The universal appeal of Vedanta: Insights into self-realization and unity
Amiya Kumar Satpati
Religion plays a significant role in human culture and values, yet its impact on society is complex. While its primary aim is to foster peace and love globally, it can also become a source of violence. According to Swami Vivekananda, the exclusivist claims of different world religions can breed conflict. He argues that despite their differences, religions can mutually reinforce each other rather than being inherently conflicting. Vivekananda defines religion as the recognition of the divine nature within oneself, positing that the ultimate goal of all religions is this self-realization, forming a universal religion where loving humanity equates to loving God. This perspective offers a potential solution to religious discord by embracing diverse cultures and paths to truth. Religion addresses fundamental existential concerns such as salvation, death, and the sacred, making it integral to human experience. Vivekananda contends that religious thought is intrinsic to human nature, suggesting that abandoning religion would require transcending thought and life itself. Initially, fear of God facilitated moral behavior, but as society progressed, realism eroded confidence in religious rituals and doctrines, prompting critical inquiries into the nature of God and creation. This paper explores Vivekananda's teachings on the universality of religion, clarifying its essence and dispelling misconceptions that reduce it to narrow, temporal interests.