The Life and Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Life and Philosophy of Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekananda’s original name was Narendranath Datta and was born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta and he died on July 4, 1902, near Calcutta. But his impact and his powerful quotes are always with us. He was the Hindu spiritual leader and reformer in India who combined Indian spirituality and culture with western materialistic life. His philosophy was a person’s own higher self; to labor for the benefit of humanity was the noblest reason.

As a young curious boy, Narendranath had sharp intellect. His curious nature showed his interest in music. He was also excelled in his studies, first at the Metropolitan Institution, and after that at the Presidency College in Calcutta. By the time, he was graduated from the college, he had acquired deep knowledge of different subjects.

Spiritual Awakening of Narendranath

In 1884, Naredranath was going through a financial crisis due to the death of his father and he had to support his mother and younger siblings. He asked Ramakrishna (his guru) to pray for them to the Goddess for the financial stability of his family. On Ramakrishna’s suggestion, he went to the temple to pray. But once he faced the Goddess he could not ask for money, health and wealth, instead he asked for ‘Vivek’ (conscience) and ‘Bairagya’ (reclusion). That was the day which is marked as the complete spiritual awakening of Narendranath and he found himself drawn to an ascetic way of life.

Life of a Monk in swami’s life

During the mid of 1885, Ramakrishna was suffering from throat cancer, and fell seriously ill. In September 1885, Ramakrishna was moved to Shyampukur in Calcutta, and a few months, Narendranath took a house on rent at Cossipore. And there, he formed a group of young people who were the followers of Sri Ramakrishna and together they look after their Guru with devoted care. On 16 August 1886, Sri Ramakrishna gave up the world.

After the death of Sri Ramakrishna, around fifteen of his disciples including Narendranath began to live together in a house at Baranagar in North Calcutta, which was named as the Ramakrishna Math, the monastic order of Ramakrishna. Here, in 1887, they decided to took monkhood. The Brotherhood keeps them together and Narendranath emerged as Vivekananda meaning “the bliss of discerning wisdom”.

Swami Vivekananda was a prominent nationalist personality, and had a overall welfare for the countrymen was always in his mind. He urged his fellow countrymen to “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”. this was the most famous and followed the philosophy of Swami Vivekanand.

Best Inspirational Quotes of Swami Vivekanand

1. You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.
2. Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached.
3. Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.
4. Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.
5. The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
6. Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.