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Vivekananda at the Parliament of Religions |
The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as The Chicago World's Fair and Chicago Columbian Exposition) was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. As part of the grand celebration, the Parliament of the World's Religions was held from September 11 to September 27. It was the first time in history all the major religions came together on the same platform.
On the first day, Swami Vivekananda gave a brief speech representing India and Hinduism. He was initially nervous, bowed to Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) and began his speech with "Sisters and brothers of America!". At these words, Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd of seven thousand. Vivekananda quoted two illustrative passages from the Shiva Mahima Stotram: "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take, through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee!" and "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths that in the end lead to Me."
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At Chicago, 1893 |
Through this first speech, Vivekananda attracted widespread attention in the press, which called him the "cyclonic monk from India".
The New York Critique wrote, "He is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them".
The New York Herald noted, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation".
American newspapers reported Vivekananda as "the greatest figure in the parliament of religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the parliament".
The Boston Evening Transcript reported that Vivekananda was "a great favourite at the parliament... if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded".
American and European Lecture Tours
After the success at Chicago, Swami Vivekananda travelled throughout the American continent for two years. He delivered hundreds of lectures, formal and informal talks, and inspired thousands of Americans. He taught them mainly Vedanta, Hindu and Indian culture, and civilization. He also studied the culture and norms of the Americans.
In 1894, Swamiji established the Vedanta Society of New York. In 1895 summer, he started private classes on Vedanta and Yoga from a rented house in New York.
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Sister Christine |
During the summer vacation in June 1895, Swamiji went to the Thousand Island Park with twelve of his followers. Here, they stayed at the Dutcher's Cottage for nine weeks. The talks and occasional utterance of Swamiji were noted by Miss S.Ellen Waldo. Later, the notes were published as "Inspired Talks". During this time, Swamiji also composed one of his inspiring poems, "The Song of the Sannyasin".
At the Thousand Island Park, Swamiji found Christine Greenstidel, who became his ardent disciple. She took Brahmacharya vow from Swamiji and since then, was known as Sister Christine. Later, Sister Christine came to India and helped Sister Nivedita to start a school for girls. She also helped Swamiji to disseminate Vedanta in America.
In Europe
Swami Vivekananda then visited England in 1895 and 1896. In England, Swamiji was the guest of E.T.Sturdy for six months. Swamiji helped Sturdy to translate Narada Bhakti Sutras into English.
In November 1895, Swamiji met Margaret Noble, an Irish lady who later became Sister Nivedita. Swamiji also met Max Muller, an Indologist from the University of Oxford. Later, Muller wrote the biography of Sri Ramakrishna.
In 1896, Swamiji called one of his brother monks, Swami Saradananda to England to teach Vedanta. The Swamis were very happy to see each other after several years. Swamiji told Saradananda about his plans for their monastery in India. By this time, the Baranagore Math was shifted to a new building at Alambazar.
In German, Swamiji visited Paul Deussen, another Indologist, and Sanskrit scholar. They had long conversations and visited many places together.
While travelling in Europe, Swami Vivekananda received two teaching offers from the Universities of Harvard and Columbia. However, as it was against his monastic vow, Swamiji declined the offers.
Apart from work, Swamiji also enjoyed visiting many scenic and historical places in Europe. At Switzerland, Swamiji enjoyed beauty, peace, and silence of the snow-capped Alps.
Western Disciples
Many Americans and Europeans became the followers and disciples of Swami Vivekananda. Among them, Josephine MacLeod, Christina Greenstidel (later became Sister Christine), Sara Bull, J.J.Goodwin, William James, Josiah Royce, Robert G. Ingersoll, Nikola Tesla, Lord Kelvin, Harriet Monroe, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Sarah Bernhardt, Emma Calvé and Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz. They helped Swami Vivekananda to promote Vedanta philosophy in America and Europe.
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J.J.Goodwin |
To record Swami Vivekananda's talks and lectures, Josephine MacLeod engaged J.J.Goodwin, a court stenographer. Goodwin was capable of writing 200 words per minute and charged an exorbitant fee. However, a week after taking down Swamiji's words, Goodwin refused to take any payment and said, "If Vivekananda gives his life, the least I can do is to give my service." From then on, Goodwin followed Swamiji like a shadow and recorded his talks and lectures.
Swamiji's lectures were later published as books. In February 1896, Karma Yoga was published in the United States of America. Raja Yoga was published in London on 13 July 1896. Bhakti Yoga was published in Madras in September 1896.
Even though Swamiji was far away from India, he continued to correspondent with his disciples and brother monks at Alambazar Math. His letters gave them detailed instruction about carrying out Sri Ramakrishna message.
In 1895, the Brahmavadin magazine was started to disseminate the message of Vedanta.
Return to India (1897-1899)
Swamiji decided to return to India. He sent Swami Saradananda to America to continue with the Vedanta classes and lectures. He also sent for Swami Abhedananda to come to England from India. Swami Abhedananda came and began to give public lectures.
In December 1896, Swamiji set out to India with his English disciples, Captain and Mrs. Sevier, and JJ Goodwin. During this return journey, Swamiji visited France and Italy. Swamiji became very emotional to return to his motherland. He said to one of this friends, "India I loved before I came away. Now the very dust of India has become holy to me, the very air is now to me holy; it is now the holy land, the place of pilgrimage, the Tirtha."
Swamiji and his disciples landed in Colombo Port (in Sri Lanka) on 15 January 1897. Swamiji received a hero's welcome in his motherland. One of his brother monks, Swami Niranjanananda was at Colombo to see him.
In Colombo, he gave his first public speech in the East, India, the Holy Land. From there on, his journey to Calcutta was triumphant. Everywhere, he found a huge crowd of people waiting to see him. Those who were near rushed to touch his feet. People came from faraway places just to get a glimpse of him.
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Vivekanandar Illam, Chennai |
Swami Vivekananda travelled from Colombo to Pamban, Rameswaram, Ramnad, Madurai, Kumbakonam, and Madras delivering lectures and talks. Common people and rajas gave him an enthusiastic reception. During his train travels, people often sat on the rails to force the train to stop so they could hear him. At Madras, Swamiji stayed at Ice House (now known as 'Vivekanandar Illam') and received his visitors. Upon earnest request from his Madras disciples and friends, Swamiji directed his brother monk, Swami Ramakrishnananda to establish a branch of the Ramakrishna Math in Madras.
From Madras, Swamiji continued his journey to Calcutta and Almora. While in the West, Vivekananda spoke about India's great spiritual heritage; in India, he repeatedly addressed social issues: uplifting the people, eliminating the caste system, promoting science and industrialisation, addressing widespread poverty and ending colonial rule. These lectures, published as Lectures from Colombo to Almora, demonstrate his nationalistic fervour and spiritual ideology.
Swamiji was happy to return to his brother monks at the Alambazar Math. While Swamiji was in America, they had shifted their monastery from Baranagore to Alambazar, and therefore, the monastery was called Alambazar Math. Swamiji told them about his plans for rebuilding India. Swamiji also wanted to build a temple for Sri Ramakrishna and a proper monastery for the monks and brahmacharis.
Swamiji's American disciples gave him money to purchase a large plot of land at the Belur village to build the temple and monastery. Soon, the monastery was moved from Alambazar to Belur. Here, a permanent temple for Sri Ramakrishna and a monastery for the monks were built. It is called as the Belur Math.
On 1 May 1897 in Calcutta, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission for social service. Both Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission have their headquarters at Belur Math. Swamiji also designed the logo of the Ramakrishna Mission and formulated its motto as: "Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya Ca" (For one's own salvation and the good of the world).
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Logo of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission |
Vivekananda founded two other monasteries: one in Mayavati in the Himalayas (near Almora), the Advaita Ashrama and another in Madras.
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Belur Math |
During Swamiji's time, two journals were started: Prabuddha Bharata in English and Udbhodan in Bengali. Inspired by Swamiji's ideas, Swami Akhandananda started famine relief work in the Murshidabad district.
Swamiji earlier inspired Jamshedji Tata to set up a research and educational institution when they travelled together from Yokohama to Chicago on his first visit to the West in 1893. Tata now asked him to head his Research Institute of Science. Swamiji declined the offer. After brief visits to Punjab, Lahore, Delhi and Khetri, Swamiji returned to Calcutta in January 1898.
Due to overwork, Swamiji's health became worse. In March 1898, he went to Darjeeling for rest. He stayed there for a month. Then, news came about the outbreak of plague in Calcutta. At once, Swamiji returned to Calcutta and started relief work. Someone asked him, "From where will we get the money to do relief work?"
Swamiji replied, "Why? We will sell the land for the new Math if necessary. We are sannyasins. We should be ready to live under trees and beg for our food."
However, without selling the land, they were able to carry out relief work. Hearing Swamiji's words, many people were inspired to donate for the work. Volunteers also came to help in serving the poor and sick people. Swamiji taught everyone to serve selflessly as if they were serving God in all human beings.
TO THE HIMALAYAS
After the plague relief work was over, Swamiji wanted to rest again. With Swami Adbhutananda, Sister Nivedita, Josephine Macleod, Mrs Sara Bull and others, Swamiji went to the Himalayas. The journey was very exciting as Swamiji told many interesting things about the places they passed through, such as Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, Almora, Nainital, and Kashmir. Swamiji told them about the history, life, religion, and culture of the Indian people. Sister Nivedita recorded some of these in her books.
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Sister Nivedita |
At Kashmir, Swamiji made a pilgrimage to the cave of Amarnath. Thousands of people visit the Amarnath cave to worship the ice Shivalinga. Sister Nivedita accompanied Swamiji to the cave. Swamiji became very much absorbed thinking of Lord Shiva. For days afterwards, Swamiji talking only about Shiva.
After his Amarnath pilgrimage, Swamiji returned to Srinagar. Here, Swamiji thought more about God as Divine Mother. He went to worship at Kheer Bavani temple in Srinagar. Swamiji felt that it was the Divine Mother who did everything and that he was just a toy in Her hands. Absorbed in thinking about the Divine Mother, Swamiji composed a poem in English, "Kali the Mother", one of his best poems.
In October 1898, Swamiji returned to Math at Calcutta. He consolidated the work of the Math and trained disciples for several months. Swamiji also composed "Khandana Bhava–Bandhana", a prayer song dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, in 1898.
Second visit to the West (1899-1900)
Swamiji's health continued to decline. The doctors advised him to go to the West for rest. Swamiji left for the West for a second time on 20 June 1899 by S.S.Golconda from Calcutta port. He was accompanied by Sister Nivedita and Swami Turiyananda. Swamiji recorded this sea voyage and the travels for the Bengali magazine, Udbodhan. Later, it was published as "Memoirs of European Travel". The voyage with Swamiji was a pilgrimage and education for Sister Nivedita. Later, she recorded many of the conversations with Swamiji in her book 'The Master As I Saw Him'.
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Swami Turiyananda |
On 31 July 1899, the ship arrived at London. Swamiji stayed for two weeks at Wimbledon, near Sister Nivedita's residence. Then, Swamiji sailed for America with Sister Christine, Mrs Funke, and Swami Turiyananda.
In America, Swamiji stayed with Mr. Francis Leggett at Ridgley Manor, near the Catskill Mountains. It was a beautiful and quiet place. Swamiji stayed there until November 1899. He was also glad to meet Swami Abhedananda who had been working in America.
During this second visit, Vivekananda established Vedanta Societies in San Francisco and New York. He sent Swami Turiyananda with twelve disciples to start the Santi Ashrama in California.
Next, Swamiji went to Paris for the Congress of History of Religions in 1900. His lectures in Paris concerned the worship of the lingam and the authenticity of the Bhagavad Gita. In Paris, Swamiji met Dr. J.C.Bose, the great Indian scientist. Swamiji was very proud of the scientific discovery of Dr.Bose.
Vivekananda then visited Brittany, Vienna, Istanbul, Athens and Egypt. The French philosopher Jules Bois was his host for most of this period.
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Captain Sevier |
Getting a premonition about the death of Captain Sevier, Swamiji cancelled his European tour abruptly and returned to Calcutta on 9 December 1900. Reaching Belur Math, he learnt about the death of Captain Sevier.
Captain Sevier and his wife had given up everything for Swamiji and had come to India to help Swamiji in his work. They had started an Ashrama at Mayavati, in the Himalayas. Now Captain Sevier was dead. Swamiji wanted to go to Mayavati to console Mrs. Sevier.
It was the middle of winter. There was deep snow in the Himalayas and it was very cold. The trip was very difficult and unpleasant. But Swamiji was determined and he had resourceful disciples who helped him to reach Mayavati.
Swamiji reached the Advaita Ashrama in Mayavati on 3 January 1901. Mrs.Sevier and the monks who lived there were very glad to see Swamiji. Swamiji too was happy to witness the contemplative life at the Ashrama.
After a brief stay, Vivekananda returned to Belur Math.
Last Days
During his last days, Swamiji made pilgrimages to Bodhgaya, Varanasi and took his mother and sister to Dharmaputra. Declining health (including asthma, diabetes, and chronic insomnia) restricted his activity.
Despite his declining health, Swamiji continued to receive visitors daily, talked to them and gave them spiritual help. He also held classes for the monks and brahmacharins. He would often sing. He made rules for life in the monastery which is still followed in Belur Math.
Swamiji liked animals and he kept many pets. There was a dog called 'Bagha', a she-goat called 'Hansi', cows, sheep, ducks, geese, an antelope, a stork, and a kid called 'Matru'. Swamiji loved to play with Matru, and the kid followed him everywhere and sometimes even slept in his room. When Matru died, Swamiji cried like a child unable to bear the sorrow.
During his last days at Belur Math, Swamiji started reading the new edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica. There were twenty-five huge volumes. Swamiji had great powers of concentration and could read very quickly. A disciple saw Swamiji reading a volume and said that it would be impossible for anyone to finish reading those huge volumes in a lifetime.
Swamiji replied, "How is that? I have already read ten volumes. You can ask me any question you like from them."
The disciple then started asking difficult questions from those ten volumes. Swamiji answered all the questions correctly. In some cases he even remembered the exact words used in the encyclopaedia.
The disciple said, "This is beyond the power of man." But Swamiji explained that it was due to concentration. If anyone lived a pure life he could get such concentration.
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Vivekananda Temple, Belur Math |
On 4 July 1902, Vivekananda meditated for three hours in Belur Math. After his morning prayers, Swamiji was heard singing songs about the Divine Mother. Then, he taught the Shukla Yajur Veda, Sanskrit grammar and Yoga philosophy to the novices. He went for a short walk with Swami Premananda and briefed about his idea of starting a Vedic college in Belur Math.
About seven in the evening, he returned to his room and meditated. Then, he called Brahmachari Brajesh to fan him while he lay on the bed. Around 9.10pm, Swami Vivekananda attained Mahasamadhi.
The next morning, his body was cremated at a spot near the Ganges that he had indicated earlier to Swami Premananda. A few years later, a temple was erected at that spot to enshrine Swami Vivekananda's holy ashes.