Swami Vivekananda ?????? ?????????? (Narendranath Dutta ??????????? ????) (January 12 , 1863 – July 4 , 1902) is considered one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the Hindu religion. He is considered by many as an icon for his fearless courage , his positive exhortations to the youth , and his broad outlook to social problems. Born Narendranath Dutta , in Kolkata , India , he became famous as Swami Vivekananda , when he became the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He studied philosophy at the Scottish Church College , Calcutta. But Vivekananda is also renowned as a thinker in his own right. One of his most important contributions was to demonstrate how Advaitin thinking is not merely philosophically far-reaching , but how it also has social , even political , consequences. One important lesson he claimed to receive from Ramakrishna was that “Jiva is Shiva ” (each individual is divinity itself). This became his Mantra , and he coined the concept of daridra narayana seva – the service of God in and through (poor)human beings. If there truly is the unity of Brahman underlying all phenomena , then on what basis do we regard ourselves as better or worse , or even as better-off or worse-off , than others? – This was the question he posed to himself. Ultimately , he concluded that these distinctions fade into nothingness in the light of the oneness that the devotee experiences in Moksha. What arises then is compassion for those “individuals” who remain unaware of this oneness and a determination to help them.

His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga.

Swami Vivekananda belonged to that branch of Vedanta that held that no-one can be truly free until all of us are. Even the desire for personal salvation has to be given up , and only tireless work for the salvation of others is the true mark of the enlightened person.

However , Vivekananda also pleaded for a strict separation between religion and government (“church and state”). Although social customs had been formed in the past with religious sanction , it was not now the business of religion to interfere with matters such as marriage , inheritance and so on. The ideal society would be a mixture of Brahmin knowledge , Kshatriya culture , Vaisya efficiency and the egalitarian Shudra ethos. Domination by any one led to different sorts of lopsided societies. Vivekananda was a Libertarian at heart , so he did not feel that religion should be used forcefully to bring about an ideal socialist society , since this was something that would evolve naturally by individualistic change when the conditions were right.

Vivekananda is best remembered as the man who “stole the show” at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago , where he earned wild applause for beginning his address with the famous words , “Sisters and brothers of America.” This event marks the beginning of western interest in Hinduism not as merely an exotic eastern oddity , but as a vital religious and philosophical tradition that might actually have something important to teach the west. Within a few years of the Parliament , he had started Vedantic centres in New York and London , lectured at major universities and generally kindled western interest in Hinduism. After this , he returned to India. On May 1 , 1897 , he founded Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission on the principle of Atmano Mokshartham Jagad-hitaya cha (?????? ????????? ????-??????) (for one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the World). This institution is now one of the greatest monastic orders of Hindu society in India. He was only 39 years old when he passed away on July 4 , 1902 at Belur Math near Kolkata.

Contents

1 Viveka Vaani

2 Trivia

3 Works

Viveka Vaani
Each soul is potentially divine.
The goal is to manifest this divinity within , by controlling nature , external and internal.
Do this either by work , or worship , or psychic control , or philosophy – by one , or more , or all of these – and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines , or dogmas , or rituals , or books , or temples , or forms , are but secondary details.
Make your nerves strong. What we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel. We have waited long enough. Now stand on your feet and be men.

Trivia
Swami Vivekananda was the first Asian to be invited to accept the chair of Oriental Philosophy at the Harvard University.
Jamshedji Tata set up the Tata Institute or the Indian Institute of Science on the Swami’s advice.
National Youth Day is celebrated on his birthday

Works
Bhakti Yoga
Jnana Yoga
Raja Yoga
Karma Yoga
Complete Works ISBN 02301

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.

In America Vivekananda’s mission was the interpretation of India’s spiritual culture, especially in its Vedantic setting. He also tried to enrich the religious consciousness of the Americans through the rational and humanistic teachings of the Vedanta philosophy. In America he became India’s spiritual ambassador and pleaded eloquently for better understanding between India and the New World in order to create a healthy synthesis of East and West, of religion and science.

In his own motherland Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness, To the Hindus he preached the ideal of a strength-giving and man-making religion. Service to man as the visible manifestation of the Godhead was the special form of worship he advocated for the Indians, devoted as they were to the rituals and myths of their ancient faith. Many political leaders of India have publicly acknowledged their indebtedness to Swami Vivekananda.

The Swami’s mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, be strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence. A mystic of the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soulstirring language of poetry.

The natural tendency of Vivekananda’s mind, like that of his Master, Ramakrishna, was to soar above the world and forget itself in contemplation of the Absolute. But another part of his personality bled at the sight of human suffering in East and West alike. It might appear that his mind seldom found a point of rest in its oscillation between contemplation of God and service to man. Be that as it may, he chose, in obedience to a higher call, service to man as his mission on earth; and this choice has endeared him to people in the West, Americans in particular.

In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami’s native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world.

Swami Vivekananda once spoke of himself as a “condensed India.” His life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the “paragon of Vedantists.” Max Muller and Paul Deussen, the famous Orientalists of the nineteenth century, held him in genuine respect and affection. “His words,” writes Romain Rolland, “are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years’ distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!’‘

His original name was Narendra. He was born on January 12, 1863 in Calcutta. As a child he was very courageous, inquisitive and also mischievous. He was also compassionate to the poor and the needy. When he was in college, young Narendra was driven by a great curiosity to search for God.

A meeting and some strange incidents made him a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Gradually he developed a strong faith in the methods of his master and his teachings. He continued his spiritual journey despite of personal setbacks and financial difficulties. After the death of his master, Vivekananda became a monk and took upon himself the task of managing the affairs of the mutt he and the disciples of Ramakrishna started.

He also toured the entire country visiting many places on his way. During these travels he realized his mission and decided to visit America before returning to India and continue his work. In 1893, he traveled to Chicago and, at the Conference of the World Religions, in front of a large gathering, delivered his famous speech. He stayed in the States for a few months, delivering lectures and creating a new awareness among people about Hinduism.

On his way back, he traveled to UK and finally, after four long years of foreign tours, returned to India. By the time he touched the Indian shores, the Swamiji was already a popular figure. People started paying attention to his speeches and utterances and also to the strength of his character. A few months after he arrived in India, he started the Ramakrishna Mission. For the next four years he remained very busy, visiting many parts of the country, delivering speeches and taking part in many humanitarian works. He also traveled second time to the US and from there went to Paris where he attended the Conference of Religions. On July 4 1902, at the age of 39, he passed away.