BIOGRAPHY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Biography of Swami Vivekananda

Biography of Swami Vivekananda

Born: 12 January 1863, Kolkata

Died: 4 July 1902, Belur Math, Howrah

Full name: Narendra Nath Datta

Parents: Vishwanath Datta, Bhuvaneswari Devi

Organizations founded: Ramakrishna Mission, Advaita Ashrama, more

Cremation: Belur

Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Datta) was a Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.

Born into a wealthy Bengali family in Kolkata in 1863, Narendranath was a precocious and curious child with a strong interest in spirituality. He was educated in the traditional Indian systems of philosophy, including the Vedas and Upanishads, and also exposed to Western ideas through his study of history, science, and literature.

As a young man, Narendranath became deeply interested in the Bhakti movement and the teachings of Ramakrishna, who he met in 1881. Impressed by Ramakrishna's spiritual depth and the power of his personal transformation, Narendranath became his disciple and adopted the name Swami Vivekananda.

After the death of Ramakrishna in 1886, Vivekananda travelled extensively throughout India, eventually settling in the holy city of Varanasi. There, he devoted himself to spiritual practices, including meditation and yoga, and also began to give public lectures on the Vedanta philosophy.

In 1893, Vivekananda represented India at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where he delivered a series of lectures that introduced the concept of "cosmic religion" and the idea that all religions were ultimately paths to the same ultimate goal. These lectures, which were widely reported in the media, helped to popularize yoga and Hinduism in the West and made Vivekananda a celebrity.

Over the next several years, Vivekananda travelled throughout the United States and Europe, giving lectures and establishing Vedanta societies in several major cities. He also visited Japan, where he met with Emperor Meiji and helped to introduce yoga and Vedanta to that country.

In 1897, Vivekananda returned to India and founded the Ramakrishna Mission, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Vedanta and the alleviation of suffering. He continued to travel and lecture widely, and also worked to uplift the status of women and lower castes in Indian society.

In addition to his spiritual pursuits, Vivekananda was also a social reformer who worked to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in India. He believed in the idea of "man service is service to God" and encouraged his followers to engage in selfless service to others.

Vivekananda was an eloquent and powerful speaker, and his lectures were known for their wit, wisdom, and clarity. He was also an avid writer, and his books and articles on spirituality and social issues continue to be widely read and studied.

Vivekananda was a strong advocate for the independence of India and believed that the country needed to break free from British rule to realize its full potential. He encouraged Indians to embrace education and self-reliance as a means of empowering themselves and their nation.

In addition to his work with the Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda also founded the Belur Math, a monastery and centre for spiritual training that continues to operate today. Vivekananda also founded the Advaita Ashrama, a publishing house that produces books on Vedanta and related subjects.

Despite his short life, Vivekananda had a profound impact on the spiritual and cultural landscape of India and the world. He is revered as a spiritual leader and is often quoted by people of all faiths. He had a wide-ranging influence on many areas of thought and culture. He is credited with helping to bring about the Hindu Renaissance, a revival of interest in Hinduism and Indian culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Vivekananda was a firm believer in the unity of all religions and the essential oneness of humanity. He saw the various religious traditions of the world as different paths leading to the same ultimate goal of self-realization and believed that all people had the potential to attain spiritual enlightenment.

Vivekananda was also a key figure in the spread of yoga and meditation in the West. His lectures and writings on these subjects introduced many people to the benefits of these practices and helped to popularize them in the Western world.

Vivekananda's ideas and teachings continue to be widely studied and revered in India and around the world. His birthday, January 12, is celebrated as National Youth Day in India, and his message of spiritual unity and human potential is still relevant and inspiring today.

Vivekananda advocated for education and believed it was essential for the progress and development of individuals and societies. He encouraged the study of both Eastern and Western ideas and believed that the best education was one that was well-rounded and comprehensive.

Vivekananda was also a strong supporter of women's rights and equality. He believed that women had the same spiritual potential as men and that they should be educated and empowered to realize their full potential.

In addition to his spiritual and social work, Vivekananda was also an athlete and a lover of nature. He was known to enjoy swimming, rowing, and other outdoor activities, and he had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

Vivekananda's writings and lectures are still widely studied and quoted today. His book "Raja Yoga," which was published in 1896, is a classic text on the philosophy and practice of yoga, and his lectures on the "Gita" and other sacred texts are considered to be among the best expositions of these works.

In addition to his spiritual and social work, Vivekananda was also a patriot and a strong advocate for the independence of India. He believed that India needed to break free from British rule to realize its full potential and encouraged Indians to work towards self-rule.

His famous quotes-

(1) "The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them."

(2) "The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful."

(3) "The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed."

(4) "All power is within you. You can do anything and everything. Believe in that. Do not believe that you are weak. Stand up and express the divinity within you."

(5) "Be a hero. Always say, 'I have no fear.' Tell this to everyone—' Have no fear.' Fear is death, fear is sin, fear is hell, fear is unrighteousness, fear is wrong life. All the negative thoughts and ideas that are in the world have proceeded from this evil spirit of fear."

(6) "The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them."

(7) "The greatest sin is to think you are weak."

(8) "The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them."

(9) "All the powers in the universe are already ours. We have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark."

(10) "You are the soul, free and eternal. You are the one without birth and death. You are the real Satchidananda. You are the Atman, the supreme soul. You are the ultimate reality."

(11) "Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached."

Biography of Swami Vivekananda

(12) "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it."

(13) "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body, be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."

(14) "The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed."

(15) "The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong."

(16) "Hear the whole world crying and saying, 'Give us bread, give us bread!' And I say, 'First give me the man who wants bread. I'll give him bread.' This world is full of people who want bread, but there are not enough who want to give bread."

(17) "The whole world is a cyclone. But once you have found the centre, the cyclone disappears. This inner discovery is the finding of God."

(18) "The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them."

(19) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

(20) "The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful."

(21) "The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them."

(22) "The greatest sin is to think you are weak."

(23) "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it."

(24) "The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed."

(25) "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body, be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."

(26) "The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong."

(27) "Hear the whole world crying and saying, 'Give us bread, give us bread!' And I say, 'First give me the man who wants bread. I'll give him bread.' This world is full of people who want bread, but there are not enough who want to give bread."

(28) "The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful."

(29) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

(30) "The whole world is a cyclone. But once you have found the centre, the cyclone disappears. This inner discovery is the finding of God."

Vivekananda was a firm believer in the unity of all religions and the essential oneness of humanity. He saw the various religious traditions of the world as different paths leading to the same ultimate goal of self-realization and believed that all people had the potential to attain spiritual enlightenment.

Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual leader and philosopher from India who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the revival of Hinduism in India, and his teachings have had a significant impact on the development of Indian nationalist thought.

Swami Vivekananda's most well-known work is his book "Raja Yoga," which was published in 1896. It is a comprehensive guide to the practice of Raja Yoga, a form of meditation and spiritual discipline that Vivekananda believed to be the highest form of yoga. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of the mind, the path of self-realization, and the practice of meditation.

Another important work of Swami Vivekananda is his book "Jnana Yoga," which was published in 1902. This book explores the concept of Jnana Yoga, which is the path of knowledge and wisdom. It discusses the nature of the self, the nature of the universe, and the ultimate goal of human existence.

Swami Vivekananda also wrote many lectures, essays and other teachings which have been compiled in the book "Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda" which consists of 9 volumes and covers a wide range of topics such as Religion, Yoga, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, Raja Yoga, Vedanta, Education and much more.

In addition to his written works, Swami Vivekananda was also known for his speeches and lectures. He travelled widely throughout India and the United States, giving lectures and conducting public speaking tours. His speeches covered a wide range of topics, including the nature of religion, the practice of yoga, and the importance of education. Many of these speeches have been recorded and have been published in book form under the title "The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda."

One of his famous speeches is the one he delivered at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893. The Parliament was an international gathering of religious leaders and scholars, and Vivekananda's speech was well received. He introduced Hinduism to the Western audience, and his message of universal brotherhood and tolerance resonated with many people. This speech is considered a major step in the spiritual awakening in the West and also a key moment in Indian history.

In India, Swami Vivekananda's teachings had a profound impact on the development of the Indian independence movement. His emphasis on self-reliance, his critique of caste and social inequality, and his call for spiritual awakening all helped to inspire a new generation of Indian leaders and thinkers. His call for the people to "arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached" is considered a key motivator for many freedom fighters and national leaders.

In short, Swami Vivekananda's teachings have had a major impact on the development of modern India, and his ideas continue to influence spiritual leaders and thinkers around the world.

Biography of Swami Vivekananda

Summary

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk and spiritual leader who is credited with bringing Hinduism and the teachings of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. He was born in Kolkata, India in 1863 and became interested in spirituality at an early age. He became a disciple of the mystic Ramakrishna and adopted the name Swami Vivekananda after becoming ordained as a monk.

Vivekananda travelled extensively throughout India and the world, giving lectures and establishing Vedanta societies in several major cities. He was a powerful and eloquent speaker, and his lectures, particularly those given at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introduced the concept of "cosmic religion" and helped to popularize Hinduism and yoga in the West.

In addition to his spiritual pursuits, Vivekananda was also a social reformer who worked to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in India. He founded the Ramakrishna Mission, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Vedanta and the alleviation of suffering, and also worked to uplift the status of women and lower castes in Indian society.

Vivekananda passed away in 1902 at the young age of 39, but his teachings and ideas continue to inspire people around the world. His birthday, January 12, is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.