HI Friends,
As our friend Mohan Kumar wished to know about Swami Vivekananda mvmk releases
his history in today's "Biograqphy of the Day".
Swami Vivekananda and Abdul Kalam has the same principle.Both believe that only
youngsters can change the world.
Please Note: Friends,Biography which ever sent is only Part one.Same
Personalties will be repeated in 2,3,4 ..etc parts.
Monday About : Abdul Kalam.....
Biography - Swami Vivekananda (Special Edition for MVMK groups-Makal Vazharchi
Munetra Kazhagam)
Biography of Swami Vivekananda
In 1897 Swami Vivekananda arrived in America as an anonymous and penniless
sannyasin (wandering monk). He had travelled to America as a representative of
Hinduism and the ancient Indian tradition of Vedanta. Yet Vivekananda was not
bound by any formal ties of religion. To the World Parliament of Religions he
offered a message of a shared spirituality and the harmony of world religions.
This universal message and his dynamic spiritual personality won the hearts and
minds of many seekers; and his vision is still treasured today.
“Arise! Awake! And stop not till the goal is reached.”
- Vivekananda
Early Life of Vivekananda
Vivekananda was born to an orthodox Hindu family in Bengal 1863. From an early
age he displayed signs of great compassion and also the qualities of a natural
leader. Vivekananda had a sharp intellect and devoured literature from both
East and West. This included Western philosophy and the great English poets.
Vivekananda particularly liked the rational reasoning of the West and was
easily dismayed by many of the religious superstitions and the cultural decline
that Indian society found itself in. Thus Vivekananda was drawn to join the
Brahmo Samaj. The Brahmo Samaj was a modern Hindu movement who sought to
revitalise Indian life and spirituality through a rationalistic approach and
abandonment of image worship.
However the rationality of the Brahmo Samaj could not satisfy the latent
spiritual hunger of Vivekananda. From an early age he began to have spiritual
experiences and at the age of 18 felt an overwhelming desire to “See God”. With
a directness that was typical of Vivekananda he asked those around whether they
had seen God. All affirmed in the negative. This included the great
Devendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) However Devendranath told
Vivekananda that he saw in him the eyes of a Yogi and surely he would realise
God in this lifetime. Although none could satisfy his question, he came to hear
of the name Ramakrishna Paramhansa who was reputed to be a great Spiritual
Personality and had realised God.
Ramakrishna - Vivekananda
In many ways Ramakrishna was different to Vivekananda. Ramakrishna was an
illiterate and simple villager who had taken a post at a local Kali temple.
However his simple exterior hid a personality of extraordinary spirituality.
For many years Ramakrishna had pursued the most intense spiritual practices
burning with a longing for realisation of his beloved Mother Kali. But after
attaining realisation, Ramakrishna not only practised Hindu rituals, but also
pursued the spiritual paths of all the main religions. Sri Ramakrishna came to
the conclusion that all religions lead to the same goal of union with the
infinite. It was thus fitting that his closest disciple, Vivekananda would
later eloquently spread this message, - the harmony of world religions. As Sri
Aurobindo would later say:
" the Master (Sri Ramakrishna) marked out Vivekananda as the heroic soul
destined to take the world between his two hands and change it."
Ramakrishna instantly recognised the spiritual potential of Vivekananda and
lavished attention on Vivekananda, who at first did not always appreciate this.
In the beginning the reasoning mind of Vivekananda was sceptical of this God
intoxicated Saint and Vivekananda would frequently question and debate his
teachings. However, slowly the spiritual magnetism of Sri Ramakrishna melted
Vivekananda’s heart and he began to experience the real spirituality that
Ramakrishna exuded. Thus Vivekananda mental opposition faded away to be
replaced by an intense surrender to the Divine Mother and a burning longing for
realisation.
For a short but intense period of about 5 years, Vivekananda learnt directly
from his Master Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna was able to awaken the dormant
spiritual consciousness in his beloved disciple and Vivekananda soon began to
experience profound states of consciousness and Samadhi. After the passing of
Ramakrishna, the other disciples looked to Vivekananda for leadership and he
helped form the first monastic order of Ramakrishna. Under his constant
guidance he urged his fellow brother disciples to renounce the world and seek
communion with God.
However for Vivekananda, personal liberation was not enough. His heart ached
for the downtrodden masses of India who suffered poverty and many hardships.
Vivekananda felt that the highest ideal was to serve God through serving
humanity. Thus Vivekananda would later add social work as an important element
of the Ramakrishna order. Thus after spending a few years in meditation
Vivekananda became restless and began travelling throughout India, visiting
many of the holy sites. After travelling through India and coming into contact
with many influential figures, it was suggested that Vivekananda would make an
ideal candidate to represent Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions
which was shortly to be held in Chicago, USA. Before leaving Vivekananda went
to receive the blessings of Sarada Devi, the wife of Sri Ramakrishna. After
receiving her encouragement and blessings he made the momentous journey to
America dressed in his ochre robe and maintaining
the vows of a Sanyasin
Vivekananda – World Parliament of Religions.
Vivekananda at the Parliament of World Religions
At the opening ceremony Vivekananda was one of the last speakers to speak. The
previous speakers had talked about the merits of their own religion but
Vivekananda appealed to the whole audience with his vision of oneness and
equality before God. (see Speech to Parliament)
His opening words began with.
“Brother and Sisters of America.” … Spontaneously the audience rose to its feet
to applaud, perhaps appreciating the visionary sentiments Vivekananda offered.
Swami Vivekananda was chosen to represent Hinduism. However Swami Vivekananda
did not try in any way to prove the superiority of his religion. Instead
Vivekananda spoke with great sincerity about the harmony of world religions and
the common spirituality of humanity. It was this universal message of oneness
which captivated the audience.
“As different streams, having their sources in different places, all mingle
their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through
different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead
to Thee.”
Video ofSwami Vivekananda's Speech to World Parliament of Religions 1893
Vivekananda proved to be an eloquent exponent of Vedanta and the ideals of all
religions. In addition people felt in this handsome and striking Monk a calm
detachment, a luminous personality and radiant spirituality. Unexpectedly
Vivekananda proved to be the star of the World Parliament of Religions
The New York Herald said of Vivekananda.
“He is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After
hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned
nation.”
The Boston Evening Post said.
“If he (Vivekananda) merely crosses the platform he is applauded; and this
marked approval of thousands he accepts in a childlike spirit of gratification
without a trace of conceit…”
Throughout the conference Vivekananda was undoubtedly the star, the organisers
would save Vivekananda to the end to make sure the audience would stay to
listen.
The conference propelled Vivekananda into the public eye and for many months he
travelled across America giving talks on the ancient tradition of Vedanta and
his hope of fusing the spirituality of the East with the materialism of the
West.
In America Vivekananda also began training some close students so they could
propagate the teachings of Vedanta. He was able to start small centres in both
the US and Great Britain. Vivekananda admitted he entered Britain with deep
misgivings since his heart rebelled at the effects of the British Empire on his
beloved motherland. However he was delighted to find some individuals who were
sincerely attracted to the teachings of Vedanta. One notable example was Miss
Margaret Noble (later named Nivedita), originally from Ireland, Nivedita was to
became a devoted disciple who would dedicate her life to the Indian people)
After several years in the West, Vivekananda returned to India where he was met
with a rapturous reception. In particular, his brother monks who were full of
pride with Vivekananda who had returned with glowing praise. Despite falling
health Vivekananda threw himself into a whirlpool of activity reorganising the
monasteries and exhorting his fellow Indians to return to the truth of the
Vedantic principles. But also Vivekananda sought to imbibe in the Indian
consciousness a renewed dynamism to improve their material life. As Vivekananda
often said, it was no use teaching religion to those with empty stomachs.
Vivekananda passed away at the young age of 39 but he achieved a remarkable
amount in this short time on earth. He combined the ancient spiritual
traditions of India with the dynamism of the West. Many Indian politicians
would later offer their gratitude to the impact and ideals of Vivekananda. To
many Vivekananda is regarded as the patron saint of modern India.
Swami Vivekananda's temple at Belur Math where he was cremated
Article Copyright: Richard Pettinger 2005.
Please do not reproduce without permission.
Ur's
M.K.
Thalaivar -MVMK
"making impossible possible".
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