Talk:Swami Vivekananda

By Vishal Agarwal

Swāmī Vivekānanda is credited with spreading the message of Vedānta philosophy in the West, as well as among the educated in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Laṅkā. Though he lived only 39 years, he achieved and contributed more than most would in several lifetimes. In memory of his Guru, Swāmī Rāmakṛṣṇa Paramahaṃsa, he founded the Rāmakṛṣṇa Mission in 1897. Today the Mission has hundreds of centers across the world that provide food, education, and relief to the poor, while spreading the message of Hindu dharm.

Below are two anecdotes that reveal the greatness of both Guru and disciple.

Story: What did Swāmī Rāmakṛṣṇa & Swāmī Vivekānanda ask Devī Kālī for? Swāmī Rāmakṛṣṇa was one of the greatest devotees of Mā Kālī, treating her as his living mother. His disciple Naren (later Swāmī Vivekānanda) grew up in poverty, the only son of his widowed mother. Troubled by their hardships, Naren asked his Guru if Kālī would grant them wealth. Rāmakṛṣṇa encouraged him to go to the Kālī Mandir and ask.

But when Naren stood before the mūrti of Mā Kālī, he could only pray, “Mother, grant me spiritual knowledge and devotion. May I always love You.” Each time his Guru sent him back, he asked the same, forgetting all about money. Finally, Rāmakṛṣṇa himself prayed to Kālī to ensure that Naren’s family would never go hungry. From then on, though not rich, they never lacked food.

Later, when Rāmakṛṣṇa was dying of throat cancer, disciples urged him to ask Mā Kālī for healing. He prayed once and reported: “She said—‘Why do you ask me for such a trivial thing? Your body will die one day anyway. Ask for something greater.’ So I prayed only that I may always remain at her feet, her devotee forever.”

Thus both Guru and disciple demonstrated that true prayer is not for wealth or health, but for bhakti and union with the Divine.

Story: Dharm is our True Mother On a ship journey, two Christian missionaries mocked Hinduism in Swāmī Vivekānanda’s presence. Losing patience, he seized one by the collar and thundered, “If you insult my religion again, I will throw you overboard.” Terrified, the man apologized and promised never to repeat it.

Later, in Calcutta, Vivekānanda asked a disciple, “What would you do if someone insulted your mother?” The disciple replied, “I would teach him a lesson.” The Swāmī exclaimed, “Bravo! If only you felt the same for your religion—your true mother—no Hindu brother would ever convert so easily. Where is your faith? Where is your patriotism? Missionaries insult Hinduism daily, yet how many of you defend her with righteous indignation?”

Through such fiery words, Swāmī Vivekānanda awakened national pride, teaching that protecting one’s dharm is as sacred as protecting one’s own mother.

Swāmī Vivekānanda spread the message of Vedānta in India and abroad. His fiery words, deep spirituality, and immense compassion made him one of the greatest saints and reformers of Bhārat. Below are some inspiring stories from his life.

Story: Swāmī Vivekānanda defends the Hindu tradition of Mūrti-pūjā Once, while visiting Alvar, the Mahārājā expressed doubt about idol worship. Swāmī Vivekānanda asked for a portrait of the Mahārājā and told the courtiers to spit on it. Shocked, they refused, saying, “It represents our revered ruler!” Swāmī explained: “A painting is not the king himself, yet it symbolizes him and commands respect. Similarly, a mūrti of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not the Lord, but it reminds the devotee of Him, and worship is offered to the Divine whom it represents.” The Mahārājā humbly acknowledged the truth of mūrti-pūjā.

Story: Swāmī Vivekānanda teaches the true value of wealth On a ship to America, he met an arrogant student who bragged about studying abroad, earning wealth, and enjoying comforts. Each time, Swāmī asked, “Then?” Finally the student admitted, “Then I will die.” Swāmī replied, “If life is only to earn, eat, and die, what is the difference from animals? True worth lies in living with high ideals, serving others, and uplifting society.” The student felt ashamed and resolved to live a purposeful life.

Story: Do not tempt others While in America, a young monk repeatedly left his wristwatch on the table. Swāmī cautioned him: “You may not value it, but leaving it out tempts someone else to commit theft. We must not be careless in ways that make others stumble.”

Story: The power of meditation A disciple once saw Swāmī flipping through books rapidly and thought he was only glancing. But Swāmī answered detailed questions from eleven volumes he had finished. Explaining, he said, “Through continence and concentration, the mind can grasp whole sentences, even pages, at once. Yogic control gives tremendous powers of attention.”

Story: Face your difficulties While walking near Vārāṇasī, Swāmī was chased by aggressive monkeys. As he fled, a voice told him: “Do not run—face them!” He turned and confronted the monkeys, who then fled. This became a lesson he often shared: never run away from problems, but face them boldly.

Story: The joy of giving During his stay in America, Swāmī often cooked for himself. Once, hungry boys came to his door. Though he had food only for himself, he served the children first, leaving nothing for himself. A lady asked why he deprived himself. Swāmī replied, “The need of the soul is greater than the hunger of the body. By feeding these hungry children, I fed my own soul.”

Through such anecdotes, Swāmī Vivekānanda showed that true spirituality lies not in empty rituals, but in courage, compassion, self-control, and dedication to dharm.