Swami Vivekanand the founder of Ramkrishna mission was born on 12th January, 1863 in Calcutta. His childhood name was Narendranath Dutt. His father’s name was Vishwanath Dutt his mother’s name was Bhubaneswari Devi. Swami Viveknand was a graduate from Calcutta University. Due to his religious and intellectual anxiety, Swami Vivekanand came into contact with Ramkrishna Paramhans.
Ramakrishna Paramhans was a priest of Dakshineshwar temple in Calcutta. Ramkrishna had deep faith in Hindu religion. He emphasized upon the spirit of unconditional reverence for attaining God. He believed in fundamental unity of all the religions and communities. Swami Vivekanand was influenced by the thoughts of Ramakrishna. Paramhans and became his disciple.
After the death of Ramakrishna in 1886 CE, Viveknand became a hermit. Participation in the parliament of religions : “Vivekanand travelled to various places in India and deeply studied various religious texts. With the assistance of the maharaja of khetri, Vivekanand visited Chicago city of America in september 1893 to participate in the parliament of religions. He started his renowned speech with ‘Brothers and sisters’.
In his speech, he forwarded the importance of Indian culture and religion in front of the western world in a very influential way. He proved the intellectual, spiritual and regilous prosperity of India through his interpretation. In context to this New York Herold (a newspaper) from America wrote, “Vivekananda is the best individual present in Chicago Parliament of Religions.
After listening to his speech, it looks as if how stupid it is to send Christian propagators in a universally developed nation such as India,” After this, Vivekanand travelled to America and England and propagated Hindu religion and culture over there. He established Vedanta Society in New York in 1896 CE.
Establishment of Ramakrishna Mission : Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission in Vellore on 5th may, 1897. He established the Ramakrishna Mission in the mame of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhans. Its branches were openced in various parts of India and abroad. Swami Vivekananda expressed his thoughts through Ramakrishna mission. The teachings of Ramakrishna Misssion are mainly based on Vedanta philosophy.
Social Belifes and works of Vivekanand : Vivekanand opposed the narrow mindedness and social evils prevailing in society. He also opposed caste based discrimination and talked about equality. He believed that socio-religious traditions and beliefs should be accepted only when they seem to be suitable.
He advocated in favour of women resurgence. He wanted to eradicate poverty, ignorance and lack of knowledge. He said, “As long as crores of people remain hungry, ignorant and lack knowledge.” I regard each and every such individual who gains education at the cost of such people as a traitor. In order to make the thoughts of Vivekanand a success, the Ramakrishna Mission gave immense importance to social service and works of charity.
Due to humane outlook in its working, the Ramakrishna Mission became very famous. Ramakrishna mission established various schools, orphanages, hospitals etc. and performed social service through these. At the time of drought and flood, Ramakrishna Mission provided assistance and service and inspired the people for social service.
Religious beliefs: Swami Vivekanand had immense faith in Hindu religion and philosophy. He forwarded the originality and characteristics of Hindu religion and culture in front of the world. He said that the soul of mankind is a part of God. He believed that serving the poor and needy is also a form of worship to. Ramakrishna Mission has always regarded the service of mankind as the service to God. Its mission is ‘Nar Sewa, Narayan Sewa.’
National Outlook of Swami Vivekanand : Swami Vivekananda extended significant contribution in the development of the spirit of nationalism. Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission developed the spirit of self confidence and dignity among the Indians. The spirit also inspired the youth towards the Indian freedom struggle. He voiced for freedom, equality and independent thinking and provided a new direction to the youth.
He said, “Arise, awake and stop not, till the goal is reached.”He was concerned with the backwardness, decline and poverty of India. He was an opponent of western culture in a blind way. Vivekanand emphasized on spiritual development. Through spiritual development of mankind, he first wanted to transform mankind into humans. He regarded this to be the very basis of all around development.
Vivekanand performed commendable work by propagating Hindu religion and philosophy in the entire world. He forwarded the ancient glory of India in front of the world. He advocated for such education which could help in character formation. He wanted to build a powerful and energetic society. He said that one day, the courage and bravery of mankind would force it to renounce evil ways.
Vivekanand wrote to the Maharaja of khetri, “Every task has to under-go three stages-taunt, opposition and acceptance. He preached remain rigid and sacred and keep immense faith in God, in order to make all the negatives disappear.
Evaluation of Swami Vivekanand: Swami Vivekanand was a great philosopher. He not only propagated the importance of Hinduism in India but also in all the world. He tried to coordinate the cultures of East and West. In this regard Rabindranath Togore’s statement wrote, “If anybody wants to understand India, he should read Vivekanand.” According to S.N.
Natrajan, “Vivekanand devoted his life to the service of millions of victicms of India. He wanted to rebuild the nation.” Shri Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s statement is that “Swami Vivekananda awakened this pride among the Indians by his words and deeds that we are the heirs of Ancient civilization. Our religious textes are the most advanced ones and history is the oldest and great.”
Our religion is such that satisfies the science test and despite the essence of all the religions of the world, there is more to them all with the propagation of Swami ji. Cutural nationality originated in India first, political nationality was born later and the father of this cultural nationality was Vivekanand.
