PM Pays Tribute to Swami Vivekananda:
The Prime Minister paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his Nirvana Day. He highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s contribution to bringing global recognition to India’s cultural heritage, spiritual traditions and national consciousness.
- Swami Vivekananda, born as Narendra Nath Datta on 12th January 1863, was a monk and the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
In 1893, upon the request of Maharaja Ajit Singh of the Khetri State, he took the name ‘Vivekananda’, changing from ‘Sachidananda’ that he used before. - In 1892, Swami Vivekananda was said to have swum to a rock (later named Vivekananda Rock Memorial) in the Indian Ocean from the shores of Kanyakumari for meditation.
- He spent three days and nights there, resulting in his enlightenment.
- He introduced the world to the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga.
- He preached ‘neo-Vedanta’, an interpretation of Hinduism through a Western lens, and believed in combining spirituality with material progress.
- Vivekananda’s message on human values draws from the Upanishads, the Gita, and the examples of Buddha and Jesus, emphasizing self-realization, compassion, and selfless service.
- He advocated the doctrine of service. Serving jiva (living beings) is considered worship of Shiva.
- He gave the four pathways of attaining moksha (liberation) from the worldly pleasure and attachment in his books- Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga and Bhakti-yoga.
- He laid emphasis on education for the regeneration of our motherland. He advocated a man-making character-building education.
- His nationalism is based on Humanism and Universalism, the two cardinal features of Indian spiritual culture.
- His nationalism is based on concern for the masses, freedom, equality, and Karma Yoga — a path to political and spiritual freedom through selfless service.
- He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to propagate the ideals of service, education, and spiritual upliftment.
- In 1899, he established the Belur Math, which became his permanent abode.
- He addressed the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism.
- In July, 1896, he addressed a conference of the London Hindu Association in London.
- He passed away on 4th July 1902, while meditating at Belur Math. His death anniversary is observed as Nirvana Day.
