Introduction
The journey of Swami Vivekananda is a bright documental truth of his sacrifice to the world of humanity. In his every footstep, he kept indisputable proof of sacrifice & patience. All those facts of his life still surprise the human race even these days of twenty-first-century civilization. Swamiji’s transient and very limited journey of life was infinite like the sky and had unmeasurable depth as the ocean. Hence Swami Ji as I know is a tiny attempt with my very limited knowledge. Rather it can be termed as self-realization. In a single word, this is an attempt to search for a huge genius. If this attempt is welcomed by the readers only then this writer's effort will be successful.
“Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, Yet each one can be true” - A Quote By Swami Vivekananda
Preface To The First Edition
Nowadays eastern world residents have subconscious ideas that they belong to underdeveloped and underprivileged countries. Their customs are not up to date compared to Western and European countries. So they think themselves to surrender their religious activities, citizenship even to change their spouse for feelings over smarter from their previous life. Very few of them due to their intellectual capacity got selection for different highest awards in easiest ways.
Swami Vivekananda was very different from them. He was always searching for truth in everything. He did not bow down to anything out of fear. He did not feel shame for his identification as an Indian eternal traditional religious monk dressing in saffron who was under British rule for around 200 years. Swami Vivekananda declared there about the sound Sanatan religion ideology claim about the spiritual theme that no religion is inferior. Every religion is standing upon relative truth. Some belong to lower truth and some religions belong to higher truth. TRUTH ALONG TRUMPH. So many rivers water are mixing with the ocean. Each and every river water loses its own identity and becomes ocean Water. There will be no difference between true spiritual people. He had his personality for recognizing himself as the pioneer of mankind.
The Renaissance Of Bengal And Swami Vivekananda
During the nineteenth century, a movement was organized by the intellectuals following the Renaissance that had taken place in Europe to wake up Bengal. In this intellectual movement, Swamiji took an important role as a leader & the pathfinder. This new call to wake up Bengal was a call for revolution in each and every sector like literature and creativity, social& political consciousness, preaching and spreading of the Hindu religion including other burning issues of the then society, All these were considered as the positive symptoms of this renaissance alias the new call of wake up Bengal.
Basically, the origin of the theory for Wake Up Bengal as per the opinion of the spoke persons was newly earned knowledge of European culture through the English language. Primarily a small fraction of Bengali Hindu society was instantly influenced but the call for wake up Bengal spread to all the other parts of this subcontinent.
This new call for wake up as appeal is also known as renaissance. The great thinkers were influenced by western philosophy & were dedicated to rationalism, humanism, utilitarianism, scientism, individualism, visionary, Darwinism, socialism&nationalism.
Swami Vivekananda was born during this transition period of the call for new wave in Bengal. Still, he is a bright star in the mind of every Bengali. The entire world is proud today of this great wise soul.
Swami Vivekananda was born on 12th January 1863 on the sacred day of Makar Sankranti, during childhood, he was called by the name Bile. From his childhood Only he was restless & exceptionally talented by nature.He was born in a kyastha family in north Calcutta. His father was Biswanath Dutta & mother was Bhubaneswari Devi. Biswanath Dutta was a distinguished and successful attorney of Calcutta High Court in those days.It is believed that Swami Vivekananda was one of the seven sages of the Ursh major who appeared together during the last phase of the nineteenth century in Mother Bhabatarini’s temple renowned as Dakshineswar.
Unanimously the central character of this very special team was Parampurush Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha Deva. Swamiji completed his basic education in The Metropolitan Institution of Calcutta. His official name was Narendra Nath Dutta. Always he had a deep attraction to study. It is needless to say that he was an extra meritorious student. He passed the Matric examination in the year 1879. After passing Matric he was admitted to Presidency College for intermediate studies and later he was admitted to Scottish Church College to study philosophy. He passed the entrance examination during his study period in college. He had an inherent interest in religious books like Gita, Vedas, Upanishad, etc. He also had an attraction To meditation & yoga as well. During his early youth time he joined to the monotheistic religious community (Brahma Samaj) movement under the leadership of Keshab Chandra Sen.By mixing with the different races, religions & languages he formed a unique philosophy of humanity to serve the afflicted human beings. Always he used to discuss patriotism, basic culture, religions, etc. roaming around different states of India mainly on foot. He is famous by the name of traveler monk Till today.
On 1st May 1897, he established Sri Ramakrishna Math in Calcutta. His ideology was to serve the common people. Finally, he established the Belur Math in Belur which has been highly respected and appreciated with devotion by people all over the world conveying the highest ethical message of humanity.
Swamiji’s Childhood & Youth Phase
Swamiji’s place of birth was no.3 Gourmohan Mukherjee Street in the Simla area of North Calcutta. His mother Bhubaneswari Devi had a deep belief that she gained her son by the grace of Kashi’s distinguished god Lord Shiva. That was the reason behind she named him Bireswar. Later he was called in the short name ‘Bile’ and transformed from Bireswar.
Swamiji’s forefathers were originally from Deretona village in the Kalna subdivision of the Burdwan district. They came to Calcutta in the first phase of British reign. Initially, They were in Garh Govindapur & later they were settled in Simla of north Calcutta. In the house of the locality where Swamiji was born, the same was built by his great-grandfather Rammohan Dutta. Durgaprashad the elder son of Rammohan left domestic life at the age of around twenty twenty-two and took the path of religious mendicancy and turned to be a monk. Then his only son Biswanath was a mere child. Biswanath grew up in his own effort and started the profession of attorney. He married Bhubaneswari Devi the only daughter of Nandalal Bose of Simla. Narendranath was their sixth son who was later well known as Swami Vivekananda. This Biswanath Dutta was a generous person by nature. In every aspect, he was fond of the mixed culture of Hindu and Muslim & in his workplace he was a pursuant of Englishmen. He earned a lot but he was not interested in savings at all in his lifetime. He nurtured a lot of his relatives & poor people.
Bhubaneswari Devi was a perfect match for Biswanath in all respects. Her each and every activity had a touch of aristocracy and an expression of personality. Needy people never returned from her door with empty hands. She used to perform all the household duties on her own. She used to perform daily prayer even stitching works for home also. She was very much aware of the weal and woe of her neighboring people. Initially, Narendra learned English from his mother only.
Right from childhood it was observed that Bile was full of extraordinary merit, fearlessness, bravery, independent attitude, broad-hearted, friendly & attractive to sports. Over and above he had unlimited spiritual thirst. He used to absorb in meditation during his childhood. While playing meditation in the form of game. In his childhood, he used to worship Ram, Sita & Shiva and used to chase with an unknown attraction whenever saints were seen. He experienced the vision of divine light every time before going to sleep. And as Narendranath grew up with time he turned to be the focal point during the debate and in meetings of discussion. He was the leader of the sports & he was a first-class singer of classical and prayer songs. Even though he was a skilled actor while performing dramas on the stage. As he used to read various types of books he was a deep thinker in lesser age. Gradually his attraction to religious mendicancy increased as he was growing up. Although he was never cruel rather he was too compassionate to life. He used to come forward when people were in danger not considering the nature of danger. He was two years younger than Rabindranath Tagore.
Narendranath passed out B.A. exam in the year 1884. Even though he was never given importance to school and college examinations but had high scholarly attraction. He wrote a letter criticizing the philosopher Herbert Spencer on one of his theories and Spencer replied to that letter with high appreciation. In reply, he wrote that in the next edition of that book, he will incorporate changes in line with the criticism of Narendranath.
For the first time, Swamiji was attracted to the BrahmaSamaj, and off and on he used to perform Brahma prayer songs in Debendra Nath Thakur’s residence Jorashanko Thakurbaari.During that period all of a sudden his father Biswanath Dutta expired. He had to bear with all the responsibilities of his younger brothers and sisters. All of a sudden all the abundance and aristocracy with which he was familiar came to an end. Then he was searching for a service very badly. His life suddenly turned directionless. In this phase, he translated Gitgovindam into English originally written by poet Jaydev in Sanskrit language spending sleepless nights. With the royalty money of that book, their family survived for a few days. During that period he passed days by starvation off and on for two to three days to save expenses. However, during this struggling phase, he received the signals of temptation. But due to the firmness of his character like steel, he approached his goal overcoming & ignoring all those temptations.
Swamiji & Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha
Most probably on 6th November,1881Swamiji7Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha met for the first time in the Calcutta residence of Suren Mitra. Later Dr.Ramchandra Dutta an uncle by a distant relation of Narendra Nath, was taken to Mother Bhabatarini’s temple in Dakshineswar. Ramchandra Dutta was one of the domestic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. During his second meeting, Narendra Nath directly questioned Sri Ramakrishna ”Have you seen the God?” This question he asked before to so many people. But Sri Ramakrishna’s instant answer was “Yes I can see the God more prominently as I am now seeing you. If you want to see God I can show you also.” Listening to this Narendra Nath was literarily stunned as for the first time he met a person who has seen God and not only that who can show God to others also. Even though Narendra Nath did not accepted him easily on that day.
Narendra Nath accepted Sri Ramakrishna as the pathfinder of his life and guide after repeated tests &verifications. When he was assured of Sri Ramakrishna’s sacrifice, Sanctity & spirituality. This verifying habit of Narendra Nath made happy Sri Ramakrishna himself too, who at first sight understood that one day this Narendra Nath will expose the Indian culture & civilization at the court of the world. Narendra Nath also used to sing his favorite song dedicated to his master ”I made you my life’s north star.” This is a famous song written by Rabindranath Tagore.
For almost four years Narendra Nath was in touch with Sri Ramakrishna. Amidst this on 25th February 1884 after the death of his father Narendra Nath was in a financial crisis. Sri Ramakrishna arranged a service of the headmaster secretly in the Metropolitan school managed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar without Narendra Nath’s knowledge. But Narendra Nath has always given priority to physical exercises rather than studies. He knew that Mother India was ruled by the British and to make independent India bodybuilding was a prime need for the country. Physical exercise & sports like football can make the youths strong which will increase the firmness of character which is the plinth to built an ideal nation. A disciplined character is the capital of an ideal nation on the way to future development. So his advice was to play football with study as well. But it was his ill luck that the school authority could not understand his great motive and they terminated Narendra Nath without notice. Behind this termination was a member of the school authority who was the son-in-law of Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Since then after losing the service all of a sudden Narendra Nath made himself free from all the affections of domestic life and dedicated his life to the service of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha. In that period during 1885, it was detected that Sri Ramakrishna was badly affected by throat cancer.Then Narendra Nath and the co-disciples of Ramakrishna arranged to shift him with Mother Sharada in a rented resort house in Kashipur on the bank of the Ganges river with financial support from Sri Ramakrishna’s domestic disciples.
One day Narendranath told to Sri Ramakrishna that like Sukdev he also wished to absorb himself day and night in a state of deep concentration. Listening to this Sri Ramakrishna advised him “You should not think only for your salvation. You have to be like a huge banyan tree under whose shadow the human being of this world shall find peace” Although after this advice from Sri Ramakrishna by his blessing Narendra Nath could absorb himself in a state of deep concentration. This was the highest feeling of his religious life. When he returned to a normal state Sri Ramakrishna told him that the key of this meditation he kept with him only. As and when all the responsibilities of Narendra Nath shall be attained then the door of the feeling of this deep concentration will be opened.
In Kashipur once Sri Ramakrishna wrote on a piece of paper “Naren will give the lesson” meaning the philosophy of eternal spiritualism of India which he materialized in his own life Narendra Nath shall preach the message to the world. When Narendra Nath objected to doing so then Sri Ramakrishna told him “You are bound to do”. This means Narendra Nath has to fulfill his master’s wish. During the discussion with Narendra Nath about the Vaishnab religion Sri Ramakrishna told him ”Don’t show pity to creatures serve them in the form of Shiva” and this is the absolute principle of life. Yong Narendra Nath was charmed that day and said “What strange ray of light I got by his message. If anytime I get the opportunity I shall preach this truth of life everywhere in this mortal world.”
Later Narendra Nath used to explain very simply the worship of God by serving human beings. And this was the inspiration of Sri Ramakrishna’s message. Actually all the acts Narendra Nath used to perform were instructed by his master Sri Ramakrishna. He was the source & Narendra Nath was his expression only. He also instructed Narendra Nath to form an organization with his fellow disciples. The result is today’s Ramakrishna Mission. On 16th August 1886, Sri Ramakrishna’s mortal body left this world forever a few days after the Ramakrishna Math was established. They established this Math in an old broken house. Extreme poverty, starvation & half-eating were daily affair for them. In those struggling days they continued with meditation, prayers and discussions of scriptures religiously on a regular basis.In 1887, January Narendra Nath and ten of his fellow disciples sacrificed their domestic identity performing Biraja oblation of fire accepting monkship. Then Narendra Nath was named as Bibidishananda.
The traveller saint Swamiji and his fellow disciples used to go out on travel to India. They had only one goal to establish the Ramakrishna Mission. The first one rupee was donated by Mother Sharada to fulfill their goal on the way to establishing the Ramakrishna Mission. Swamiji whom Swamiji narrated repeatedly as living Durga.
In this way on foot, Swamiji travelled almost all over India. During that phase he was Introduced irrespective to literates, illiterates, riches, poors, zamindars, kings, Brahmins & lower cast all classes of people in the country. His talent, bright and attractive figure with Spiritual power influenced all whom he met. Swamiji also felt the flavor of real India during his traveling phase. In this manner, he collected donations first from his own country& later from abroad as a traveler Hindu saint. With those donations fund collected by him, he established the Ramakrishna Mission on 1st May 1897 after a long struggle to fulfill his goal. In the lying-in-room of this Mission Sri Ramakrishna’s divine ash is kept in a small box. The box was named by Swamiji as Atmaram’s box. When he faced any critical issue he used to inform Atmaram’s box & miraculously the issue was resolved.Once the Mission’s fund faced a financial crisis. Then they were very badly in need of money. Swamiji and his fellow disciples unitedly presented their problem in front of that small box. Exactly the next day early morning one Marwari devotee of Sri Ramakrishna arrived and donated the amount as required to resolve the issue. This was the blessing of Sri Ramakrishna on Swamiji. During his traveling phase, Swamiji reached Alwar first in 1891. There everybody irrespective of cast & creed cordially welcomed him. There he met Mangal Sing the king of Alwar. That king was very affectionate to Western culture. He had no faith in God. When Swamiji failed to make him understand to make him believe in God he saw an oil painting of the king’s father, he then told the king to spit on that painting. Then the king was very angry with him. Then Swamiji explained to him the greatness of the Hindu Religion and told him that all these we perform are symbolic only. The king of Alwar turned to his devotee.
The longest tour was when he was on a travel India mission on 3rd August 1890. During this touring period, lots of people requested him to take part in the World’s Parliament Of Religions fascinated by his talent and personality. At first, Swamiji was not interested in all these matters. But when he went to the southern province there the king of Mysore offered him a royal welcome in his palace as a royal guest and he arranged for his rail ticket to Cochi with an introduction letter to meet the manager (Dewan) of Cchi estate. From Bangalore, Swamiji reached Ernakulam via Trisur & Korungollar. There he met with Chattamani Swamikal who was the contemporary of Narayan Guru. From there Swamiji reached Kanyakumari.
Later he swam the sea and sat on a rock (That rock is the limit of India). In 1892, at the end of December three consecutive days and nights he was absorbed in deep meditation & got the direction to visit the World Religion Meet in Chicago from his master Sri Ramakrishna. Later this rock was famous as Vivekananda rock. In 1970 on the eve of Swamiji’s birth centenary Eknath Ranade established the Vivekananda Memorial collecting donations from the common people of India. Eknath Ranade started to raise funds from 12th January 1963 observing the birth century of Swamiji. After that by the heartiest wish of the people of the then Madras and with permission in reply to his letter to Mother Sharada Swamiji decided to go to America. On this voyage, Swamiji went to America as a representative of the common people of India with their financial support only. He himself had also wished for the same and said,
“If this is the wish of Mother that I have to go to America then I shall go there with the money of the common people as I am to the western country for the common people of my country only.”
So a third-class ticket of the ship was arranged with the donation collected. In the meantime during his Madras stay one incident happened.In the process of his fund collection, he went to meet a zamindar there. The zamindar told him to wait in the drawing room.In the meantime, Swamiji noticed the collection of books in the cupboard.He was very happy by the hobby of the zamindar for the collection of books, Sometimes later the zamindar returned, and Swamiji told him ”Oh! You have a nice collection of excellent books. Certainly, you have gone through all the books.”Listening to this the zamindar loudly laughed and replied” No no those books are kept there only for decoration, not for reading”. Listening to this Swamiji was really shocked. After that incident, he left the place silently finishing his assignment with the zamindar.
However, after that, he went to Rajasthan on the way to the then Bombay. He met the king of Khetri Ajit Sing there. The king turned to his disciple within no time. As Swamiji awakened the king’s consciousness he changed his master’s name from Bibidishananda to Vivekananda. When he came to know that Swamiji was going to America in general class he arranged for him a ship ticket for a first-class cabin for his master’s voyage to America. On 31st May 1893, Swami Vivekananda started from Bombay on the way to America.He reached Vancouver on the 25th of July and on the 30th of July he reached to Chicago by train.
After reaching Chicago Swamiji came to know that time is still there for commencing the great religious meet. To save money Swamiji has gone to Boston and stayed there. In Boston, he came in touch with a number of scholar professors. Among them most significant was Professor Wright. When he came to know that still Swamiji had no introductory letter then he wrote a letter to Dr. Baroj the chairman of that religious meeting. In that letter, he mentioned,
“The combined knowledge of all our professors will be less than this Indian saint alone have.”
Swamiji And Maina Bai
One of the memorable incidents of Swamiji’s life is his meeting with the professional female singer alias Baiji Maina Bai. That Baiji had been missing since the night she met Swamiji. Later there are a number of questions about her whereabouts and the reason for her disappearance.
The story behind that King Ajit Sing arranged a musical programme in honour of his master Swamiji. In that musical programme, he brought the famous professional female singer (Baiji) of that time Maina Bai of Rajputana.At first, Swamiji was not ready to listen to the song of that female singer alias Baiji. At the moment when he was about to leave the place keeping in mind how a saint like him could listen to the sons presented by a Baiji? Then at that very very moment, female singer Maina Bai started her heart touching prayer song written by Sant Surdas” Prabhu mere abgunchit na dharo. Samdarshi hain naam tuhanro chahe to paar karo.” Listening to the appeal of the song Swamiji came back again and spent full night in that musical programme.
That night during Maina Bai’s programme Swamiji was continuously weeping & listening to her songs. But nobody had seen her after that night. She was missing overnight. After long years passed a saint from Ramakrishna Mission found her just on his curiosity in a remote village of Rajasthan. That woman was those old days famous singer Maina Bai. Quite a time had passed in the meanwhile & that singer was also old by that time.Once upon a time whose songs impressed the Kings of Rajputana. But now the saint observed that the woman is sitting in front of the idol of Srikrishna & picture of Swamiji dedicating her songs to them in a highly absorbing mode.When she stopped her prayer then the saint asked her the reason why she was not visible in the music programmes.
That female singer answered him” Sir that very day my life was blessed by presenting my song to God.”I have promised on that very day that I shall sing for my God only and not entertain human beings. For the rest of my life, I shall pass serving my God and dedicating songs to him only:” Swami Vivekananda & Lord Sri Krishna are her God. The reality is once the fire touches someone slowly it burns through the rest of life whatever it may be today or tomorrow. Religion is also that fire that transforms into a new life burning through pure fire.
Swamiji & Few Incidents
Once Swamiji was in Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Kashmir. This temple was destroyed by the attack of the Mughals several times. Swamiji was thinking in mind “If I had been there during that time I should not allowed it to happen like this.” At that very moment, the voice from the heave came” If I wish I can wrap this temple with gold in a fraction of a second.” Then Swamiji understood the reality and after that incident, he kept faith in the almighty God for the rest of his life. Again another incident happened with Swamiji when he was visiting the Durga temple of Banaras This incident gave him a lesson during his travel to India phase.
This Durga temple was built by Rani Bhawani of Natore in the eighteenth century. She was a Bengali queen. This temple is very popular in Banaras. Then Swamiji was traveling the sacred place of Banaras.
One day when Swamiji was on his way from the Durga temple a flock of monkeys chased him from behind. Seeing this he started to run. The monkeys were also running behind him. At that moment an old saint appeared in front of him and he said:” Stop be brave face the animals & resist them.” Then Swamiji turned back facing the monkeys. At first look, the monkeys were puzzled and stood still & later They ran away from the spot. From this incident, Swamiji learned a great lesson never run away from the obstruction and danger. face them bravely without fear. One more incident is an example of his sense of humor. Once the members of the Cow Protection Association from Madhya Pradesh(M.P) met Swamiji with an appeal to raise some donations to save the mother cows. Listening to their request Swamiji said “Very well in Maharastra a lot of people died due to drought..What are you thinking about them?”
Then they answered, “That was their ill fate only.” Swamiji’s spontaneous reply was “Then the death of mother cows is also due to their ill fate only.” Then all the members told in a chorus ‘How it is possible?” Swamiji laughed and said, “ The sense of child shall be in line with their mother only and you have proved it”.
Listening to this all the members of the Cow Protection Association were ashamed and left the place keeping their heads down.
Once on his way between Agra &Vrindavan Swamiji saw a man on the roadside who was smoking. He felt the temptation to join him, but the man on the roadside fidgeted. He said “Maharaj you are a saint & I am of low caste” Though Swamiji was taken aback for a minute, He instantly recalled that he is a sanyasi who has relinquished all ties. He sat down& smoked with the roadside dweller from a lower caste.
One day while circumambulating Govardhan Hill, Swamiji decided that he would not beg for food anymore. He would accept if anyone offers him willfully. On the first day itself, he started suffering from pangs of hunger as no one offered him food till afternoon.It started to drizzle, and he was hopeless. Suddenly someone called him from behind.He wanted to test his fate some more and started to run away from the man. But eventually, the man caught up and offered him food. Swamiji’s eyes brimmed with tears as he realized God was with him.
Once on his way to Haridwar, he met Sharat Chandra Gupta, The assistant station master at Hatras. He instantly became an ardent devotee of Swamiji and insisted on accompanying him on his yatra. Though reluctant at the beginning, Swamiji gave him diksha and named him Swami Sadananda.In the years to come this disciple would describe himself as “Vivekanda’s dog”. He once described that Swamiji was such an embodiment of love and a great master that he even lifted Sadananda’s shoes. Swamiji once determined to take diksha from one Pavhari Baba who lived in a cave in Eastern U.P.who used to consume very little food.He met him once and Baba left a magical impression on Swamiji. But the preceding night of the diksha ceremony, Swamiji saw Sri Ramakrishna in his dreams looking sadly at him.He woke up with a jolt and decided not to become the Baba’s disciple although he remained deeply impressed by him throughout his life.
Once on his way from Gazipur to Banaras Swamiji learned that Balram Basu, the loyal servant of Sri Ramakrishna, had breadth his last. Seeing tears well up in his eyes, Pramadadas Mitra who was accompanying him said” Expressing sorrow doesn’t hoove a saint.” Aggressively,then Swamiji responded” Shall I cast off my heart because I am a saint? Sanyas doesn’t ask for one to grow stone-hearted.” Swamiji had almost died of malaria during his stay in Rishikesh. His pulse had gone down and he was breathing slowly. There was no doctor around and he thought his end was near. Then an old saint entered his cottage and treated him with peepul churna & honey.When he woke up to life from a state of unconsciousness he said,
”I felt during my unconsciousness that I had to do some great work for God.There is no rest, no peace for me till I complete that mission.”
Swamiji In America
The incidents that happened during Swamiji’s stay in America are evidence of his firm personality & deep concentration. When he was in America especially some ladies tried hard to afford him minimum comfort in his adverse & hard lifestyle most often. Miss E Oaldo Ellen was one of these ladies. Miss. Ellen used to come regularly from very far away for cooking & household work at Swamiji’s place. One day Swamiji noticed that Miss. Ellen is weeping alone sitting in a room. Seeing this Swamiji asked her “What happened to you Ellen why you are crying?’Miss Ellen’s answer was “Sir it seems that I can not make you satisfied as when some others disturb then you snub me only.”
Listening to this Swamiji immediately said” How can I snub others? I don’t even recognize them properly and that is the reason I snub you so much. So if I can’t snub my nearest one then whom I can snub you tell me, Ellen.”
After this incident, Miss Ellen very eagerly awaited the rebuke of Swamiji as his snub was his expression of love & affection.
Once in 1890, Swamihi went to the forest house “Rizli” of Mr.Leget.His son Hollister was then a grownup boy. There was a medium-sized Golf course on the lawn of that forest bungalow. When Swamiji was walking around the lawn he called Hollister. Getting the opportunity Hollister started to give some knowledge to Swamiji about the Golf game to him saying” Look at the flag near of which there is a hole and striking the ball with this stick the ball to be dropped in that hole and then the point can be earned.”Swamiji asked him “How many times the ball can be hit?”In reply, Hollister said, “Minimum seven to eight strikes are needed to drop the ball inside the hole.”
Swamiji told him he could drop the ball by a single strike only. It was an unbelievable reply to Hollister. So he utterly ruled out it and challenged Swamiji keeping a bet of ten and a half dollars with the capital all he had. Just at that time Mr.Leget also joined them. Listening to the matter he also said” Swamiji you can’t do it. Expert Golfers also need at least three to four strikes to drop the ball inside the hole.”However Swamiji was firm in his opinion. Then Mr.Leget also kept an additional ten dollars from his side.
Then Swamiji held the stick in his hand and said to Hollister “You just show me the hole and move away from there as my ball shall fly in the air.” Saying this Swamiji prepared with the stick to strike the ball He swung the Golf stick & hit the ball.The ball flew in the air & fell inside the hole shown by Hollister.
Seeing this Hollister shouted in excitement ”Oh what a amazing shot!” And totally confused & surprised Mr.Leget uttered in a very low voice “What a miracle by the Indian devotee.” Swamiji smiled and told him “Oh no I don’t spend the divine power on such insignificant matters. ”Listen to what I did “ First I measured the distance of my own. I am aware of my muscle power. I only told my mind that I needed to have the ten and a half dollars. Then my wish transferred to my muscles & I swung my hand to get what I wanted.”
A similar incident happened to him when he was in New York. Then one evening he was walking on the bridge over a lake. During the evening time, he was standing on the bridge and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area. All of a sudden he noticed that about a dozen egg shells were floating on the lake water & some youths were trying to hit them repeatedly with an air gun but all in vain. After watching for some time he asked them ”May I try once”’ The youths outburst with laughter saying looking at his saffron dress” Hey Indian monk it is not your job. You can never do it.” However, after repeated requests from Swamiji, they gave the air gun to strike the targets. First, he concentrated his mind & then started hitting the targets one by one sticking them all. The surprised youths noticed that and asked him” Oh Indian monk how you have done it?” Swamiji answered with a smile ”Concentration only is the key to my success.” Telling this that evening Swamiji went to his destination.
Swamiji’s interest in reading is also well-known. There was no exception during his stay in America too. He used to go regularly to the library on a daily basis. The librarian there noticed that Swamiji takes one new book daily returning the old one taken on the previous day. Noticed for a few days one day that the librarian asked Swamiji” Sir please tell do you read the books or just take only?” Swamiji smiled and told him “You can ask me questions from anywhere in this book.” When he asked several questions Swamiji replied to him so accurately referring to page no, and paragraph of that book that the librarian was confused with surprise and he was only looking at Swamiji. This incident proves his strange memory power.
One more incident proves his belief in his own religion who said” Proudly tell that I am a Hindu. ”The incident is like this. Once Swamiji went to a bookshop.In that book shop varieties of books were arranged. An American was also with them that day. Suddenly the American told him” Look at your holy book Gita is lying below all the other religious books.” In reply, Swamiji told to the American “This is the tolerance of the Hindu religion. This religion can bear the load of books of all the other religions.” Listening to the reply that American was speechless & dumb that day. This incident is proof of Swamiji’s expression of deep belief and faith in his own religion.
Swamiji & Jamshedji Tata
This is a totally different story. That day was the 1st of July,1893. During dawn time there were two fellow passengers of the ship in the same cabin. One with saffron Dressed young Indian saint & the other was a middle-aged Parshi businessman. The ship was on the way from Yokohama to Vancouver in its destination. During that twelve-day’s sailing period, they started conversations between themselves. One was going for business purposes to America & the other’s goal was to attend the World Religion Meet in Chicago. One was Swami Vivekananda & the other was the father of modern industry, Jamshedji Nuserwanji Tata.
They discussed economic matters and the industrial future of India. They also discussed the factories of safety matches manufactured in Japan. Swamiji told to Jamshedji that in place of importing safety matches from Japan why he is not establishing safety match manufacturing factory in India.
He also told Jamshedji “If you built a factory then only the socioeconomic situation will be strong in India. Then the country people will also get the opportunity for job. Resuling India will be economically sound.”
Jamshedji Tata was impressed by such a positive opinion from a young saint who is twenty-four years younger than him. Their discussions have gone far as Swamiji explained how difficult to live in India under the existing British rule.
On 23rd November 1898 Jamshedji wrote a letter to Swamiji that he was thinking of building a science research center in India and for that, he requested Swamiji to write an introductory circular. But during that period Swamiji was too busy with various activities related to the establishment of the Ramakrishna Mission. So he couldn’t keep the request of Jamshedji Tata then Jamshedji left this mortal world in 1904 handing over his dream of building the steel factory to his successors. In 1907 his next generation built the world famous Tata Steel factory in Jamshedpur, India a reputed national asset. In 1909 with the initiative of the Tata group, they built up the Tata Institute of Science and Research. Again, this is a bright instance of Swamiji’s vision of foresight.
Swamiji’s Historical Speech In Parliament Of The World’s Religions Chicago
On 11th September 1893 Swamiji delivered his historical speech in the Parliament Of The World’s Religions, Chicago. After that speech, the whole world recognized him as the soul of India & as the face of world humanity. The Parliament Of The World’s Religions was held from 11th to 27th September 1993. Seven thousand people from all over the world were present in that glorious assembly of religions from all over the world.
Swamiji started his speech by addressing “My sisters and brothers of America.” The effect of this address resulted in clapping continuously for three minutes vibrating the assembly hall & the summary of his speech was:
“It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome that you have given me. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world. I thank you in the name of the mother of religions & I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks also to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion that has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation that has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelis, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny.I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn that I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings:” As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”
The present convention which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in Itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita” Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form. I reach him, all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.”
Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendant, fanaticism have long possessed this beautiful earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization & sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time has come, and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.”
This was the abstract of Swamiji’s historical speech at the Parliament Of the World’s Religions Meet in Chicago. For his speech, Swamiji was allocated for ten minutes only, but the speech continued crossing the time limit.
Swamiji & His Master’s Love
After the Parliament Of World’s Religion in Chicago on 11th September 1893 Swamiji became world famous overnight, In America a few religious fanatics stood against him. They tried to destroy his reputation by defaming him everywhere Pratap Candra Mazumdar a representative of Brahmo Samah was prominent amongst them including some Western religious stalwarts. Pratap Mazumdar used to abuse Swamiji & his Master Sri Ramakrishna also (who already left for his heavenly abode then) by his various insulative propaganda. This was simply an outburst of jealousy at Swamiji's fame and acceptance to society irrespective of class. Actually Pratap Mazumdar the successor of Keshab Chandra Sen (the founder of Brahmo Samaj) not accepted the matter in the right way when Keshab Chandra Sen turned to a follower devotee of Sri Ramakrishna by his inspiration. What an irony of fate name of Pratap Chandra Mazumdar is rubbed off in the course of time but his evil acts are still remembered. He was also one of the spoke persons from Brahmo Samaj in the Parliament of Worlds’ Religion with Swamiji. The incident below is a burning example of the limit this type of people can be drowned to fulfil their worldly envy and enmity.
Once Swamiji along with six to seven of his admirers invited for dinner by a very distinguished Lady.During the course of the meal, they were just passing their time by simply gossiping.It was nothing related to spiritualism. They were in the seventh heaven of worldly discussions.
The time came when the hostess came and told them ”Now would you like to have a cup of coffee?” Swamiji used to drink tea then sometimes twenty times a day. He also drank coffee rarely... His friends also drank tea and coffee.
On that day they were served coffee. Everyone started drinking. But as soon as Swamiji lifted his cup near to his lips miraculously he saw his Master, Sri Ramakrishna cautioning him “Naren, stop, stop! There is poison inside your cup.” The story behind the curtain was the fanatics had bribed the cook to mix poison inside Swamiji’s cup only. As many others were drinking the same coffee & nothing happened to them. Later when Swamiji’s coffee was examined it was found to have poison inside. Sri Ramakrishna at that time was in Heaven.
Those fanatics were so ruthless. This was the Master’s love for his dearest disciple & he stopped Swamiji immediately otherwise Swamiji would have died.
Swamiji’s Return To India
Swamiji stayed two and a half years in America after attending the Parliament Of the World’s Religions meet in Chicago. In that period in 1894, he established the Vedanta Society in New York. Meanwhile, he went to Europe to preach. spiritualism and returned to India in 1897. A few incidents happened when he was on the way to India.
Swamiji enjoyed the sea voyage on his way back to India reaxing from his strenuous activities in the West. But his mind was full of ideas regarding his future plan of work in his motherland.There were on the ship among other passengers including two Christian missionaries who, in the course of heated discussions they lost their tempers and savagely criticized the Hindu religion.Then Swamiji walked to one of them, seized him by the collar, and said menacingly, ”If you abuse my religion again, I will throw you overboard.’ “Let me go, Sir. I’ll not do it again.”
Later in the course of a conversation with a disciple in Calcutta, he asked, ”What would you do if someone insulted your mother?” Then the disciple answered, ”I would fall upon him Sir, and teach him a good lesson.”
“Bravo!” said Swamiji. ”now if you had the same positive feeling for your religion, your true mother, you could never see any Hindu brother converted to to Christianity. Yet you see this occurring every day and you are quite indifferent. Where is your faith? Every Christian missionaries abuses Hinduism to your face & yet how many are there amongst you whose blood boils with righteous indignation and who will stand up in its defense."
In the early morning of 15th January 1897, the coast of Ceylon with its majestic coco palms and the gold-coloured beach was visible at a distance Swamiji’s heart leapt with joy and his disciples caught his excitement as the ship approached the beautiful harbour of Colombo. But no one in the party had the slightest idea of what they were to witness while disembarking.
When the news of Swamiji’s departure reached India, the hearts of the people were stirred. The spirited ambassador of their ancient land was coming back after fulfilling his mission, ”They must give a regal welcome to this great crusader. In big towns, committees were formed for his reception. His brother disciples & friends were impatient to see him. Swami Shivananda came ahead of time to Madras and Swami Niranjanananda came to Colombo & so many of his disciples from Bengal and the Northern Provinces also came to Madras to await his arrival.
Agaily decorated steam launch carried Swamiji and his people from the ship to the harbour. When the monk with his saffron robe and luminous eyes came ashore,a mighty shout arose from the human throng crowding the quays. Thousands flung themselves on the ground just to touch Swamiji’s feet once. A deputation of the nobles of Ceylon welcomed him and he was taken in a huge procession through many triumphal arches. Flags were unfurled, religious hymns chanted and Indian band played. Rosewater and the sacred water of the Ganges were sprinkled before him & flowers were strewn in his path. Incense were burnt before the houses as he passed. Fruit and other offerings were brought by hundreds of visitors. Swamiji accepted all these honours without losing his poise.
Swamiji’s progress from Colombo to Madras and the welcomes he received at Kandy. Anuradhapuram, Jaffna, Pamban, Rameswaram, Ramnad, Paamakkudi, Madurai, Trichinopoly, & Kumbakonam demonstrated how deeply he had endeared himself to the people of India. At Anuradhapuram a group of fanatical Buddhists tried to breakup The meeting but did not succeed. At Rameswaram Swamiji exhorted the people to worship Shiva within the poor, The diseased and the weak. He received a touching welcome there from the King of Ramnad his disciple who had encouraged him to go to America and had helped him materially for that purpose. At Ramnad the horses were unhitched from the carriage bearing Swamiji & the people themselves, the King was among them who drew the carriage.
At a small railroad station near Madras, hundreds of people gathered for a glimpse of Swamiji. The station master did not want to delay the train since no stop was scheduled. But the crowd of admires flung themselves on the track and the train had to be halted. Swamiji then visibly moved & blessed the multitude.
While Swamiji was enjoying the restful sea voyage from Madras to Calcutta a reception comittee was busy preparing for him a fitting welcome in the metropolish of India, the city of his birth.
The steamer docked at Budge Budge and Swamiji & his people arrived by train in Calcutta on 19th February,1897. The reception was magnificent with an enthusiastic crowd at the Sealdah rail station,triumphal arches, the unharnessed carriage drawn by students and youths & huge procession with music and religious songs. A princely residence on the bank of the Ganges river was placed at Swamiji’s disposal.
On 28th February 1897, he was given a public reception organized and presided over by King Binoy Krishna Deb and five thousand people gathered in that great occasion. As usual, Swamiji asked the people to go back to the perennial philosophy of the Upanishads. He also paid a touching tribute to Sri Ramakrishna ‘My teacher,my master,my hero,my ideal,my God in life. If there has been anything achieved by me.” He said with deep feeling “By thoughts or words or deeds if from my lips has ever fallen one word that has ever helped anyone in the world, I lay no. claim to It was his. But if there has been hatred coming out of me, It is all mine, and Not his. All that has been weak has been mine all that has been lifegiving, strengthening, pure and holy has been his inspiration, his words, and he himself.Yes my friends the world has yet to know that man.”
On 1st May 1897, Swamiji established the Ramakrishna Mission with the goal of preaching spiritualism and spreading social activities. The motto of this Mission is “Karma Yoga”.
Swamiji & Sister Nivedita
For the first time Swamijiji visited Europe in November 1895 to collect funds with the goal of establishing the Ramakrishna Mission. During that visit, he met with an Irish Lady Miss Margaret Elizabeth Noble. Later she became famous as Sister Nivedita the spiritual daughter of Swamiji. She was an Irish teacher, author, and social activist. She was connected with public welfare activities in Bengal.
She was born and brought up in Ireland. She was the principal of a reputed school in London at the age of twenty eight only. Nivedita means “dedicated to God” when Swamiji initiated her into the vow of Brahmacharya on 25th March,1898. She started a girl's school in the Bagbazar area of North Calcutta. Her goal was to educate girls who were deprived of even basic education. During the plague epidemic in Calcutta by November 1899. Sister Nivedita nursed them & took care of the poor patients. Nivedita had a close association with the newly established Ramakrishna Mission. Because of her active contribution in the field of Indian Nationalism, she had to publicly dissociate herself from activities of the Ramakrishna Mission under the then president Swami Brahmananda. Nineteen years ahead of the First World War she met Swamiji and came out from the illusion of the discrimination between rich and poor & worldly envy. At the age of thirty Miss Margaret Noble came with his master Swami Vivekananda bringing a total change in her life.
Later she went to London to collect donations & devoted herself to social reforms in India and for the social reforms in India especially for women. Finally, she settled herself in India and engaged herself to serve the poor & neglected people of India. She played a revolutionary role in the field of women's education & empowerment. Sister Nivedita was blessed by Sharada Devi wife and spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. She used to tell her the Holy Mother. Till her last breath on 13th October 1911 Sister Nivedita remained one of the closest associates of holy Mother Sharada Devi.
Swamiji’s Second & Third Time Europe Visits
Swamiji went to Europe for the second time in 1896. Then he met Professor Maxmullar who was then renowned as India’s Expert. Swamiji was offered then for Professorship from two reputed American Universities. Swamiji politely denied those proposals to keep his promise to serve mankind and to dedicate himself for spiritualism. Returning from Europe very off and on he used to observe the disciplines & duties of our country's people saying “We read Gita but they practice Gita”. Owing to continuous travel and restless activities to organize the branches of the Ramakrishna Mission in different parts of the country and abroad & above all by the affectionate torture by the country's people the condition of Swamiji’s health started deteriorating within a short period. However, with his broken physical condition, he tried sincerely to establish the Ramakrishna Mission. with a strong base & in the direction advised by his Master Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He sends Swami Ramakrishnananda to Madras to establish the Mission’s branch center there. In Sargachi of Murshidabad, a permanent Service center was built by Swami Akhandanandaji. Swamiji distributed specific responsibilities to his other fellow disciples. The responsibilities of America & England were handed over to Swami Saradananda and Swami Avedananda respectively. For the third time, Swamiji visited Western countries on 20th June 1899. During that visit he stayed in England for two weeks & in August he reached to America. This time Swamiji delivered more than ninety speeches in America only. During this visit his basic motto was to observe how his idiologies are functioning and at the same time to establish a strong base of his line of thinking
Later he visited to Paris, Viena, Costalitipal, and Ethence & via Egypt Swamiji returned to Belur Math on 9th December, 1900. Just after returning to India he again started for Mayabati on 27th December.From ther he rturned on 24th January 1901 and then a deed was registered on 6th February. On 6th February.On 10th February with approval of the Trustee Board of Mission Swami Breahmananda elected the The manager & Swami Saradananda was nominated as secretary.
In this way Swamiji slowly made himself aloof from the managing body & quitelly started his preparation for “Maha Samadhi” in these last two years of his life span. During those days he used to avoid to give any type of advise even by his fellow disciples requests also. He used to tell them to do the activities as per their own opinion so that they can take any kind of decision in his absence. At last on the evening of 4th July 1902, he sat on meditation. That meditation was “Maha Samadhi” for Swamiji. At that time his age was 39 years 5 months and 25 days only. Although his mortal body ruined but the power revealed in the form of Vivekananda the subtle body is still active. As he promised to the people of this world
“I shall prefer to leave my worldly body like an old cloth. But I shall never be abstained from the work. Every whear I shall give inspiration to all the people. Till each of them realise that he is God.”
Hence every year on the auspicious day of 12th January on the birthday of Swamiji the whole nation observes it as ‘National Youth Day”. Swamiji’s ideology & philosophy of life are still very much relevant for the progress of the country & its everlasting effect energizes today’s youth generation and the generations to come.
Swamiji’s Durga Puja
Durga Puja started in Belur Math in 1901.This Puja started mainly with the active initiation of Swamiji. Mother Sharada Devi was also present in that Puja. Swamiji worshipped Mother Sharada with one hundred & eight lotus flowers. Swamiji celebrated the Puja of his living Durga in this way. He was the pioneer of “Kumari Puja” in Belur Math. In 1901before Durga Puja Swamiji sat under the Bell tree near Swamiji’s temple of these days. It is told that when he sat under the tree he felt the wish to perform Durga Puja.
In that Puja, the idol came from Kumartuli. Although the idol was not booked before but Swamiji got the idol of Durga as somebody who ordered it did not come. On the date of Durga Panchami Durga's idol was brought to Belur Math. That day Krishnalal Maharaj went to bring the idol. Puja was performed following ancient Vedic rituals. The puja location is arranged in between Thakur’s old temple & the present Math Manager’s office.
A few of Swamiji’s disciples gave him assistance in performing the Puja. They were Mukul. Govinda, Kalikrishna, Sudhir & Sunil. Brahmachari Krishna Lal was the main priest. Since from that Puja on Durga Astami Kumari Puja has been performed till today following traditional rituals.
In that Puja, the Oath (Sankalpa) was made by the name of Holy Mother Sharada as sannyasis can not take the Oath. At that juncture, all of them went to Mother Sharada. Swamiji showed them the way & said to take the Oath by the name of Holy Mother Sharada. During the Puja occasion, Mother Sharada was brought from Ghushuri of the Howrah district.
Swamiji And His Sense Of Discipline
As per the instruction of Swamiji, everyone was habituated to waking up in the early morning right at 4-00 A.M. by ringing the bell. Later the Brahmacharis & saints get ready and gather in the prayer hall for prayer & meditation. By the strict instruction of Swamiji, this practice turned into a rule. He started strict rules that if someone failed to attend the prayer hall as scheduled he had to beg from outside for that day’s meal as punishment. He will not be allowed to get meals from Math for the day. One day for some reason Swami Shibananda failed to attend the prayer room at the scheduled time. So he went out with his alms bag. Swamiji observed this silently. Later it was notified that Swamiji was absent in the dining hall that day. After a lot of requests also Swamiji didn't turn up to take the meal that day. with his fellow disciples. He was on fasting for the whole day. In the evening when Swami Shibananda returned after begging from outside Swamiji ran to him and eagerly asked him ‘Let me see Tarada what you have brought by begging? Come on let us eat this begged meal, for a long time I didn’t take the “Madhukari”(Begging for alms from five houses only) meal. Swamiji enjoyed the begged meal that day with Swamy Shibananda with full satisfaction.
Mild & Strict Swamiji
Once in the evening time, Swamiji was studying and explaining Vedanta with new Saints and Brahmacharis. He was fully absorbed in the discussion of Vedanta. At that time Swamy Premananda came there and loudly told them “All of you come this is the time to pray Thakur.” Swamiji was annoyed by the disturbance during the deep discussion of Vedanta. His big eyes were sparking in anger. He told furiously Premanandaji” What you have thought? Igniting and showing one incense stick to Thakur is his worship only? What we are doing is this not his prayer?” Later he started to snub Premanandaji with more hard language. At the end of the evening prayer, it was found that Premanandaji was not visible anywhere in the Math. Then Swamiji who was snubbing him in hard language the same person was moaning like a kid saying “Oh Baburam where he has gone? Has he committed suicide by drowning in the river Ganges because of my harsh behavior?” That was an embarrassing situation for his fellow disciples in Math where on one side Swamiji was deeply moaning & the other side Baburam Maharaj could not be found anywhere.
At last one person noticed that Baburam Maharaj was sitting alone in one corner of the roof in the dark. He was brought to Swamiji.After seeing Baburam Swamiji eagerly hugged him. He was full-fledged weeping then. Then both brothers started crying profusely. That was a very rare & emotional scene.
Another day Latu Maharaj (Swamy Adbhutanandaji) told to Swamiji “See I’m not able to maintain new new rules implemented by you after visiting from Western countries. My mind is not prepared to be punctual like the watch so when you ring the bell I shall sit for meditation. So I will not stay here & I am leaving.” Swamiji permitted him to leave . But when he saw that Latu Maharaj was really leaving then he ran to him and hugged him saying “Look Latu numbers of fresh new boys are joining the Math now. They will deteriorate if they are not restricted by rules. All these rules and regulations are not for you.”Listening to this from Swamiji, Latu Maharaj felt secure and stayed in the Math happily.
Swamiji & His Dog Bagha
A street dog Bagha was also once the resident at the Math. This dog had an affectionate relationship with Swamiji. That dog was driven out of the Math by disciples in the absence of Swamiji as the dog ate the sacred prasad offered to the Thakur But nothing caused any difference to Bagha for his rejection by the Math people, as after some time Bagha came back near to Math area by another boat returning to Belur bank when Bagha rode on that boat the boatmen tried to turn the dog down of the boat. But so many times they tried to do it Bagha chased them showing own teeth. Lastly, by the interference of the passengers Bagha was allowed to sit on the boat.
In this way after returning to Belur Bank Bagha was hidden near the Belur Math for the whole night. The dog was aware that Swamiji used to come into the bathroom early in the morning so it was eagerly waiting for Samiji. When Swamiji came Bagha also reached near to his feet with mild barking and crying. Swamiji came out with Bagha & called everyone of the Math saying “Bagha should not be driven away by anybody again. Bagha will stay in the Math forever.” Then Bagha was over joyous By loudly barking & showing gratitude to Swamiji by proudly waging the tail looking to everyone’s face present there.After the death of Bagha the dead body was floated in the river Ganga near Belur Math. The very next day it was found the mortal body of Bagha came back to the Math area by the retiring tide. Then Bagha’s body was respectfully buried inside the Math land.
Swamiji & Miracle
Several miraculous incidents happened from the day of the last breadth of Swamiji. The miracle happened during the burning of Swamiji’s worldly body. The eyewitnesses of these miraculous incidents were Swamiji’s mother Bhubaneswari Devi & Sister Nivedita during their stay in front of his pyre with wept eyes. Swamiji was aware of the date of his own death well in advance.
A surprising incident took place after the cremation of his worldly body. On 4th July 1902 was the great march day of Swami Vivekananda the greatest teacher of India’s Vedic Philosophy. The sole preacher of Hindu religion & philosophy in the world left for heavenly abode at the age of thirty nine only. His immortal quotes are still evergreen even though his body vanished in five primary elements.
There are a few different opinions even though there is no mystery is there related to his death. It is said his disciples are the witnesses of several miraculous incidents from his death till his cremation. Swami Vivekananda left from worldly illusion only at the age of thirty nine. However, his devotees claim that Swamiji was well aware of the abdication of his worldly body much before. Even though he indicated his death three days before his dearest disciple Sister Nivedita. Swamiji invited to a dinner Sister Nivedita three days before his death and served her meal by himself with utmost care. Still after repeated indications from Swamiji about his great march to heaven, she couldn’t understand at that time. After his death, she understood the significance of reminding those memories that her Master signaled about his death. It is known on the 4th of July night at the same time as Swamiji’s death Sister Nivedita had a dream that Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha’s body leaving this earth for the second time. Probably this was a message from Swamiji in connection to his death.
Not only this five years before Swamiji told his follower Swami Abhedananda about his great march to heaven. In Swamiji’s words,
”Listen Abhedananda I may survive for five to six years more. Day by day my my soul is growing larger. It is growing so large it can’t be held inside the body.”
According to his remembrance, it is known from the book written by Swami Abhedananda that on 4th July the date of his great march Swamiji woke up early in the morning. He performed meditation in the prayer room of Belur Math. Afterward, Swamiji taught the students from Sukla Yajur Veda, Sanskrit grammar & philosophy. He explained Panini’s grammar in so easy manner that the class turned to razzle-dazzle.
After the class, Swamiji drank hot milk and took a walk for some time with Swami Premananda & discussed the future of Ramakrishna Mission. It was known that that day a boat fully loaded with Hilsha fish arrived at the Belur bank of the river Ganges. That day Swamiji asked to buy all those Hisha fishes with great enthusiasm. He relished those Hilsha preparations with all other fellow disciples during lunch. People think that Swamiji was vegetarian. But it is known that he was fond of fish & other nonvegetarian preparations also. During his stay in Mission, he doesn’t usually take vegetarian meals only. At 7 PM he went to his room saying “No one should disturb me.” He sat in meditation at 9-10 PM & this brave saint left for his heavenly abode.
According to his disciples, Swamiji attained the ”Maha Samadhi” before his death. Although the physicians claim the possible reason for Swamiji’s death was caused by the burst of blood vessels. He faced heart attacks two times before his death. Even on the day of his death, he had a massive heart attack as per the doctor’s opinion. But the doctors were not sure about the actual reason for his death. But his disciples claim his death was caused by a brain hemorrhage. Just three days before his death during an evening walk he noticed a place in the land of Belur Math and instructed after his death his body should be cremated in that place. In that specified place in Belur on the bank of the river Ganges his body was burnt on sandalwood pyre. Sixteen years before on the opposite of the same spot Sri Ramakrishna’s worldly body was also burnt. His Master Sri Ramakrishna said “The day Naren will feel he performed all his duties that very day he will leave the mortal world of his own”
Swamiji himself said that he would leave before forty years of his age. At the time of his death, Swamiji’s age was thirty nine years five months, and twenty five days only. Belur was vacated within a moment when his body was burnt on the pyre in the place as fixed before. But he used to let know time and again to his disciples & Sister Nivedita repeatedly about his existence after leaving the earth. A miraculous incident happened on the very next day of Swamiji’s death explains the matter. It was heard that when Swamiji’s body was laid on the pyre for burning Sister Nivedita reached there. She shook a hand fan on the head of Swamiji’s body.
Slowly time has flown in its own course. At a particular time, the burning activity commenced. Looking towards the fire the pyre of her Mater Sister Nivedita was thinking ”If from that burning flame a piece of cloth reach to her.” As she thought it surprisingly she found that all of a sudden a piece of burnt cloth had flown from the pyre near her feet. This was a miracle as she was standing far away from the pyre location. But Swamiji fulfilled his dearest disciple’s desire as much as she wished for. This means after his death even distributed everything without any hesitation. The dearest disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansha Dev, the guide of the youth forum & the pathfinder of the Hindu renaissance of British ruled India the brave spiritual hero Swami Vivekananda.
Sister Nivedita talked about Swamiji in her book The Master As I Saw Him...
“May God grant that this living presence of our Master, of which death itself had not had the power to rob us, become never, to us his disciples, as a thing to be remembered, but remain with us always in its actuality, even unto the end!”
Conclusion
The organization named Ramakrishna Mission formed by Swamiji was based on unconditional love & affection between each other. The root of this unconditional true love was the God of love, Sri Ramakrishna Dev.
Spreading this message of Sri Ramakrishna amongst all the members of the Mission Swamiji bonded them in irresistible love, Swamiji said to his fellow disciples of the Mission ”I love all of you like Thakur loved me. like that you also love the world.” Swamiji was the living idol of this true unconditional love. He bonded the organization with different love and affection. Owing to this if any chance in case of any difference of opinion no one ever suffered by ashram politics. None was exiled from mind. This was the success of Swamiji.
The ideology of young Swami Vivekananda inspires & excites till date the youth society of the present day. Due to that reason, the philosophy of Swamiji is adorable and acceptable to the world of humanity. In his opinion, the meaning of religion is human welfare. As per Swamihi’s ideology, religion shall not be restricted to the rituals only rather it should make them free. The main concept of religion is to serve human beings as told by Swamiji. His religion is the religion of unity. At the present juncture when humanism is brutally attacked by fundamentalism. To establish peace and stability with independent thinking we need to follow the ideology of the face of world humanism Swamiji.
Women empowerment played a major role in his social reform activities. The meaning of independence of women is self realisation & revival of women's power. Education is a birthright for everyone. But earning the bookish knowledge shall not be the only motto. The education can wake up the soul that is the success of education. That is the reason, the bookish education failed to awaken society. This is not acceptable at all. The present society needs very badly to follow the ideology & philosophy guided by the Pathfinder Swamiji. Swamiji is not limited to a particular religion or a nation only. He is the preacher of world humanity. Hence concluding by referring to his eternal quote
“Arise Awake and stop not until the goal is reached.”
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Swamiji was a momentary birth exceptionally brilliant & thinker. Who was the pathfinder of a new direction? Several activities of his life are still behind the curtain and forgotten with time. The period of Swamiji’s activities is between the end of the eighteenth century & the beginning of the nineteenth century. "Swamiji As I Know Him" carries the facts that still convey the message of global humanity. This message is about egoism & golden past of ancient India, for which every individual Indian irrespective of the rich and poor is proud uptill now.
Swamiji is an evergreen legend for the feelings of the secret of life and that is the reason why the philosophy of Swamiji”s life is still relevant & essential treasure house of knowledge.