The recent remarks by the Prime Minister of India, invoking Swami Vivekananda’s landmark 1893 speech in Chicago, underscores the enduring value and global potential of his philosophy. Remembered as one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders and thinkers, Vivekananda’s teachings continue to provide direction for a more equitable, prosperous, and inclusive world.
Early Life and Name
Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on 12th January 1863, a date now celebrated annually as National Youth Day in India. In 1893, in response to a request from Maharaja Ajit Singh of the Khetri State, he adopted the moniker ‘Vivekananda’.
Philosophical Contributions
Vivekananda was instrumental in introducing the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the world. He strongly advocated for ‘neo-Vedanta’, reframing Hinduism through a Western lens and espousing a harmonious blend of spirituality with material progress.
One of his most significant contributions was his emphasis on education as a key driver for the regeneration of the nation. He championed the concept of man-making character-building education, which remains relevant in contemporary discourses on education.
Famous Speech and Moksha Pathways
Vivekananda is perhaps best known for his resonating speech at the World Parliament of Religion in Chicago in 1893. In his writings, he outlined four pathways – Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga and Bhakti-yoga – as means to attain moksha or liberation from worldly pleasure and attachment. This quintessential understanding of achieving ultimate spiritual emancipation earned him high praise, with prominent figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to him as the “maker of modern India.”
Associated Organisations
Vivekananda was the prime disciple of the 19th-century mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa and went on to establish the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. The mission has been actively engaged in a diverse range of social welfare activities, from value-based education and cultural preservation to women’s empowerment, youth and tribal welfare, and relief and rehabilitation efforts.
In 1899, Vivekananda established the Belur Math which would later become his permanent abode. It now serves as the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, located in West Bengal.
Demise and Legacy
Swami Vivekananda passed away at Belur Math in 1902, leaving behind a profound philosophical and spiritual legacy that continues to guide and inspire millions around the world. Despite his relatively short lifespan, his teachings and the institutions he founded continue to shape the ethical, social, and spiritual fabric of India and beyond.
