Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897, emphasizing personal salvation and global welfare. His extensive lectures, writings, letters, and poems are compiled in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Focusing on universal principles over personalities, he was a profound thinker, spiritual leader, and social reformer, leaving an enduring impact on our understanding.
Swami Vivekananda's words resonate: "All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark." To delve into the roots of the Vedanta movement in America, one can explore his travels across the US. A great thinker, orator, and patriotic individual, Swami Vivekananda transcended mere spiritual ideology.
Birth Date: 12 January 1863
Birthplace: Kolkata, India
Childhood Name: Narendranath Dutta
Parents: Vishwanath Dutta (Father), Bhuvaneshwari Devi (Mother)
Education: Calcutta Metropolitan School; Presidency College, Calcutta
Religious Affiliation: Hinduism
Guided by: Ramakrishna
Founder of: Ramakrishna Mission (Established in 1897), Ramakrishna Math, Vedanta Society of New York
Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta
Noteworthy Works: Raja Yoga (1896), Karma Yoga (1896), Bhakti Yoga (1896), Jnana Yoga, My Master (1901), Lectures from Colombo to Almora (1897)
Demise: 4 July 1902
Place of Passing: Belur Math, Belur, Bengal
Swami Vivekananda: Life History and Education
Vivekananda, originally named Narendranath Dutta, hailed from a prosperous Bengali family in Calcutta. Born on 12 January 1863, during Makar Sankranti, he was the eighth child of Vishwanath Dutta and Bhuvneshwari Devi. His father, an attorney of considerable influence, and his mother, a devout woman with unwavering faith, played pivotal roles in shaping his character.
Enrolled at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Institution at the age of eight in 1871, Vivekananda later attended the Presidency College in Calcutta. His education exposed him to Western philosophy, Christianity, and scientific thought. Alongside his academic pursuits, he cultivated interests in both instrumental and vocal music, actively participated in sports, including gymnastics, wrestling, and bodybuilding, and developed a fondness for reading.
By the time he graduated, Vivekananda had amassed extensive knowledge across various subjects. Notably, he delved into Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, while also exploring Western philosophies and spirituality through the works of David Hume, Herbert Spencer, and others.
Memorial: Belur Math, Belur, West Bengal
Swami Vivekananda, born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata, emerged as a spiritual leader and social reformer. His influential lectures, writings, letters, poems, and ideas inspired not only the youth of India but also resonated globally. Founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and Belur Math in Calcutta, institutions that continue to aid the underprivileged, he was known for his wisdom and humble demeanor.
Encountered a spiritual crisis and sought guidance from Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
He had grown up in a religious family but studied several religious books and his knowledge led him to question the existence of God and sometimes he believed in Agnosticism. But he could not completely deny the fact about the supremacy of God. In 1880, he joined Keshab Chandra Sen's Nava Vidhan and also became a member of Sadharan Brahmo Samaj led by Keshab Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore.
Brahmo Samaj recognized one God, unlike idol worship. Several questions were running through the mind of Vivekananda and during his spiritual crisis, he first heard about Shri Ramakrishna from William Hastie, the Principal of the Scottish Church College. He finally met Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa at Dakshineshwar Kali Temple and Vivekananda asked him a question, "Have you seen God?" which he had asked so many spiritual leaders but was not satisfied. But when he asked Ramakrishna, he gave such a simple answer that "Yes, I have. I see God as clearly as I see you, only in a much deeper sense". After this Vivekananda started visiting Dakshineshwar and got several answers to the questions that were in his mind.
When Vivekananda's father died, the whole family faced a financial crisis. He went to Ramakrishna and asked him to pray for his family but Ramakrishna refused and told Vivekananda to pray himself in front of Goddess Kali. He could not ask for wealth, or money but instead of it, he asked for conscience and reclusion. That day he was marked with a spiritual awakening and a way of ascetic life was started. This was the turning point in his life and accepted Ramakrishna as his Guru.
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead, if you lose, you can guide.” Swami Vivekananda
In 1885, Ramakrishna developed throat cancer and was transferred to Calcutta and then later to a garden house in Cossipore. Vivekananda and other disciples of Ramakrishna took care of him. On 16 August 1886, Shri Ramakrishna gave up his mortal body. Narendra was taught that the service to men was the most effective worship of God. After the demise of Ramakrishna, fifteen of his disciples including Narendranath began to live together at Baranagar in North Calcutta, which was named Ramakrishna Math. In 1887, all the disciples took vows of monkhood and Narendranath emerged as Vivekananda which is "the bliss of discerning wisdom." All of them performed yoga and meditation. Further, Vivekananda left the math and decided to tour the whole of India on foot which came to be known as 'Parivrajak'. He saw several social, cultural, and religious aspects of the people and also saw what common people faced in their daily life, their sufferings, etc.
Swami Vivekananda participated in the World Parliament of Religions.
- The Path of Action: Yoga of Action
- Raja Yoga: The Meditation Path
Notable Works on Swami Vivekananda
- "Vivekananda: A Biography" by Swami Nikhilananda
- "Swami Vivekananda" by Eastern and Western Disciples
- "The Master As I Saw Him" by Sister Nivedita
- "Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda"
- "The Life of Vivekananda" by Romain Rolland
Swami Vivekananda's teachings served as a source of inspiration not only for the youth but for the entire global community. He laid the authentic groundwork for India's unity as a nation, promoting the art of harmonious living amidst diverse backgrounds. By building a metaphorical bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, he played a pivotal role in showcasing India's unique cultural identity to the world.
“Take up one idea, make that one idea your life, think of it, dream of it, let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” - Swami Vivekananda
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