Swami Vivekananda: Icons of Bharatavarsha

Swami Vivekananda is one the greatest Indian philosophers who introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. He is best known for starting his speech with “Sisters and brothers of America …”, at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. He was a disciple of the great saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Vivekananda is also credited with bringing awareness on Hinduism to the world. He founded the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission in India and abroad. His birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day.

Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda

Early years

Swami Vivekananda was born Narendranath Datta in Calcutta on 12 January 1863. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was a lawyer and his mother, Bhubaneswari Devi, was a devout housewife. Narendranath was interested in spirituality from a young age and was fascinated by the sight of wandering ascetics and monks. He was an avid reader who learnt philosophy, religion, history, social science, art and literature. He showed keen interest in learning the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. Narendra also studied Western logic, Western philosophy and European history. He was trained in Indian classical music and was a good athlete as well.

Finding God

Not satisfied with his knowledge of philosophy, Narendra became interested in the quest for realizing God. He started questioning several holy people if they had seen God. However, none of them could provide a reasonable answer to him. Finally, he found his answer through Sri Ramakrishna who replied, “Yes, I see Him as I see you, only in an infinitely intenser sense”.

From then on, Ramakrishna became his master and guided him on the spiritual path. When his family wealth was gone his Guru asked him to pray to goddess Kali for a better financial life. However instead of praying for worldly necessities, he prayed for true knowledge and devotion. He gradually grew ready to renounce everything in order to seek God.

Becoming a Monk

Shortly after the demise of his Guru, Narendra became a wandering monk. He traveled extensively in India for five years, visiting different learning centers and understanding various traditions and religious practices. On seeing the poverty and suffering of people, he resolved to alleviate their pain at the earliest. He assumed the name “Vivekananda“, which means “the bliss of discerning wisdom,” (Viveka & Ananda).

Attending the Parliament of Religions

The “Parliament of Religions” was an initiative to gather all religions of the world and demonstrate the benefits of unity and peace among people. While meditating on the rock island at Kanyakumari, Vivekananda felt that the Parliament would be the right forum to introduce Hinduism to the world. With funds from well-wishers, he set out to America on 31 May 1893.

The Parliament of the World’s Religions opened on 11 September, 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago. On this day, Vivekananda gave a brief speech representing India and Hinduism. Though initially nervous, he bowed to Goddess Saraswati and began his speech with the famous phrase, “Sisters and brothers of America!” For this, he received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd. Quoting passages from the hymn, “Shiva mahimna stotram“, he spoke about how different paths or religions can lead to the same God. It was a soul-stirring speech. 

Parliament of Religions, Chicago 1893
Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893

His speech attracted widespread attention in the press. With his attractive physique and divine visage, he became the star attraction of the event. 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”. He spoke several more times a various gatherings on topics related to Hinduism, Buddhism and harmony among religions during his stay there. Vivekananda’s speeches had the common theme of universality and religious tolerance.

Vivekananda’s contributions to the World
Bridge between the East and the West

Swami Vivekananda interpreted Vedic scriptures and spoke in the language that was comprehensible to the Western world. He made the Westerners realize they can learn a lot from Indian spirituality. In 1896, his book Raja Yoga was published which was highly influential in the Western understanding of yoga, thus marking the beginning of modern yoga. He also enabled Indians to understand science and technology as well as Western values such as individual freedom, social organization etc., while being spiritual at the same time.

Re-interpretation of Religion

One of the most significant contributions of Vivekananda is his demonstration of religion as a common universal experience for all humanity. With quotes from scriptures, he was able to show that religion is a science in itself. Thus religion and science are not contradictory to each other but are complementary. He showed that religion can become the pursuit of the supreme Truth, Knowledge and Happiness while being free of superstitions, dogmatism and intolerance.

Unification of sects within Hinduism

By the very nature of Sanatana Dharma, there have been multiple sects and sub-sects within Hinduism. Vivekananda emphasized more on the common aspects of Hinduism and accepted all different doctrines which formed one total view of Reality. Thus he endeavored for the unification of Hinduism on the basis of the principle of unity in diversity.

Religious Defense

Another important service rendered by him was his successful defense of Hinduism. In his era, religious propaganda was at its peak with several non-Abrahamic religions already on the wane. There was hardly any awareness about the oldest religion on Earth outside the Indian subcontinent. His Chicago speech and subsequent discourses opened the eyes of Westerners about the greatness of Hinduism. In fact, several Westerners became his disciples including the Irish woman, Margaret Elizabeth Noble who became Sister Nivedita.

Contribution to Society

A major contribution of Vivekananda to Hinduism is the rejuvenation and modernization of monastic living. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self. Vivekananda elevated service to the downtrodden to equal service to God. On 1 May 1897, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission for social service in Calcutta. Up until today, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission that he established are involved in several philanthropic activities.

His last days

Upon his return to India, he spent the rest of his life in India inspiring and guiding people. He advised his followers to be holy, unselfish and to have faith. According to him, success was an outcome of focused thought and action. He said, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea. This is the way to success, that is the way great spiritual giants are produced”.

Before his Mahasamadhi he had written thus: “It may be that I shall find it good to get outside my body, to cast it off like a worn out garment. But I shall not cease to work. I shall inspire men everywhere until the whole world shall know that it is one with God”. His travels and heavy workload took a toll on his health. On 4 July 1902 he attained Mahasamadhi at a very young age of 39, exactly as he predicted.

Vivekananda Statue, Gateway of India
Vivekananda Statue, Gateway of India

Praise for the Swami

“The greatest man India produced in recent centuries was not Gandhi but Vivekananda” – B. R. Ambedkar

“Vivekananda saved Hinduism, saved India” – Chakravarti Rajagopalachari.

“The maker of modern India” – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

” Vivekananda’s influence increased my love for his country a thousandfold” – Mahatma Gandhi

Swami Vivekananda has been the guiding light for today’s youth who and has been an epitome of knowledge, renunciation and social service. Truly, a great icon of Bharatavarsha.

Author Details

Rangarajan has been blogging for over 12 years now on various topics. With Thedal, he becomes one with the universe and he is hoping that his search will help him discover the eternal truth.  Please join him as he traverses through the universe across temples, philosophies and science!

6 thoughts on “Swami Vivekananda: Icons of Bharatavarsha”

  1. Totally loved this write up Ranga…Swami Vivekananda is one of my favourite personalities and his writings are among my most cherished ones. He is truly an icon of inspiration for everyone! Once again Well Done with the post!!

  2. Swami Vivekananda is truly a gem in the crown of Bharatvarsha! We need more such visionaries to help today’s India.

    I suppose the youth of today need such exemplary icons to guide them.
    Thanks for writing this piece Ranga!

  3. Hi Sir,
    Great that you have published this article on Swami Vivekananda who’s my Guiding Star 🙏🏻
    Grateful to you Sir.
    Regards
    PSRadhakrishnan

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