The first thing which must be coming to your mind is -What is X-Polration? Well X-ploration is an initiative started by D2G to make you aware with the world, to make you know more, to make you acquainted with the things which you thought of less importance. But, in reality, It is of utmost importance.
Here in X-ploration, we will write reviews about exam related books, inspirational books, about inspirational and eminent personality and a lot…We will publish an article a week.
Go through it and let us know us your views.
Shri Swami Vivekananda
Born on 12th January 1863, to the home of Vishwanath Dutta who was an attorney at the Calcutta High Court. This eminent personality was named Narendranath Dutta and his colleagues and friends called him Narendra or Naren. Being born to a spiritual Bengali Kayastha family, he was fascinated by the Hinduism books like Gita, Mahabharta, Upanishads, Vedas. This habit of him made him an avid reader and he loved reading the writings of David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Baruch Spinoza, Georg W. F. Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Auguste Comte, John Stuart Mill and Charles Darwin. He was truly fascinated with the evolutionism of Herbert Spencer and later on translated his book Education into Bengali.
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
Shri Swami vivekanand who was a child prodigy, was the only student to receive first-division marks in the Presidency College entrance examination. He was an avid reader in a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, religion, history, social science, art and literature.
As we all know, Vivekanand Ji always considered Ramakrishna as his spiritual guru. He first met him in 1881. Albeit he opposed Ramkrishna’s idol worship and even rebelled against his ideas, he was attracted by his unending charm personality and frequently visited him. He even rejected the Advaita Vedanta of “identity with the absolute” as blasphemy and madness, and often ridiculed the idea. Due to throat cancer, Ramakrishna died and in order to look after his disciples, he opened a monastery.
“In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path” ― Swami Vivekananda
In a Christmas eve 1886, Narendra took the name of Swami Vivekananda. Later he adopted a life a monk, with no adobe, without any ties and wandered throughout the world. He toured many parts of the US as a guest. His popularity opened up new views for expanding on “life and religion to thousands”. He founded the Vedanta Society of New York in 1894. Very few know, Vivekananda was offered academic positions in two American universities (one the chair in Eastern Philosophy at Harvard University and a similar position at Columbia University); he declined both, since his duties would conflict with his commitment as a monk.
Sharda Devi- wife of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and an inspiration to Swami Vivekananda ji
On 1 May 1897 in Calcutta, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission for social service. Its ideals are based on Karma Yoga and and its governing body consists of the trustees of the Ramakrishna Math(which conducts religious work). Both have headquarters at Belur Math.
On 4th July 1902, he left this world a lot better with his teachings, writings, thoughts and spirituality which is still an evident source of his life. He was cremated on a sandalwood funeral pyre on the bank of the Ganga in Belur, opposite where Ramakrishna was cremated sixteen years earlier.
“The greatest sin is to think yourself weak” ― Swami Vivekananda, Pearls of Wisdom
This was all about Shri Vivekanand Ji. He is no doubt a source of inspiration for all of us. One who follows him, follows the humanity.
Here are some general Knowledge Questions on his life.
When did Swami Vivekananda born?
What was Swami Ji’s real name?
Who was his Guru?
Who founded Ramakrishna Mission and Math?
Shri Swami Vivekanand’s birthday is celebrated as_________.
Who founded Vedanta Society in New York?
Where are the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission?
