Religious Preacher brimming with radiant thoughts: Swami Vivekanand

Hindu Dharma has a glorious past of great Saints and Sages. Several Saints ascended to the state of Guru and showed the path of God realisation to many. They also taught spirituality to the society through their conduct and actions. Their mission was not just limited to spirituality but they also did substantial work for the defence of nation whenever it was in difficulties. Some of the Saints travelled all over the world and disseminated the spiritual knowledge of Bharat there without any personal expectations. Millions of people abroad are getting benefit of that. For last lakhs of years, the Sages took tremendous efforts to preserve theVedic Knowledge which is the pride of Bharat. They also created many subjects connected with the human life and made it easy. The most important thing however is that the Saints of Bharat have donated the world the tradition of Guru-disciple.

The current scene however is different. The cricketers, movie heroes and heroines have become the ideals of Hindus.Also the two vices of selfishness and narrow mindedness have become dominant in Hindus which is causing lot of harm to Hindu society. Under such circumstances it has become essential to study and follow the life of Saints who have imparted the teaching of sacrifice, love. devotion to righteousness, devotion to nation, helping the society and kashtradharma (duty of a warrior).We are hereby publishing the matter related to them
so that people should come to know about such great Saints.We pray at the feet of God that let Hindus get the inspiration to study and follow their biography and teachings.

SwamiVivekananda

The death anniversary of SwamiVivekananda falls on 4th July 2011. This article is being published with a view to enlighten Hindus about the great religious preacher SwamiVivekananda, His life, His views, etc.We pray that let us all Hindus, on reading the work done by Swamiji for Hindus and Hinduism, be inspired and vow to protect Hindu Dharma!

Birth, Childhood and Education :

The original name of SwamiVivekanand was Narendranath.Hewas born on 12th January, 1863 at Kolkata (Swamiji’s Jayanti i.e. birth anniversary is celebrated as the ‘InternationalYouth Day’). Right from childhood, two aspects of his behavior could clearly be noticed. One was his devout and compassionate nature and the other was his readiness to perform any act of courage. Since his whole family was spiritually inclined, he received an appropriate religious upbringing.

In 1870 he was admitted to the school founded by Mr. IshwarchandraVidyasagar. While in school he focused both on studies as well as body building. He had great respect for his mother tongue. One such incident was when he had and English language class in school, he said, ‘I shall not learn the language of the white master.’At least for7-8months he abstained from learning that language. Later he learnt English owing to compulsion. He stood first in his matriculate examination and added to the glory of his family and school.Then he joined the Presidency College in Kolkata and completed his M.A. in Philosophy.

Meeting his Guru and accepting Sanyas:

Dr. Ramchandra Dutt, a relative of Narendra who had been raised in his house was a disciple of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa.Henoticed that Narendra was inspired by religious feelings to such an extent that he was contemplating renunciation in his childhood itself.Heonce told Narendra, ‘Brother, if your only goal in life is to further the enhancement of our religion, then do not get involved in the Bramho Samaj or others.You go to Dakshineshwari and meet Shri Ramkrishna.’ Narendra met Shri Ramkrishna at his neighbor Surendranath’s house itself. Initially for some days Shri Ramkrishna did not allow Narendranath to leave his side even for a moment.Hemade Narendra sit next to him and gave himmuchadvice&counsel. The two of them would have great discussions when alone.

Shri Ramkrishna had decided to give Narendra the responsibility of carrying on his incomplete mission. One day Shri Ramkrishna wrote on a piece of paper, ‘Narendra will perform the task of enlightening the masses.’ Somewhat hesitantly Narendranath replied, ‘I won’t be able to do all this.’ Shri Ramkrishna immediately spoke with great resolve, ‘What’Won’t be able’Your bones will perform this task’’ Later Shri Ramkrishna initiated Narendranath on the path of Sanyas and gave him the name SwamiVivekanand.

Commencement of Preaching : Establishment of Ramkrishna Mission :

After Shri Ramkrishna’s Mahasamadhi, SwamiVivekanand along with Taraknath, another disciple of Ramkrishna, established theRamkrishnaMission. It began its activitiesfroma dilapidated building atVarahnagar, near Kolkata. Earlier it was believed that this place was a haunted house.Vivekanand kept Shri Ramkrishna’s mortal ashes and some other objects used by him, at this place. Soon Shri Ramkrishna’s disciples started living there.

Swami Vivekanand shines at the World Parliament of Religions

The premonition regarding the visit to Chicago :

Onenight when SwamiVivekanand was half asleep, he saw a miraculous dream. Shri Ramkrishna’s blazing form was moving ahead over the seas and beckoning Swamiji to follow him. Immediately Swamiji opened his eyes. His heart was filled with indescribable ecstasy.At the same time he heard very clearly a divine voice saying, ‘Go’. Then he resolved to go abroad and completed all arrangements within a day or two.

Departure for the World Parliament of Religions :

On 31st May, 1893, Swamiji left the Indian shores, aboard the ship, ‘Peninsular’. He reached Vancouver port in Canada on 15th July. From there he travelled by train to the famous city of Chicago in America. He came to know that aWorld Parliament of Religions was going to be held on 11th September.He did not have the Invite required to participate in this conference. Further even the date to register as a Representative had lapsed.Yet, wherever he went people were attracted to him. On the very first day he met Prof. J.H.Wright, who was teaching Greek at Harward University. The two of them conversed for almost four hours. The professor was so impressed by Swamiji’s talent and intellect that he accepted the responsibility of giving Swamiji admittance to theWorld Parliament of Religions as a representative.

Swami Vivekanand participates at the Chicago Interfaith conference :

It must have been the divine plan to allow this saint to introduce the world to the great Hindu Dharma. Swami Vivekanand proved to be a true representative of Hinduism as he made his fervent appeal for tolerance to the whole world from the dais of theWorld Parliament of Religions at Chicago on 11th September, 1893.

This conference was inaugurated with the Chanting of Hymns by the various religious heads. It was a melodious beginning the conference.Onthe dais, at the centre, was the religious head of the Roman Catholic Sect of America. SwamiVivekanand was not the representative of any particular sect. He had arrived at the conference as the representative of the Sanantan HinduVaidik Dharma of all Bharatvarsha.

The conference was attended by almost 6 to 7 thousand ladies and gentlemen.As per the instructions by the chairperson, each representative on the dais was reading out his pre-prepared speech. Swamiji had not prepared any written speech. Finally he stood up from his seat having sent a silent prayer to his Guru. He addressed the conference with the words, ‘Sisters and brothers ofAmerica’. These words had such miraculous strength in them that those thousands gathered stood up and there was continuous applause. The emotional appeal in those compassionate words had stirred every heart. It was the first time ever that any orator had referred to the whole of mankind as ‘Sisters and brothers’. Further he entranced all present with his brilliant and powerful oration.

Swamiji felt that the Hindu Samaj has the potential to become the spiritual teacher to the world. After centuries someone had again shown to the Hindu society its own wide horizons.Yet Swamiji did not criticise any religion. He did not degrade any religion. He only wiped the dirt that had accumulated on the Hindu Dharma owing to its ill-treatment and affronts at the hands of its invaders. He showed Hindu Dharma its own irradiant self and placed it on the highest pedestal of theWorld Parliament of Religions.Whenspeaking about
Hindusthan, he says that it is a sacred land, a land with a divine purpose. Hindusthan is the abode of spirituality and introspection. Right from the ancient ages, founders of religious tenets were born here. They satiated the scorched earth with the cooling waters of the Eternal truth- Sanatan Satya. It’s the only land where one can experience not only tolerance but also affection for other religions.

‘Real Sanyas is to sacrifice the self for the betterment of others’ :

Though he held a lot of respect for the spiritual heritage of Bharat, he did attack through his speeches its undesirable customs and the abominable caste system. Thus His speeches served as a wakeup call even to the Hindu society. His ardent appeal stuck lightening in the hearts of his dormant countrymen. His natural state of being would have been to meditate on the formless eternal entity i.e. Nirvikar Samadhi.Yet He set aside his own renunciation and thought about the mortal struggles, sorrows and joys of common people; throughout his
life he strived for their upliftment. ‘Real Sanyas is to sacrifice the self for the betterment of others’ ‘ he lived this axiom.

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