Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902)

Swami Vivekananda was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the 19th century. In 1893, he sailed from India to the United States of America to attend the meetings of the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. As Christopher Isherwood puts it, "This was probably the first time in the history of the world that representatives of all the major religions had been brought together in one place, with freedom to express their beliefs."

Born in Kolkata on 12th January 1863, Swami Vivekananda (Narendranath Datta) was only 30 years old when he addressed the august gathering at the Parliament of Religions. Endowed with a sharp intellect and highly-acclaimed oratorical skill, he successfully planted the seeds of the non-dualistic philosophy of Vedanta in the West.

Some faithful and energetic disciples of Swami Vivekananda followed him to India, including Margaret Noble, the Irish woman, who became Sister Nivedita. Nivedita was revered in India for devoting "the rest of her life to the education of Indian women and the cause of India's independence."

Though he passed away at a young age of 39 years on 4th July 1902, his writings continue to rekindle the search for Truth among millions of eager, spiritual-minded persons throughout the world. His writings still continue to stimulate me, both spiritually and intellectually, as they first did more than forty five years ago, when I first read his book on Jnana Yoga. Some samples of his writings are given below.

(a) "Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal."

(b) "Condemn none. If you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way."

(c) "A man may have never entered a church or a mosque, nor performed any ceremony, but if he feels God within himself and is thereby lifted above the vanities of the world, that man is a holy man, a saint."

For more information on Swami Vivekananda, please visit the website:

http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org/