Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda is considered to be a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India .He was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the founder of Ramakrishna Mission. He is considered a key figure in the introduction of Hindu philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga in Europe and America and is also credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a world religion during the end of the 19th century. He is best known for his inspiring speech beginning with "Sisters and Brothers of America", through which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893.

Swami Vivekananda was born in Calcutta at on Monday, 12 January 1863, during Makara Sankranti festival and was given the name Narendranath Dutta. His father Vishwanath Dutta was an attorney of Calcutta High Court. He was considered generous, and had a liberal and progressive outlook in social and religious matters. His mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi was pious and had practiced austerities and prayed to Vireshwar Shiva of Varanasi to give her a son. She reportedly had a dream in which Shiva rose from his meditation and said that he would be born as her son.

In November 1881, Narendra went to meet Sri Ramakrishna, who was staying at the Kali Temple in Dakshineshwar. He straightaway asked the Master a question which he had asked others but had received no satisfactory answer: “Sir, have you seen god?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied, “Yes, I have I see him as clearly as I see you.” Apart from removing doubts from the mind of Narendra, Sri Ramakrishna won him over through pure, unselfish love.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda went to America to attend the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His powerful speech at the opening session of the Parliament brought him instant fame and acclaimed him as a great orator and the most ideal interpreter of India's wisdom. He instantly became very popular in America. Swami Vivekananda's powerful personality and his passionate call of service of the poor, is still influencing people all over India and the world.

On May 1, 1897, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, an organization which combines spiritual practice with philanthropic acts. The Mission conducts extensive work in health care, disaster relief, rural management, tribal welfare, elementary and higher education and culture. It uses the combined efforts of hundreds of ordered monks and thousands of householder disciples.

Sri Vivekananda passed away on July 4, 1902, leaving behind a rich legacy of spiritual strength. His footprints remained to guide the generations to come. One of his famous quotes is:

“When I Asked God for Strength
He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face

When I Asked God for Brain & Brawn
He Gave Me Puzzles in Life to Solve

When I Asked God for Happiness
He Showed Me Some Unhappy People

When I Asked God for Wealth
He Showed Me How to Work Hard

When I Asked God for Favors
He Showed Me Opportunities to Work Hard”

Siva Kailas is a 6th grade student at Chinmaya Mission Phoenix Bala Vihar (www.chinmayaphoenix.org). Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar classes are held every Sunday at Sierra Vista Academy in Scottsdale. He wrote this article as part of his Bala Vihar curriculum.