In this blog, we discuss Swami Vivekananda about the history, and he is the builder and foundation of any enterprise since he is courageous and a true survivor.
Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863, Calcutta [now Kolkata]—July 4, 1902, near Calcutta) was an Indian Hindu spiritual leader and reformer who merged Indian spirituality with Western worldly advancement, claiming that the two enrich and complement one another. He was a good person and a higher self, and working for the betterment of humanity was the highest goal.
Some Facts About Swami Vivekananda
He must know that social reform became a prominent element of Vivekananda’s thought. He was born into an upper-middle-class family of the Kayastha caste in Bengal.
He was educated at a Western-style university exposed to western philosophy and science.
He joined the Brahmo samaj dedicated to eliminating child marriage and illiteracy and determined to spread education among women and the lower castes.
He later became the most-notable disciple of Ramakrishnan, who demonstrated the essential unity of all religions.
Continuously stressing the universal and humanistic side of the Vedas, the oldest sacred text of Hinduism, and belief in service rather than dogma, Vivekananda attempted to infuse vigour into Hindu thought, placing less emphasis on the prevailing pacific and presenting Hindu spirituality to the West.
In 1893 Swami Vivekanand spoke at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago to represent Hinduism. He enthralled the assembly to the point where a newspaper labelled him as “an orator by divine right and unquestionably the most powerful figure in the Parliament.” He talked in the United States and England, converting many to the Vedanta movement.
With Sri Ramakrishna
One day in November 1881, Narendra met Sri Ramakrishna, staying at the Kali Temple in Dakshineswar. At the entrance of Narendra, he had to pass through a period of intensive crisis when doubts about the existence of God were to be set upon him. He heard for the first time about Sri Ramakrishna from one of his English professors at college. He straightaway asked the Master a question that he had asked several others but had received no satisfactory answer.
Difficult Situations
Two events that took place after a few years caused Narendra comfortable distress. It was the sudden death of his father in 1884. He left the family indigent, and Narendra had to bear supporting his mother, brothers and sisters. The second event of Sri Ramakrishna was the illness, which was identified to be cancer of the throat.
Beginnings of a Monastic Brotherhood
Sri Ramakrishna introduces the spirit of rejection and brotherly love in these young men. He distributed ochre robes among them and sent them out to beg food one day. He laid down the foundation for a new monastic order. He gave specific instructions to Narendra about the formation of the new monastic Order. On 16 August 1886, Sri Ramakrishna gave up his mortal body in the small hours.
Awareness of Life’s Mission
After establishing the new conventional order, Swami Vivekananda makes out the inner call of his life for a greater mission. Followers of Sri Ramakrishna thought of him concerning their personal lives, Vivekananda thought of the master regarding the rest of the world
Discovery of Real India
Swami Vivekananda was powerfully struck by the dreadful poverty and backwardness of the populace during his travels throughout India. He was the first leader in India to recognise and openly say that the neglect of the groups was the valid reason for India’s passing. An urgent requirement to provide food and other bare necessities of life to the hungry millions.
Need for an Organisation
To be clear, Swamiji realised that to carry out his goals to promote education and uplift the underprivileged masses and women, he would require the help of a determined group of people. Later on, he stated that he wished to “put in motion a machinery that will carry the noblest ideas to the doorsteps of even the poorest and meanest.” A few years later, Swamiji formed the Ramakrishna Mission to act as this machinery.’
The decision to attend the Parliament of Religions
When some ideas were shaping his mind during his wanderings, Swami Vivekananda heard about the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 and his friends and admirers in India. He wanted him to attend the Parliament, and they would provide the proper forum and present his Master’s message to the universe, so he would decide to go to America. Another reason which prompted Swamiji to go to America was to seek financial help for his project of uplifting the masses.
The Parliament of Religions and After
He became known as an ‘orator by divine right’ and a ‘Messenger of Indian knowledge’ after his speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions in September 1893. Swamiji spent about three and a half years after the Parliament spreading Vedanta as lived and taught by Sri Ramakrishna, primarily in the eastern United States and London.
Awakening His Countrymen
He returned to India in January 1897. The response to the sincere welcome that he received everywhere and delivered some standard series of lectures in different parts of India created a great stir all over the country. Through these inspiring and profoundly significant lectures, Swamiji attempted to do the following:
- To wake up with your religious consciousness of the people to create a comfort zone in their cultural heritage;
- Bring out the unification of Hinduism by pointing out the standard bases of its sects;
- Focus on the attention of educated people on the plight of the oppressed masses and expound his plan for their uplift by applying the principles of Practical Vedanta.
Conclusion
Swami Vivekananda was a great religious man and speculator around the world. He wanted to know the global spirituality, harmony, universal brotherhood, and peace around the globe. His teaching and philosophy still exist today and guide the modern era youth. His founded organisations are spreading his education and philosophy and improving society and nation. He promotes Vedanta and some social services. You are the inspiration for the youth of the world forever.