Swami Vivekananda,
the “Youth Icon” of our country is
globally renowned primarily because of his influential speech at the “1893
World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago”, where he introduced “Hinduism” to
the West, advocating for religious tolerance and highlighting the depth of “Indian
philosophy, particularly Vedanta and Yoga”, effectively positioning himself as
a "Messenger of Indian wisdom" to the Western world. His speech at
the Parliament of Religions provided a significant platform to showcase Indian
spirituality on a world stage. Beyond spirituality, Vivekananda actively
advocated for “Social Reforms in India, pushing against the caste system and
encouraging education and upliftment of the masses especially women”. His
powerful oratory and passionate presentation of “Hinduism” elevated its status
as a major world religion.
Swami ji
became so popular because he had surrendered completely at the feet of his
Guru, “Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa”. He had become completely unselfish and
sacrificed all bodily as well as heavenly comforts in love of his Guru for the
cause of his Guru. Swami ji used to say:
“When you
are free from all fetters and worldly cravings then divinity works through you.
Divinity's glow is like thousands of the suns. When it starts glowing through
you, you become popular and famous like a sun, wherever you go people are
amazed and look at you for the guidance and blessings”
About Swami Vivekananda in brief
Date of
Birth: January12, 1863; Place of Birth: Calcutta, Bengal Presidency (Now
Kolkata in West Bengal); Parents: Vishwanath Dutta (Father) and Bhuvaneshwari
Devi (Mother); Education: Calcutta Metropolitan School; Presidency College,
Calcutta; Institutions: Ramakrishna Math; Ramakrishna Mission; Vedanta Society
of New York; Religious Views: Hinduism; Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta
Publications:
Karma Yoga (1896); Raja Yoga (1896); Lectures from Colombo to Almora (1897); My
Master (1901); Speech at Chicago (1893); Death: July 4, 1902; Place of Death:
Belur Math, Belur, Howrah, West Bengal; Memorial: Belur Math, Belur, Howrah, West
Bengal
Swami
Vivekananda is an example of people living their lives short, but to the
fullest. His enthusiasm and vision are a benchmark for the “Youth” around the
world. The way he saw things was way ahead of his time and that brought him
fame and name. His philosophical approach towards Hinduism took the religion
across the borders of India and made it known around the world. He needs to be
credited with the flow and “Existence of
Hinduism outside India and especially in
the West”. He was a man born in the 19th century but was centuries ahead of
his time.
Influence of Sarada Maa in Vivekananda’s life
In his life,
Swami Vivekananda was influenced by both Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.
Vivekananda's philosophy, social service initiatives, and approach to
spirituality were shaped by their teachings. Sarada Devi's wisdom and emphasis
on inner purity influenced Vivekananda's spirituality. Sarada Devi's influence
is evident in Vivekananda's concept of "Daridra Narayana" (helping poor and distress and worship them
as god) which encourages seeing God in the poor and serving them. Vivekananda
considered Sarada Devi the ideal “Mother”
for women in modern times. He believed that her arrival marked the beginning of
spiritual awakening for women. One significant instance of Sarada
Devi's support was during Vivekananda's preparations for his journey to the
West. Her encouragement and blessings fortified his resolve, enabling him to
represent Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in
1893.
Influence of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa in
Vivekananda’s life
Vivekananda
believed that Ramakrishna discovered a unity that underlies everything,
including Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Vivekananda spread Ramakrishna's
teachings across the world, including in the West. Vivekananda founded the
Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math, both based on Ramakrishna's
teachings. Swami ji used to say:
“All that
I am, all that the world itself will some day be, is owing to my Master, Shri
Ramakrishna, who incarnated and experienced and taught this wonderful unity
which underlies everything, having discovered it alike in Hinduism, in Islam,
and in Christianity”
Sri
Ramakrishna Paramhansa’s concept on Advaita Vedanta philosophy, was ably and
convincingly transmitted by to the western countries Vivekananda, his
illustrious disciple first at the Parliament of the World's Religions held from
11 September 1893 at Chicago and then in Europe. That was the begging of the
impressive propagation of the Ramakrishna movement throughout the world by
Vivekananda. Swami ji thereupon launched the “Ramakrishna Mission” and established the “Ramakrishna Math” to perpetuate this message and over the years the
two organizations have worked in tandem to promote what is popularly called the
“Seva”
in the form of providing primary education to the poor, food and
especially helping people in natural disasters like food, earthquake by proving
food materials and keeping them in nearby “Ramakrishna Mission”.
Since 1984,
in our country, 12th January
is celebrated as “National Youth Day”
to honour one of the greatest spiritual and philosophical leaders of all time
as well as to honour his teachings and ideals and to inspire young people. The
day is celebrated to promote Vivekananda's ideas, teachings and way of life to
encourage young people to live by Vivekananda's values, principles, beliefs. The
day is also celebrated to motivate young people to work towards a better future
for the country. The passed away at the age of 39 only leaving behind his
indelible marks of wisdom and works which is our inspiration especially to the
youths to work for the mankind.
We should
always remember Swami ji’s two famous quotes in our life:
“Never
fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all
help are you freed. You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.
The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be
purified, and God will be in them”
"Talk to yourself once in a
day, otherwise you may miss meeting an intelligent person in this world"
