Swami Vivekananda formerly known as Narendranath Dutta was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga and a major figure in the history of Hinduism and India. He was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Vivekananda was the first known Hindu Swami to visit the West, where he introduced Eastern thought at the World`s Parliament of Religions, in connection with the World`s Fair in Chicago, in 1893. It was considered to be Swamiji`s claim to recognition not just in Chicago but elsewhere in America.

His Early Days
Narendranath Dutta was born in Shimla Pally, Kolkata, West Bengal, India on January 12, 1863 as the son of Viswanath Dutta and Bhuvaneswari Devi. Swamiji was sent to a local school in his earlier days. If on one hand, little Narendranath was extremely naughty then on the other he was known for his penchant for dissolving into deep meditations. So much so that even a snake or a lizard could not shake him up from his deep meditation state. When Narendra stepped into boyhood, his naughtiness grew. He was a natural leader of the children in the neighborhood. His companions bowed to his decision always. Even as a child Narendra had great respect for sanyasis or ascetics. He would give away anything to anybody if asked for. On his birthday, he would wear new clothes but if a beggar asked for alms he would give away the new clothes.

From that day, his mother would lock him up in a room whenever a beggar passed by the house. But every beggar knew Narendra`s nature very well. So beggars would stand near the window of Narendra`s room. He would throw to them anything he had. The spirit of sacrifice and renunciation was already blossoming in him. In 1879, Narendra entered the Presidency College, Calcutta for higher studies. After one year, he joined the Scottish Church College, Calcutta and studied philosophy. During the course, he studied western logic, western philosophy and history of European nations. Narendranath`s philosphies were based on the concept of Upanisadic and sanyas (ascetic renunciation).

Vivekananda and his guru Ramakrishna Parmahansa
At a time when India faced the growing issues of differences in ideologies and caste system, the acquaintance between Ramakrishna and Vivekananda was considered examplary. While, Vivekananda was a product of modern university, widely travelled and acutely aware of the raging issues of his days; Ramakrishna was an illiterate Brahmin who took little or no interest in contemporary problems. Infact, Vivekananda states that his master was his strong anchorage and that without him he would have never understood his own life as also of the larger world. After the death of Sri Ramakrishna, the young disciples went to live in a rented house in Baranagar. It was very close to the tomb of Sri Ramakrishna. So, the Mutt (monastery) was opened there.

Rediscovery of India
Swamiji`s rediscovery of India could be divided into two phases. The first phase begin after the sad demise of his guru Ramakrishna. Vivekananda renounced the world and criss-crossed India as a wandering monk. It was at this time when he changed his name from Narendranath to Vivekananda. Though committed to the mutt Vivekananda did not want to remain confined within the mutt. `Bharat` had now become his abode and Indians his brothers and sisters. He set out to wipe the tears of the unfortunate. His only possessions were - a saffron robe, `Kamandalu` (an ascetic`s waterpot) and `danda` (staff). The experiences that he gained during his journey were invaluable and enabled him to set practical limits on his ideals.

His second phase begin in 1897 when he returned back from tour of the west. In this period Swamiji not only received bouquets but also brickbats from the Indian society. Though Vivekananda received accolades for his works on the international front. He was equally criticized by the Calcutta orthodox society. To them the most outrageous issue was the Kayastha origin of Vivekananda, which in their opinion disqualified him both as a sanyasi and a legitimate spokesman for Hinduism. To make matters worse for Swamiji, there was a growing dissent among the disciples. This had to do with the way in which Vivekananda was running the Mission. It appears that whereas the belief in Ramakrishna`s avatar status had gradually begun to permeate his fellow sanyasis, Vivekananda continued to disagree. The matter had reached to a state that some devotees severed connections with the Belur Math and established a parallel organization called the `Garib Ramakrishna Sabha`. To put to rest the increasing criticism, Vivekananda celebrated the Durga puja in 1901 in an orthodox fashion, using Tantric rites and the local Brahmins lavishly fed. It was then that the orthodoxy relented and was convinced that the monks were indeed Hindu sanyasis. Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.

Vivekananda at Chicago
"My dear Brothers and sisters of America, the long night is at last drawing to a close. Miseries and sorrows are disappearing. Ours is a sacred country. She is gradually waking up, thanks to the fresh breeze all around. Her might no one can overcome". This was the magical speech that Swamiji made in the Conference of World Religions held at Chicago. The conference started on 11th September 1893. Thousands of delegates belonging to deferent countries of the world had gathered at the conference. Vivekananda was the youngest of them all. When it was his turn to speak, his throat went dry. Besides, he did not have, like the other delegates, a prepared speech. However, when he began his address in his pleasing voice with the words "Brothers and Sisters of America," there was a thunderous applause; that lasted for a full three minutes. When it subsided at last he continued his short speech. He said that people born in different religions finally reach the same God, as river born in different places finally reaches the sea. He empathetically stated that no religion is superior or inferior. Everyone was impressed by Swamiji`s speech. Meanwhile, Swamiji received pressing invitations from England. A rousing reception awaited him in London when he arrived there. The newspapers were all praise for the Hindu Yogi`s oratory and outlook. Many became his disciples. Among them was Margaret Nivedita`. She came to India and settled here. Swami Vivekananda returned to India after his foreign tour lasting four years.

Rediscovery of India
Swamiji`s rediscovery of India can be divided into two phases.The first phase begin after the sad demise of his guru Ramakrishna, there was a great sense of solidarity felt among his followers. However, at the same time there were some serious differences developing among them. After the death of their master, the followers distanced themselves from the group of Brahmachari`s. Vivekananda renounced the world and criss-crossed India as a wandering monk. It was at this time when he changed his name from Narendranath to Vivekananda.

Though committed to the mutt Vivekananda did not want to remain confined within the mutt. `Bharat` had now become his abode and Indians his brothers and sisters. He set out to wipe the tears of the unfortunate. His only possessions were - a saffron robe, `Kamandalu` (an ascetic`s waterpot) and `danda` (staff). The experiences that he gained during his journey were invaluable and enabled him to set practical limits on his ideals. Amidst his Indian tour he realized that all that he had learnt from books had to be tempered in the light of actual experiences. The several years of wandering reinforced in Vivekananda an inherent courage and mental power to withstand adversity and criticism. Often, Vivekananda was rebuked for entertaining untouchables and Muslims. Then Swamiji would try to explain the importance of the community as a major building block. He was of the opinion that the nation cannot progress amidst such glaring inequalities.

For Vivekananda, man`s duty to man was as important as man`s duty to God. His second phase begin in 1897 when he returned back from tour of the west. In this period Swamiji not only received bouquets but also brickbats from the Indian society. Though Vivekananda received accolades for his works on the international front. He was equally criticized by the Calcutta orthodox society. To them the most outrageous issue was the Kayastha origin of Vivekananda, which in their opinion disqualified him both as a sanyasi and a legitimate spokesman for Hinduism.

Throughout the 1890`s the orthodoxy created fuss over this issue; at the Town Hall meeting of 1894, the Chairman, Raja Peray Mohun Mukhodpadhyay refused to call him `Swami`. To make matters worse for Swamiji, there was a growing dissent among the disciples. This had to do with the way in which Vivekananda was running the Mission. It appears that whereas the belief in Ramakrishna`s avatar status had gradually begun to permeate his fellow sanyasis, Vivekananda continued to disagree. The matter had reached to a state that some devotees severed connections with the Belur Math and established a parallel organization called the `Garib Ramakrishna Sabha`.

To put to rest the increasing criticism, Vivekananda celebrated the Durga puja in 1901 in an orthodox fashion, using Tantric rites and the local Brahmins lavishly fed. It was then that the orthodoxy relented and was convinced that the monks were indeed Hindu sanyasis. Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The Math was established at a formal gathering of monks in May 1897, where Vivekananda was made the general president and Swami Brahmananda and Yogananda, the president and vice-president respectively. The year 1899 also saw the realization of Swamiji`s cherished dream of setting up a monastic retreat up in the Himalayas. There was also a growing involvement of in social service observed through a network of sevashrams. Volunteers were seen nursing the sick and attending to the flood victims. Thus, Vivekananda reinforced his long-term belief that: Service to mankind is the service to God.