"YOU COULD NOT BEAR TO SEE THE CONVERSION OF YOUR HINDU BRETHREN TO CHRISTIANITY"
Swami Vivekananda
One day in Calcutta, Swamiji told Priyanath Sinha, his disciple, that a man becomes bold and courageous when he truly loves his own religion, and that such a steadfast love could bring about the unity that was lacking among Indians. In this connection, Swamiji narrated an incident that took place on board the ship that was carrying him to India.
During the voyage two Christian missionaries had come to him and insisted on discussing the merits and demerits of Hinduism and Christianity. As the missionaries began to lose ground in the debate, they grew increasingly belligerent and started slandering the Hindus and their religion. Swamiji stood it as long as he could; then walking close to them seized one of the missionaries by the collar and said jokingly yet firmly, ‘If you abuse my religion again, I will throw you overboard!’ The frightened missionary ‘shook in his boots’ and said under his breath, ‘Let me go, sir! I will never do it again.’ After that, Swamiji told Priyanath, the missionary treated him respectfully whenever they met.
Having told this story, Swamiji turned to his disciple and asked him what would he do if someone insulted his mother. Priyanath replied : ‘Why, I would catch him by the neck and give him a good dressing-down!’ Pleased with the reply, Swamiji said, ‘Well Sinha, if you had the same unflinching loyalty to your religion, the true Mother of our countty, you could not bear to see the conversion of your Hindu brethren to Christianity. You see this occurring everyday, yet you are quite indifferent. Where is your faith! Where is your patriotism! Everyday Christian missionaries abuse Hinduism to your face, and yet how many are there amongst you who will stand up in its defence?’
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, THE FRIENDS OF ALL, page 40 & 41
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