Day 282 of facts of pride about India giving smiles From a restless teenager to a Global Inspirational Leader- Swami Vivekananda
In 1863, he was born in a traditional Bengali family and was named ‘Narendranath Dutta’. He was a restless teenager who had an intense interest for new learnings and for spirituality.
Vivekananda was an avid reader, and excelled in his studies. He kept asking questionsand seeking answers all the time.
He finally found his spiritual guru in Sri Ramakrishna Parahamsa and was renamed as ‘Swami Vivekananda’ when he got his order as a Swami in Belur Mutt in 1884
With the grace of his guru, he visited many Indian states to spread the knowledge of Dharma. He was not afraid of the uncertain conditions in the new places. His travels across the country attracted many disciples. People from all walks of life, whether peasants or princes, were impressed with his spiritual teachings.
Along with some American disciples and funds raised by donations, he left by ship to go where not many Indians had gone before – to the USA. Indians in those days were fearful of how they would adjust to the western culture, but Vivekanada decided that he would do so, by first mastering his proficiency in the English language. He practiced his English talks by giving his initial English discourses on the ship itself.
There in 1893 he was invited as a delegate to the Parliament of World Religions. A little known fact is that he arrived into the city of Chicago just two days prior to the seminar and he did not have any money or any registration papers. Imagine him lying cold and hungry in the open streets of Chicago, yet he did not give up his hope and his belief in his spiritual thinking.
Suddenly, a lady from the opposite home recognized his orange garb and enquired whether he had come from India to attend the religious conference. She gave him shelter, took care of the registration formalities and ensured that he was present at the seminar.
In the early sessions of the Religious Conference, the young Vivekananda was overwhelmed by all the experts talking about how their religion seemed to be the best one. In spite of his initial nervousness, he invoked the blessings of the higher powers and began his speech with the now famous line, ‘Sisters and Brothers of America!’
He boldly went on to assert in a room full of foreign dignitaries that though people may follow different religious pathways, the principles and good values is universally common for every religion. Quoting the Vedic texts, he stressed on the practice of tolerance and universal acceptance, just like the sea encompasses all rivers.
From then onwards, he got wide media coverage and outshined everyone else with his oratory skills. This was followed by speeches all over America and the world.
His utterances in his powerful voice, startled the audience into a kind of shock. He spoke impromptu in a seemingly casual manner. What he said, looked like a simple truths, but they were most glaring and bright with authority. It seemed to be comprised spontaneously from a world class teacher. His words could sweep out the depression of the mind and instill new sources of energy that could carry one forward in the journey of life. His famous words – “Awake, Arise! Do not rest until you reach your goal of life” became memorable for the Indian Youth.
He was patriotic and said that the prosperity of India is in the upliftment of the poor man. He asked the rich to be trustees for the poor and to feed the very poor. He impressed upon the Youth to have positive thinking, to be responsible, fearless and self-controlled with principled leadership. He inspired them to assist in nation building with hands, head and heart. His speeches had a great impact on Indians who were then living in abysmal poverty, backwardness and illiteracy under the colonial rule.
He was a prolific writer about spirituality. Volumes of his complete work, besides the letters that he had written are continually published and are still a source of inspiration to new readers.
He called upon all nations to believe in the concept of a Universal family. He had drawn the attention of the Americans to the plight of the poor in India. People back at home would be struck with wonder after listening to his talks.
Swami Vivekananda explained the Indian identity as a whole and not just any particular aspect of it. He was a role-model of the self-respecting and knowledgeable Indian, who possessed the wealth of mind and spirit accumulated over centuries. Till this time, the Western world did not know much of India’s achievements in philosophy. India had high idealism and spiritual philosophy by all means. He showed that the Indian masses could get inner satisfaction, by maintaining an individual and collective life of high moral values.
He was also open to assimilating new thoughts and ideas into his work. He is the one who is credited for giving back India’s dignity in the eyes of the world. India rediscovered herself through him.
Many have contributed towards the making of modern India, but none have contributed so significantly as Swami Vivekananda. His messages were modern, rational and profound. His addresses were to humanity itself- what he taught was truth, which was as much applicable to the individual as well as the nation.
Swami Vivekananda revived the pride of being an Indian, and became a role model and a source of inspiration for the many leaders of our Freedom Movement including Rabindranath Tagore and Gandhiji, who acknowledged that the Swamiji’s work were their guiding principles in life. The late C. Rajgopalachari said that it was Vivekananda who brought the world focus on India and the Hindu Religion. It was him who gave the impetus to the dawn of the freedom movement.
It was a sad end, when Swami Vivekananda lived only a short life of 39 years with his search of God. . In his guru’s name, he had founded the Ramakrishna Mission on the banks of the river Hoogly (Bhagirathi). At present, The Ramakrishna Mission has around 200 centres all over the world, devoted to the service of the public with the help of its many volunteers
His teachings, his memorials in his meditative pose at Chicago, Kanyakumari, Belur Mutt and elsewhere, and the public service work by his volunteers still continue to make a positive difference in the world!
The fearlessness of young Swami Vivekanada in putting across his radical views in front of the whole world, makes him a role model for the youth of India.
It is natural to experience fear, especially when we are attempting something new. Like the young Swami Vivekanada, we must be ready to try out new experiences in life, this is how we can develop the value of fearlessness within us.
So which fact about India gave you a smile today?
Please share your experience of facts about India that made you smile.
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