Today, 12th January 2024, marks the 161st birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most influential spiritual leaders and social reformers of India. He was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, a 19th-century Indian mystic who taught him the essence of all religions and the unity of God. Vivekananda was a pioneer in spreading the ancient wisdom of Hinduism and Vedanta to the Western world, and also a champion of human dignity, social justice, and national awakening.
Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on 12th January 1863 in Calcutta, in a well-educated and affluent Bengali family. He was a brilliant student and a voracious reader, who mastered various subjects such as philosophy, history, literature, science, and music. He was also a gifted orator and a natural leader, who inspired many young men and women with his charisma and vision.
He was deeply influenced by the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist movement that advocated rationalism, monotheism, and social service. He joined the movement and became a close associate of its leader, Keshab Chandra Sen. He also came in contact with other eminent personalities of his time, such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Rabindranath Tagore.
However, his spiritual quest was not satisfied by the Brahmo Samaj, and he began to explore other religions and philosophies. He was especially drawn to the teachings of Buddha, Jesus, and Sankara. He also studied the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and other Hindu scriptures, and developed a deep reverence for them.
His life changed when he met Ramakrishna in 1881 at the Dakshineswar temple. Ramakrishna was a simple and saintly person, who had attained the highest state of realization through various paths of devotion, knowledge, and action. He recognized Vivekananda as his foremost disciple and trained him in the principles and practices of Vedanta, the philosophy of non-dualism. He also taught him to see God in all beings and to serve humanity as a manifestation of the divine.
After the death of Ramakrishna in 1886, Vivekananda and his fellow disciples took monastic vows and formed the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order dedicated to the propagation of Ramakrishna’s message and the upliftment of the masses. Vivekananda traveled extensively throughout India, observing the living conditions of the people and the state of the nation. He was deeply moved by the poverty, ignorance, superstition, and oppression that plagued the country, and resolved to awaken the dormant spirit of the nation and to uplift the downtrodden.
He realized that India needed both spiritual and material regeneration, and that the ancient wisdom of Hinduism could provide the solution. He also felt that the West could benefit from the spiritual insights of the East, and that a harmonious exchange of ideas and values could enrich both cultures. He decided to go to America and represent Hinduism at the World’s Parliament of Religions, a historic gathering of representatives of various faiths, held in Chicago in 1893.
He reached Chicago in July 1893, but faced many difficulties in getting a chance to speak at the Parliament. He had no credentials, no money, and no invitation. He wandered around the city, staying with different hosts, and finally managed to register as a delegate with the help of some friends. He was allotted a slot to speak on 11th September 1893, the last day of the first session of the Parliament.
He rose to speak, and began his speech with the words: “Sisters and brothers of America”. The audience was stunned by his warm and unconventional greeting, and gave him a standing ovation. He continued his speech, eloquently presenting the essence of Hinduism, its tolerance, its universality, and its relevance to the modern world. He quoted from the scriptures, and explained the concepts of karma, reincarnation, yoga, and Vedanta. He also spoke about the harmony of religions, and the need for mutual respect and cooperation among the followers of different faiths. He concluded his speech with a prayer for peace and goodwill among all people.
His speech was a sensation, and he became an instant celebrity. He was hailed as an orator by divine right, and the greatest figure at the Parliament. He received numerous invitations to speak at various forums, and he accepted them with enthusiasm. He traveled across America, delivering hundreds of lectures on Hinduism, Vedanta, and yoga. He also taught meditation and spiritual practices to many sincere seekers, and initiated some of them into his order. He founded the Vedanta Society of New York, and later the Vedanta Society of San Francisco, which became the centers of Vedanta activities in America.
He also visited England and Europe, and met many eminent personalities, such as Max Müller, William James, Nikola Tesla, Sarah Bernhardt, and Annie Besant. He impressed them with his intellect, his erudition, and his personality. He also attracted many disciples and admirers, who became his loyal supporters and friends. Among them were Margaret Noble, an Irish lady who later became Sister Nivedita, and Josephine MacLeod, an American lady who became a lifelong benefactor of his work.
He returned to India in 1897, after four years of successful work in the West. He was given a grand welcome by the people of India, who recognized him as a national hero and a spiritual giant. He addressed huge gatherings in various cities, and inspired them with his patriotic and spiritual message. He urged them to rise above their narrow differences, and to work for the common good of the nation. He also asked them to respect their own culture and heritage, and to revive the glory of their ancient civilization.
He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897, a humanitarian organization that works for the welfare of the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and the uneducated. He also established the Belur Math, near Calcutta, as the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. He made it a place of pilgrimage, where people of all faiths and backgrounds could come and experience the spirit of Ramakrishna and Vedanta.
He continued his work of spreading the message of Vedanta and serving the people, both in India and abroad. He visited America again in 1899, and also traveled to other countries, such as France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Egypt. He also wrote many books and articles, such as Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Lectures from Colombo to Almora, which are considered as classics of spiritual literature.
He also trained many disciples, both men and women, who carried on his work after his death. He also influenced many leaders and thinkers of his time, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Aurobindo Ghose, who acknowledged his role in shaping their vision and ideals.
He passed away on 4th July 1902, at the age of 39, at the Belur Math. He had predicted his own death, and had said that he had completed his mission. He had also said that he would not be born again, but would work through his disciples and followers. He left behind a rich legacy of spiritual and social work, which continues to inspire millions of people across the world.
He is now widely regarded as one of the greatest sons of India, and a patriotic saint. His birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India, and as World Brotherhood Day by the Ramakrishna Mission. His teachings and ideals are relevant and applicable to the present-day problems and challenges, and offer a way to achieve peace, harmony, and progress for humanity. He is a symbol of the universal spirit of Vedanta, and a source of strength and inspiration for all seekers of truth and freedom.
