Introduction
Narendra Nath Datta, better known as Swami Vivekananda, was one of nineteenth-century Bengal's finest figures. His spiritual guru was Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1834–1866).
Ramakrishna fought for the universality of religion and against religious ideology.
Ramakrishna inspired in his students a spirit of self-sacrifice and brotherly love. However, his primary mission was as a Christian rescuer, not as a social saviour.
4th July is observed as the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
Ideology Of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna's famous student, popularised his message both within and outside India between 1863 and 1900. Vivekananda was an open defender of the caste system and popular faith in rituals and superstitions.
Vivekananda was profoundly moved by the populace's poverty and backwardness throughout his travels around the country.
He was India's first religious leader to publicly acknowledge and state that the true root of India's dishonour was its collective indifference.
The immediate need was to provide food and other basic needs to millions of hungry people. They should be taught improved farming techniques and village industries, among other things.
At this moment, Vivekananda saw the magnitude of India's poverty problem. Thus, the people required two forms of information in order to improve their economic status: secular knowledge in order to enhance their economic situation and spiritual knowledge in order to inspire confidence and increase their moral sense.
What is Ramakrishna Mission?
In 1896, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission to engage in social and development work.
The principal purpose of the mission was to provide social services to the public, which is achieved through the construction of schools, hospitals, orphanages, and libraries across the country.
In September 1893, during the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, he established himself as a "holy performer" and a "messenger of Indian knowledge to the Western world" with his remarks.
After the Parliament, he spent around three and a half years promoting Ramakrishna's Vedanta, first on the east coast of the United States and afterwards in London.
Contributions
He introduced the world to the Two India philosophies, Vedanta and Yoga. Also, advocated 'neo-Vedanta,' a Westernized version of Hinduism, and believed in the coexistence of spirituality and material progress.
Placed a premium on education in order to regenerate our homeland. Advocated for a character-building education that develops men.
In his works, he outlined the four paths to liberation from worldly pleasure and attachment - Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, and Bhakti-yoga.
Vivekananda was dubbed the "creator of modern India" by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.