The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Reports in American Newspapers/Miracles
MIRACLES
(Evening News, February 17, 1894)
I cannot comply with the request of The News to work a miracle in proof of
my religion," said Vive Kananda to a representative of this paper, after
being shown The News editorial on the subject. "In the first place, I am no
miracle worker, and in the second place the pure Hindoo religion I profess
is not based on miracles. We do not recognize such a thing as miracles.
There are wonders wrought beyond our five senses, but they are operated by
some law. Our religion has nothing to do with them. Most of the strange
things which are done in India and reported in the foreign papers are
sleight-of-hand tricks or hypnotic illusions. They are not the performances
of the wise men. These do not go about the country performing their wonders
in the market places for pay. They can be seen and known only by those who
seek to know the truth, and not moved by childish curiosity."