from Dips into Divinity, Astrology, & History,
by K.N. Rao
- ch. 9
Jupiter in the 11th house and Mars in the 5th, and two benefic
planets in the 2nd house, show the prosperous surroundings of
the aristocratic house of Vivekananda's father. Both benefics
Venus and Mercury in the 2nd house gave him a pleasant speech
and enviable eloquence. Bengalis had the advantage of cultivating
these qualities because Calcutta, the then capital of India
had a tradition of excellent teaching through English medium.
The extracts of his reported speeches in American newspapers
produced in the 2nd volume of the Collect Volumes of Vivekananda,
give a full account of the fire, beauty, provocation and appeal
of both his personality and speech. "His English and
his mode of delivery were excellent," "...spoke
entertainingly of his country and his impressions of this country."
Mercury and Venus in the 2nd house earned him admiration in
the USA for his pleasing eloquence.
reprinted with permission
Natal Chart of Swami Vivekananda
Vivekananda's Welcome Speech
At The World's Parliament of Religions
September 11, 1893
Chicago, Illinois
Sisters and Brothers of America, "It fills my heart
with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial
welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of
the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you
in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in
the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all
classes and sects.
My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform
who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told
you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the
honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration.
I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world
both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only
in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true.
I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted
and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.
I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom
the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern
India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their
holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am
proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is
still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.
I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which
I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which
is every day repeated by millions of human beings:
"As the different streams having their sources in different
places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the
different paths which men take through different tendencies,
various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead
to Thee."
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies
ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the
world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita:
"Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach
him;
all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead
to Me."
Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism,
have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled
the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with
human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations
to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human
society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their
time has come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled
this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell
of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with
the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons
wending their way to the same goal."
Copyright 2006. Vaughn Paul
Manley. All Rights Reserved.
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