AI Tutor - Lucy
One fine afternoon in Calcutta, on the 12th of January 1863, a child was born, the son of a lawyer. His name was Narendranath Datta but he became known as Swami Vivekananda. In his childhood he was brilliant in his studies.
As a young adult he became a disciple of Guru Ramkrishna Paramhansa. Later he had a significant role in the spread of Hinduism and Hindu culture worldwide. His speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on Hinduism stunned the entire audience. Vivekanand advocated that men of all religions must assimilate the spirit of others and yet preserve their own individuality and grow according to their own law of growth.
Vivekanand made an in-depth study of both Indian and Western philosophy and had a great command of them. Swami Vivekananda was a social reformer and a spiritual leader. He worked to eliminate child marriage and to spread education amongst women and the lower castes. He was the first person to boldly proclaim the superiority of Hindu culture, civilisation and heritage.
[readmore]Vivekananda was an international figure. Not only did he represent Hinduism at the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893 - he was an active force behind the Vedanta Movement in the United Kingdom and the United States of America and he established a Vedanta institution in San Francisco, USA. In 1857, the Ramakrishna Mission was also founded by him.
Self-perfection and service for the benefit of mankind were his main ideals. Through his mission the weaknesses of Hindu religion were severely criticised. He even travelled the entire country on foot to work towards his objective.
On the 4th of July 1902 he met with his death whilst meditating. His disciples believed that he obtained Mahasamâdhi (when the soul leaves the body after gaining enlightenment). The anniversary of his birth is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.[/readmore]
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Swami Vivekananda has always been known to be a very obedient and ideal son
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This sentence is believed to have changed the course of Swami Vivekananda's life
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In his childhood Bileh was a devout worshipper of Hanuman, an incarnation of Lord Shiva
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In one of her famous meetings with Romain Rolland, Sister Nivedita was all praises for Naren. She later became one of the most influential saints of India
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Sarada Devi was the better-half of Sri Ramakrishna. She is considered to be a goddess by the disciples of the Ramakrishna Mission
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Sri Ramakrishna always favoured Naren to Keshav. When he was once asked his opinion in the Meeting of the Great Saints in Kolkata, he said "'If Keshav is possessed of one sign of greatness which has made him famous, Naren has eighteen such signs to the fullest degree"
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Sri Ramakrishna always believed that Swami Vivekananda was born to do something special and was his most loyal patron as well as his Guru
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Narendranath's eyes were believed to be his most attractive body part, though this compliment was to his insight rather than his looks
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Every mother in India calls her offspring by a special name. The name chosen by Swamiji's mother for her son was Vireswar
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His prediction was right. He died on the 4th of July 1902 at the age of 39
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