Swami Vivekananda’s Jayanti, Biography, Story, Parents, Essay, Quotes, Chicago Speech, summary)
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 2024 Speech
Swami Vivekananda began his speech, by introducing the world to Hinduism. He stressed the importance of religious tolerance, universal acceptance, and the idea that all religions are equal and true.
He also talked about India’s role as a place of refuge for all religions and pointed out that the country of India has given shelter to refugees from all religions and from all countries on earth.
Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the First World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893
“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.”
Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the Chicago World Conference of Religions in 1893 was a historic event. In that speech, he presented India’s culture, philosophy, and spirituality on the world stage.
He gave the message of tolerance and inclusion to all religions. There was a flame of fire in his words, which aroused reverence and respect for India in the minds of the listeners.
Swami Vivekananda’s speech is considered a historic and impactful moment in the history of Hinduism and interfaith dialogue.
He is credited with raising the profile of Hinduism to that of world religion and is still remembered for his message of religious tolerance and universal acceptance.
Swami Vivekananda Biography
Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk and philosopher who played a key role in the introduction of Indian yoga and Vedanta philosophy in the West.
He was born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India) and passed away on July 4, 1902, in Belur Math, Bengal Presidency, British India (now West Bengal, India).
He was the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna and founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
Swami Vivekananda Family
Swami Vivekananda was unmarried. His father’s name was Vishwanath Dutt, a lawyer in the Calcutta High Court, and his mother’s name was Bhuvaneshwari Devi, a housewife.
Swami Vivekananda had two brothers, Bhupendranath Dutt and Mahendranath Dutt, and a sister named Swarnamoyi Devi.
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 2024
When is National Youth Day and why is it celebrated?
Every year in India, 12 January is celebrated as Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, because on 12 January he was born.
Vivekananda Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk and philosopher who was instrumental in introducing Indian Yoga and Vedanta philosophy to the Western world.
This day is also known as National Day. Youth Day has been celebrated in India since 1985.
Swami Vivekananda: “Pioneering Vedanta and Yoga Globally”
Swami Vivekananda was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.
He was a highly influential philosopher and social reformer in contemporary India and the most successful and influential missionary of Vedanta to the Western world.
He was inclined toward religion and spirituality from a young age and later found his guru Ramakrishna and became a monk.
After the death of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda extensively toured the Indian subcontinent acquiring first-hand knowledge of the living conditions of Indian people in then British India.
Moved by their plight, he resolved to help his countrymen and found a way to travel to the United States, where he became a popular figure after the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago at which he delivered his famous speech beginning with the words: “Sisters and brothers of America…”
He was so impactful at the Parliament that an American newspaper described him as “an orator by divine right and undoubtedly the greatest figure at the Parliament”.
After great success at the Parliament, in the subsequent years, Vivekananda delivered hundreds of lectures across the United States, England, and Europe, disseminating the core tenets of Hindu philosophy, and founded the Vedanta Society of New York and the Vedanta Society of San Francisco (now Vedanta Society of Northern California), both of which became the foundations for Vedanta Societies in the West.
Swami Vivekananda’s works “Raja Yoga,” “Karma Yoga,” “Bhakti Yoga,” “Jnana Yoga,” “My Master,” “Lectures from Colombo to Almora,” and more.
He is remembered for his message of religious tolerance and universal acceptance and is considered a historic and impactful figure in the history of Hinduism and interfaith dialogue.
Swami Vivekananda’s what lessons we need to remember:
Inspiration for youth: Swami Vivekananda’s speech also became a source of inspiration for the youth. He said, “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is achieved.” He called upon the youth to be courageous, self-reliant, and patriotic. His words inspired countless youths to bring positive changes in their lives.
Message: The first and most important message of Swami Vivekananda is awakening. He believed that divine power resides within every person, which only needs to be awakened.
He calls upon the youth to come out of lethargy and passivity can face challenges and achieve true success.
Another important message of Swami Vivekananda to the youth is that of service. He says, “Don’t live your life just for yourself. Serve others, work for the betterment of humanity.”
This is true life and this is true success. The spirit of service gives a purpose to the youth and makes their lives meaningful.
Self-confidence: Along with awareness, it is also necessary to light the lamp of self-confidence. Swami Vivekananda inspires the youth to believe in themselves. He says, “You are what you think.”
You are great, divine, immortal. Don’t fill your mind with weak thoughts.” Self-confidence is the power that gives us the courage to persevere in the face of failures and move toward success.
Life is struggle and challenging: Life is a journey, which has both ups and downs. Swami Vivekananda gives the message to the youth to move forward with a resolve to struggle.
He says, “It is natural to have difficulties in life. But it is through these difficulties that we become stronger. Don’t give up, fight and achieve your goal.” The path of struggle is challenging, but it makes us sophisticated and successful.
Impact of the Chicago Speech: The impact of the Chicago speech was felt globally. This speech established India on the world map as a spiritual and cultural power.
It provided an opportunity for the people of the West to learn about the culture and knowledge of India and changed their perception of India.
Basis of Trust: It is very important to have the basis of faith in this struggle of life. Swami Vivekananda gives the message to the youth to believe in themselves and God.
They say, “God is truth. You are a part of that truth. Have faith in yourself and God.” It is this faith that supports us in difficult times and inspires us to move forward.
Pride of India: Swami Vivekananda inspires the youth to be proud of their country’s pride and culture.
He says, “India is a great country. Its culture is one of the most ancient and rich cultures in the world. Be proud of your country, live its culture, and take it forward.”
The feeling of pride towards India inspires the youth to do something meaningful for their country.
Swami Vivekananda, one of the architects of modern India, is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the youth.
There was amazing power in his words, which shows the way to light in darkness. India’s glorious past, challenges of modernity, and hopes for the future resonate together in his speeches. Let us highlight his life philosophy and message for the youth today.
