Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start the answer by briefly introducing Swami Vivekananda.
• Discuss the various contributions of Swami Vivekanada in India’s Awakening.
• Conclude Suitably.

Introduction

Inspite of her innumerable linguistic, ethnic, historical and regional diversities, India has had from time immemorial a strong sense of cultural unity.

It was, however, Swami Vivekananda who revealed the true foundations of this culture and thus clearly defined and strengthened the sense of unity as a nation.

Body

Contributions of Vivekanada in India’s Awakening

• Swami Vivekananda was the first religious leader in India to understand and openly declare that the real cause of India’s downfall was the neglect of the masses.
• According to him, the masses needed two kinds of knowledge: secular knowledge to improve their economic condition, and spiritual knowledge to infuse in them faith in themselves and strengthen their moral sense.
• Swami Vivekananda laid the greatest emphasis on education for the regeneration of our motherland. According to him, a nation is advanced in proportion as education is spread among the masses.
• He introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the world stage during the late 19^th century.
• Though the growth of Nationalism is attributed to the Western influence, Swami Vivekananda’s nationalism is deeply rooted in Indian spirituality and morality.
  
  • His nationalism is based on Humanism and Universalism, the two cardinal features of Indian spiritual culture.

Conclusion

The contribution of Swami Vivekanand in India’s awakening can be reflected in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose writing which stated that “Swamiji harmonized the East and the West, religion and science, past and present and that's why he is great. Our countrymen have gained unprecedented self-respect, self reliance and self-assertion from his teachings''.