Thirty-Nine Years, Five Months and Twenty-Four Days
Swami Vivekananda lived for just thirty-nine years, five months, and twenty-four days, but his extraordinary work earned him a place among the individuals who shaped modern India.
India, a land of great diversity, still holds immense love and respect for Swami Vivekananda. His teachings and ideas continue to inspire people across the nation.
Here, I aim to share some key aspects of his remarkable life. Though an entire book could be written about his contributions and the inspiring events of his journey, capturing the essence of such a towering personality in a few words is no easy task.
This humble effort is my tribute to Swami Vivekananda Ji.
1. Birth and Early Life :
Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House, Cultural Centre and museum in north Kolkata, India.
Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 into an affluent Bengali family in Kolkata. According to the Hindu calendar, his birth coincided with Makar Sankranti, one of the oldest and most significant Hindu festivals.
2. Childhood Name
His childhood name wasVeereshvar, but since it was difficult to pronounce, his name was changed to Narendra during his Annaprashan (rice-eating ceremony).
3. Gentle Nature and Meditation
Swami Vivekananda was known for his gentle nature, but he struggled with controlling his temper. To help him manage his anger, his mother encouraged him to meditate. This practice significantly helped him overcome this flaw.
4. Religious Family Background
Swami Vivekananda came from a deeply religious family. His parents actively participated in religious activities, and some of his ancestors had renounced worldly life to embrace asceticism. The Dutta family was well-known for their devotion and service to saints.
5. Learning Sanskrit
The history of the Sanskrit language is very ancient. The oldest Sanskrit text we have today is the Rigveda, which was written around 2500 BCE or earlier.
Swami Vivekananda learned Sanskrit from Pramada Das, a family friend who lived in Varanasi. He stayed at Pramada Das’s residence during this period.
6. Meeting Jamshedji Tata
On a sea voyage, Swami Vivekananda met the renowned industrialist Jamshedji Tata. Inspired by Swamiji’s words, Tata later played a significant role in establishing the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. This institution has made remarkable contributions to India’s scientific and technological advancement.
7.Meeting John Rockefeller
While in the USA, Swami Vivekananda met John Rockefeller, the richest man in America at the time. Inspired by Swamiji’s thoughts, Rockefeller began contributing to public welfare and donated significantly to society.
8. Connection with Nikola Tesla
Swamiji also met the great scientist Nikola Tesla during his time in the USA. Tesla’s explanations of matter included references to Hindu scriptures and Sanskrit terms, showing the influence of Swamiji’s teachings.
9. Influence on Indian Leaders and Revolutionaries
Swami Vivekananda inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Lokmanya Tilak. Revolutionary Sachindra Nath Sanyal detailed Swamiji’s influence on India’s freedom fighters in his writings.
10. Lesson on Conquering Fear
At the Durga Temple in Varanasi, Swami Vivekananda learned an important lesson on overcoming fear, a small incident that deeply shaped his thoughts.
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11.Influence of Pavhari Baba
Swami Vivekananda admired Pavhari Baba, a saint from Ghazipur(near Varanasi). He once told Sister Nivedita that if he hadn’t met Swami Ramakrishna, he would have made Pavhari Baba his guru.
12. Devotion to Lord Shiva
Swami Vivekananda was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva. He once said:
“In Shiva, who is the Lord of the universe, or Vishnu, its soul, I see no difference. But my love is for Him who has the young moon on His forehead.”
13. Premonition of Death
GOPAL LAL VILLA (RAJA KALI KRISHNA THAKUR GARDEN HOUSE VARANASI)
Swamiji had a premonition of his death and often said he wouldn’t live beyond 40 years. He passed away on 4 July 1902, shortly after spending time in Varanasi at Gopal Lal Villa, where he expressed this feeling to Sister Nivedita.
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14. Introducing Yoga to the West
Swami Vivekananda was the first Hindu to introduce yoga to Western countries, making it widely known and practiced.
15. Chicago Parliament of Religions
Swami Vivekananda famously represented India at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, delivering a speech that earned him global recognition.
16. Shaving Without a Mirror
Swami Vivekananda had the unique habit of shaving without using a mirror.
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17. Making Tea Acceptable in Monasteries
Tea was once prohibited in Hindu monasteries. Swami Vivekananda changed this tradition, making tea acceptable for monks. Lokmanya Tilak even prepared tea for him once.
18. Advice on Football and the Geeta
Swami Vivekananda once told a young man that playing football would be more beneficial for him than studying the Geeta, emphasizing physical health and strength.
19. Athleticism
In his youth, Swamiji was athletic and played cricket, and football, and even enjoyed boxing. During a cricket match, he famously bowled out seven players of the opposing team.
20. Passing Away
Swami Vivekananda left his mortal body on 4 July 1902, fulfilling his prediction about his lifespan.
These facts are not intriguing fact…….. intriguing why he called himself or represented as Hindu monk…..he could have called himself devotee or priest or saint or sage. Monks are basically used in Buddhism not in Hinduism or Vedic or Sanatan. Question remains why?….