Swami Vivekanand, born as Narendra Nath Dutta was an intellect with great span of achievements. He found a teacher in Ramakrishna Paramhansa by whom he got the answer of his ever strong quest to know if somebody has ever seen God.
Iconic speech in Chicago and other work on social issues
Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech at the World Religion Conference in Chicago is remembered by one and all. It is on September 11, 1893, when Swami Vivekanand gave a speech full of wisdom. He addressed the audience as ‘Brothers and Sisters of America’. In the speech that blew everyone’s mind.
In July 1893, Vivekananda went to Chicago to attend World Sarva Dharma Sammelan. He also lectured on social issues which had a great influence on leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, and Subhas Chandra Bose. In 1899, he traveled south. He founded the Vedanta Society in San Francisco and New York, and the Peace Ashram in California.
He founded the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in India, a philanthropic and spiritual organization and this organisation is stilldoing this work.
He has written many books – Karma Yoga (1896), Raj Yoga (1896), Vedanta Shastra (1896), Speeches from Colombo to Almora (1897), Bhakti Yoga, etc.
Swami Vivekananda's life and teachings have encouraged millions across the world. In honour toward his work his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day
Facts about Swami Vivekanand
- Swami Vivekananda's pre-monastic name was Narendra Nath Datta.
- After his father’s death, his family suffered extreme poverty.
- Though Vivekananda used to respect and worship women, entry for them was strictly prohibited in his monastery.
- When Swami Vivekananda became a monk from Narendra, his name was Swami Vividishanand, but before moving to Chicago, he changed his name to Vivekananda.
- After the death of his guru Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda sought to travel the length and breadth of India as a wandering monk. Ramakrishna taught Vivekananda that serving humans is more than worshiping God.
- He predicted his death, he used to say that he would not live beyond the age of 40 and he went to heaven at the age of 39 years
- India’s Vedanta reached every country of America and Europe only because of Swami Vivekananda.
Explore more about glorious history of India
