Born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata, India, as Narendranath Datta, he later became known as Swami Vivekananda, a spiritual leader who made Indian culture and spirituality known across the globe. His life journey bears witness to the ideals of self-discovery, mental supremacy, and continuous endeavour for the well-being of humanity.

Early Life and Education

Narendranath was born into a privileged Bengali family. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was a prosperous lawyer and his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was a religious and strong character who influenced him tremendously. From an early age, he showed intelligence, a good memory, and inquisitiveness.

He was a student at the Scottish Church College in Kolkata, where he performed well in his studies and was interested in philosophy. Even though he was educated in Western culture, he maintained his interest in discovering the truths of the spirit and the purpose of life.

Meeting Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

The first great step of Narendranath’s spiritual life occurred when he became acquainted with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a mystic and spiritual teacher, in 1881. He was later convinced by the saint’s compassionate heart and his loving adoration of God. Narendranath was initially resistant to Ramakrishna’s teachings. By the end, he found the Sanatan Dharma principles popularised by Ramakrishna to be useful and valuable as they were vital in developing the purpose of his life.

Ramakrishna’s death in 1886 led Narendranath to disillusionment and a renunciation of worldly life, becoming Swami Vivekananda. He travelled across the Indian subcontinent and witnessed the grotesque face of poverty and anguish among the people, strengthening his resolve to change society.

The Chicago Speech, 1893

On 11 September 1893, during the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago, USA, Swami Vivekananda delivered one of his most famous speeches that earned him fame across the globe. When he addressed his audience as “Sisters and Brothers of America”, he received a thunderous reception and applause.

What struck me most about the speech were the facts and details with which Swami presented India’s relationship with religion. He allayed fears of religious intolerance and insisted on the values of pluralism. The event made him a global personality and an icon of Indian philosophy.

Philosophy and Teachings

The tenets of Swami Vivekananda included the following:

Self-Actualisation: ‘Try to look within yourself and work out the divinity and the possibilities buried inside you,’ was a message he put across most emphatically.

Service to Mankind: “Man service is service to God” was a life principle for him.

Oneness of Religions: The pursuit of every religion is the same.

On issues concerning the younger generation, he encouraged young people to be disciplined, courageous, and, most importantly, to have faith in themselves.

Ramakrishna Mission

Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission in Calcutta in 1897. The mission he founded continues to promote education, healing, and spiritual development among the masses. The impact of the mission today is felt in broadening the scope of social work.

Later Years and Legacy

Profound world recognition and impact, however, did not dampen Swami’s focus on his spiritual practices and mission. His overactive nature became detrimental to his health. He died on 4 July 1902 at the age of thirty-nine.

Swami Vivekananda has remained an inspiration for millions across the globe. His birthday is celebrated in India as National Youth Day on 12 January, in commemoration of his aim to empower the youth to become the building blocks of society.

Key Messages from Swami Vivekananda’s Life

Arise, Awake, and Stop Not Until the Goal is Reached: Expressing faith that human nature is capable of active progress and that great things stand in hope for everyone.

Faith in Oneself: He placed considerable emphasis on self-confidence as a precondition for success.

Universal Brotherhood: He emphasised love and compassion as basic tenets regardless of one’s religion, caste, and nationality.

The life journey of Swami Vivekananda tells more than just his quest for spiritual growth; it also narrates his quest for change. His principles guide society today, directing people to become agents of change through self-realisation and by using their altruistic virtues.