Vivekanandawas 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.Vivekanandahad a sharp intellect and devoured literature from both East and West. This included Western philosophy and the great English poets.Vivekanandaparticularly 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. ThusVivekanandawas 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 ofVivekananda. 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 ofVivekanandahe asked those around whether they had seen God. All affirmed in the negative. This included the great Devendranath Tagore (father of) However Devendranath toldVivekanandathat he saw in him the eyes of a Yogi and surely he would in this lifetime. Although none could satisfy his question, he came to hear of the name who was reputed to be a great Spiritual Personality and hadreal
ised God.
Swami Vivekananda was a towering spiritual personality who awakened the slumbering Indian consciousness with his soul stirring vision of a dynamic spirituality. He is often viewed as the patron saint of modern India and many great figurestto the life and works of Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda was a close disciple of India’s great God realised Saint, Paramahansa, who lived during the 19th Century in a suburb of Calcutta. Vivekananda proved to be the articulate and powerful messenger of Ramakrishna’s realisation. In 1893 he accepted an invitation to participate in the World parliament of religions to represent. Here Vivekananda spoke with great effect on the harmony of world religions and Vivekananda became well known throughout America.
After spending 3 years in America and England he returned to Indian to help form the Ramakrishna Math and Institute. He died in 1902 leaving behind a considerable collection of writings on, Vedanta and spirituality.
Poetry of Vivekananda
"All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction.
Love is therefore the only law of life.
He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying.
Therefore love for love's sake,
because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live.
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