SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S BIRTHDAY TODAY
Swami Vivekananda (Bengali: [Bibekanɒnɖo] (
), Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendra Nath Datta(Bengali: [nɔrend̪ro nat̪ʰ d̪ɔt̪t̪o] Norendro Nath Dot-to), was an Indian Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world[2] and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.[3] He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India.[4] Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math and theRamakrishna Mission.[2] He is perhaps best known for his inspiring speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...,"[5] in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
), Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendra Nath Datta(Bengali: [nɔrend̪ro nat̪ʰ d̪ɔt̪t̪o] Norendro Nath Dot-to), was an Indian Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world[2] and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.[3] He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India.[4] Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math and theRamakrishna Mission.[2] He is perhaps best known for his inspiring speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...,"[5] in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later travelled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.The Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of theWorld's Columbian Exposition.[113][114][115] On this day, Vivekananda gave a brief speech representing India andHinduism.[116] He was initially nervous, bowed to Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) and began his speechwith "Sisters and brothers of America!".[117][115] At these words, Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd of seven thousand.[118] When silence was restored he began his address, greeting the youngest of the nations on behalf of "the most ancient order of monks in the world, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance".[119] Vivekananda quoted two illustrative passages from the "Shiva mahimna stotram": "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take, through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee!" and "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths that in the end lead to Me."[119] Despite the brevity of his speech, it voiced the spirit and sense of universality of the parliament.[119][120]
Parliament President John Henry Barrows said, "India, the Mother of religions was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the Orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors".[117] Vivekananda attracted widespread attention in the press, which called him the "cyclonic monk from India". The New York Critique wrote, "He is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them". The New York Herald noted, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation".[121] American newspapers reported Vivekananda as "the greatest figure in the parliament of religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the parliament".[122] The Boston Evening Transcript reported that Vivekananda was "a great favourite at the parliament... if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded".[123] He spoke several more times at the Parliament on topics related to Hinduism, Buddhism and harmony among religions until the parliament ended on 27 September 1893. Vivekananda's speeches at the Parliament had the common theme of universality, emphasising religious tolerance.[124] He soon became known as a "handsome oriental" and made a huge impression as an orator.
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| IN AMERICA |
| Vivekananda | |
|---|---|
 Vivekananda in Chicago, September 1893. On the left, Vivekananda wrote: "one infinite pure and holy – beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee".[1] | |
| Born | Narendra Nath Datta 12 January 1863 Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India) |
| Died | 4 July 1902 (aged 39) Belur Math, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in West Bengal, India) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Founder of | Belur Math, Ramakrishna Math andRamakrishna Mission |
| Guru | Ramakrishna |
| Philosophy | Vedanta |
| Literary works | Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga |
| Prominent Disciple(s) | Swami Ashokananda, Swami Virajananda, Swami Paramananda,Alasinga Perumal, Swami Abhayananda,Sister Nivedita, Swami Sadananda |
| Quotation | "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" (See more quotations in Wikiquote) |
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