Swami grew up to be a strong leader, and even after the death of his guru and father he stayed that way. Swami lectured foreigners about Hinduism, converted many, travelled far after taking the vow of Sanyaasa and led his followers through the path of honesty and loyalty. He wrote numerous poems and stories, was always devoted to his motherland and tried to help everybody in need.

Then the date changed to July 4th 1902, and I saw swami take his last breath and pass away. His followers mourned around him and I myself held back tears.

"I passed away this day, but I died wishing and believing that my successors, all my brothers and sisters will follow the path of righteousness, learn from my mistakes and teachings and use the knowledge I have tried and worked hard to spread. Do you accept to follow my teachings, and help all your brothers and sisters, the citizens of this blessed planet?" he asked and I looked up to him.

"Yes, I accept."

"You have passed the test....." Swami said and the world spun. I fell to the ground and opened my eyes..... to find myself in bed? I looked around astonished and memories of the dream rushed back to me. Swami Vivekananda?

The most respected and dignified spiritual man India has ever seen? I dreamt of him?

Then the promise I made made me widen my eyes once more. His teachings came back to me and I smiled. It had been a dream, but it doesn't mean I won't follow and spread what he has taught me. My fellow brothers and sisters, Swami Vivekananda was, is and will always be a legacy who followed the path of righteousness and helped others. It is time for us to follow him and make a change.

Are you with me?