Swami Vivekananda: A spiritual giant and Hindu philosopher

Aminul Islam: July 4th 1902 – marks the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. He was not even 40 when he died, but in that short span he changed the way Hindu philosophy and Hinduism was perceived both in India and outside.

Narendra Nath Datta, known to the world as Swami Vivekananda was born into an affluent Bengali family of Calcutta in January 12, 1863. This spiritual giant was died on July 4, 1902. Today is the 113th death anniversary of the Hindu philosopher.  

Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind.

He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.

He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is perhaps best known for his speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...," in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World`s Religions in Chicago in 1893.

After Ramakrishna`s death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later travelled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions.

On 4th July 1902, aged 39, Swami Vivekananda breathed his last while meditating in his room at Belur Math.

A great orator, statesman and a religious reformist, Swami Vivekananda’s legacy influenced the likes of Subhas Chandra Bose, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, Sri Aurobindo and many others. He was the one who truly awakened India`s spiritually.

risingbd/July 04, 2015/Aminul