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Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda spent six weeks at a house in South Pasadena, California in January Swami Vivekananda spent six weeks at a house in South Pasadena, California in January 1900. The house (309 Monterey Road) is now known as the Vivekananda House 1900. The house (309 Monterey Road) is now known as the Vivekananda House
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IIn September 1893, when Swami Vivekananda arrived in Chicago, USA, to deliver his now-iconic address at the Parliament of Religions, the Western world didn’t think much of the saffron-robed Indian representative. Within a few days, however, that view had altered dramatically, as the power of Swamiji’s words and persona had already traveled far and wide. After winning over his audience at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, he began giving talks all over the eastern part of the USA, traveling by steam locomotive. He startled and amazed his American listeners with the message that all religions are valid paths to God; that human beings, in their essence, are none other than the divine being himself; and that it was the goal of life for each individual to realize this truth as a fact of experience. In his own powerful words: “Come up,
IIn September 1893, when Swami Vivekananda arrived in Chicago, USA, to deliver his now-iconic O Lions! Shake off the delusion that you are sheep. You are spirits free-blessed and eternal.” He had realized address at the Parliament of these truths at the feet of his guru, Religions, the Western world didn’t Sri Ramakrishna, who lived in a Kali think much of the saffron-robed temple north of Kolkata. Indian representative. Within a few Swamiji became known as the days, however, that view had altered “Cyclonic Monk.” Wherever he dramatically, as the power of Swamiji’s went he stirred things up and great words and persona had already excitement would attend his talks. traveled far and wide. After winning Swamiji was invited to teach in over his audience at the Parliament of August 1894 at an interreligious camp Religions in Chicago, he began giving meeting (living in tents) in Greenacre, talks all over the eastern part of the Maine, USA. This had been inspired USA, traveling by steam locomotive. by his Chicago addresses. He was in He startled and amazed his American his element there, lecturing under listeners with the message that all a towering pine tree to a circle of religions are valid paths to God; that eager students sitting with him on human beings, in their essence, are the ground. After leaving, he decided none other than the divine being he had had enough of travel and himself; and that it was the goal of audiences. He wanted to settle down life for each individual to realize and have students so he could leave this truth as a fact of experience. In something permanent in America. He his own powerful words: “Come up, debated between Boston and New
O Lions! Shake off the delusion that you are sheep. You are spirits free-blessed and eternal.” He had realized these truths at the feet of his guru, Sri Ramakrishna, who lived in a Kali temple north of Kolkata.
Swamiji became known as the “Cyclonic Monk.” Wherever he went he stirred things up and great excitement would attend his talks.
Swamiji was invited to teach in August 1894 at an interreligious camp meeting (living in tents) in Greenacre, Maine, USA. This had been inspired by his Chicago addresses. He was in his element there, lecturing under a towering pine tree to a circle of eager students sitting with him on the ground. After leaving, he decided he had had enough of travel and audiences. He wanted to settle down and have students so he could leave something permanent in America. He debated between Boston and New
Editor’s Note Editor’s Note
Born into the aristocratic Born into the aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family Bengali Kayastha family in Calcutta, Swami in Calcutta, Swami Vivekananda ji was born Vivekananda ji was born as Narendranath Datta as Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863. He on January 12, 1863. He was a key figure in the was a key figure in the introduction of the Hindu introduction of the Hindu philosophies of Vedanta philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western and Yoga to the Western world. He is credited world. He is credited with raising interfaith with raising interfaith awareness of Hinduism’s awareness of Hinduism’s status as a major world status as a major world religion (doing so during religion (doing so during the late 19th century). the late 19th century). Let us remember him and Let us remember him and celebrate his birthday celebrate his birthday by pledging to be proud by pledging to be proud Hindus and ambassadors Hindus and ambassadors of Hinduism in this of Hinduism in this Western world. Western world.
Raj Shah Raj Shah
Managing Editor, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh Media Group Desh-Videsh Media Group
York. He said to himself, “Boston is the Athens of America, but New York is Rome.” He chose Rome. That autumn, he gave a series of packed lectures at the Brooklyn Ethical Society; and he founded the Vedanta Society of New York.
In January 1895, he left the fancy residence of Dr. Guernsey and moved into his own quarters at 54 W 33rd St. in Manhattan. This was a somewhat disreputable neighborhood. Some friends of Swamiji warned him that the “right sort of people” would not come there. However, they did. It was said that his rooms used to be full to overflowing. When the chairs were all taken, people would sit on tables and on the floor and even outside the door. Josephine MacLeod, who became a lifelong
York. He said to himself, “Boston is the friend of Swamiji, said that what she Athens of America, but New York is heard from him--from his first word Rome.” He chose Rome. That autumn, to the last--was truth. Frank Leggett, he gave a series of packed lectures at a wealthy businessperson and pious the Brooklyn Ethical Society; and he Episcopalian, also attended. He heard founded the Vedanta Society of New Swamiji say, “I don’t want to make you York. into Hindus. I want to make you into
In January 1895, he left the fancy better Christians.” He was touched residence of Dr. Guernsey and moved by this message and began taking a into his own quarters at 54 W 33rd St. fatherly interest in Swamiji. in Manhattan. This was a somewhat Swamiji always kept himself disreputable neighborhood. Some occupied, giving talks twice a day on friends of Swamiji warned him that most days. Seeing how exhausted he the “right sort of people” would not was, Leggett invited him to take rest come there. However, they did. It at his weekend residence, Ridgely was said that his rooms used to Manor, about 100 miles north of the be full to overflowing. When the city on the west side of the Hudson chairs were all taken, people would river. He loved to meditate there sit on tables and on the floor and under a giant oak, and that spot is even outside the door. Josephine especially marked at the Vivekananda MacLeod, who became a lifelong Retreat, Ridgely, now established on
friend of Swamiji, said that what she heard from him--from his first word to the last--was truth. Frank Leggett, a wealthy businessperson and pious Episcopalian, also attended. He heard Swamiji say, “I don’t want to make you into Hindus. I want to make you into better Christians.” He was touched by this message and began taking a fatherly interest in Swamiji.
Swamiji always kept himself occupied, giving talks twice a day on most days. Seeing how exhausted he was, Leggett invited him to take rest at his weekend residence, Ridgely Manor, about 100 miles north of the city on the west side of the Hudson river. He loved to meditate there under a giant oak, and that spot is especially marked at the Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgely, now established on
Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda photographed in photographed in London, United London, United Kingdom (1895). Kingdom (1895). After After almost two years almost two years in the USA, Swami in the USA, Swami Vivekananda travelled Vivekananda travelled to the United Kingdom to the United Kingdom in 1895 and gave a in 1895 and gave a series of lectures there series of lectures there
the grounds of Ridgely Manor. That the grounds of Ridgely Manor. That summer, Swamiji gave classes to a summer, Swamiji gave classes to a group of students at the summer group of students at the summer home of one of them at the Thousand home of one of them at the Thousand Islands Park. Those talks can now be Islands Park. Those talks can now be read in a book titled read in a book titled Inspired Talks. Inspired Talks.
In the autumn of 1895, Swamiji In the autumn of 1895, Swamiji traveled to England, stirring things traveled to England, stirring things up there. When he returned in up there. When he returned in December, in addition to giving December, in addition to giving classes, he started publishing four classes, he started publishing four yoga books. Raja Yoga, an introduction yoga books. Raja Yoga, an introduction to and commentary on Patanjali’s to and commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga sutras. Yoga sutras.
He made a strong impression on He made a strong impression on his audiences across the world. The his audiences across the world. The great psychologist and philosopher, great psychologist and philosopher, William James put it into practice, William James put it into practice, reaping great psychological and reaping great psychological and spiritual benefits. spiritual benefits.
Swamiji was invited to Harvard, Swamiji was invited to Harvard, where he spoke before the Graduate where he spoke before the Graduate Philosophical Club. He made such Philosophical Club. He made such a deep impression on the dean a deep impression on the dean and other professors that he was and other professors that he was offered a full professorship (which offered a full professorship (which he declined). The dean, in an he declined). The dean, in an introduction to the published lecture, introduction to the published lecture, wrote that Vivekananda enabled him wrote that Vivekananda enabled him to understand that the Vedanta is the to understand that the Vedanta is the actual beginning of all philosophy. actual beginning of all philosophy.
One of his New York students asked One of his New York students asked Swamiji why he never spoke about Swamiji why he never spoke about sin. He replied, “Blessed are my sins sin. He replied, “Blessed are my sins … It is my sins, as much as my virtues, … It is my sins, as much as my virtues, that have made me what I am today.” that have made me what I am today.” Another spoke of the overwhelming Another spoke of the overwhelming force of his presence, saying that force of his presence, saying that some among his audience at various some among his audience at various lectures were literally exhausted. lectures were literally exhausted.
However, Swamiji wanted everyone However, Swamiji wanted everyone However, Swamiji wanted everyone to maintain independence. to maintain independence. to maintain independence.
On Swamiji’s second visit to the On Swamiji’s second visit to the On Swamiji’s second visit to the West, during one talk in New York, West, during one talk in New York, West, during one talk in New York, he became aware of his power over he became aware of his power over he became aware of his power over his listeners and abruptly left the his listeners and abruptly left the his listeners and abruptly left the platform for fear of turning them platform for fear of turning them platform for fear of turning them all into disciples. Another teaching all into disciples. Another teaching all into disciples. Another teaching surprised Americans: “Humans are surprised Americans: “Humans are surprised Americans: “Humans are God. To serve them is worship.” God. To serve them is worship.” God. To serve them is worship.” Josephine MacLeod would say his Josephine MacLeod would say his Josephine MacLeod would say his power lay in the courage he gave power lay in the courage he gave power lay in the courage he gave others to put these lofty teachings others to put these lofty teachings others to put these lofty teachings into practice.into practice. into practice.
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