Swami
Vivekananda was one of the most famous spiritual leaders and exponents
of
Indian culture and spiritualism. His inspiring message is, "Arise,
awake
and stop not till the goal is reached."
Swami
Vivekananda was born
in 1863 in Calcutta.
His real name was Narendranath Dutt. From his very childhood, he was
sharp
mind. He passed the college with high marks. During his student life,
he was
very inquisitive. Philosophy and spiritualism stirred his heart and
soul. He
was educated in English fashion and became a blend of east and west. He
also
studied yoga seriously and practiced it.
Vivekananda had keen interest in literature,
philosophy and history. He was also gifted with oratorial power. He had
no
interest in worldly pleasures. He devoted his life championing the
supremacy of
Vedantic philosophy. After his meeting with Ramakrishna Paramahansa, he
felt
that he had found his goal of life. He toured the length and breadth of
the
country and kindled the flame of spiritualism among his countrymen.
He
sailed to America in 1892 and went to Chicago
as an Indian representative at the 'Parliament of all Religions of the
world'.
Vivekananda declared that Indian culture is based on spiritualism while
western
culture is founded on materialism.