A Brief Biography of Swami Vivekananda

Narendra Nath Datta, generally known as Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 in a wealthy family in Kolkata. His father Vishwanath Datta was a attorney and his mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi. Childhood he had affection on Music, Meditation and Studies. For his higher studies, he went to Calcutta University and he had gained knowledge of assorted disciplines.

A youthful Vivekanand underwent a span of spiritual crisis when he questioned the existence of God. He was introduced to Sri Ramakrishna from one of his English professor at college, and went to meet him in Dakshineshwar. This meeting led to the erasure of skepticism from the intellect of Narendra, and dedicated him about unconditional love. This culminated into a quintessential guru disciple arrangement in the history of spirituality, and under the wing of his guru, he paved a constructive spiritual way for himself.

In 1884, Vivekananda was deeply affected by the sudden death of his father, which left the family without money and was a huge burden on his shoulders. Shortly after this, his master Sri Ramakrishna was diagnosed with cancer and on 16 August 1886, he left the world. After his death, there was a formulation of the new monastic system, under the leadership of Vivekananda. In 1887, the brotherhood took the vows of SANNYSA, there by changing their names Narendra became Swami Vivekakanda. Vivekananda had an inner calling for the higher purpose of his life, and pushed him to explore the world alone.

In 1890, he finally left for discovering India, and was in deep distress to witness the deprivation in the society. He concluded that the neglect of the masses was the main reason for India's deplorable state. To eradicate poverty, he wanted an inspiring message, which he discovered in the ideal of the Atman, divinity of the soul and which could be explained through education, especially to poor people and women.

In 1897 Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission for Practical Vedanta and various forms of social services. He went to America to deliver speeches at the world's Parliament of Religions to voice his guru's message and also to seek monetary aid for his project uplifting the masses in 1893. He lived for three and a half years spreading his guru's philosophy in the USA and in London. After this, in 1898 he made a permanent adobe at Belur for the monastery and got it registered as Ramakrishna Math. In the west also, many people were influenced by Swami Vivekananda's life and became his followers and friends, such as Margaret Noble, Captain and Mrs. Sevier, Josephine McLeod and Sara ole Bull. He visited the west a second time in June 1899, and then he returned to Belur Math in December 1900 and continued living in India till he died. Swami Vivekananda passed away 4th July 1902 as his health dwindled.

Swamiji has been as awe-inspiring person for many people and this post continues the legacy of his idea and philosophies. Below mentioned books, you can buy online are one-of-a-kind condensed version of Vivekananda Swami's life and principles. For every reader, this compilation would mean an enriching and learning experience.

Brief Biography Of Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was born in Calcutta now Kolkata on January 12, 1863. His father Viswanath Dutt was a renowned lawyer in Calcutta high court. His mother Bhuvaneswari Devi was a devout woman, a worshiper of Lord Shiva. Swami Vivekananda, born Narendranath was extremely intelligent. As a child he was quite naughty and would play his pranks on friends and given a chance he wouldn't spare even his teachers.

Their household followed a regular routine of prayers and other religious activities. Being a devout woman, Bhuvneshwari Devi liked to listen to the Purana, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Priests used to read these epics for her. The religious and intellectual atmosphere that prevailed in the family and the devout character of his parents had a very positive effect on the little Narendranath. The notions of religion, noble character and spiritually were ingrained in his mind from an early age. He developed a quest for knowledge, the existence of God and other divine mysteries right from the childhood. Some times his parents and teachers were dumbfounded by his queries. The parents doted on their child prodigy and brought him up with all the comforts. A tutor taught him at home. At the age of five, Narendra started studying seriously. Apart from his studies he was also interested in religious activities and made sure that he attended them, whether at home or in the neighborhood.

A very interesting incident

A very interesting incident occurred when he was a child. There was a huge garden in the premises of his mansion. One day he sat there meditating with his friends. A black snake came near them and positioned itself in a tray kept in front of Lord Shiva's statue. The children sensing the movement of snake opened their eyes and ran away. They called his mother to the garden. She was shocked at hat she saw there. The snake was sitting upright in front of the child and he had no ideas of what happening around him. Instead of screaming, Vivekakanda's mother prayed to Lord Shiva to spare her son. Her prayers were answered and the snake went away with out harming the child. On waking from his meditation, he was told about the episode, but he remained calm. This was a most unexpected reaction from a five year old child.

Even a child, Vivekananda thought and acted like an adult. He would calmly analyse the situation and then take his decision. Small things disturbed him whereas another child might not even notice them. Once Khan Saheb, a client of his father came to the house. He was very fond of Narendra. The pranks and intelligence of this child never failed to impress him. Narendra came running to Khan Saheb and both of them started playing. Suddenly he saw Khan Saheb's bag and asked "Khan Chacha, what is there in the bag?".

"It has very tasty sweets," replied by Khan Saheb. The thought of sweets brought a twinkle to the child's eyes and very innocently he said, "I love sweets." Khan Saheb was in dilemma. He could not refuse Narednra but at the same time child's mother would not let him accept anything from Muslim. Khan Saheb could not muster the courage either to refuse the child or to overlook his mother;s religious feelings. Finally affection prevailed and Khan Saheb gave some sweets to the boy who took the sweets to his mother. She slapped him in anger.

He could not understand why he was slapped. On the earliest occasion too his mother has scolded him for coming close to the maid of the house. Intrigued, he wanted to know why all this was happening. One day Vivekananda's mother had arranged a story on Lord Hanuman. While narrating stories about the monkey god, the priest said that Lord Hanuman had conquered death by emulating the virtues of bachelorhood. He therefore became immortal in a garden of banana trees. On hearing this, Narendranath wanted to meet Lord Hanuman. It struck him that they too had a garden of banana trees and that he could look for Lord Hanuan there.

Vivekananda Childhood & Education

After completing his primary education, Narendranath sought admission to the Metropolitan Institute, Calcutta. His circle friends started growing. He had a very hectic schedule - going to school, playing games after coming home, learning music, riding horses, meditating, and actively participating in other activities. He was never idle. When Narendra was 14 years old, he fell it. His father was posted in Raipur, Madhya Pradesh at that time and send for his son. Raipur was gateway to natural beauty for Vivekananda. He was intellectually stimulated with nature's abundance in the mountains and thick jungles full of unexplored green vegetation.
Vivekananda returned to Calcutta after 2 years. His studies had been disrupted due to his long absense. But he got readmission and completed his schooling with flying colours. At the age of 18, Vivekananda joined the Presidency College, Calcutta. His health deteriorated and he had to discontinue his studies. he lost a year due to ill health. After getting well, he joined General Assembly College. Vivekananda had always been very interested in Philosophy, the Philosophy of life and the divinity. He also studied all the western Philosophies in college.

Vivekananda Participation

Vivekanda has a very melodious voice. He would participate in all the intellectual programs. Once there was a festival organized at Vivekananda's neighbor. Saint Ramakrishna Paramhansa was to arrive for the discourse. The ceremony started with Vivekananda's song. Everyone including Ramakrishna Paramhansa was enthralled with his voice. Saint blessed his, as he bowed in front of him. The touch of the saint filled him with a divine light.

Ramakrishna Paramhansa invited Vivekananda to Dakshineshwar for further discussions. During the summer vacation, when he decided to go to Dakshineshwar. His parents placed a marriage proposal before him. He refused to consider it even. Vivekananda reached Dakshineshwar with some of his friends. His mind was full of contradictions and questions. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was delighted to see him. He said "You are not an ordinary soul. You have a great spirit inside. What you are I recognised when we first meet."

Highly Recommended Books Online About Swami Vivekananda

The following books are very important and highly recommended. You can buy it online.

Also check - രാജയോഗം (Rajayogam) (Malayalam Edition)

	Vivekanda Inspiring Thoughts (Quotation Series) - Rs.123.00
	Swami Vivekananda: The Living Vedanta - Rs.334.00
	Swami Vivekananda: A Biography - Rs.128.00
	The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (set of 9 volumes) - Rs.2,025.00
	My Idea of Education - Rs.125.00
	Life of Swami Vivekananda - Rs.630.00