On the eve of 150th birth anniversary of Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda, people in the state are paying their rich tributes to the man, who has been the role model to not just youth in the country but across the globe. Born on 12 January, 1863, Swami Vivekananda's original name was Narendra on the eve of Makara Sankranti festival. Narendra was an average student who often used to question the logic in religion and was against the idol worship (as he joined Brahmo Samaj). Narendra who often used to come across saints and scholar gypsies used to question them whether they had seen God.
Once he happened to Ramakrishna Paramhamsa (the master of Tantra) at Calcutta. It was Ramakrishna who said that he had seen God when Narendra asked whether he saw the supreme soul. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a devotee of Maha Kali and followed vama marga (left path) by skipping two methods (madhya and kama) methods in vama marga. Narendra initially didn't accept Ramakrishna as his teacher but it was Ramakrishna's personality that made him visit Dakshineshwar regularly. Slowly, Narendra started believing in God and he became a student of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The latter rechristened him as Swami Vivekananda when he made Ramakrishna order of saints.
Swami Vivekananda used to wake up at 3 am daily after he joined monastry. He used to do hours of meditation and japam (chanting of mantras). After a couple of years, in 1888, Swami Vivekananda left the monastery to wander the length and breadth of the country. He inspired scores of people across the country and even went to Parliament of Religions in 1893. Swami Vivekananda received ovation from the people present over there for his speech on the significance of Hindu religion.
Swami Vivekananda attracted the entire US media and all news papers hailed him. Noted daily New York Herald said: “"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.” Western countries liked Swami Vivekananda so much that they even named a famous street in New York city by his name.
Swami Vivekananda, after he returned from foreign, founded Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897. Today, Ramakrishna Mission has been serving people across the country in giving value education and also daily bread and butter to the poor.
Swami Vivekananda has also inspired the youth. His writings mainly focused on the development of the youth. He called upon the youth to arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. Recognizing the contribution of Swami Vivekananda to the country, in 1984, the Government of India declare to observe the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day.
(AW Phani)
