Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk and chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. He introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and revitalized Hinduism in India.

• Each soul is potentially divine; the goal is to manifest this divinity
• All religions are paths to the same truth
• Serve man as God (Daridra Narayana)
• Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached
• Strength is life, weakness is death
• Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man
• Feel for the poor, the ignorant, the downtrodden

• Raja Yoga - meditation and mental discipline
• Jnana Yoga - path of knowledge and discrimination
• Karma Yoga - selfless work and service
• Bhakti Yoga - devotion and love
• Study of Vedanta scriptures
• Physical fitness and character building
• Service to humanity as worship of God

Vivekananda's call for strength - physical, mental, and spiritual - resonates in today's world of anxiety and depression. His teaching that weakness is the root of all suffering offers a path to empowerment.

His vision of combining spiritual realization with practical service provides a model for engaged spirituality. The Ramakrishna Mission's schools, hospitals, and relief work demonstrate this vision.

His acceptance of all religions as valid paths addresses religious conflicts. His teaching that different religions are like different rivers flowing to the same ocean offers a framework for harmony.

His emphasis on education and self-development as the key to national and individual progress remains relevant. His vision for India combined pride in heritage with openness to modernization.

Jayanti (Birth Anniversary): January 12 (National Youth Day)