Hi,Everything which I am providing here is available in web, but I would like to present the life of Great people which Ignites our life. I believe no one is 100% ideal. But we should find +ve things which makes our life more positive.
In 1897 Swami Vivekananda arrived in America as an anonymous and penniless sannyasin (wandering monk). He had travelled to America as a representative of Hinduismand 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.”
Early Life 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.
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
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
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.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 organizers would save Vivekananda to the end to make sure the audience would stay to listen.
He was able to start small centers 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.
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.
I don‘t have much words to write On Swamiji, As our Great Men says
" I cannot write about Vivekananda without going into raptures. Few indeed could comprehend or fathom him - even among those who had the privilege of becoming intimate with him. His personality was rich, profound and complex and it was this personality - as distinct from his teachings and writings - which accounts for the wonderful influence he has exerted on his countrymen. This is the type of manhood which appeals to the Indians as probably none other. Reckless in his sacrifice, unceasing in his activity, boundless in his love, profound and versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions, merciless in his attacks but yet simple as a child - he was a rare personality in this world of ours…. "
--- Neethaji said (Subash Chandra Bose) ..
- "Just as the sun dispels darkness,
just as Lord Vishnu destroys the wicked,
so his enchanting personality
destroys the threefold misery of man."
-- Swami Ramakrishnananda (a brother disciple of Swami Vivekananda).
"I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of this book at thirty distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shock, what transport, must have been produced when, in burning words, they issued from the lips of the hero!"
- Romain Rolland
Yet beyond mental or intellectual power lies another distinct dimension that gives extraordinary power to individuals to influence people. This can be simply stated as power of the personality.
***
He is not a form; he is a voice …..so Sayings of Swami Vivekananda
• For my own part I will be incarnated two hundred times, if that is necessary to do what I have undertaken amongst my people.
• My ideal, indeed, can be put into a few words, and that is to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.
• Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man.
• The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and do good - that is the whole of religion.
Man is higher than all animals, than all angels; none is greater than man.
• One may gain political and social independence, but if one is a slave to his passions and Look at the wall. Did the wall ever tell a lie? It is always the wall. Man tells a lie and becomes a god, too. After so much austerity, I have understood this as the real truth - God is present in every jiva; there is no other God besides that. 'Who serves jiva, serves God indeed.'
• Cut out the word help from your mind. You cannot help; it is blasphemy! You worship. When you give a morsel of food to a dog, you worship the dog as God. He is all, and is in all.
• With five hundred men, ... the conquest of India might take fifty years: with as many women, not more than a few weeks..
• We want to lead mankind to the place where there is neither the Vedas, nor the Bible, nor the Koran; yet this has to be done by harmonizing the Vedas, the Bible, and the Koran.
• Mankind ought to be taught that religions are but the varied expressions of THE RELIGION, which is Oneness, so that each may choose the path that suits him best.
• Who will give the world light? Sacrifice in the past has been the Law, it will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth's bravest and best will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all.
• Truth, purity, and unselfishness - whenever these are present, there is no power below or above the sun to crush the possessor thereof. Equipped with these, one individual is able to face the whole universe in opposition.
• All expansion is life, all contraction is death.
• 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.
• Good motives, sincerity, and infinite love can conquer the world. One single soul possessed of these virtues can destroy the dark designs of millions of hypocrites and brutes.
• Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.
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