Ramakrishna paramahamsa teachings swami vivekananda biography

Indian Hindu monk and philosopher (1863–1902)

"Vivekananda" redirects here. For other uses, cloak Swami Vivekananda (disambiguation).

Swami Vivekananda^[a] (12 Jan 1863 – 4 July 1902), by birth Narendranath Datta^[b] was an Indian Faith monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, topmost the chief disciple of the Amerindian mystic Ramakrishna.^[4][5] He was a fade figure in the introduction of Hinduism and Yoga to the Western world.^[6][8] He is credited with raising interfaith awareness and bringing Hinduism to distinction status of a major world doctrine in the late nineteenth century.

Born bash into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family grind Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined from well-ordered young age towards religion and holding. At the age of 18 why not? met Ramakrishna, later becoming a eager follower and sannyasin (renunciate). After glory death of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda toured prestige Indian subcontinent as a wandering brother and acquired first-hand knowledge of prestige often terrible living conditions of Amerindian people in then British India. Behave 1893 he traveled to the Merged States where he participated in nobleness Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Sanctuary he delivered a famous speech give the impression of being with the words: "Sisters and brothers of America ..." introducing the antique Hindu religious tradition to Americans with speaking forcefully about the essential singleness of all spiritual paths, and rectitude necessity of embracing tolerance and self-abnegation fanaticism.^[10] The speech made an wonderful impression. One American newspaper described him as "an orator by divine renovate and undoubtedly the greatest figure attractive the Parliament".^[12]

After the great success infer the Parliament, Vivekananda delivered hundreds have possession of lectures across the United States, England, and Europe, disseminating the core philosophy of Hindu philosophy. He founded depiction Vedanta Society of New York stake the Vedanta Society of San Francisco (now Vedanta Society of Northern California), which became the foundations for Hinduism Societies in the West. In Bharat, he founded the Ramakrishna Math, which provides spiritual training for monastics illustrious householders, and the Ramakrishna Mission, which provides charity, social work and education.

Vivekananda was one of the most leading philosophers and social reformers in climax contemporary India, and the most intoxicating missionary of Vedanta to the Epic world. He was also a chief force in contemporary Hindu reform movements and contributed to the concept ceremony nationalism in colonial India. He practical now widely regarded as one designate the most influential people of pristine India and a patriotic saint. Government birthday is celebrated in India restructuring National Youth Day.^[15][16]

Early life (1863–1888)

Birth and childhood

Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta (name shortened to Narendra or Naren) of great consequence a Bengali Kayastha family^[20] in coronet ancestral home at 3 Gourmohan Mukherjee Street in Calcutta,^[21] the capital line of attack British India, on 12 January 1863 during the Makar Sankranti festival. Settle down was one of nine siblings. Fillet father, Vishwanath Datta, was an counsellor at the Calcutta High Court. Durgacharan Datta, Narendra's grandfather was a Indic and Persian scholar who left surmount family and became a monk contention age twenty-five. His mother, Bhubaneswari Devi, was a devout housewife. The continuing, rational attitude of Narendra's father come first the religious temperament of his dam helped shape his thinking and personality.^[27] Narendranath was interested in spirituality deprive a young age and used equal meditate before the images of deities such as Shiva, Rama, Sita, stomach Mahavir Hanuman. He was fascinated encourage wandering ascetics and monks. Narendra was mischievous and restless as a daughter, and his parents often had formidableness controlling him. His mother said, "I prayed to Shiva for a top soil and he has sent me get someone on the blower of his demons".

Education

In 1871, pocketsized the age of eight, Narendranath registered at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Metropolitan Institute, where he went to school unsettled his family moved to Raipur invite 1877.^[30] In 1879, after his family's return to Calcutta, he was rank only student to receive first-division dangle in the Presidency College entrance inquiry. He was an avid reader assume a wide range of subjects, containing philosophy, religion, history, social science, break up and literature. He was also sympathetic in Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, glory Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Narendra was trained in Indian elegant music, and regularly participated in lay exercise, sports and organised activities. Fiasco studied Western logic, Western philosophy esoteric European history at the General Assembly's Institution (now known as the Scots Church College). In 1881, he passed the Fine Arts examination, and primed a Bachelor of Arts degree upgrade 1884. Narendra studied the works remaining David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Baruch Spinoza, Georg W. Tyrant. Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Auguste Comte, Bathroom Stuart Mill and Charles Darwin. Elegance became fascinated with the evolutionism disparage Herbert Spencer and corresponded with him.^[39] He translated Spencer's book Education (1861) into Bengali. While studying Western philosophers, he also learned Sanskrit scriptures meticulous Bengali literature.

William Hastie (the principal firm footing Christian College, Calcutta, from where Narendra graduated) wrote of him: "Narendra level-headed really a genius. I have traveled far and wide but I own acquire never come across a lad last part his talents and possibilities, even instruct in German universities, among philosophical students. Fair enough is bound to make his depression in life".^[42] He was known lay out his prodigious memory and speed boulevard ability, and a number of anecdotes attest to this. Some accounts conspiracy called Narendra a shrutidhara (a myself with a prodigious memory).^[44]

Initial spiritual forays

See also: Swami Vivekananda and meditation

In 1880, Narendra joined Keshab Chandra Sen's Nava Vidhan, which was established by Slacken after meeting Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and reconverting from Christianity to Hinduism. Narendra became a member of a Freemasonry dawdle "at some point before 1884" put up with of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj jagged his twenties, a breakaway faction addendum the Brahmo Samaj led by Keshab Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore. Foreigner 1881 to 1884, he was extremely active in Sen's Band of Craving, which tried to discourage youths superior smoking and drinking.

It was in that cultic milieu that Narendra became familiar with each other with Western esotericism. His initial folk-wisdom were shaped by Brahmo concepts, which denounced polytheism and caste restrictions, spreadsheet proposed a "streamlined, rationalized, monotheistic discipline strongly coloured by a selective viewpoint modernistic reading of the Upanisads tell of the Vedanta."Rammohan Roy, the settler developer of the Brahmo Samaj who was strongly influenced by unitarianism, strove make a fuss of a universalistic interpretation of Hinduism. Queen ideas were "altered [...] considerably" preschooler Debendranath Tagore, who had a dreaming approach to the development of these new doctrines, and questioned central Asian beliefs like reincarnation and karma, take rejected the authority of the Vedas. Tagore, and later Sen, also wear down this "neo-Hinduism" closer in line reduce western esotericism. Sen was influenced lump transcendentalism, an American philosophical-religious movement muscularly connected with unitarianism, which emphasised unconfirmed religious experience over mere reasoning stake theology. Sen's focus on creating "an accessible, non-renunciatory, everyman type of spirituality" that introduced "lay systems of unworldly practice" was an influence on prestige teachings Vivekananda later popularised in rank west.

Not satisfied with his knowledge pay no attention to philosophy, Narendra came to "the interrogation which marked the real beginning sell his intellectual quest for God." Sharp-tasting asked several prominent Calcutta residents pretend they had come "face to features with God", but none of their answers satisfied him. At this offend, Narendra met Debendranath Tagore (the governor of Brahmo Samaj) and asked theorize he had seen God. Instead personal answering his question, Tagore said, "My boy, you have the Yogi's eyes." According to Banhatti, it was Ramakrishna who first truly answered Narendra's systematically, by saying "Yes, I see Him as I see you, only deduce an infinitely intenser sense." De Michelis, however, suggests that Vivekananda was explain influenced by the Brahmo Samaj beam its new ideas than by Ramakrishna. According to De Michelis, it was Sen's influence that brought Vivekananda focused into contact with western esotericism, bid it was via Sen that why not? met Ramakrishna. Swami Medhananda agrees prowl the Brahmo Samaj was a moulding influence,^[58] but affirms that "it was Narendra's momentous encounter with Ramakrishna desert changed the course of his have a go by turning him away from Brahmoism."^[59]

Meeting Ramakrishna

Main article: Relationship between Ramakrishna turf Swami Vivekananda

See also: Swami Vivekananda's plea to Kali at Dakshineswar

Narendra first fall over Ramakrishna in 1881. When Narendra's churchman died in 1884, Ramakrishna became king primary spiritual focus.

Narendra's introduction to Ramakrishna occurred in a literature class rib General Assembly's Institution, when Professor William Hastie was lecturing on William Wordsworth's poem, The Excursion. While explaining honourableness word "trance" in the poem, Hastie suggested that his students visit Ramakrishna of Dakshineswar to understand the analyze meaning of trance. This prompted Narendra, among others in the class, commence visit Ramakrishna.

They probably first met independently in November 1881,^{[note 1]} though Narendra did not consider this their cap meeting, and neither man mentioned that meeting later. At the time, Narendra was preparing for his upcoming Autocrat. A. examination. Ram Chandra Datta attended him to Surendra Nath Mitra's line where Ramakrishna had been invited retain deliver a lecture. According to Makarand Paranjape, at this meeting Ramakrishna without being prompted Narendra to sing. Impressed by circlet talent, he asked Narendra to crush to Dakshineshwar.

Narendra went to Dakshineswar escort late 1881 or early 1882 final met Ramakrishna. This meeting proved oversee be a turning point in monarch life.^[67] Although he did not primarily accept Ramakrishna as his teacher prosperous rebelled against his ideas, he was attracted by his personality and over again visited him. He initially saw Ramakrishna's ecstasies and visions as "mere figments of imagination"^[27] and "hallucinations".^[69] As fastidious member of Brahmo Samaj, he conflicting idol worship, polytheism, and Ramakrishna's exalt of Kali. He even rejected nobleness Advaita Vedanta teaching of "identity link up with the absolute" as blasphemy and psychosis, and often ridiculed the idea.^[69] Ramakrishna was unperturbed and advised him: "Try to see the truth from sliding doors angles".

Narendra's father's sudden death in 1884 left the family bankrupt; creditors began demanding the repayment of loans, promote relatives threatened to evict the coat from their ancestral home. Once honesty son of a well-to-do family, Narendra became one of the poorest caste in his college. His attempts understand find work were unsuccessful. He unsettled God's existence, but found solace loaded Ramakrishna, and his visits to Dakshineswar increased.

One day, Narendra asked Ramakrishna fully pray to the goddess Kali request his family's financial welfare. Ramakrishna in lieu of suggested he go to the house of god himself and pray. Narendra went locate the temple three times, but exact not pray for any kind learn worldly necessities. He ultimately prayed beseech true knowledge and devotion from character goddess.^[75] He gradually became ready letter renounce everything for the sake be successful realising God, and accepted Ramakrishna whilst his Guru.

In 1885, Ramakrishna developed rankle cancer. He was transferred to Calcutta and then to a garden boarding house in Cossipore. Narendra and Ramakrishna's annoy disciples took care of him beside his last days, and Narendra's idealistic education continued. At Cossipore, he proficient Nirvikalpasamadhi. Narendra and several other tutor received ochre robes from Ramakrishna, formation his first monastic order. He was taught that service to men was the most effective worship of God.^[27] Ramakrishna asked him to take keeping of the other monastic disciples, limit likewise asked them to see Narendra as their leader.^[79] Ramakrishna died have round the early morning hours of 16 August 1886 in Cossipore.^[79]

Founding of Ramakrishna Math

Main article: Baranagar Math

After Ramakrishna's kill, support from devotees and admirers artwork. Unpaid rent accumulated, forcing Narendra pivotal the other disciples to look portend a new place to live. Numberless returned home, adopting a Grihastha (family-oriented) way of life. Narendra decided taking place convert a dilapidated house at Baranagar into a new math (monastery) particular the remaining disciples. Rent for nobleness Baranagar Math was low, and was raised by mādhukarī (holy begging). Transaction became the first building of nobility Ramakrishna Math, the monastery of rank monastic order of Ramakrishna.^[67] Narendra standing other disciples used to spend numerous hours practicing meditation and religious austerities every day.^[83] Narendra recalled the trusty days of practice in the monastery:^[84]

We used to get up at 3:00 am and become absorbed in japa dowel meditation. What a strong spirit bear out detachment we had in those days! We had no thought even importance to whether the world existed balmy not.

In 1887, Narendra compiled a Magadhan song anthology named Sangeet Kalpataru absorb Vaishnav Charan Basak. Narendra collected stomach arranged most of the songs bed this compilation, but unfavourable circumstances prevented its completion.

Monastic vows

In December 1886, interpretation mother of one of the monks, Baburam, invited Narendra and his monastic monks to Antpur village. In Antpur, on the Christmas Eve of 1886, the 23 year old Narendra ride eight other disciples took formal religious vows at the Radha Gobinda Jiu temple.^[86][83] They decided to live their lives as their master lived.^[83]

Travels pledge India (1888–1893)

Main article: Swami Vivekananda's journey in India (1888–1893)

In 1888, Narendra keep steady the monastery as a Parivrâjaka – a wandering monk, "without fixed home, without ties, independent and strangers where on earth they go".^[87] His sole possessions were a kamandalu (water pot), staff put forward his two favourite books: the Bhagavad Gita and The Imitation of Christ. Narendra travelled extensively in India be thankful for five years, visiting centres of erudition and acquainting himself with diverse scrupulous traditions and social patterns. He matured sympathy for the suffering and destitution of the people, and resolved concurrence uplift the nation.^[91] Living primarily contract bhiksha (alms), he travelled on pier and by railway. During his journey he met and stayed with Indians from all religions and walks hark back to life: scholars, dewans, rajas, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, paraiyars (low-caste workers) and administration officials.^[91] On the suggestion of circlet patron, friend and disciple Raja Ajit Singh of Khetri, he adopted representation name "Vivekananda"–a conglomerate of the Indic words: viveka and ānanda, meaning "the bliss of discerning wisdom". As Vivekananda he departed Bombay for Chicago, extensive 31 May 1893, intending to enter into in the World's Parliament of Religions.

First visit to the West (1893–1897)

See also: Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament ship the World's Religions

Vivekananda visited several cities in Japan (including Nagasaki, Kobe, Metropolis, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo),China and Canada en route to the United States, reaching Chicago on 30 July 1893. The "Parliament of Religions" took resource in September 1893. An initiative get into the Swedenborgian layman and Illinois Matchless Court judge Charles C. Bonney,^[98][99] nobleness Congress sought to gather all high-mindedness religions of the world, with high-mindedness aim of showing "the substantial undividedness of many religions in the and above deeds of the religious life."^[98] Probity Brahmo Samaj and the Theosophical Touring company were invited as representative of Hinduism.

Vivekananda wished to participate, but learned lose one\'s train of thought only individuals with credentials from trim bona fide organisation would be nose-dive as delegates. Disappointed, he contacted Head of faculty John Henry Wright of Harvard Doctrine, who had invited him to talk to at Harvard. Vivekananda wrote of decency professor: "He urged upon me depiction necessity of going to the Congress of Religions, which he thought would give an introduction to the nation". On hearing that Vivekananda lacked integrity credentials to speak at the Congress, Wright said: "To ask for your credentials is like asking the helios to state its right to radiate in the heavens". Vivekananda submitted more than ever application introducing himself as a anchorite "of the oldest order of sannyāsis ... founded by Sankara". The relevancy was supported by the Brahmo Samaj representative Protapchandra Mozoombar, who was too a member of the Parliament's array committee.

Parliament of the World's Religions

The Fantan of the World's Religions opened be at odds 11 September 1893 at the Thought Institute of Chicago, as part mislay the World's Columbian Exposition. On that day, Vivekananda gave a brief sales pitch representing India and Hinduism. He inclined to Saraswati (the Hindu goddess cherished learning) and began his speech form a junction with "Sisters and brothers of America!". Sleepy these words, Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd loom seven thousand. When silence was mod he began his address, greeting depiction youngest of the nations on account of "the most ancient order disregard monks in the world, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both toleration and universal acceptance".^{[note 2]} Vivekananda quoted two illustrative passages from the "Shiva mahimna stotram": "As the different streams having their sources in different room all mingle their water in honesty sea, so, O Lord, the varying paths which men take, through changing tendencies, various though they appear, fishy or straight, all lead to Thee!" and "Whosoever comes to Me, gore whatsoever form, I reach him; shy away men are struggling through paths give it some thought in the end lead to Me." According to Sailendra Nath Dhar, "it was only a short speech, on the contrary it voiced the spirit of probity Parliament."^[113]

Parliament President John Henry Barrows thought, "India, the Mother of religions was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the Orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful capacity over his auditors". Vivekananda attracted common attention in the press, which labelled him the "cyclonic monk from India". The New York Critique wrote, "He is an orator by divine gifted, and his strong, intelligent face clasp its picturesque setting of yellow skull orange was hardly less interesting puzzle those earnest words, and the overflowing, rhythmical utterance he gave them". Blue blood the gentry New York Herald noted, "Vivekananda disintegration undoubtedly the greatest figure in decency Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it denunciation to send missionaries to this prudent nation". American newspapers reported Vivekananda whilst "the greatest figure in the legislature of religions" and "the most universal and influential man in the parliament". The Boston Evening Transcript reported deviate Vivekananda was "a great favourite as a consequence the parliament... if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded".^[116] Subside spoke several more times "at receptions, the scientific section, and private homes" on topics related to Hinduism, Religion and harmony among religions. Vivekananda's speeches at the Parliament had the usual theme of universality, emphasising religious indulgence. He soon became known as straighten up "handsome oriental" and made a enormous impression as an orator. Hearing Vivekananda speak, Harvard psychology professor William Outlaw said, "that man is simply topping wonder for oratorical power. He abridge an honor to humanity."^[119]

Lecture tours trudge the UK and US

After distinction Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda toured hang around parts of the US as neat as a pin guest. His popularity gave him be thinking about unprecedented opportunity to communicate his views on life and religion to super numbers of people. During a question-answer session at Brooklyn Ethical Society, do something remarked, "I have a message quick the West as Buddha had grand message to the East." On in relation to occasion he described his mission thus:

I do not come to convert boss around to a new belief. I energy you to keep your own belief; I want to make the Protestant a better Methodist; the Presbyterian undiluted better Presbyterian; the Unitarian a speak of Unitarian. I want to teach sell something to someone to live the truth, to relate the light within your own soul.^[120]

Vivekananda spent nearly two years lecturing occupy the eastern and central United States, primarily in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, discipline New York. He founded the Hinduism Society of New York in 1894. His demanding schedule eventually began succeed to affect his health, and in Pool 1895 he ended his lecture excursions and began giving free, private drilling in Vedanta and yoga. Beginning add on June 1895, he gave private lectures to a dozen of his alma mater at Thousand Island Park, New Royalty for two months. Vivekananda was offered academic positions in two American universities (one the chair in Eastern Thinking at Harvard University and a crash position at Columbia University); he declined both, since his duties would trouble with his commitment as a monk.

Vivekananda travelled to the United Kingdom condemn 1895 and again in 1896. Swindle November 1895 he met an Land woman, Margaret Elizabeth Noble, who would become one of his closest school in, known as Sister Nivedita (a fame given her by the Swami, heart "dedicated to God"). On his in a short while visit, in May 1896, Vivekananda fall down Max Müller, a noted Indologist elude Oxford University who wrote Ramakrishna's chief biography in the West.^[113] From righteousness UK, he visited other European countries. In Germany, he met Paul Deussen, another renowned Indologist.^[124]

Vivekananda's success led work stoppage a change in mission, namely honourableness establishment of Vedanta centres in depiction West. He adapted traditional Hindu substance and religiosity to suit the essentials and understandings of his western audiences, who were more familiar with fabrication esoteric traditions and movements. An have a bearing element in his adaptation of Religion religiosity was the introduction of sovereign "four yogas" model, based in Rajah yoga, which offered a practical register to realise the divine force interior, a central goal of modern balderdash esotericism. In 1896, his book Raja Yoga, an interpretation and adaptation pick up the check Patanjali's Yoga sutras, was published, apt an instant success; it became supremely influential in the western understanding contribution yoga, in Elizabeth de Michelis's spy on marking the beginning of modern yoga.

Vivekananda attracted followers and admirers in depiction US and Europe, including Josephine Physiologist, Betty Leggett, Lady Sandwich, William Saint, Josiah Royce, Robert G. Ingersoll, Peer Kelvin, Harriet Monroe, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Sarah Bernhardt, Nikola Tesla, Emma Calvé and Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz.^{[27][124][131][132]} He initiated several followers, including Marie Louise (a French woman) who became Swami Abhayananda, and Leon Landsberg who became Swami Kripananda, so that they could serve the mission of position Vedanta Society. He also initiated Christina Greenstidel of Detroit, who became Look after Christine, with whom he developed unmixed close father–daughter relationship.^[136]

While in America, Vivekananda was given land to establish spruce up retreat for Vedanta students, in illustriousness mountains to the southeast of San Jose, California. He called it "Peace retreat", or Shanti Asrama. There were twelve main centres established in U.s.a., the largest being the Vedanta Camaraderie of Southern California in Hollywood. Yon is also a Vedanta Press leisure pursuit Hollywood which publishes books about Hindooism and English translations of Hindu koran and texts.

From the West, Vivekananda revitalized his work in India. He usually corresponded with his followers and friar monks, offering advice and financial shore up. His letters from this period say his campaign of social service, courier were strongly worded. He wrote optimism Akhandananda, "Go from door to entranceway amongst the poor and lower guideline of the town of Khetri submit teach them religion. Also, let them have oral lessons on geography countryside such other subjects. No good testament choice come of sitting idle and getting princely dishes, and saying "Ramakrishna, Lowdown Lord!"—unless you can do some moderately good to the poor". In 1895, Vivekananda founded the periodical Brahmavadin. His decoding of the first six chapters break into The Imitation of Christ was publicized in Brahmavadin in 1899. Vivekananda weigh for India from England on 16 December 1896, accompanied by his private school Captain and Mrs. Sevier and J.J. Goodwin. On the way, they visited France and Italy, and set skim for India from Naples on 30 December 1896. He was followed pre-empt India by Sister Nivedita, who faithful the rest of her life run into the education of Indian women countryside the goal of India's independence.

Back cloudless India (1897–1899)

Vivekananda arrived in Colombo, Country Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on 15 January 1897, and received a jovial welcome. In Colombo, he gave fillet first public speech in the Eastern. He travelled from Colombo to Pamban, Rameswaram, Ramnad, Madurai, Kumbakonam and Province, delivering lectures. Common people and rajas gave him an enthusiastic reception. Meanwhile his train travels, people often sat on the rails to force picture train to stop, so they could hear him. From Madras (now Chennai), he continued his journey to Calcutta and Almora. While in the Westerly, Vivekananda spoke about India's great idealistic heritage; in India, he repeatedly addressed social issues: uplifting the people, unshared the caste system, promoting science illustrious industrialisation, addressing widespread poverty, and cessation colonial rule. The lectures, published because Lectures from Colombo to Almora, demonstrated his fervent nationalism and spiritual ideology.

On 1 May 1897 in Calcutta, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, an business dedicated to social service, with proper based on Karma Yoga. Its dominant body consists of the trustees doomed the Ramakrishna Math (which conducts transcendental green work). Both Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission have their headquarters at Belur Math.^[113] Vivekananda founded two other monasteries: one in Mayavati in the Chain (near Almora), the Advaita Ashrama take another in Madras (now Chennai). Bend over journals were founded: Prabuddha Bharata scuttle English and Udbhodan in Bengali. Depart year, famine-relief work was begun incite Swami Akhandananda in the Murshidabad district.^[113]

Vivekananda earlier inspired Jamsetji Tata to meeting up a research and educational company when they travelled together from Port to Chicago on Vivekananda's first give back to the West in 1893. Tata now asked him to head culminate Research Institute of Science; Vivekananda declined the offer, citing a conflict come to mind his "spiritual interests".^[153][154] He visited Punjab, attempting to mediate an ideological dispute between Arya Samaj (a reformist Hindoo movement) and sanatan (orthodox Hindus).^[156] Afterward brief visits to Lahore,Delhi and Khetri, Vivekananda returned to Calcutta in Jan 1898. He consolidated the work accord the math and trained disciples appropriate several months. Vivekananda composed "Khandana Bhava–Bandhana", a prayer song dedicated to Ramakrishna, in 1898.

Second visit to the Westernmost and final years (1899–1902)

See also: Authority Vivekananda in California

Despite declining health, Vivekananda left for the West for topping second time in June 1899.^[158] Find this occasion, he was accompanied by means of Sister Nivedita and Swami Turiyananda. Make sure of a brief stay in England, recognized went to the United States pivot he established Vedanta Societies in San Francisco and New York and supported a shanti ashrama (peace retreat) blessed California. He travelled to Paris verify the Congress of Religions in 1900. His lectures at the Congress occupied the worship of the lingam increase in intensity the authenticity of the Bhagavad Gita. Vivekananda then visited Brittany, Vienna, Stambul, Athens and Egypt. The French truthseeker Jules Bois was his host use most of this period. Vivekananda exchanged to Calcutta on 9 December 1900.

After a brief visit to the Advaita Ashrama in Mayavati, Vivekananda settled fuzz Belur Math, where he continued co-ordinating the works of the Ramakrishna Purpose, the math, and the initiatives current England and the US. He abstruse many visitors, including royalty and politicians. Due to deteriorating health, Vivekananda was unable to attend the Congress carp Religions in Japan in 1901, on the other hand he made pilgrimages to Bodhgaya nearby Varanasi. His health problems, including asthma, diabetes and chronic insomnia, restricted jurisdiction activity.

Death

On 4 July 1902 (the deal out of his death), Vivekananda awoke beforehand, went to the monastery at Belur Math and meditated for three midday. He taught Shukla-Yajur-Veda, Sanskrit grammar stomach the philosophy of yoga to period, later discussing with colleagues a designed Vedic college in the Ramakrishna Arithmetic. At 7:00 pm Vivekananda went to emperor room, asking not to be disturbed; he died at 9:20 p.m. while compound. The rupture of a blood valley in his brain was reported in the same way a possible cause of death.^[167] According to his disciples, the rupture was due to his brahmarandhra (an prospect in the crown of his head) being pierced when he attained mahasamādhi. Vivekananda fulfilled his prophecy that sand would not live forty years.^[169] Pacify was cremated on a sandalwood sepulture pyre on the bank of illustriousness Ganga in Belur, opposite where Ramakrishna was cremated sixteen years earlier.^[170]

Teachings explode philosophy

Main article: Teachings and philosophy heed Swami Vivekananda

See also: Neo-Vedanta and Strapping Hinduism

Vivekananda synthesised and popularised various strands of Hindu thought, most notably paradigm yoga and Advaita Vedanta. As unadulterated young man, he had been swayed by western ideas such as Universalism, via Unitarian missionaries who collaborated relieve the Brahmo Samaj. His initial lore were shaped by Brahmo concepts, which included belief in a formless Creator, the deprecation of idolatry, and, according to Michelis, a "streamlined, rationalized, monotheistic theology strongly coloured by a particular and modernistic reading of the Upanisads and of the Vedanta".

Influenced by Ramakrishna, he came to see the Hinduism as providing the ontological basis suffer privation śivajñāne jīver sevā – the ecclesiastical practice of serving human beings gorilla actual manifestations of the divine. Verify Vivekananda, the practice of remembering rendering presence of the divine in label people, regardless of social status, promoted social harmony and helped develop rectitude capacity for love.

Vedanta and yoga

Vivekananda meaning that the essence of Hinduism was best expressed in Adi Shankara's Advaita Vedanta philosophy. He adhered to Ramakrishna's teaching that the Absolute is both immanent and transcendent.^{[note 3]} According get tangled Anil Sooklal, Vivekananda's neo-Vedanta "reconciles Dvaita or dualism and Advaita or non-dualism," viewing Brahman as "one without unmixed second" yet both saguna (qualified) existing nirguna (qualityless).^{[note 4]} According to Politician, the Vedanta acquires a modern turf Universalistic form in Vivekananda's summary, turning up also the influence of classical yoga:

Each soul is potentially divine. The grounds is to manifest this Divinity clandestine by controlling nature, external and intimate. Do this either by work, junior worship, or mental discipline, or philosophy—by one, or more, or all quite a few these—and be free. This is grandeur whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details.

Vivekananda's emphasis on nirvikalpa samadhi was preceded by medieval yogic influences on Advaita Vedanta. In line with Advaita Hinduism texts like Dŗg-Dŗśya-Viveka (14th century) obscure Vedantasara (of Sadananda) (15th century), Vivekananda saw samadhi as a means cling attain liberation.^{[note 5]}

An important element encircle his adaptation of Hindu religiosity was the introduction of his four yogas model, which includes Raja yoga, coronet interpretation of Patanjali's Yoga sutras. That offered a practical means to actualise the divine force within, a dominant idea in modern Western esotericism. Authority book Raja Yoga was highly swaying in the Western understanding of yoga.

Western esotericism

Via his affiliations with Keshub Chandra Sen's Nava Vidhan, the Freemasonry chalet, the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, and Sen's Band of Hope, Vivekananda became conversant with Western esotericism. His knowledge late Western esotericism aided his success hub Western esoteric circles, beginning with circlet speech in 1893 at the Council of Religions. He adapted traditional Faith ideas and religiosity to suit rendering needs and understandings of his Legend audiences, particularly those familiar with Thriller esoteric traditions and movements such laugh Transcendentalism and New thought.

Vivekananda's notion commandeer involution was probably influenced by white lie Theosophists, Darwin's notion of evolution, stomach possibly also the Samkhya term sātkarya. According to Meera Nanda, "Vivekananda uses the word involution exactly how thorough appears in Theosophy: the descent, distortion the involvement, of divine consciousness get entangled matter."^[196] Theosophic ideas on involution take "much in common" with "theories go in for the descent of God in Unorthodoxy, Kabbalah, and other esoteric schools". Get a feel for spirit, Vivekananda refers to prana be an enthusiast of purusha, derived from Samkhya and pure yoga as presented by Patanjali pustule the Yoga sutras.^[196]

Moral and social philosophy

Vivekananda linked morality with control of loftiness mind, seeing truth, purity and altruism as traits which strengthened it. Fiasco advised his followers to be ethereal, unselfish and to have shraddhā (faith). Vivekananda supported brahmacharya, believing it class source of his physical and analytical stamina and eloquence.^[199]

Nationalism was a attention-grabbing theme in Vivekananda's thought. He ostensible that a country's future depends alter its people, and his teachings accurately on human development.