Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda, his earlier name was Narendranatha Dutta was born on 12th january 1863, the auspicious day of Makarasankranthi. His father, Viswanatha Dutta was a lawyer. Mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi considered her son as a gift of the Lord Shiva. From the childhood days itself he has a deep desire to help others.
As Naren grew, his sharp intellect and spirit of inquiry began to raise many doubts about the existence of God. The meeting with Sree Ramakrishna changed Naren's life. He felt deeply drawn to Sri Ramakrishna. He became chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.
During travels Swamiji was pained to see the pitiable condition of his country men. He wanted a solution which would be in conformity with the religious and cultural traditions of india. Swamiji decided to go to west to broadcast India's spiritual message and seek help from them to improve the conditions in India. His speech at the Parliament of Religions had an electrifying effect and everyone burst to thunderous clapping. Swamiji said that service to humanity was equivalent to worship of God.
Swami Vivekananda saved Hinduism and saved India. But for him we would have lost our religion and would not have gained our freedom. We therefore owe everything to Swami Vivekananda. May his faith, his courage and his wisdom ever inspire us so that we may keep safe the treasure we have received from him.
C. Rajagopalachari.
It is undisputed fact that it was Swami Vivekananda who first held aloft the banner of Hinduism as a challenge against the material science of the West. … It was Swami Vivekananda, who took on his shoulders this stupendous task of establishing the glory of Hinduism in different countries across the borders. And he, with his erudition oratorical power, enthusiasm and inner force, laid that work upon a solid foundation.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
In recent times in India, it was Vivekananda alone who preached a great message, which is not tied to any do's and dont's. Addressing one and all in the nation, he said: in every one of you there is power of Brahman (God); the God in poor desires you to serve Him. This message has roused the heart of the youths in most pervasive way. That is why this message has borne fruit in the service of the nation in diverse ways and in diverse forms of sacrifice. This message has, at one and same time, imparted dignity and respect to man along with energy and power. The strength that this message has imparted to man is not confined to a particular point; nor it is limited to repetitions of the same physical movements. It has, indeed, invested his life with a wonderful dynamism in various spheres.
Rabindranath Tagore.
How shall I express in words my indebtedness to Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda? It is under their sacred influence that my life got first awaked. Like Nivedita I also regard Ramakrishna and Vivekananda as two aspects of one indivisible personality. If Swamiji had been alive today, he would have been my Guru, that is to say, I would have accepted him as my Master. It is needless to add, however, that as long as I live I shall be absolutely loyal and devoted to Ramakrishna - Vivekananda.
Subshash Chandra Bose.
His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch the saying of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transport must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!