Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), born Narendra Datta, is India’s most celebrated and charismatic monk. Handsome, brilliant in studies, an image of contained strength, a lover of music and poetry . . . yet deep inside Narendra the seed of “search” had begun to sprout at an early age. Unable to understand the superstition-ridden rituals of the Hindu religion and desiring to know about the originating source of his great Hindu heritage, Narendra’s search ended when he finally met his guru, Sri Ramakrishna.
Swami Vivekananda’s brilliant speech at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893 brought him fame in India and abroad. In a short life span of thirty-nine years, he propagated the rich Hindu spiritual culture in India and abroad and brought about an awakening among the people of his country. He organised the Ramakrishna Order of Monks that works tirelessly for the uplift of mankind. Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational writings, speeches, and vision remain relevant even today and will continue to inspire future generations for all times.
