Swami Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga in Europe and America and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. In this blog post, we will explore some amazing facts about Swami Vivekananda that you may not know. From his early life to his work in spreading Hinduism around the world, read on to learn more about this important figure in history.

Early life

• Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. His birth name was Narendra Nath Datta. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was a successful attorney with an interest in public service. His mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was a religious woman who would spend hours in prayer and contemplation.
• Narendra was a bright child and excelled in his studies. He was also very active and often engaged in physical activities like swimming and wrestling. He was a member of the Nava Vidya Sabha, a society for the propagation of Western learning which his father had founded.
• In 1881, Narendra's father died suddenly, leaving the family in financial difficulty. This forced Narendra to take up employment to support his family. He took up a job as a clerk in an accounting firm. In 1884, he passed his entrance examination and entered Presidency College, Kolkata where he studied philosophy under Professor William Hastie.
• It was during this time that Narendra came into contact with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a mystic and religious teacher who had a profound impact on him. Under Ramakrishna's tutelage, Narendra developed an intense love for God and started seeing divinity in everything around him. After Ramakrishna's death in 1886, Narendra left home to become a wandering monk (sannyasin). He spent the next several years traveling across India and gaining

Education

• Swami Vivekananda was born in Kolkata on 12 January 1863. He was the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga in Europe and America.
• Vivekananda studied philosophy, history, literature, and science at Calcutta University. He was also influenced by Western thinkers such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Kant. After meeting his guru Ramakrishna in 1881, Vivekananda became a disciple and travelled with him throughout India.
• In 1893, Vivekananda represented India at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His speech there drew acclaim and he subsequently toured America and Europe lecturing on Hinduism and Vedanta. Vivekananda returned to India in 1897 and founded the Ramakrishna Mission to spread his teachings. He passed away in 1902 at the age of 39.

Spiritual teacher

Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual teacher who had a profound impact on the world. He was born in India and his teachings were based on the principles of Vedanta. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the modern world. His teachings have inspired many people to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Work

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, and a chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga in Europe and the United States, and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which played a significant role in the spread of Hinduism in India.

• Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality from an early age. He was influenced by his guru's teachings on Advaita Vedanta, which asserts that there is only one reality, Brahman or Atman, which is manifested in various forms as individual souls. 
• According to Vivekananda, 'service to man is service to God'. From this principle, he advocated social service as a means to spiritual advancement.
• After Ramakrishna's death in 1886, Vivekananda toured India extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later travelled to America and represented India at the 1893 Parliament of World Religions. 
• His famous speech beginning with 'Sisters and brothers of America' won him instant acclaim; newspaper reports declared him 'the most popular man ever heard', while The New York Times reported that his reception had been 'unprecedented since that given to Lafayette'. Returning to

Teachings

Swami Vivekananda's teachings are based on the Vedas and the Upanishads. He believed in the unity of all religions and the divinity of all beings. He taught that service to humanity is the highest form of worship. He also emphasized the need for self-realization and inner peace.

Vivekananda and the West

• In the late 1800s, Vivekananda traveled to the West to spread the message of Hinduism. He was the first Hindu monk to do so and is credited with popularizing yoga in the West. Vivekananda's teachings emphasized religious tolerance, self-improvement, and social justice. He also advocated for the rights of women and minorities. 
• These ideas were largely unfamiliar to Westerners at the time, but they resonated with many people who were looking for alternatives to traditional religion. Vivekananda was a gifted speaker and his lectures drew large crowds. 
• He spent several years in the United States and England, where he founded the Vedanta Society, an organization dedicated to promoting Hinduism. 
• Vivekananda's work helped pave the way for other Eastern spiritual teachers like Paramahansa Yogananda and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to find success in the West.

Death and legacy

• Swami Vivekananda died on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39. The cause of death was most likely heart failure, although the exact circumstances are not known. His death came as a shock to the world, and his funeral was attended by thousands of people.
• Vivekananda's legacy is one of spiritual wisdom and peace. He is remembered as a great teacher and thinker, and his ideas have influenced many people around the world. His teachings continue to be popular, and his memory is honored in India and beyond.

Quotes

• 'When one is really in love with God, all desires for the things of the world fade away. The mind then becomes a clean slate, ready to receive the divine Truth.' -Swami Vivekananda
• 'If you work for money, you will never make it. You must work for satisfaction, for the work itself. That is the way to success.' -Swami Vivekananda
• 'You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.' -Swami Vivekananda.