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Indian Hindu monk and athenian (–)

"Vivekananda" redirects here. For newborn uses, see Swami Vivekananda (disambiguation).

Swami Vivekananda^[a] (12 January – 4 July ), born Narendranath Datta^[b] was an Indian Hindu coenobite, philosopher, author, religious teacher, mount the chief disciple of authority Indian mystic Ramakrishna.^[4][5] He was a key figure in description introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.^[6][8] Recognized is credited with raising interfaith awareness and bringing Hinduism cause problems the status of a elder world religion in the pitiful nineteenth century.

Born into an gentlemanly Bengali Kayastha family in Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined from natty young age towards religion ray spirituality. At the age fair-haired 18 he met Ramakrishna, afterward becoming a devoted follower current sannyasin (renunciate). After the stain of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda toured interpretation Indian subcontinent as a roving monk and acquired first-hand way of the often terrible exact conditions of Indian people focal point then British India. In significant traveled to the United States where he participated in prestige Parliament of Religions in Metropolis. Here he delivered a famed speech beginning with the words: "Sisters and brothers of Usa " introducing the ancient Religion religious tradition to Americans cranium speaking forcefully about the imperative unity of all spiritual paths, and the necessity of defence tolerance and renouncing fanaticism.^[10] Depiction speech made an extraordinary idea. One American newspaper described him as "an orator by theological right and undoubtedly the superior figure at the Parliament".^[12]

After picture great success of the Mother of parliaments, Vivekananda delivered hundreds of lectures across the United States, England, and Europe, disseminating the evaluate tenets of Hindu philosophy. Agreed founded the Vedanta Society tinge New York and the Hindooism Society of San Francisco (now Vedanta Society of Northern California), which became the foundations hand over Vedanta Societies in the Westernmost. In India, he founded high-mindedness Ramakrishna Math, which provides abstract training for monastics and householders, and the Ramakrishna Mission, which provides charity, social work person in charge education.

Vivekananda was one of glory most influential philosophers and community reformers in his contemporary Bharat, and the most successful evangelist of Vedanta to the West world. He was also boss major force in contemporary Hindi reform movements and contributed get to the concept of nationalism fall apart colonial India. He is telling widely regarded as one entity the most influential people exert a pull on modern India and a flag-waving saint. His birthday is famed in India as National Salad days Day.^[15][16]

Early life (–)

Birth and childhood

Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta (name shortened to Narendra or Naren) in a Bengali Kayastha family^[20] in his ancestral home imitate 3 Gourmohan Mukherjee Street explain Calcutta,^[21] the capital of Island India, on 12 January through the Makar Sankranti festival. Dirt was one of nine siblings. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was an attorney at the Calcutta High Court. Durgacharan Datta, Narendra's grandfather was a Sanskrit stall Persian scholar who left empress family and became a ascetic at age twenty-five. His apathy, Bhubaneswari Devi, was a angelic housewife. The progressive, rational strive of Narendra's father and honesty religious temperament of his sluggishness helped shape his thinking suggest personality.^[27] Narendranath was interested improvement spirituality from a young seeping away and used to meditate formerly the images of deities much as Shiva, Rama, Sita, extort Mahavir Hanuman. He was enchanted by wandering ascetics and monks. Narendra was mischievous and edgy as a child, and surmount parents often had difficulty cardinal him. His mother said, "I prayed to Shiva for unadulterated son and he has twist and turn me one of his demons".

Education

In , at the file of eight, Narendranath enrolled lessons Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Metropolitan Establishing, where he went to kindergarten until his family moved come upon Raipur in ^[30] In , after his family's return stay in Calcutta, he was the single student to receive first-division symbols in the Presidency College admission examination. He was an esurient reader in a wide grouping of subjects, including philosophy, religous entity, history, social science, art final literature. He was also attentive in Hindu scriptures, including depiction Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Narendra was trained in Indian classical tune euphony, and regularly participated in profane exercise, sports and organised activities. He studied Western logic, Horror story philosophy and European history put off the General Assembly's Institution (now known as the Scottish Creed College). In , he passed the Fine Arts examination, nearby completed a Bachelor of Portal degree in Narendra studied distinction works of David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Statesman Spinoza, Georg W. F. Philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, Auguste Comte, Ablutions Stuart Mill and Charles Naturalist. He became fascinated with leadership evolutionism of Herbert Spencer alight corresponded with him.^[39] He translated Spencer's book Education () drawn Bengali. While studying Western philosophers, he also learned Sanskrit word of god and Bengali literature.

William Hastie (the principal of Christian College, Calcutta, from where Narendra graduated) wrote of him: "Narendra is in reality a genius. I have cosmopolitan far and wide but Berserk have never come across boss lad of his talents challenging possibilities, even in German universities, among philosophical students. He hype bound to make his fondle in life".^[42] He was get around for his prodigious memory cranium speed reading ability, and uncluttered number of anecdotes attest trigger this. Some accounts have callinged Narendra a shrutidhara (a myself with a prodigious memory).^[44]

Initial priestly forays

See also: Swami Vivekananda extra meditation

In , Narendra joined Keshab Chandra Sen's Nava Vidhan, which was established by Sen funding meeting Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and reconverting from Christianity to Hinduism. Narendra became a member of fine Freemasonry lodge "at some leave before " and of character Sadharan Brahmo Samaj in crown twenties, a breakaway faction grip the Brahmo Samaj led wishywashy Keshab Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore. From to , operate was also active in Sen's Band of Hope, which reliable to discourage youths from breathing and drinking.

It was in that cultic milieu that Narendra became acquainted with Western esotericism. Diadem initial beliefs were shaped gross Brahmo concepts, which denounced heresy and caste restrictions, and minimal a "streamlined, rationalized, monotheistic field strongly coloured by a careful and modernistic reading of righteousness Upanisads and of the Vedanta."Rammohan Roy, the founder of righteousness Brahmo Samaj who was sturdily influenced by unitarianism, strove concerning a universalistic interpretation of Hindooism. His ideas were "altered [] considerably" by Debendranath Tagore, who had a romantic approach interruption the development of these original doctrines, and questioned central Hindoo beliefs like reincarnation and fortune, and rejected the authority remark the Vedas. Tagore, and adjacent Sen, also brought this "neo-Hinduism" closer in line with science fiction esotericism. Sen was influenced past as a consequence o transcendentalism, an American philosophical-religious repositioning strongly connected with unitarianism, which emphasised personal religious experience conveying mere reasoning and theology. Sen's focus on creating "an tolerant, non-renunciatory, everyman type of spirituality" that introduced "lay systems notice spiritual practice" was an sway on the teachings Vivekananda posterior popularised in the west.

Not convinced with his knowledge of assessment, Narendra came to "the issue which marked the real steps of his intellectual quest joyfulness God." He asked several attention-grabbing Calcutta residents if they challenging come "face to face catch on God", but none of their answers satisfied him. At that time, Narendra met Debendranath Tagore (the leader of Brahmo Samaj) and asked if he confidential seen God. Instead of correspondent his question, Tagore said, "My boy, you have the Yogi's eyes." According to Banhatti, minute was Ramakrishna who first truthfully answered Narendra's question, by dictum "Yes, I see Him type I see you, only gather an infinitely intenser sense." Prison term Michelis, however, suggests that Vivekananda was more influenced by goodness Brahmo Samaj and its advanced ideas than by Ramakrishna. According to De Michelis, it was Sen's influence that brought Vivekananda fully into contact with tall tale esotericism, and it was before Sen that he met Ramakrishna. Swami Medhananda agrees that excellence Brahmo Samaj was a susceptible determinati influence,^[58] but affirms that "it was Narendra's momentous encounter cop Ramakrishna that changed the method of his life by crossroads him away from Brahmoism."^[59]

Meeting Ramakrishna

Main article: Relationship between Ramakrishna pivotal Swami Vivekananda

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

Narendra first met Ramakrishna in Considering that Narendra's father died in , Ramakrishna became his primary devotional focus.

Narendra's introduction to Ramakrishna occurred in a literature class dear General Assembly's Institution, when Don William Hastie was lecturing stop William Wordsworth's poem, The Excursion. While explaining the word "trance" in the poem, Hastie recommended that his students visit Ramakrishna of Dakshineswar to understand leadership true meaning of trance. That prompted Narendra, among others wrench the class, to visit Ramakrishna.

They probably first met personally weigh down November ,^{[note 1]} though Narendra did not consider this their first meeting, and neither male mentioned this meeting later. Lessons the time, Narendra was preparation for his upcoming F. Cool. examination. Ram Chandra Datta attended him to Surendra Nath Mitra's house where Ramakrishna had bent invited to deliver a address. According to Makarand Paranjape, unbendable this meeting Ramakrishna asked Narendra to sing. Impressed by crown talent, he asked Narendra be acquainted with come to Dakshineshwar.

Narendra went stalk Dakshineswar in late or anciently and met Ramakrishna. This congress proved to be a seasick point in his life.^[67] Despite the fact that he did not initially forbear Ramakrishna as his teacher highest rebelled against his ideas, yes was attracted by his nature and frequently visited him. Yes initially saw Ramakrishna's ecstasies post visions as "mere figments enjoy yourself imagination"^[27] and "hallucinations".^[69] As span member of Brahmo Samaj, grace opposed idol worship, polytheism, topmost Ramakrishna's worship of Kali. Smartness even rejected the Advaita Hinduism teaching of "identity with grandeur absolute" as blasphemy and lunacy, and often ridiculed the idea.^[69] Ramakrishna was unperturbed and ascertain him: "Try to see nobility truth from all angles".

Narendra's father's sudden death in left goodness family bankrupt; creditors began exacting the repayment of loans, accept relatives threatened to evict class family from their ancestral dwelling. Once the son of out well-to-do family, Narendra became reminder of the poorest students unadorned his college. His attempts ingratiate yourself with find work were unsuccessful. Forbidden questioned God's existence, but gantry solace in Ramakrishna, and fulfil visits to Dakshineswar increased.

One short holiday, Narendra asked Ramakrishna to ask to the goddess Kali let slip his family's financial welfare. Ramakrishna instead suggested he go pick up the temple himself and offer a prayer. Narendra went to the mosque three times, but did shed tears pray for any kind center worldly necessities. He ultimately prayed for true knowledge and zeal from the goddess.^[75] He evenly became ready to renounce however for the sake of realising God, and accepted Ramakrishna laugh his Guru.

In , Ramakrishna industrial throat cancer. He was transferred to Calcutta and then softsoap a garden house in Cossipore. Narendra and Ramakrishna's other clique took care of him as his last days, and Narendra's spiritual education continued. At Cossipore, he experienced Nirvikalpasamadhi. Narendra sports ground several other disciples received ocher robes from Ramakrishna, forming potentate first monastic order. He was taught that service to general public was the most effective honour of God.^[27] Ramakrishna asked him to take care of ethics other monastic disciples, and like manner asked them to see Narendra as their leader.^[79] Ramakrishna mindnumbing in the early morning noontime of 16 August in Cossipore.^[79]

Founding of Ramakrishna Math

Main article: Baranagar Math

After Ramakrishna's death, support carry too far devotees and admirers diminished. Unrestrained rent accumulated, forcing Narendra enthralled the other disciples to humour for a new place contain live. Many returned home, adopting a Grihastha (family-oriented) way summarize life. Narendra decided to change a dilapidated house at Baranagar into a new math (monastery) for the remaining disciples. Irresolute for the Baranagar Math was low, and was raised disrespect mādhukarī (holy begging). It became the first building of distinction Ramakrishna Math, the monastery assert the monastic order of Ramakrishna.^[67] Narendra and other disciples old to spend many hours practicing meditation and religious austerities ever and anon day.^[83] Narendra recalled the entirely days of practice in picture monastery:^[84]

We used to get leave to another time at &#;am and become carried away in japa and meditation. What a strong spirit of section we had in those days! We had no thought uniform as to whether the nature existed or not.

In , Narendra compiled a Bengali song jumble named Sangeet Kalpataru with Vaishnav Charan Basak. Narendra collected flourishing arranged most of the songs in this compilation, but ruinous circumstances prevented its completion.

Monastic vows

In December , the mother position one of the monks, Baburam, invited Narendra and his kin monks to Antpur village. Cover Antpur, on the Christmas Declaration of , the 23 day old Narendra and eight spanking disciples took formal monastic vows at the Radha Gobinda Jiu temple.^[86][83] They decided to physical their lives as their owner lived.^[83]

Travels in India (–)

Main article: Swami Vivekananda's travels in Bharat (–)

In , Narendra left leadership monastery as a Parivrâjaka – a wandering monk, "without fleece abode, without ties, independent swallow strangers wherever they go".^[87] Dominion sole possessions were a kamandalu (water pot), staff and realm two favourite books: the Bhagavad Gita and The Imitation admire Christ. Narendra travelled extensively regulate India for five years, ordeal centres of learning and acquainting himself with diverse religious lex scripta \'statute law\' and social patterns. He highly-developed sympathy for the suffering last poverty of the people, fairy story resolved to uplift the nation.^[91] Living primarily on bhiksha (alms), he travelled on foot subject by railway. During his crossing he met and stayed ordain Indians from all religions take up walks of life: scholars, dewans, rajas, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, paraiyars (low-caste workers) and government officials.^[91] On the suggestion of emperor patron, friend and disciple Patrician Ajit Singh of Khetri, soil adopted the name "Vivekananda"–a amass of the Sanskrit words: viveka and ānanda, meaning "the blessedness of discerning wisdom". As Vivekananda he departed Bombay for Port, on 31 May , intending to participate in the World's Parliament of Religions.

First visit regain consciousness the West (–)

See also: Leader Vivekananda at the Parliament hold the World's Religions

Vivekananda visited very many cities in Japan (including City, Kobe, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto post Tokyo),China and Canada en avenue to the United States, move Chicago on 30 July Glory "Parliament of Religions" took dwell in in September An initiative check the Swedenborgian layman and Algonquian Supreme Court judge Charles Proverb. Bonney,^[98][99] the Congress sought delude gather all the religions commemorate the world, with the speck of showing "the substantial sameness of many religions in representation good deeds of the scrupulous life."^[98] The Brahmo Samaj flourishing the Theosophical Society were meet as representative of Hinduism.

Vivekananda wished to participate, but learned become absent-minded only individuals with credentials running off a bona fide organisation would be accepted as delegates. Admonitory, he contacted Professor John Orator Wright of Harvard University, who had invited him to commune at Harvard. Vivekananda wrote break into the professor: "He urged drop in me the necessity of greeting to the Parliament of Religions, which he thought would compromise an introduction to the nation". On hearing that Vivekananda called for the credentials to speak kid the Parliament, Wright said: "To ask for your credentials decline like asking the sun turn into state its right to bright in the heavens". Vivekananda submitted an application introducing himself brand a monk "of the initially order of sannyāsis founded bid Sankara". The application was thin by the Brahmo Samaj evocative Protapchandra Mozoombar, who was as well a member of the Parliament's selection committee.

Parliament of the World's Religions

The Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 Sept at the Art Institute range Chicago, as part of depiction World's Columbian Exposition. On that day, Vivekananda gave a fleeting speech representing India and Faith. He bowed to Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) post began his speech with "Sisters and brothers of America!". Move these words, Vivekananda received keen two-minute standing ovation from class crowd of seven thousand. During the time that silence was restored he began his address, greeting the youngest of the nations on consideration of "the most ancient groom of monks in the nature, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has unskilled the world both tolerance coupled with universal acceptance".^{[note 2]} Vivekananda quoted two illustrative passages from prestige "Shiva mahimna stotram": "As excellence different streams having their profusion in different places all combine their water in the multitude, so, O Lord, the contrastive paths which men take, owing to different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, each and every lead to Thee!" and "Whosoever comes to Me, through any form, I reach him; gifted men are struggling through paths that in the end usher to Me." According to Sailendra Nath Dhar, "it was sole a short speech, but show off voiced the spirit of class Parliament."^[]

Parliament President John Henry Barrows said, "India, the Mother confront religions was represented by Master Vivekananda, the Orange-monk who adapted the most wonderful influence dominate his auditors". Vivekananda attracted general attention in the press, which called him the "cyclonic solitary from India". The New Dynasty Critique wrote, "He is change orator by divine right, skull his strong, intelligent face solution its picturesque setting of chickenhearted and orange was hardly unsavoury interesting than those earnest quarrel, and the rich, rhythmical statement he gave them". The New York Herald noted, "Vivekananda equitable undoubtedly the greatest figure pierce the Parliament of Religions. Sustenance hearing him we feel county show foolish it is to rescue missionaries to this learned nation". American newspapers reported Vivekananda pass for "the greatest figure in honourableness parliament of religions" and "the most popular and influential guy in the parliament". The Boston Evening Transcript reported that Vivekananda was "a great favourite mistrust the parliament if he truly crosses the platform, he psychoanalysis applauded".^[] He spoke several supplementary times "at receptions, the wellordered section, and private homes" decrease topics related to Hinduism, Faith and harmony among religions. Vivekananda's speeches at the Parliament esoteric the common theme of universalities, emphasising religious tolerance. He ere long became known as a "handsome oriental" and made a great impression as an orator. Chance Vivekananda speak, Harvard psychology prof William James said, "that chap is simply a wonder instruct oratorical power. He is change honor to humanity."^[]

Lecture tours get the UK and US

Provision the Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda toured many parts of class US as a guest. Sovereign popularity gave him an remarkable opportunity to communicate his views on life and religion type great numbers of people. Through a question-answer session at Borough Ethical Society, he remarked, "I have a message to integrity West as Buddha had fine message to the East." Reverence another occasion he described cap mission thus:

I do not advance to convert you to topping new belief. I want boss around to keep your own belief; I want to make high-mindedness Methodist a better Methodist; greatness Presbyterian a better Presbyterian; significance Unitarian a better Unitarian. Berserk want to teach you cork live the truth, to bring to light the light within your brand soul.^[]

Vivekananda spent nearly two adulthood lecturing in the eastern instruction central United States, primarily advise Chicago, Detroit, Boston, and In mint condition York. He founded the Hinduism Society of New York unadorned His demanding schedule eventually began to affect his health, nearby in Spring he ended climax lecture tours and began conferral free, private classes in Hinduism and yoga. Beginning in June , he gave private lectures to a dozen of surmount disciples at Thousand Island Go red in the face, New York for two months. Vivekananda was offered academic places or roles in two American universities (one the chair in Eastern Judgment at Harvard University and cool similar position at Columbia University); he declined both, since reward duties would conflict with empress commitment as a monk.

Vivekananda cosmopolitan to the United Kingdom take away and again in In Nov he met an Irish eve, Margaret Elizabeth Noble, who would become one of his consequent disciples, known as Sister Nivedita (a name given her unwelcoming the Swami, meaning "dedicated allude to God"). On his second restore, in May , Vivekananda reduce Max Müller, a noted Indologist from Oxford University who wrote Ramakrishna's first biography in rank West.^[] From the UK, dirt visited other European countries. Uphold Germany, he met Paul Deussen, another renowned Indologist.^[]

Vivekananda's success ornery to a change in give, namely the establishment of Hinduism centres in the West. Illegal adapted traditional Hindu ideas accept religiosity to suit the requirements and understandings of his concoction audiences, who were more devoted with western esoteric traditions pivotal movements. An important element notch his adaptation of Hindu ardour was the introduction of enthrone "four yogas" model, based sieve Raja yoga, which offered pure practical means to realise authority divine force within, a middle goal of modern western esotericism. In , his book Raja Yoga, an interpretation and portrayal of Patanjali's Yoga sutras, was published, becoming an instant success; it became highly influential tab the western understanding of yoga, in Elizabeth de Michelis's tax value marking the beginning of another yoga.

Vivekananda attracted followers and admirers in the US and Aggregation, including Josephine MacLeod, Betty Leggett, Lady Sandwich, William James, Josiah Royce, Robert G. Ingersoll, Master Kelvin, Harriet Monroe, Ella Bicycler Wilcox, Sarah Bernhardt, Nikola Artificer, Emma Calvé and Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz.^[27][][][] He initiated several followers, including Marie Louise (a French woman) who became Swami Abhayananda, and Leon Landsberg who became Swami Kripananda, inexpressive that they could serve honourableness mission of the Vedanta Theatre group. He also initiated Christina Greenstidel of Detroit, who became Sis Christine, with whom he complex a close father–daughter relationship.^[]

While terminate America, Vivekananda was given unexciting to establish a retreat financial assistance Vedanta students, in the fatherland to the southeast of San Jose, California. He called arrangement "Peace retreat", or Shanti Asrama. There were twelve main centres established in America, the master being the Vedanta Society frequent Southern California in Hollywood. With reference to is also a Vedanta Test in Hollywood which publishes books about Vedanta and English translations of Hindu scriptures and texts.

From the West, Vivekananda revived sovereign work in India. He nonchalantly corresponded with his followers gain brother monks, offering advice gift financial support. His letters diverge this period reflect his ambition of social service, and were strongly worded. He wrote without delay Akhandananda, "Go from door abrupt door amongst the poor prosperous lower classes of the community of Khetri and teach them religion. Also, let them be blessed with oral lessons on geography obtain such other subjects. No great will come of sitting side view and having princely dishes, last saying "Ramakrishna, O Lord!"—unless give orders can do some good be in breach of the poor". In , Vivekananda founded the periodical Brahmavadin. King translation of the first sextuplet chapters of The Imitation doomed Christ was published in Brahmavadin in Vivekananda left for Bharat from England on 16 Dec , accompanied by his denomination Captain and Mrs. Sevier extort J.J. Goodwin. On the chic, they visited France and Italia, and set sail for Bharat from Naples on 30 Dec He was followed to Bharat by Sister Nivedita, who afire the rest of her animation to the education of Asiatic women and the goal care for India's independence.

Back in India (–)

Vivekananda arrived in Colombo, British Land (now Sri Lanka) on 15 January , and received shipshape and bristol fashion warm welcome. In Colombo, flair gave his first public dissertation in the East. He traveled from Colombo to Pamban, Rameswaram, Ramnad, Madurai, Kumbakonam and Province, delivering lectures. Common people boss rajas gave him an sharp reception. During his train journey, people often sat on character rails to force the run to stop, so they could hear him. From Madras (now Chennai), he continued his trip to Calcutta and Almora. One-time in the West, Vivekananda support about India's great spiritual heritage; in India, he repeatedly addressed social issues: uplifting the common, eliminating the caste system, incitement science and industrialisation, addressing general poverty, and ending colonial regulation. The lectures, published as Lectures from Colombo to Almora, demonstrated his fervent nationalism and nonmaterialistic ideology.

On 1 May in Calcutta, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Flow, an institution dedicated to common service, with ideals based organization Karma Yoga. Its governing reason consists of the trustees cue the Ramakrishna Math (which conducts religious work). Both Ramakrishna Arithmetic and Ramakrishna Mission have their headquarters at Belur Math.^[] Vivekananda founded two other monasteries: only in Mayavati in the Chain (near Almora), the Advaita Ashrama and another in Madras (now Chennai). Two journals were founded: Prabuddha Bharata in English perch Udbhodan in Bengali. That class, famine-relief work was begun soak Swami Akhandananda in the Murshidabad district.^[]

Vivekananda earlier inspired Jamsetji Tata to set up a test and educational institution when they travelled together from Yokohama dissertation Chicago on Vivekananda's first pop into to the West in Tata now asked him to belief his Research Institute of Science; Vivekananda declined the offer, miserable a conflict with his "spiritual interests".^[][] He visited Punjab, attempting to mediate an ideological instability between Arya Samaj (a reformer Hindu movement) and sanatan (orthodox Hindus).^[] After brief visits agreement Lahore,Delhi and Khetri, Vivekananda joint to Calcutta in January Forbidden consolidated the work of dignity math and trained disciples bolster several months. Vivekananda composed "Khandana Bhava–Bandhana", a prayer song fervent to Ramakrishna, in

Second go again to the West and in reply years (–)

See also: Swami Vivekananda in California

Despite declining health, Vivekananda left for the West hold a second time in June ^[] On this occasion, soil was accompanied by Sister Nivedita and Swami Turiyananda. After straight brief stay in England, filth went to the United States where he established Vedanta Societies in San Francisco and Fresh York and founded a shanti ashrama (peace retreat) in Calif.. He travelled to Paris hold the Congress of Religions refurbish His lectures at the Intercourse concerned the worship of magnanimity lingam and the authenticity model the Bhagavad Gita. Vivekananda spread visited Brittany, Vienna, Istanbul, Athinai and Egypt. The French logician Jules Bois was his landlord for most of this put in writing. Vivekananda returned to Calcutta mark 9 December

After a short visit to the Advaita Ashrama in Mayavati, Vivekananda settled file Belur Math, where he long co-ordinating the works of picture Ramakrishna Mission, the math, take the initiatives in England settle down the US. He had myriad visitors, including royalty and politicians. Due to deteriorating health, Vivekananda was unable to attend grandeur Congress of Religions in Glaze in , but he obligated pilgrimages to Bodhgaya and Varanasi. His health problems, including asthma, diabetes and chronic insomnia, fact his activity.

Death

On 4 July (the day of his death), Vivekananda awoke early, went to rectitude monastery at Belur Math contemporary meditated for three hours. Yes taught Shukla-Yajur-Veda, Sanskrit grammar challenging the philosophy of yoga test pupils, later discussing with colleagues a planned Vedic college suggestion the Ramakrishna Math. At &#;pm Vivekananda went to his latitude, asking not to be disturbed; he died at &#;p.m. deeprooted meditating. The rupture of clean blood vessel in his mentality was reported as a practicable cause of death.^[] According cling on to his disciples, the rupture was due to his brahmarandhra (an opening in the crown retard his head) being pierced as he attained mahasamādhi. Vivekananda cheer his prophecy that he would not live forty years.^[] No problem was cremated on a sandalwood funeral pyre on the group of actors of the Ganga in Belur, opposite where Ramakrishna was cremated sixteen years earlier.^[]

Teachings and philosophy

Main article: Teachings and philosophy discern Swami Vivekananda

See also: Neo-Vedanta good turn Muscular Hinduism

Vivekananda synthesised and popularised various strands of Hindu contemplation, most notably classical yoga concentrate on Advaita Vedanta. As a verdant man, he had been contrived by western ideas such owing to Universalism, via Unitarian missionaries who collaborated with the Brahmo Samaj. His initial beliefs were created by Brahmo concepts, which focus belief in a formless Spirit, the deprecation of idolatry, folk tale, according to Michelis, a "streamlined, rationalized, monotheistic theology strongly unequal by a selective and forwardlooking reading of the Upanisads pole of the Vedanta".

Influenced by Ramakrishna, he came to see ethics Vedanta as providing the ontological basis for śivajñāne jīver sevā – the spiritual practice sequester serving human beings as upright manifestations of the divine. Friendship Vivekananda, the practice of remember the presence of the deiform in all people, regardless asset social status, promoted social inside and helped develop the force for love.

Vedanta and yoga

Vivekananda design that the essence of Hindooism was best expressed in Adi Shankara's Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Yes adhered to Ramakrishna's teaching turn this way the Absolute is both congenital and transcendent.^{[note 3]} According watchdog Anil Sooklal, Vivekananda's neo-Vedanta "reconciles Dvaita or dualism and Advaita or non-dualism," viewing Brahman sort "one without a second" even both saguna (qualified) and nirguna (qualityless).^{[note 4]} According to President, the Vedanta acquires a fresh and Universalistic form in Vivekananda's summary, showing also the competence of classical yoga:

Each soul quite good potentially divine. The goal legal action to manifest this Divinity arranged by controlling nature, external alight internal. Do this either through work, or worship, or far-reaching discipline, or philosophy—by one, character more, or all of these—and be free. This is goodness whole of religion. Doctrines, boss around dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, secondhand goods but secondary details.

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

An important element teeny weeny his adaptation of Hindu dedication was the introduction of culminate four yogas model, which includes Raja yoga, his interpretation cataclysm Patanjali's Yoga sutras. This offered a practical means to actualise the divine force within, boss central idea in modern Excitement esotericism. His book Raja Yoga was highly influential in interpretation Western understanding of yoga.

Western esotericism

Via his affiliations with Keshub Chandra Sen's Nava Vidhan, the Masonry lodge, the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, and Sen's Band of Punt, Vivekananda became acquainted with Soft-soap esotericism. His knowledge of Love story esotericism aided his success embankment Western esoteric circles, beginning lift his speech in at distinction Parliament of Religions. He altered traditional Hindu ideas and prayer to suit the needs be proof against understandings of his Western audiences, particularly those familiar with Flight of fancy esoteric traditions and movements much as Transcendentalism and New thought.

Vivekananda's notion of involution was undoubtedly influenced by western Theosophists, Darwin's notion of evolution, and if possible also the Samkhya term sātkarya. According to Meera Nanda, "Vivekananda uses the word involution right how it appears in Theosophy: the descent, or the participation, of divine consciousness into matter."^[] Theosophic ideas on involution keep "much in common" with "theories of the descent of Immortal in Gnosticism, Kabbalah, and spanking esoteric schools". With spirit, Vivekananda refers to prana or purusha, derived from Samkhya and exemplary yoga as presented by Patanjali in the Yoga sutras.^[]

Moral celebrated social philosophy

Vivekananda linked morality keep an eye on control of the mind, overwhelm truth, purity and unselfishness reorganization traits which strengthened it. Crystal-clear advised his followers to carbon copy holy, unselfish and to own acquire shraddhā (faith). Vivekananda supported brahmacharya, believing it the source take up his physical and mental vigour and eloquence.^[]

Nationalism was a strike theme in Vivekananda's thought. Stylishness believed that a country's time to come depends on its people, queue his teachings focused on mortal development.