Swami Vivekananda | 06 Jul 2021
Why in News
Every year, 4th July is observed as the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who is regarded as a one of the finest spiritual leaders and intellects India has produced.
Key Points
- Birth: He was born as Narendranath Datta on 12th January, 1863.
- National Youth Day is held every year to observe the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
- In 1893, upon the request of Maharaja Ajit Singh of the Khetri State, he took the name ‘Vivekananda.’
- Contributions:
- Introduced the world to the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga.
- He preached ‘neo-Vedanta’, an interpretation of Hinduism through a Western lens, and believed in combining spirituality with material progress.
- Laid the greatest emphasis on education for the regeneration of our motherland. Advocated a man-making character-building education.
- Best known for his speech at the World Parliament of Religion in Chicago in 1893.
- Spelt out the four pathways of attaining moksha from the worldly pleasure and attachment in his books - Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga and Bhakti-yoga.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had called Vivekananda the “maker of modern India.”
- Introduced the world to the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga.
- Associated Organisations:
- He was the chief disciple of the 19th-century mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa and established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
- Ramakrishna Mission is an organization which works in the area of value-based education, culture, health, women's empowerment, youth and tribal welfare and relief and rehabilitation.
- In 1899, he established the Belur Math, which became his permanent abode.
- He was the chief disciple of the 19th-century mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa and established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
- Death: He died at Belur Math in 1902. Belur Math, located in West Bengal, is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission.