"Arise, awake and stop not, till your goal is reached..."
an inspiring quote by Swami Vivekananda that comes to mind as one reads about the various programs associated with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations that are in progress all over the country.
The greatest Hindu monk India has ever seen,that is Swami Vivekananda in most simple terms.
He was born on 12th January,1863 at Calcutta(presently Kolkotta).His first name was Narendra Nath Datta.His father, Viswanath Datta was an Attorney General in Calcutta High Court.His mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi was a pious house wife. His brother is Dr.Bhupendranath Datta.
Narendranath (Swami Vivekananda) was an ardent disciple of Sree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.Narendranath met him during his graduation studies and was attracted to his personality and gradually surrendered to his guru.
As a student, he was a genius. He learned not only literature, science and philosophy but also about all religions. he believed in One God that is formless and universal. In his words, service to mankind is the most effective form of worshiping GOD.
After graduation, Narendranath travelled all over India as a brahmachari under the name Swami Bibidishananda. He lived on alms and followed celibacy all through his life. As part of this journey searching the soul of his nation, he reached Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin in Tamil Nadu). The place where he sat in meditation continuously for three days is now a popular tourist centre- Vivekananda Rock. He gathered the famous Vision of One India here. Its also called Kanyakumari resolve. According to this resolve, Swamiji realised that preaching religion to empty stomachs is useless and so uplifting of masses should precede spiritual awakening.
Maharaja of Khetri, Ajit Singh, an ardent devotee, crowned him with the title Swami Vivekananda in1892.
Swamiji made a historical speech in September 1893 at Chicago.He introduced Hinduism at the "Parliament of the world's religions". The Indian philosophies of yoga and Vedanta gradually became popular all over the world. Swamiji was India's spiritual ambassador and our patriotic saint.
As he traveled all over the world, he felt ashamed at the degenerating plight of our nation and called it as a lunatic asylum. India was then filled with people who believed in superstitions, followed caste system, apartheid, and were vain talkers. Social tyranny was hindering progress. So, Swamiji addressed Indians to come out of narrow holes and to look abroad...
To uplift masses and gradually instill spiritual awakening, he established Sree Ramakrishna Mission and Sree Ramakrishna Math. Swamiji's had an extremely inspiring way and vision for our nation. India celebrate his birth anniversaries as National Youth Day.
Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on 4th July 1902 at the age of 39 at Belur Math in Calcutta.
(Image courtesy: Belur Math)
an inspiring quote by Swami Vivekananda that comes to mind as one reads about the various programs associated with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations that are in progress all over the country.
The greatest Hindu monk India has ever seen,that is Swami Vivekananda in most simple terms.
He was born on 12th January,1863 at Calcutta(presently Kolkotta).His first name was Narendra Nath Datta.His father, Viswanath Datta was an Attorney General in Calcutta High Court.His mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi was a pious house wife. His brother is Dr.Bhupendranath Datta.
Narendranath (Swami Vivekananda) was an ardent disciple of Sree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.Narendranath met him during his graduation studies and was attracted to his personality and gradually surrendered to his guru.
As a student, he was a genius. He learned not only literature, science and philosophy but also about all religions. he believed in One God that is formless and universal. In his words, service to mankind is the most effective form of worshiping GOD.
After graduation, Narendranath travelled all over India as a brahmachari under the name Swami Bibidishananda. He lived on alms and followed celibacy all through his life. As part of this journey searching the soul of his nation, he reached Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin in Tamil Nadu). The place where he sat in meditation continuously for three days is now a popular tourist centre- Vivekananda Rock. He gathered the famous Vision of One India here. Its also called Kanyakumari resolve. According to this resolve, Swamiji realised that preaching religion to empty stomachs is useless and so uplifting of masses should precede spiritual awakening.
Maharaja of Khetri, Ajit Singh, an ardent devotee, crowned him with the title Swami Vivekananda in1892.
Swamiji made a historical speech in September 1893 at Chicago.He introduced Hinduism at the "Parliament of the world's religions". The Indian philosophies of yoga and Vedanta gradually became popular all over the world. Swamiji was India's spiritual ambassador and our patriotic saint.
As he traveled all over the world, he felt ashamed at the degenerating plight of our nation and called it as a lunatic asylum. India was then filled with people who believed in superstitions, followed caste system, apartheid, and were vain talkers. Social tyranny was hindering progress. So, Swamiji addressed Indians to come out of narrow holes and to look abroad...
To uplift masses and gradually instill spiritual awakening, he established Sree Ramakrishna Mission and Sree Ramakrishna Math. Swamiji's had an extremely inspiring way and vision for our nation. India celebrate his birth anniversaries as National Youth Day.
Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on 4th July 1902 at the age of 39 at Belur Math in Calcutta.
(Image courtesy: Belur Math)
