Story of the great monk, who spread Indian culture and his priceless thoughts all over the world... Swami Vivekanand

      In the year 1881, when a professor asked his student, "Did God make the Earth, the Universe, the whole sky?" Without any confusion, the student said "Yes". Professor asked again "Then who made evils? Are evils also made by God?" The student didn't answer the question, but take permission from the professor to ask a question. The professor granted permission. The student asked, "Does cold exist?". Professor answered, "Of course yes! Are you not feeling cold?". The student answered, "Sorry sir, but your answer is wrong. Cold doesn't exist. Cold is a complete absence of heat". The student again asked a question, "Does darkness exist?". Professor again answered, "I think Yes. There is only darkness at night". The student again answered, "Sir, you are again wrong. Darkness doesn't have its own existence. Darkness is actually the absence of light. Just like the same. Evil has no existence. In reality, evil is the feeling of absence of love, trust, and faith in God". This student was none other than Swami Vivekanand. So continue to read about the monk who introduced Indian culture to Western World...

Introduction to Swami Vivekanand...

The complete name of Swami Vivekanand was 'Narendranath Vishwanath Dutt'. He was born on 12 Jan 1863 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India in a generous family. He had 9 siblings, and he was 6th among them. His father 'Vishwanath Dutt' was an attorney general in the High court of West Bengal. His Mother 'Bhuvaneshwari Devi' was a lady with simple and ritual thoughts. His grandfather 'Durga Dutt' was a scholar of Sanskrit and Persian, who left his home at the age of 25 years and lived a monk life.

His Childhood...

Narendra was mischievous and sharp-minded from his childhood. He was fond of listening to Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat, and Vedanta from his childhood. He had a special interest in 'Yoga' and 'Kusti'.

His Studies...

Swami Vivekanand became the first student to get the first division in the entrance exam of Presidency College. He studied Western culture, civilization, and European history at General Assembly Institute. In the year 1881, he passed the exam of 'Lalit Kala' and completed his 'Snatak degree' in the year 1884. He studied the work of great scientists like David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Charles Darwin, and many of the south scholars earlier. He was greatly affected by the development principle of Hervert Spenser. He translated Herbert's book into Bengali. President of General Assembly Institute wrote that "Narendra is really very intelligent. I had traveled a lot. But I and other students can't go ahead of Narendra's brain and his qualification.

A look at Vivekanand's father and teacher...

His father 'Vishwanath Dutt', who liked Western Culture wanted to give him English education and keep him in Western Culture. But his father died in 1884 suddenly, and his family became bankrupt. In that difficult time Narendra started finding a job, and the question raised in his mind "Does God really exist?" Answers of 'Ramakrishna Paramhans' satisfied him, and he decided to go to Southern India and serve 'Ramakrishna Paramhansa. In the year 1885, Ramakrishna suffered from Cancer. In his last days, he taught Narendra that the greatest worship of God is to serve a human. He said Narendra to take care of his other followers and appointed Narendra as his 'successor'. Ramakrishna Paramhans died in 1896.

Vivekanand in Western Hemisphere(Chicago)...

In the year 1893, a world religious complex was organized in Chicago, America. Where he delivered a historical speech. As he started his speech by saying "Brothers and Sisters", almost 6000 scholars present there clapped continuously for 2 minutes. The next day, all the newspapers declared that Vivekanand's speech was the best. After which, the whole of America started knowing Vivekanand and Indian culture. Before this, no Hindu had impacted so much on America. Vivekanand lived in America for 2 years. In these two years, he spread the message of  'World Brotherhood' to the people. After America, 'Swami Vivekanand went to England, where 'Margaret Elizabeth' became his disciple, who later became famous with the name 'Sister Nivedita'.

Ramakrishna Mission and his death...

In the year 1897, he founded 'Ramakrishna Mission'. "All the religions of the world are true and these are the different ways to reach a single destiny" was the main teaching of 'Ramakrishna Mission'. On the 4th of July 1910, 'Swami Vivekananda' take 'Maha Samadhi'(A state of intense concentration achieved through meditation. ... 'The term, Zen, is a translation of a Sanskrit term, dhyana, the seventh-highest state of consciousness immediately preceding samadhi, the final and non-duality stage described in the eight limbs of yoga) and leave his life. As he already predicted before his death, that he will not live more than 40 years. Before his death, he toured the whole of India and lived a monk's life.

Some Unseen Pages...

If Vivekanand wanted, then he can pass away his whole life in a city in America or Europe with rest and luxury. As he wrote in his biography, "I am a monk, hey my country India, even after all your weaknesses, I love you so much". He never got married. After getting affected by 'Swami Vivekanand' many great personalities like 'Nikola Tesla', 'Narendra Modi' adopted his lifestyle and lived life as a monk. A man who broke all worldly bonds and pleasures and made himself bondless, whose only love was his country.

His birthday on 12 Jan (Today) is celebrated as 'National Youth Day in India.

In short...

• Introduction to Swami Vivekanand...
• His Childhood...
• His Studies...
• A look at Vivekanand's father and teacher...
• Vivekanand in Western Hemisphere(Chicago)...
• Ramakrishna Mission and his death...
• Some Unseen Pages...

Thank you

                by Dhruv Mishra

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