Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Datta, 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902) was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, and author who was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. His famous speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893, beginning with "Sisters and brothers of America," made him an instant celebrity and brought Hinduism to global attention. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Vivekananda was drawn to spirituality from a young age. He became a disciple of the mystic Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who became his spiritual guru. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda traveled across India as a wandering monk, witnessing the poverty and suffering of ordinary Indians. In 1893, Vivekananda represented Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. His opening address, with its famous salutation "Sisters and brothers of America," received a two-minute standing ovation and introduced Vedantic philosophy to the West. He subsequently lectured across the United States and Europe, establishing Vedanta Societies and the Ramakrishna Mission. Vivekananda's teachings emphasized the divinity of the soul, the harmony of religions, and the upliftment of humanity. He inspired Indian nationalism, urging Indians to believe in themselves and their cultural heritage. His birthday, 12 January, is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. He passed away on 4 July 1902 at the age of 39, entering mahasamadhi (conscious departure from the body) at the Belur Math.