On this National Youth Day, celebrated in honor of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, let us revisit the profound journey, ideology, and contributions of this great monk. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Swamiji.
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Was Swami Vivekananda a born leader? Who transformed Narendranath into Sawamiji?
Swami Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta was not initially a monk. His transformation into the globally revered Swamiji began with a life-altering meeting with his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Ramakrishna recognized Narendranth as his destined disciple, addressing him as ‘my Narayan” (incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu). Initially skeptical, Norain dismissed Ramakakrishna’s claims until his guru revealed that Norain often saw a divine light in his dreams. Shocked by this revelation, Norain fled but later returned, and surrendered himself entirely to Ramakrishna’s teachings. This profound connection laid the foundation for his spiritual journey, culminating in his iconic address at the 1893 Chicago Parliament of Religions, beginning with the words “sisters and brothers of America.”
This phrase of four words pronounced by Swamij at the Art Institute of Chicago may seem simple, but it led to continuous four minutes of applause in the huge assembly.
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Was Swamiji the only disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa?
Sami Vivekananda was one of 13 disciples who lived under Sri Rmakrishna’s guidance at the Dakshineshar temple in Kolkata, forming the foundation of what later became the Ramakrishna order. Alongside Swamiji, notable disciples like Swami Brahmananda, the first President of the Ramakrishna order, helped establish its monastic framework and institutions like schools and hospitals. Swami Saradananda, the Mission’s first General Secretary, managed its growth and authored Shri Ramakrishna, the Great Master, a vital biography of the saint. Swami Akhandanada pioneered services, establishing schools, orphanages, and relief camps to uplift impoverished communities. Together, these disciples upheld and expanded Shri Ramakrishna’s vision through service, spirituality, and education.
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What did Swamiji do for Bharat (India)?
Swami Vivekananda dedicated his life to uplifting India and inspiring the world with his vision of a strong, self-reliant, and spiritually enriched Bharat. At the Chicago Parliament of Religions in 1893, he represented India with unparalleled eloquence, introducing the spiritual wealth of the country to the West. This earned global respect for Indian philosophy and shattered the colonial stereotypes that had portrayed India as a land of ignorance, superstitions, and backwardness. Swamiji countered these misconceptions by highlighting India’s scientific and philosophical heritage, emphasizing that Bharat was a land of profound wisdom and potential. He worked tirelessly for social welfare, organizing drought relief camps, and establishing schools to educate the underprivileged. Swamiji also launched initiatives to uplift the status of women, recognizing their critical role in rebuilding the nation. His writings, such as Republic India, inspired countless individuals, including Subhash Chandra Bose, who found strength in Swamiji’s words during moments of despair in his fight for freedom. Swamiji envisioned an India where spiritual depth and scientific advancement would coexist, offering the world a new model of progress rooted in humanity and harmony.
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Who was Swamiji’s disciple?
Among the many disciples of Swamiji the most devoted to the thought of Swamiji rebuilding India, was Sister Nivedita, originally Margret Nobel, who followed the footprints of Swamiji from Ireland to India. She was inspired by his vision of service to humanity and left her life in the West to work for India’s progress. She devoted her entire life to uplifting the downtrodden, marginalized section of India by educating them in the Indian pedagogy system.
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What was Swamiji’s Ideology?
Swami Vivekananda’s ideology was deeply rooted in universalism and spiritual socialism advocating for the uplifting of the downtrodden and fostering unity among diverse sections of society. While he was not a political leftist in the modern sense, his philosophy focused on bridging social disparities through compassion, education, and selfless service. Swamiji believed education was the cornerstone for empowering individuals and transforming society. He famously said, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man and we want that education by which one can stand on stand on one’s feet.”
His lectures and writings consistently emphasized the oneness of humanity, urging people to rise above and work for the collective good. Through his timeless teachings, Swamiji inspired a vision of progress that balanced spiritual depth with social responsibilities.
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Was he a monk who smoked cigars?
The claim that Swamiji Vivekananda smoked cigars lacks credible evidence and is largely regarded as a baseless misconception, often perpetuated by those attempting to tarnish his reputation. A closer examination of Swamiji's life reveals a consistent adherence to discipline, self-retrain, and the principles of his monastic vows, which left no room for such indulgences.
Swami Vivekananda was a staunch advocate of self-control and led a life of austerity, deeply rooted in the ideas of renunciation and spirituality. His teachings emphasized the importance of living a disciplined life, free from attachments and distractions.
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Did Indians support Swamiji’s effort for the nation?
While Swamiji received immense respect from certain circles, his work faced resistance from several quarters. The British him with suspicion due to his ability to inspire mass movements, while sections of Indian society, deeply entrenched in orthodox beliefs, were openly critical of his progressive ideas. Swamiji’s letters highlight his frustrations with the lack of support from his compatriots, particularly from the theocratic society led by Indians. This group, resistant to Swamji’s modern and inclusive approach, even conspired to ensure his silence. They even attempted to leave him to die in prison, falsely accusing him of dismissing his influence.
8. Swamiji’s Role in Tata’s Vision for Bharat
Swamiji Vivekananda's profound influence extended far beyond the spiritual domain, leaving a lasting impact on education, industry, and scientific progress in India. His meeting with industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata during a sea voyage in 1893 was a pivotal moment that catalyzed a significant transformation in India's pursuit of knowledge and industrial development.
During their conversation, Tata shared his aspiration to advance India's industrial and scientific capabilities, lamenting the lack of infrastructure and resources in the country. Swami Vivekananda, with his forward-thinking perspective, emphasized the importance of combining spiritual wisdom with scientific and industrial progress. He urged Tata to prioritize education and research as the foundation for building a strong, self-reliant India.
Inspired by this conversation with Swamiji, Tata was moved to action and sowed the seeds for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, a premier institution that has since become a beacon of scientific research and innovation in India.
9. How can today’s youth learn more about Swamiji?
To truly understand Swamiji, one must delve into his writings, such as his letters and lectures. His works emphasize the importance of education, self-reliance, and social service. Books like The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda and Rebuilt India are invaluable resources for the youth to draw inspiration from his ideas and vision.
Altogether Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings remain a beacon for India and the world. On this National Youth Day, let us pledge to embody his ideals, strive for self-improvement, and work towards a harmonious, progressive society.