NATIONAL

YOUTH
DAY
On birth anniversary of
Swami Vivekanand

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 Swami Vivekananda : Life History
• “Arise! Awake! And Stop not till the goal is reached .’’ This thunderous and eternal
message from Upanishads uttered in equally thunderous voice by Swami Vivekananda
freely, frequently and vigorously, more than a century ago, roused the Indian nation from
her deep slumber of centuries,  and called upon her countrymen, especially the youth.
• The earthly career of Swami Vivekananda began with his birth on 12th January 1863, and
closed with his death on 4th July, 1902.
• During this brief life of thirty-nine years, five months and twenty-two days, of which
hardly nine years formed his active public life,  he dedicated his superhuman energies to
the task of awakening the humanity to its inborn divine nature, which, according to him, is
the only source of man’s freedom and equality.
• Earlier, to satisfy his intellectual quest for God, Narendranath visited prominent spiritual
leaders from all religions, asking them a single question, “Have you seen God?” Each time
he came away without a satisfying answer. He put forward the same question to Sri
Ramkrishna at his residence in Dakshinewar Kali Temple compounds. Without a moment's
hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied: "Yes, I have. I see God as clearly as I see you, only in
a much deeper sense." Vivekananda, initially unimpressed by the simplicity of Ramkrishna,
was astonished with Ramakrishna's reply.  2
 Swami Vivekananda : Life History
 Spiritual Awakening
• In 1884, Naredranath underwent a considerable financial distress due to the death of his father as he had to
support his mother and younger siblings. He asked Ramakrishna to pray to the Goddess for the financial
welfare of his family. On Ramakrishna’s suggestion he himself went to the temple to pray. But once he faced
the Goddess he could not ask for money and wealth, instead he asked for ‘Vivek’ (conscience) and ‘Bairagya’
(reclusion). That day marked the complete spiritual awakening of Narendranath and he found himself drawn
to an ascetic way of life.
 Life of a Monk
• During the middle of 1885, Ramakrishna, who had been suffering from throat cancer, fell seriously ill. In
September 1885, Sri Ramakrishna was moved to Shyampukur in Culcutta, and a few months later
Narendranath took a rented villa at Cossipore. Here, he formed a group of young people who were ardent
followers of Sri Ramakrishna and together they nursed their Guru with devoted care. On 16 August 1886, Sri
Ramakrishna gave up his mortal body.
• After the demise of Sri Ramakrishna, around fifteen of his disciples including Narendranath began to live
together in a dilapidated building at Baranagar in North Calcutta, which was named Ramakrishna Math, the
monastic order of Ramakrishna. Here, in 1887, they formally renounced all ties to the world and took vows of
monkhood. The brotherhood rechristened themselves and Narendranath emerged as Vivekananda meaning
"the bliss of discerning wisdom".  3
Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda:
Contribution to Social Reform
• This heart-rending scene of the country stirred the man in Vivekananda. He vowed to dedicate his life
completely  to the service of humanity, of God in man. And, for this, he decided to implement, through practical 
measures, the universal Vedantic vision of human dignity.
• He always focuses on teaching universal principles rather than personalities. He had tremendous intellect. His
unique contributions always enlighten and awaken us. He was a spiritual leader and social reformer.
• Brahmo Samaj recognized one God, unlike idol-worship. Several questions were running in the mind of
Vivekananda and during his spiritual crisis, he first heard about Shri Ramakrishna from William Hastie, the
Principal of the Scottish Church College. He finally met Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa at Dakshineshwar Kali
Temple and Vivekananda asked him a question, "Have you seen God?" which he had asked so many spiritual
leaders but was not satisfied. But when he asked Ramakrishna, he gave such a simple answer that "Yes, I have. I
see God as clearly as I see you, only in a much deeper sense". After this Vivekananda started visiting
Dakshineshwar and got several answers to the questions that were in his mind.
• In 1885, Ramakrishna developed throat cancer and was transferred to Calcutta and then later to a garden house in
Cossipore. Vivekananda and other disciples of Ramakrishna took care of him. On 16 August, 1886, Shri
Ramakrishna gave up his mortal body. Narendra was taught that the service to men was the most effective
worship of God. After the demise of Ramakrishna, fifteen of his disciples including Narendranath began to live
together at Baranagar in North Calcutta, which was named Ramakrishna Math.  4
 Vivekananda:
Contribution to Social Reform
• In 1887, all the disciples took vows of monkhood and Narendranath emerged as Vivekananda
that is "the bliss of discerning wisdom." All of them performed yoga and meditation. Further,
Vivekananda left the math and decided to tour the whole of India on foot which came to be
known as 'Parivrajak'. He saw several social, cultural, and religious aspects of the people and
also saw what common people faced in their daily life, their sufferings, etc.
• When he came to know about the World Parliament that was organized in Chicago, America.
He was keen to attend the meeting, to represent India and his Guru's philosophies. After
various troubles, he attended the Religious meeting. On 11 September, 1893, he came upon
the stage and stunned everyone while saying "My brothers and sisters of America". For this, he
received a standing ovation from the audience. He described the principles of Vedanta, their
spiritual significance, etc.
He stayed around two and a half years in America itself and founded the Vedanta Society of
New York. He also travelled to the United Kingdom to preach the philosophies, spiritualism,
and principles of Vedanta.
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 Vivekananda:
Contribution to Social Reform
• Around 1897, he returned to India and reached Calcutta where he founded Ramakrishna
Mission on 1 May, 1897 at Belur Math. The goals of the mission were based on Karma
Yoga and its main objective was to serve the poor and suffering or disturbed population
of the country. Several social services are also performed under this mission like
establishing schools, colleges, and hospitals. Teachings of Vedanta were also provided
through conferences, seminars, and workshops, rehabilitation work across the country.
• Let us tell you that Vivekananda's teachings were mostly based on Ramakrishna's
spiritual teachings of Divine manifestations and his personal internalisation of the
Advaita Vedanta Philosophy. According to him, the ultimate goal of life is to achieve the
freedom of the soul and that encompasses the entirety of one's religion.

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Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda:
Contribution to Social Reform
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead, if you lose, you can guide.” Swami Vivekananda .

*Swami Vivekananda revealed to the world the true foundations of India's unity as a nation. He
taught how a nation with such a vast diversity can be bound together by a feeling of humanity
and brother-hood. Vivekananda emphasized the points of drawbacks of western culture and the
contribution of India to overcome those.
*Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose once said: "Swamiji harmonized the East and the West, religion
and science, past and present. And that is why he is great. Our countrymen have gained
unprecedented self-respect, self-reliance and self-assertion from his teachings." *Vivekananda
was successful in constructing a virtual bridge between the culture of East and the West. He
interpreted the Hindu scriptures, philosophy and the way of life to the Western people.
*He made them realize that in spite of poverty and backwardness, India had a great
contribution to make to world culture. He played a key role in ending India's cultural isolation
from the rest of the world.
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Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda:
Death
• He predicted that he will not live till the age of 40. Therefore, on 4 July, 1902, he
died while doing meditation. He is said to have attained 'Mahasamadhi' and was
cremated on the Banks of the river Ganga.
• Swami Vivekananda's teachings not only motivated the youth but also the whole
world. He laid the true foundations of India's unity as a nation. He taught us how
to live together with so many diversities. He was successful in constructing a
virtual bridge between the culture of the East and the West. He played a key role
in isolating India's culture from the rest of the World.

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