Once, during his stay at Belur Math because of ill health, Swamiji was taking a walk.
He would make it a point to go out for a walk in the mornings and evenings. He came across a disciple who inquired about his health and sought his guidance. As the conversation progressed, the disciple asked, "What ideal should we follow now?"
Swamiji Replied:
"You have now to make the character of Mahavira* your ideal. See how at the command of Ramachandra he crossed the ocean. He had no care for life or death! He was a perfect master of his senses and wonderfully sagacious. You have now to build your life on this great ideal of personal service. Through that, all other ideals will gradually manifest in life. Obedience to the Guru without questioning, and strict observance of Brahmacharya–this is the secret of success. As on the one hand, Hanuman represents the ideal of service, so on the other hand he represents leonine courage, striking the whole world with awe. He has not the least hesitation in sacrificing his life for the good of Rama. A supreme indifference to everything except the service of Rama, even to the attainment of the status of Brahma and Shiva, the great World - gods! Only the carrying out of Shri Rama's best is the one vow of this life! Such whole-hearted devotion is wanted...."
"In everything, the austere spirit of heroic manhood is to be revived. In following such an ideal lies the good of the people and the country. If you can build your character after such an ideal, then a thousand others will follow. But take care that you do not swerve an inch from the ideal. Never lose heart."
( * Mahavira is one of the names of Lord Hanuman)
Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 7
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