"[Vivekananda is] one of the very greatest historical figures that India has ever produced. When one sees the full range of his mind, one is astounded." Christopher Isherwood
A spiritual genius, who was born in an affluent Datta family in Kolkata on 12 January 1863, was the living embodiment of handsomest and noblest inheritor of supreme goodness. From childhood, he was an enlightened soul who worshiped science and emphasized on honesty, sincerity and selfless love to conquer the world. To him ‘unselfishness is God’ and ‘Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man’.
After 1884, during his journey to explore India, he stumbled upon appalling Poverty and hungry millions all over. He was deeply distressed and decided to awake the slumbering Indians. At the time of wandering and sermonizing, he heard about World’s Parliament of Religions and went on the request of friends in 1893, in Chicago.
Austerity in grave-featured personality and commanding intellect of this anonymous spiritual guru of India that flourished in the significant lecture at the Parliament of Religions, where he represented Hinduism. His profound acquaintance with Eastern as well as Western culture, luminously handsome personality, spiritual insight with Yogic temperament, impressed whoever came in contact with him. He received an honorable appellation - the ‘divine orator’ from his enthusiastic adherents all over the world. "The thought of this warrior prophet of India left a deep mark upon the United States . . . . I cannot touch these sayings of his . . . without giving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!" - Romain Rolland
In his sojourn in the west, he preached the ennobling principle of Vedanta Philosophy and practical analysis of religion. He was agnostic and stressed on working hard with sanguine determination to shape up the life which will indubitably assist us to accomplish at acme of self satisfaction. Self nourishment is an indispensible process for leading a successful life.
In 1893, when he arrived in America, which was by then hardly known in Europe, was quite impressed by the workmanship of the people and progressive culture. After returning in India, he wanted to add new dimension by instilling the inspiration and workmanship spirit in Indian youth so that they could demolish the abject poverty and backwardness of the masses forever.
After 108 years of his death his humanistic teachings are equally relevant. But has India changed? Do the Indian youth possess the tremendous perseverance and comprehensive vision to give it a modern shape? We are overwhelmed by his dynamic spirit, worship him and have built massive monuments in his remembrance. But the question remains, “have we dedicated ourselves for the implementation of the universal figure’s adage?”
It’s time we youth listened to what he voiced a century ago.
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