Swami Vivekananda: Essay, Biography, Quotes, Life-Story, Short Note
“If u want to know about India, study Vivekananda“.
– Rabindranath Tagore
Early Life of Swami Vivekanand
Swami Vivekananda was born on 12th January 1863, in a prosperous family in Calcutta. His childhood name was Bireshwar and he was known as Biley, in short. His early life was not very eventful but he showed tremendous potentiality of becoming a great scholar one day. He demonstrated great mental capacity and he was very talented in all fields. During his youth, his name became Narendranath Dutta and after that, he became Swami Vivekananda. He was a monk, spiritual leader, great orator, philosopher, and patriot.
As a child, he was very bright and brave, and never hesitated to protest any injustice. He was a cheerful child. He was exuberant and vibrant in everything he did.
Swami Vivekananda – The Wandering Monk
He studied both Indian and Western Scriptures and another kind of literature. Initially, his mindset was that of a rationalist and he used to be skeptical. He had less faith in spirituality. But in 1881, when he met Shri Ramakrishna, that became the turning point in his life. First, he had his attitude towards Ramakrishna’s teaching also. But after a brief period of that, he finally surrendered and accepted Ramakrishna as his friend, philosopher, and guide. Swami Vivekananda became a “Sanyashi” after the death of Ramakrishna in 1886. He traveled throughout India for two years and wherever he went he conquered people’s hearts because of his message of love, and he was proud to be a humble brother to them.
He talked and interacted with the intellectuals and the masses and was comfortable with everyone. He was a spiritual leader and a philosopher and his patriotism were tremendous. His words were very forceful and it was able to awaken people. He offered the concept of fearlessness to the people through his speeches.
Swami Vivekananda’s Speech in Chicago
Swami Vivekananda went to America in 1893 to address the Parliament of Religious in Chicago. Whatever happened during his stay was epic. He won the hearts of Americans when he addressed them as ‘sisters and brothers of America ‘. He enthralled the affluent western people with his humble eastern ideals. He came back to India on 15th January 1897. Till then he already gained popularity all over as a sanyasi.
Swami Vivekananda’s Contribution towards India
After his return from the foreign country, he founded the Ramakrishna Ashram at Belur, near Calcutta. He then started his historic mission to rebuild India.
He was able to motivate people with his effective and vibrant speech capacity. His insight was penetrative and his works were aimed at doing well to mankind. He demonstrated a perfect blend of spirituality and practicality in character. The legacy that Swami Vivekananda left for prosperity is a treasure and we can be proud of it. His sense of belonging to the country was absolute.
Swami Vivekanand Quotes
You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.
We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.
You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.
The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.
Arise,awake and donot stop until the goal is reached.
All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.
Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.
When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.
Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.
The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.
he was most great person in the world