Swami vivekananda biography images of love

Edited by Swami Gambhirananda (1899-1988) 11th President Ramakrishna Order

Life admonishment Swami Vivekananda
(Narendranath Datta)
(1863-1902)

"Narendra is a real genius. I have to one`s name traveled far and wide, but hold not yet come across a youngster of his talents and possibilities regular among the philosophical students in rank German universities. He is bound turn into make his mark in life." -- The principal of his college, Prof Hastie, during his college days.
"To ask you, Swami, for your credentials is like asking the cool to state its right to shine!" -- Prof. John Henry Wright board Swami Vivekananda after their very prime meeting of a few hours regulate the US.
"Here is a human race who is more learned than categorize our learned professors put together." -- Prof. John Henry Wright about Authority Vivekananda in a letter of launching to the committee in charge think likely housing and providing for the adapt delegates at the Parliament of Religions.

About Swami Vivekananda

As a young special of 23 years or so, Leader Vivekananda spoke to the Master comport yourself this strain: "I want to latest immersed in samadhi for three anthology four days, continuously, breaking it one for a little food." But honourableness Master reprimanded him: "Shame on you! You are seeking such an jiffy thing. There is a state advanced than that even. Is it put together you who sing, 'Thou art entire that exists?' I thought you would be like a banyan, sheltering billions from the scorching misery of prestige world. But now I see jagged seek your own liberation." A hardly days later, however, Shri Ramakrishna favored him with the experience of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. When the beloved disciple came back from that state, the Chief said: "Now, then the Mother has shown you everything. Just as smart treasure is locked in a busybody, so will this realization be unobtrusive from you and the key shall remain with me. You have awl to do. When you have complete it, the treasure will be disposed again, and you will know creation then just as you do now."
And, thus, the beloved disciple order the Master worked on incessantly financial assistance the next 16 years with deft zeal that one rarely sees, surmounting mountain high and unthinkable obstacles, crowd even caring for his own redemption on the way, till his reason broke down under the stress have a good time intense work at the relatively rural age of 39 years and cardinal months. And a work was site into motion that laid a clear foundation once more for Hinduism average stand on a firm footing - this time against the onslaught accept narrow-mindedness and sectarianism and bigotry basis the one hand and western arm modern science on the other let somebody have - and thereby vindicating Sri Krishna's teaching that the Lord manifests cap power again and again to guard the Eternal Religion!
Sister Nivedita sums up the compass of Swamiji's office on the spiritual level: "Of dignity Swami's address before the Parliament have a good time Religions, it may be said wind when he began to speak give was of "the religious ideas pick up the tab the Hindus", but when he troubled, Hinduism had been created."
...
Fair enough stands merely as the Revealer, nobility Interpreter to India of the treasures that she herself possesses in human being. The truths he preaches would conspiracy been as true, had he not ever been born. Nay more, they would have been equally authentic. The dissimilarity would have lain in their tribulation of access, in their want always modern clearness and incisiveness of expression, and in their loss of interchangeable coherence and unity. Had he pule lived, texts that today will conduct the bread of life to zillions might have remained the obscure disputes of scholars. He taught with clout, and not as one of illustriousness Pundits. For he himself had plunged to the depths of the imagination which he preached, and he came back like Ramanuja only to refer to its secrets to the pariah, prestige outcast, and the foreigner." Swamiji bodily best summed up the great fake of his work and mission be conscious of a year before his passing away: "What does it matter!", he uttered, "I have given them enough tend fifteen hundred years." And what unornamented mass of thought !
And, hitherto Swamiji was more, far, far enhanced, than a brilliant intellect and ingenious great spiritual power. Although he locked away become famous overnight throughout America close the Parliament of Religions and blue blood the gentry doors of the rich were uncap to him, he wept over tiara victory, remembering his people at cloudless, sunk in poverty and ignorance, choose whose sake he had come border on America. On the very night slant his success at the Parliament give evidence Religions, as he retired to untold, he cried out in despair, cursive in agony on the ground: "O Mother, what do I care collaboration name and fame, when my country of origin remains sunk in utmost poverty! Friend what a sad pass have astonishment, poor Indians, come when millions elect us die for want of dialect trig handful of rice, and here they spend millions of rupees upon their personal comfort. Who will raise illustriousness masses of India? Who will churn out them bread? Show me, O Curb, how I can help them!" Lecture that heart set in motion position foundation of a new form worry about Order in India - The Ramakrishna Mission - which performs yeoman leasing for the amelioration of the uncounted sufferings of the poor brethren pale the Indian sub-continent - a fire of land that is home display almost a fifth of humanity !
Even a single spark end Vivekananda is enough to set straighten up mansion on fire - and as yet, what a mighty flame that was ! A few hours before her highness passing away, Swamiji said: "If alongside were another Vivekananda, then he would have understood what this Vivekananda has done. And yet how many Vivekanandas shall be born in time?"
Rare indeed it is to smash down across such a brilliant intellect courier such a magnanimous heart in exceptional spiritual frame of such ethereal angel ! Sip, brethren, drink deep, munch through that selfless life in this compiled and edited version of the Swamiji's life by Swami Gambhirananda.

EARLY DAYS

Authority Vivekananda, or Narendranath Datta, or unaffectedly Narendra or Naren as he was known during his premonastic days, was born to Vishwanath Datta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi on Monday, 12th January 1863, at Calcutta. The Datta family was rich, respectable, and renowned for magnanimity, learning, and a strong spirit stencil independence. Narendranath's grandfather, Durgacharan Datta, was well-versed in Persian and Sanskrit captain was skilled in law. But astern the birth of his son Vishwanath, he renounced the world and became a monk. He was then single twenty-five. Vishwanath Datta was an legal practitioner in the High Court of Calcutta. He was proficient in English stake Persian, and took great delight groove reciting to his family the rhyming of the Persian poet Hafiz. Take action also enjoyed the study of distinction Bible which he thought contained high-mindedness highest wisdom. Though charitable sometimes get on the right side of an extravagant degree, and sympathetic for the poor and those who meet, he was an agnostic in scrupulous matters due to the influence confiscate Western culture which he had imbibed. Bhuvaneshwari Devi was an accomplished gal with a regal bearing. She was deeply religious, and so she sowed and nurtured the seeds of 1 in the tender heart of Narendranath. Endowed with a keen memory, she remembered a good portion of rectitude Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which she taught her son when he was still very young.
    Naughty build up restless though Narendranath was by essence, and given to much fun instruction frolic, he was greatly attracted for spiritual life even in childhood. Representation stories of the Ramayana and nobility Mahabharata, which his mother told him left on him an indelible belief. Play delighted Narendranath, and one snare his pastimes as a child was to worship and meditate on authority image of Rama, Sita, or Shibah. Every night, before he fell hibernating, there appeared to him between jurisdiction eyes a wonderful spot of pleasure of changing hues. That light would gradually expand until it burst last bathed his whole being in graceful white radiance. He had full certitude in Hindu mythology. Once he went to hear an exposition of greatness Ramayana in the course of which he heard the pundit describe position great devotion of Hanuman. At interpretation end of the exposition, he approached the pundit and said he would like to know the whereabouts be more or less Hanuman. The pundit said that settle down might be in some plantain also woods coppice. So Narendranath waited at a banana grove till late at night in the pudding club to see Hanuman, and his group could find him only after unadulterated great search.
    Narendranath had government first experience of spiritual trance pound the age of fifteen at greatness sight of a large beehive change into a cleft in the hills pay the bill the Vindhya range. At that in the house he was traveling with his argot Raipur (Madhya Pradesh), where his priest was then temporarily working.
    Farewell shows the day, and the at years of Narendranath were full catch sight of events that help promise of undiluted great spiritual personality as well introduction of great powers of leadership. Previously, when he was returning with wreath friends from a fair, carrying divers dolls which he had purchased, inaccuracy heard shouts from behind from disseminate scared by some imminent danger. Look back, he found that one familiar his companions was on the systematize of being crushed by a hackney carriage carriage. Instantly, putting the dolls entry one arm, he rushed to coronate companion and dragged him out flawless danger. The passers-by were astonished continue to do the bravery and presence of value of Narendranath. Another time, young Narendranath was trying with some of jurisdiction friends to put up a trapeze, but the wooden poles were extremely heavy for the little boys. A-one European sailor who was passing through went to their help. He squashed down the legs of the chassis with his feet, while the boys pulled at the rope to upgrade the other end. Suddenly, the pinion snapped and the legs jumped ensnare. The sailor was injured and became unconscious. Most of the boys serene in consternation, but Narendranath and smart few others took care of primacy sailor, nursed him to recovery, vital raised a subscription for him.
    Even in the early boyhood, Narendranath demanded convincing arguments for every proposal. He often used to swing dispatch the branches of a champaka mill in a neighbor's compound. This burning the owner, an old man, stomach he warned Narendranath and his followers that the tree was haunted dampen a bad ghost who would wearying day break their necks. This scared the other boys; but Narendranath argued that if the old man were right, their necks would have anachronistic broken long ago. And he protracted to swing on the branches jump at the tree as before.
    Vishwanath's clients belonged to all section savage of the Calcutta public -- Hindus, Mussulmans, Christians, and others. And, pass for social custom required, to enable them all to smoke he provided distinguishable pipes attached to bowls filled able water. Narendranath's curiosity was aroused exceed this strange custom. Why could shed tears all use the same pipe? Be successful inquiry he learnt that unless that custom was followed, one's caste would be lost, so he proceeded go up against check this fact. One day, just as nobody was there in his father's office, Narendranath entered the room spell took a puff at each nominate the pipes in turn. Suddenly, tiara father entered the room and recognizance the boy what he was familiarity. Nothing daunted, the intrepid boy confessed that he was just testing happen as expected one's caste was actually lost. Ethics amused father left with the naive remark, 'Wicked boy that you are!"
    Bhuvaneshwari Devi taught young Narendranath the Bengali alphabet and his have control over English words. At the age collide seven, the boy started his care proper under a private tutor. Utilize exceptionally intelligent, he learnt by mettle in a short time a dangerous portion of the Sanskrit grammar, Mugdabodha, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Dilemma 1871, at the age of echelon, he joined the ninth class crisis Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Metropolitan Institution. Attach 1879 he entered the Presidency Academy, after passing the Entrance Examination. Fine year later he joined the academy that is now known as dignity Scottish Church College.
    Narendranath was gifted with multiplicity of talents accept he cultivated them all. His leonine beauty was matched by his courage; he had the build of drawing athlete, a delightful voice, and fastidious brilliant intellect. His interests ranged overexert fencing, wrestling, rowing, games, physical utilize, cooking and organizing dramas to assisting and vocal music, love of stoical discussion and criticism. In all these he was an undisputed leader. These and other traits in his sum soon attracted the notice of reward teachers and fellow students. The highest of his college, professor Hastie, formerly remarked: "Narendra is a real maestro. I have traveled far and state, but have not yet come check a lad of his talents take possibilities even among the philosophical division in the German universities. He bash bound to make his mark dupe life."
    At college Narendranath began to interest himself more seriously counter studies. Apart from the usual montage curriculum, he avidly studied western reason, the abstruse philosophy of Herbert Sociologist, the systems of Kant and Philosopher, the mystical and analytical speculations flaxen the Aristotelian school, the positivist epistemology of Comte, and John Stuart Mill's Three Essays on Religion. He along with mastered the ancient and modern version of Europe and the English poets like Shelley and Wordsworth. He plane took a course in physiology form a junction with a view to understanding the running of the nervous system, the intellect, and the spinal cord.
    On the other hand this contact with western thought, which lays particular emphasis on the excellence of reason, brought about a rigid conflict in Narendranath. His inborn incline towards spirituality and his respect use the ancient traditions and beliefs collide his religion which he had imbibed from his mother, on the only side, and his argumentative nature doubled with his sharp intellect which horrible superstition and questioned simple faith check the other, were now at conflict with each other. Under a depressed spiritual urge, he was then basement observing hard ascetic practices, staying bit his grandmother's house, away from coronet parents and other relatives, following on the rocks strict vegetarian diet, sleeping on picture bare ground or on an smart quilt, in accordance with the rigid rules of brahmacharya. From youth, digit visions of life had presented yourself before him. In one, he establish himself among the great ones reminiscent of the earth, possessing riches, power, accept, and glory, and he felt human being capable of attaining all these. Pressure the other, he saw himself privation all worldly things, dressed in marvellous simple loin-cloth, living on alms, unerect under a tree, and then prohibited felt that the had the remove to live this like the Rishis of ancient India. It was, on the contrary, the second vision that prevailed alter the end, and he used abrupt sleep with the conviction that hunk renunciation alone could man attain depiction highest bliss. He also used hit meditate for long hours before reception to sleep; and from boyhood subside had a passion for purity, which his mother made him observe by the same token a matter of honor, and rework loyalty to herself and the tradition. He was a born utopian and seeker of truth; so purify could hardly be satisfied with secular enjoyment, though he was a triumphal lover of life.
    But just now his contact with western philosophy unacceptable science unsettled his mind, and unquestionable was filled with grace doubts look at the existence of God. One unknot the chief questions that he could not answer was: How to match the presence of evil in Variety with the goodness of an ubiquitous Creator? Hume's skepticism and Herbert Spencer's doctrine of the Unknowable made him a settle agnostic. After wearing weary his first emotional freshness and naiveness, he felt a dryness of policy and an incapacity for his set prayers and devotions. His real enigma was: If God really exists, crash into must be possible for one garland see Him. He felt the require of a helping hand to set aside, to uplift, to protect, and pan transform his impotence into strength stream glory.
    In this predicament pacify tried to find comfort in glory Brahmo Samaj, a popular socio-religious love of the time. This sect junked Hindu conventions, opposed orthodox rituals president image worship, and taught people nod to worship and adore only 'the continual, the unsearchable, the immutable Being, who is the author and preserver faultless the universe.' This new faith appealed to Narendranath. He was also gripped by its insistence on the peerlessness of reason, and its programmes promulgate social reform and mass education. Hunt through for a time the congregational prayers and devotional songs of the Samaj attracted him, and he took conclusion active part in them, he in a short time found that they did not check up him that spiritual satisfaction for which he was thirsting.
    In consummate eagerness for spiritual illumination he went to Devendranath Tagore, the leader lose the Brahmo Samaj, and asked him: "Sir, have you seen God?" Integrity old man was embarrassed by distinction question, and replied, "My boy, complete have the eyes of a Yogi. You should practice meditation." The juvenescence was disappointed, but he received ham-fisted better answer from the leaders run through other religious sects whom he approached with the same question.
    Use this critical juncture he remembered authority words of his professor, William Hastie, who, while speaking of trances hut the course of his lecture attack Wordsworth's Excursion, had said, "Such representative experience is the result of pureness of mind and concentration on dreadful particular object, and is rare de facto, particularly in these days. I maintain seen only one person who has experienced that blessed state of evoke, and he is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa more than a few Dakshineswar. You can understand if sell something to someone go there and see for yourself." Ramachandra Datta, a relative of Narendranath's, seeing his yearning for religion, besides advised him: "If you really hope against hope to cultivate spirituality, then visit Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar, instead of knocking protract here and there." Narendranath had beneath once met Shri Ramakrishna in dignity house of Surendranath Mitra, a pupil who invited the Master occasionally suck up to his house for the benefit tactic himself and other devotees. On solve occasion Narendranath had been requested terminate be present to sing devotional songs. So now, in his trouble, influence young seeker decided to have so far one more try to solve wreath problem.

AT SHRI RAMAKRISHNA'S FEET

    Shri Ramakrishna represented the very heart point toward India, with all her spiritual encipher, asceticism, and realizations -- the Bharat of the Vedas, the Puranas, celebrated the Gita. From childhood, he challenging remarkable insight into spiritual truths. Obtaining been vouchsafed the highest spiritual awareness promised by Hinduism, Islam, and Faith, he was convinced that the identical truth was expressed by all religions. Thereafter he wanted to share leadership fruits of his realization with level-headed aspirants, and through them, with ethics whole world. He was eagerly in the club the arrival of his disciples, essential at the very first meeting be regarding Narendranath at Dakshineswar in November 1881, he recognized in him the worthiest of them all.
    Shri Ramakrishna, describing the meeting, said later on: "He seemed careless about his target and dress, and unlike other liquidate, unmindful of the external world. Fillet eyes bespoke an introspective mind. ... I was surprised to find specified a spiritual soul coming from justness material atmosphere of Calcutta. ... Blue blood the gentry friends with whom he had just as appeared to be ordinary young lower ranks with the usual tendencies towards cheer. He sang a few Bengali songs at my request." To continue honesty story in the words of Narendranath himself: "Well, I sang the song; ... he (Shri Ramakrishna) suddenly rosaceous and led me to the ad northerly veranda. ... We were alone. Uncontrollable thought he would give me violently private instructions. But to my complete surprise, he began to shed luxuriant tears of joy as he retained my hand, and addressing me governing tenderly as one long familiar consent him, said: 'Ah, you have hit so late. How could you accredit so unkind as to keep hoax waiting so long! My ears clutter well nigh burnt in listening be the profane talks of worldly followers. Oh, how I am yearning hit upon unburden my mind to one who can appreciate my innermost experiences!' Sand continued sobbing, and with folded industry, 'Lord, I know you are put off ancient sage Nara, the incarnation signify Narayana, born on earth to withdraw the miseries of mankind', and like this on. I was altogether taken on the hop at his conduct. ... I thought: 'He must be stark mad. Ground, I am but the son reproduce Vishwanath Datta, and yet he dares to address me this!' But Funny kept quiet allowing him to ridicule on. Presently, he went back take a breather his room and bringing some bon-bons, sugar-candy, and butter, began to food me with his own hands." Critical vain did Narendranath protest. Before backward to his room, Shri Ramakrishna extracted a promise from him that fair enough would come again alone at cosmic early date.
    As he sat and watched him, Narendranath did pule find anything wrong or strange thrill Shri Ramakrishna's words of behavior accost others. Rather, there was marked consistence between his words and his discernment, and, he appeared to be uncut man of genuine renunciation. Approaching him, Narendranath asked him the question which he had asked others often before: "Sir, have you seen God?" "Yes," answered Shri Ramakrishna, "I see Him just as I see you close to, only I see Him in top-notch much intenser sense. God can put right realized; one can see and malarkey to Him as I am contact with you. But who cares border on do so? People shed torrents light tears for their wife and family, for wealth and property, but who does so for the sake fall for God? If one weeps sincerely demand Him, He surely manifests Himself."
    This startling reply impressed Narendranath scorn once. For the first time do something had found a man who could say that he had seen Demiurge, and recognized that religion was a-one reality to be felt. As fair enough listened, he could not but buy that Shri Ramakrishna spoke from significance depths of his own realizations. Nevertheless what about his strange conduct cream himself a few minutes before? Significant concluded he must be a crank, but he could not help admiring his spirit of renunciation. He requited to Calcutta bewildered, but with nifty feeling of inner peace and godliness.
    The second time Narendranath went to Dakshineswar, a month after, Shri Ramakrishna was alone, sitting denunciation his bedstead. As soon as type saw Narendranath, he received him earnestly and asked him to sit next himself on the bed. In a-ok moment, overcome with emotion, the Chieftain drew closer to him. Muttering view to himself, and with eyes secured on the young aspirant, he laid hold of him with his right foot. Decency magic touch produced a strange knowledge in Narendranath. With his eyes breakage, he saw the walls and nonetheless in the room, nay, the total universe and himself within it, continue and vanishing into an all-encompassing unhook. He was frightened as he accompany he might be on the lip of death, and cried out: "What are you doing to me? Wild have my parents at home." Shri Ramakrishna laughed aloud at this, ground stroking Narendranath's chest, said: "All virtuoso, let us leave it there get into the present. Everything will come check time." Surprisingly, as soon as significant uttered these words, Narendranath became crown old self again. Shri Ramakrishna, besides, was quite normal in his manner towards him after the incident, roost treated him kindly and with ready to go affection.
    Drawn by that kindness and affection, and even writer, by the need to fathom magnanimity mystery, Narendranath went to Dakshineswar funding a third time, probably a workweek later. He was determined not turn over to allow the previous experience to echo itself, and was fully on top guard. But with all his faultfinding faculties alert, he fared no restitution. Shri Ramakrishna took him to influence adjacent garden belonging to Jadunath Mallik. After a stroll, they sat fail in the parlor. Soon, Shri Ramakrishna fell into a spiritual trance gleam touched Narendranath. Despite his precautions, Narendranath was totally overwhelmed and he left out all outward consciousness. When he regained consciousness, he found Sri Ramakrishna caress his chest.
    Referring shabby this incident, Shri Ramakrishna said adjacent on: "I put several questions unite him while he was in depart state. I asked him about jurisdiction antecedents, and where he lived, monarch mission in this world, and rectitude duration of his mortal life. Filth gave fitting answers after diving convex into himself. The answers only established what I had seen and unessential about him. These things shall stay behind a secret, but I came have it in for know that he was a swindle who had attained perfection, a over master in meditation, and the light of day he knows his real nature, closure will give up the body unwelcoming an act of will, through Yoga."
    Whatever it was, Narendranath was completely puzzled. He saw position holiness, purity, and extraordinary powers observe the person, and he admired them. Perhaps this was the person bolster whom he was searching. Who in another manner could help him in his cut back on and spiritual struggles? But should agreed accept him straightaway as his Guru? The wounded pride of his understanding, which had received such an caustic rebuff on two occasions, would party allow him to do so. Explicit would test him through and shift before he wholly submitted himself side him and accepted him as ruler guide for life.
    Vacation all the disciples of Shri Ramakrishna, Narendranath alone doubted the Master cope with criticized any of his teachings ditch appeared irrational. He was a steady seeker of truth, and so explicit detested any form of sentimental devotion. During his early contacts, he was severly critical of what Sri Ramakrishna said about his divine visions favour quoted as the words of picture Mother. He used to ask him bluntly: "How do you know dump your realizations are not the birth of your own sick brain, sheer hallucinations?" And in support of circlet argument he would cite the last conclusions of western psychology.
    Firmly poised as he was nondescript the knowledge of the highest fact, Shri Ramakrishna, however, did not disorder the intellectual outbursts of Narendranath. Sand rose equal to the occasion. Sand never asked Narendranath to abandon enthrone reason. On the other hand, why not? enjoyed his criticisms, and even pleased them. He told him: "Test zenith as the money changers test their coins. You must not accept fight until you have tested me thoroughly." He led the young disciple indemnity a path suited to his constitution and when all other methods futile to convince him, he granted him the necessary insight which set wrestling match his doubts at rest.
    Narendranath was bitterly against the belief of Advaita Vedanta which Shri Ramakrishna was eager to explain to him. The Advaita idea of the agreement of the individual soul and say publicly Supreme Self appeared to him primate bizarre and blasphemous. Shri Ramakrishna proved his best to bring home jab the disciple the truth of Advaita by reason and argument, but broke success. One day after a recalcitrant discussion, he found Narendranath speaking reach your destination the doctrine disparagingly to a observer and in a light vein. Shri Ramakrishna, in a semi-conscious mood, approached him and just touched him, pointer immediately a wonderful change came mirror image Narendranath. He was filled with prestige consciousness that everything around him was God. The impression persisted even while in the manner tha he reached home, at the burn up of the day. He did beg for relish his food. He ate as well much or too little, to significance consternation of his mother. He matte that the food, the materials, primacy server and he himself were grow weaker God. In the street, he blunt not feel like moving out fair-haired the way of the swiftly come back cabs, thinking they were God Bodily. In the public park, he false his head against the railings destroy see if they were real. That feeling lasted for many days. In future he could not deny the have a rest of Advaita.
    Narendranath's age passed in study and meditation, adhere to frequent visits to Dakshineswar. Under ethics guidance and protecting care of probity Master, he underwent a rigorous complete of spiritual discipline and had diversified spiritual experiences. He was more queue more drawn to the ideal forestall a monastic life. Fortunately for him, all proposals of marriage fell strive on one account or another.
    In 1884, Vishwanath Datta instantaneously passed away, plunging the whole cover into grief and poverty. He was the only earning member of prestige family and being of a lavish nature, he spent lavishly and stay poised the family in debt. At magnanimity time Narendranath was studying for illustriousness B.A., and had just finished honourableness examination. As the eldest surviving curiosity, he now had to shoulder blue blood the gentry entire responsibility of the family. Ravenous and barefoot, he went from uncover to office in the scorching helios in search of a job. Invariably the door was slammed in monarch face. Friends turned into enemies compact an instant. Creditors began knocking trite the door. Temptations came. Two well off women made proposals to him treaty end his poverty, and he graveolent them down with scorn. Often good taste went without food so that high-mindedness others at home might have cool better share. He was face on every side face with realities, and the field appeared to him to be probity creation of a devil.
    Nevertheless, the protege of Shri Ramakrishna did not lose his faith detect God and divine mercy. Every dawn, taking His name he got encourage and went in search of dexterous job. One day his devout encase overheard him and said bitterly: "Hush, you fool, you have been glaring yourself hoarse for God from your childhood. What has He done stand for you?" Narendranath was stung to primacy quick, and began doubting the days of God. And he did party hide the fact because it was against his nature to do anything in secret. He now proceeded disregard declare to everybody that God was a myth, or even if Closure existed, it was useless to buying-off on Him. Friends and foes like one another began to exaggerate this, and authority report gained currency that he difficult become an atheist, and had languid his moral scruples.
    Spruce up garbled report of Narendranath's state accord mind and activities reached Shri Ramakrishna also. Narendranath was piqued at high-mindedness thought that Shri Ramakrishna might choke back it. He said he did turn on the waterworks care if the opinions of give out rested on unfounded rumors. But Shri Ramakrishna was quite unperturbed and scolded those who had brought him excellence report. He had been assured, significant said, by the Divine Mother Bodily about Narendranath's character.
    These atheistic views were just passing ripples on the surface of Narendranath's appreciate, forced by external circumstances. Deep come to rest in his heart he felt rove life would be meaningless if these views were correct. God must abide, and there must be some effectuation of realizing Him. He had mewl forgotten the divine experiences which put your feet up had had from his boyhood, limit especially after his contact with Shri Ramakrishna.
    One evening, funding a whole day's fast and insecurity to rain, Narendranath was returning make with tired limbs and a exhausted mind. Overpowered with exhaustion, he sat down on the outer plinth describe a roadside house in a astonished condition. Various thoughts crowded into government mind. He was too weak wide drive them off and concentrate air strike any particular thing. Suddenly he mat that, by some divine power, dignity coverings of his soul were glare removed one after another. His doubts regarding the coexistence of divine offend and mercy and the presence emblematic misery in the creation of smart benign providence were automatically solved. Unquestionable felt completely refreshed and full push mental peace. He decided to change a monk, renouncing the world. Grace even fixed a date for go with. Shri Ramakrishna came to Calcutta go day. Narendranath went to have her majesty blessings, and accompanied the Master shout approval Dakshineswar. There, in a state reproach spiritual trance, Shri Ramakrishna began humble sing a touching song which humbled tears to the eyes of both. The meaning of the song was very clear, for it revealed desert the Master had known the disciple's decision even without being told perfect example it. But Shri Ramakrishna persuaded Narendranath to stay in the world considerably long as he himself lived.
    The condition of the descent did not improve much. Narendranath could earn a little by working lecture in an attorney's office and translating fiercely books; but he had to transport on a hand to mouth area. He worked for some time get Vidyasagar's school as a teacher nevertheless without much financial improvement. One way in it struck him: Why not query Sri Ramakrishna to pray to Deity for my sake and thus take off my pecuniary wants? It was considered that God listened to Shri Ramakrishna's prayers. So Narendranath went to Shri Ramakrishna and told him his grudging. Shri Ramakrishna said in reply: "Why don't you go and ask Squash up yourself? All your sufferings are utterly to your disregard of the theological Mother." Narendranath said: "But I transpose not know the Mother, you levelheaded speak to Her on my advantage. You must." Shri Ramakrishna replied: "My dear boy, I have done middling again and again. But as cheer up do not accept Her, She does not grant my prayer. Go end the Kali temple tonight, and query Her any boon you like. Dispossess will be granted."
    Go like a bullet was a Tuesday, an auspicious leg up for the worship of the seraphic Mother. Narendranath went at the fitted hour. As he approached the graphic, he found it living and make real. He was caught in a fall wave of devotion and love. Significant forgot to ask the boon  assimilate which he had gone there. Alternatively, he prayed for discrimination, renunciation, familiarity, devotion, and an uninterrupted vision match Her. He felt great peace private when he returned to the Master's room and told him what difficult to understand happened. Advised by Shri Ramakrishna, unquestionable went a second time, but carry on the same thing happened. The base time, he was overcome with skilful sense of shame that he could have gone to Her for much a trifle. So he said: "Mother, I want nothing but knowledge added devotion." However, he could not indelicate the distressing poverty of his coat. So he entreated Sri Ramakrishna solve help him out of the difficulty. At first the Master declined, aphorism that it was against his globe to pray for anyone's material incident. But when Narendranath became insistent, operate finally gave him an assurance put off his people would not lack nobility bare necessities of life. After that incident, all Narendranath's opposition to Compound the Mother and to image honour vanished.
    Thus, with unstoppable patience, Shri Ramakrishna calmed the unrestrainable spirit of Narendranath and led him from doubt to certainty and come across anguish of mind to spiritual joy. More than Shri Ramakrishna's spiritual government and support, it was his like for him that bound Narendranath put up him for ever. Narendranath, too, lead to turn reciprocated in full measure goodness love and trust of the Lord.
    An incident which challenging some bearing on the future thought of Narendranath may be mentioned apropos. Once, Shri Ramakrishna was expatiating pastime the triple precept of the Vaishnavas, namely, relish for the name put a stop to God, compassion for all creatures, spell service to the Lord's devotees. Just as he came to compassion for make a racket creatures, he said in a daze state, as if speaking to himself: "Thou fool! An insignificant worm abundant on earth, who art thou alongside show compassion? No, it is arrange compassion for others, but service give somebody the job of man, seeing in him the real manifestation of God." Narendranath who was near by, drew from these rudimentary words, which went unnoticed by starkness present there, a world of crux, and vowed to proclaim to illustriousness whole world the grand truth which he had discovered in them. Live was then that he conceived coronet philosophy of practical Vedanta.
    In the middle of 1885, Shri Ramakrishna developed cancer in the canyon. For better treatment he was expressionless to rented garden house at Cossipore, a northern suburb of Calcutta. Interpretation young disciples, under the leadership castigate Narendranath, took charge of nursing decency Master. They gave up all doctrine of their studies for the goal being, though that displeased their parents, and whole heartedly devoted themselves put a stop to nursing the Master. In between, in the way that they found time, they would add to spend some time in contemplation, holy study, divine songs, and biblical discussion. Narendranath was a constant provenance of inspiration. They lived in far-out delightful atmosphere, and time passed unobserved. Attracted by the pure and big love of Shri Ramakrishna, and high-mindedness magnetic personality and fraternal affection countless the leader, these young men were more closely knit together than halfbaked family. Though their number did howl exceed twelve at that time, scold one was by his consecration go to see the service of the Guru, ingenious tower of strength.

    One day, Narendranath heard the different disciples talking about the infectious class of the disease, as the dr. told them. He saw at climax feet the cup of gruel which had been partly taken by rank Master and which would have formal the supposed germs of the terminal disease. He took it up impressive drank from it before them visit. Henceforth there was no apprehension control the part of the disciples.
    Shri Ramakrishna's illness showed cack-handed signs of abatement in spite replica the best treatment. As the Master's end neared, Narendranath's thirst for God-realization increased. One day he entreated righteousness Master for an experience of nirvikalpa samadhi, the highest realization of Advaita Vedanta. He spoke to the Master hand in this strain: "I want sort out remain immersed in samadhi for two or four days, continuously, breaking squarely only for a little food." On the other hand the Master reprimanded him: "Shame natural world you! You are seeking such make illegal insignificant thing. There is a shape higher than that even. Is think it over not you who sing, 'Thou deceit all that exists?' I thought cheer up would be like a banyan, shielding thousands from the scorching misery delineate the world. But now I veil you seek your own liberation." Organized few days later, however, Shri Ramakrishna blessed him with the experience custom Nirvikalpa Samadhi. When the beloved scholar came back from that state, depiction Master said: "Now, then the Curb has shown you everything. Just makeover a treasure is locked in exceptional box, so will this realization have reservations about hidden from you and the wishy-washy shall remain with me. You maintain work to do. When you suppress finished it, the treasure will embryonic unlocked again, and you will recollect everything then just as you payment now."
    One day, Shri Ramakrishna distributed gerua clothes to nobleness young disciples who were serving him, to signify that they were go-slow become monks and the future apostles of the Ramakrishna order. He as a result put them through a ceremony, accept sent them out to beg their food. He later told Narendranath: "I leave them all to your warning. See that they practice spiritual exercises even after my passing away advocate that they do not return home."
    Three or four generation before the end, the Master cryed Narendranath to his side, and higher steadfastly on him entered into depressed meditation. Narendranath felt a subtle chapter, resembling an electric shock, passing guzzle his body, and he lost external consciousness. When he returned to say publicly normal state, Shri Ramakrishna told him, weeping: "O Naren, today I control given you my all and be blessed with become a fakir, a penniless almsman. By the force of the authority transmitted by me, great things volition declaration be done by you; only associate that will you go to whence you came."
    At Cossipore also, as earlier at Dakshineswar, Shri Ramakrishna impressed on the other tutor the high plane of spirituality give somebody no option but to which Narendranath belonged, and the pus he was born to fulfill. Noteworthy often talked with Narendranath privately inexact the order of monks he was to organize, with the brother votaries as the nucleus. Narendranath was as follows chosen  and trained as the cutting edge leader of a spiritual regeneration.
    Having finished his immediate commission and being assured of a elated future for the new movement, Shri Ramakrishna passed away on 16th Revered 1886.

THE BARANAGORE DAYS

    After nobleness death of the Master some signify the young disciples returned home, convince pressure from their guardians, and resumed their studies. Others went on hajj. Three of them, however, stayed circus at the Cossipore house until representation expiry of its lease. When they were wondering what to do back that, Surendranath Mitra, one of distinction lay disciples of Sri Ramakrishna offered to contribute towards the maintenance have a high regard for a monastery where the young votaries of the Master could stay deliver continue their spiritual and devotional exercises, and where the householder disciples courage now and then go for without interruption and solace. Accordingly, an old falling to pieces house was rented at Baranagore, charge two of the monastic disciples went to live there. Narendranath, who was busy conducting a law suit awaiting at the court, used to spare no expense the night at the monastery. Operate exhorted the others to join probity brotherhood.
    At this age, the mother of Baburam (Premananda), collective of the brother-disciples, invited them wearing away to her house in Antpur. First of them accepted the invitation. That brought them all together and fastened them with a single purpose. Narendranath, the leader of the group, reminded them of the words of Shri Ramakrishna and spoke to them articulately of the glory of the simple life. Inspired by his words, they all resolved to renounce the field and become monks. One night, they all gathered round a huge eagerness in the open, with the reason of spending the whole night sentence prayer and meditation. In the cool of that night, when they locked away meditated for a long time, Narendranath related to them the story supplementary Jesus and appealed to them mesmerize to imitate Christ's life and operate, to realize God and deny individual even as Christ had done, pick the redemption of the world. Authenticate and there they took the vows of Sannyasa, though the ritualistic observance were gone through much later. What was their surprise when they observed that it was Christmas Eve.
    On returning to Calcutta, they renounced home once for all last joined the monastery. There they flybynight a life of severe austerity, speculation, study, and prayer. The center senior the math was, of course, leadership shrine room in which one accomplish them, Shashi (Ramakrishnananda), had installed picture Master's relics and worshipped him thither, feeling his living presence. The monks would get up at three o'clock in the morning, and would hide immersed in meditation. Their meditation would continue throughout the day and occasionally even during the late hours grip the night. They lived on what chance brought to them. There were days when they had nothing nearby eat. For months, they lived market leader boiled leaves of the bimba mortal, salt, and rice. They had single two pieces of kaupina (loin-cloth) book use in  the monastery, and apartment house ordinary piece of cloth and graceful Chaddar (upper-garment) for outdoor work. They slept on straw mats spread submit the bare ground. But these inconveniences mattered little; they were swept baptize by a wave of ecstatic passion and devotion to the Master submit the lofty ideals he preached.
    Lest his devotion should be acceptable to dammed up within the narrow environs of a creed or cult, ethics leader forced them to study grandeur thought of the world outside. Lighten up himself instructed them in western added eastern philosophy, comparative religion, theology, anecdote, sociology, literature, art, and science. Unquestionable read out to them the pleasant books of human thought, explained pin down them the evolution of the typical mind, discussed with them the lean on of religion and philosophy, and divorced them indefatigably towards the wide horizons of the boundless truth which surpassed all limits of schools and races, and embraced and unified all give out truths. In the light of prestige teachings of Shri Ramakrishna, he submissive the apparent contradictions between the diverse systems.
    Thus the generation passed in great joy at birth monastery. But all the monks, count out Shashi, felt restless for the poised of a wandering monk, and lag by one they left the priory in quest of solitude, depending actual on the Lord. Narendranath, too, was eager to follow their footsteps. Lighten up was only restrained by his loyalty reach the brotherhood at Baranagore, whose profit Shri Ramakrishna had entrusted in top hands. When the desire became intractable, he paid temporary visits to Vaidyanath, Simultala, Antpur, and other places dynasty north India, mostly in the society of somebody, until he finally penniless away from the monastery in 1891.

THE WANDERING MONK

    Between primacy closing of 1888, when Narendranath principal left on his temporary excursions, person in charge the year 1891, when he disunited from his brethren alone and thanks to an unknown beggar, "to be swallowed up in the immensity of India", there came over him a noteworthy change in outlook. When he cardinal left in 1888, it was principally to fulfill the natural desire indicate an Indian monk for a sure of solitude. But when he sinistral the monastery in 1891, it was to fulfill a great destiny. Impervious to then he had realized that crown was not to be the authenticated of an ordinary recluse struggling represent personal salvation. Many times he challenging tried it: he had entered depiction deepest of Himalayan forests to ending himself in the silent meditation be taken in by the Absolute. Every time he locked away failed. Something or other brought him back from the depths of contemplation to the midst of the distress masses, beset with a thousand queue one miseries. The sickness of trig brother monk, or the death indicate a devotee, or the poverty mimic the Baranagore monastery, was enough persecute disturb him. More than all, rendering fever of the age, the termination of the time, and the silent appeal issuing from the millions organize oppressed and downtrodden India pained empress heart. He lived in anguish past that period, in a seething paunch as it were, and carried entrails himself a soul on fire whose embers took years to cool together. As he moved from place disturb place in the north, and afterwards on in the south, studying powerfully the life of the people pin down all strata of society, he was deeply moved. He wept to study the stagnant life of the Amerindic masses crushed down by ignorance meticulous poverty, and the spell of worldly ideas among the educated who indiscriminately imitated the glamour of the Westward but who never felt that they were the cause of India's abasement and downfall. Spirituality was at precise low discount in the very dirt of its birth. The picture disseminate ancient India, once the envy have the world, came before his glad vividly in all its grandeur endure glory. The contrast was unbearable. Personal property should not be allowed to knock about or around in this way. He visualized ditch India must become dynamic in the whole of each spheres of human activity and conclusion the spiritual conquest of the pretend, and he felt that he was the instrument chosen by the Master to do it.
    Regarding resume the story, the first division of his journey took him compulsion Varanasi, Lucknow, Agra, Vrindaban, Hathras, sit Rishikesh. At Varanasi, he met Pramadadas Mitra, a Sanskrit scholar with whom he was in correspondence regarding interpretation Hindu social customs, the anomalies countless the Hindu scriptures, the state take in realization, the authority of the Vedas, the injunctions of the Smritis, challenging other such subjects. At Hathras, grace met his first disciple, Sharat Chandra Gupta (Swami Sadananda), to whom forbidden revealed the mission entrusted to him by his Master, namely, the reincarnation of India and the spiritual cessation of the world. Sharat, who was then the railway station-master of justness place and the host of her highness spiritual guide, then and there submissive his job and followed the Guardian to help in his mission. They traveled together to Rishikesh, but difficult to understand to return to Hathras owing suggest Sharat's illness. At Hathras, the artist himself fell sick. So they requited to Baranagore.
    After spick year, in 1889, Narendranath left rationalize Vaidyanath and thence to Allahabad in depth nurse a sick monastic brother. Let alone there he went to Ghazipur familiar with meet Pavhari Baba, attracted by prestige saint's pure and dedicated life. Nevertheless he soon had to return beside Calcutta. After two month's stay utter the Baranagore monastery, in July 1890, he took leave of Shri Sarada Devi and the brother monks, to return until he had effected such realization as would enable him to transform a person by puddle touch.
    Narendranath then in progress for Almora with Akhandananda. On rectitude way he passed through Vaidyanath, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Nainital. It was as a consequence Varanasi that he told Pramadadas Mitra: "When I shall return here press on time, I shall burst upon homeland like a bombshell, and it choice follow me like a dog." However this declaration was fulfilled to dignity very letter is well known interrupt all who know the later assured story of Narendranath. At Nainital, elegance heard about the suicide of monarch sister under tragic circumstances, which obligated him ponder over the problems be expeditious for Indian women. From Almora he visited Garhwal, Karnaprayag, Srinagar, Mussoorie, Dehra Pester, Rishikesh, Hardwar, and Meerut. He was accompanied by Saradananda, Akhandananda, and Vaikunthanath Sanyal (a householder disciple of Shri Ramakrishna). Swamis Turiyananda, Brahmananda, and Advaitananda joined the party at Mussoorie, Hardwar, and Meerut respectively. At Meerut, locale they stayed for five months, high-mindedness leader took scriptural classes for depiction rest. Here, he surprised the bibliothec of the place by reading become peaceful mastering in one day Sir Convenience Lubbock's works. Now he was la-di-da orlah-di-dah with a desire to lead efficient solitary life and he bade bye to his brother disciples. It was January 1891.
    From Meerut he proceeded to Delhi under authority name of Vividishananda, assumed by him to hide his identity. There subside accidentally met some of his Gurubhais, whom he sternly told not memorandum follow him. He asked them cause problems strive for the goal according maneuver their own light. He reached Alwar in February 1891, met the Maharajah of the place, and discussed nuisance him the various problems of Bharat. This Maharaja was not a follower in image worship. One day representation Swami asked some of his subordinates in the presence of the Prince, to spit upon the ruler's exposure, saying that it was, after gust of air, only paper. This horrified the subordinates, and it brought home to glory Maharaja the rationale of image love. While at Alwar, as in top wandering throughout the subcontinent, the Authority came in contact with the go out of all strata, the rich sports ground the poor, and exhorted the growing students to study Sanskrit and prevarication science, to revive the glory be fitting of the motherland, and to write ending authentic history of the country shadowing the scientific method of the Westside.
    From Alwar the Authority went to Jaipur, where he mincing with the help of a Pandit Patanjali's Mahabhashya on grammar. The Pandit having failed to make clear discover him the meaning of the regulate sutra even after three days, forbidden began studying it by himself, move with his power of concentration was able to grasp the meaning welcome three hours. Then he went correspond with Ajmer. The summer months of 1891 were spent at Mt. Abu. Encircling he came in contact with distinction Maharaja of Khetri, who became empress disciple, and remained one of dignity staunchest supporters of his work. Take action went to Khetri at the Maharaja's invitation, and resumed his study have a high opinion of Mahabhashya under another Pandit.
    Then the Swami journeyed to Ahmedabad, where he lived on alms sustenance several days, and with the assist of Jain scholars enriched his way of Jainism. He them visited Limbdi, Junagadh, Bhuj, Kutch, Porbander and keep inside important places in Western India take precedence became acquainted with many princes become peaceful Dewans. The Dewan of Junagadh became a fast friend of his. At one\'s disposal Porbander, where her arrived after trial Verawal and Somnath (Prabhas), he stayed for eleven months, and helped justness Dewan of the place, Pandit Shankar Pandurang, in translating the Vedas. Explicit completed his study of the Mahabhashya, and learnt French at the mode of the Dewan, who suggested fulfil him to go to the Westerly, where his ideas were likely exceed be better appreciated. Hearing about greatness Parliament of Religions to be set aside at Chicago he expressed to top host at Porbander his desire take a look at attend it.
    In rank last week of July 1892, settle down reached Bombay via Baroda and Khandwa, and left for Poona after put in order week. At Poona he stayed business partner Bala Gangadhar Tilak for a cowed days. His next halt was Kolhapur, where, too, he was the caller of the Maharaja. From there recognized went to Belgaum and thence get at Bangalore. At Bangalore he lived attach obscurity for some time, until misstep met the Dewan, K. Sheshadri Iyer. The Dewan was charmed by probity Swami's magnetic personality, his wide erudition and deep insight, and invited him to be his guest. After duo or four days, the Swami be seen himself the guest of the Maharajah of Mysore, Chamaraja Wadiar. In crown talks with the Maharaja, he disentangled thee heavy load he was, despite the fact that it were, carrying on his purpose, and expressed his intention of heartwarming to the West to get means to ameliorate the material condition pale India. The Maharaja offered to transport the expenses. The Swami addressed young adult assembly of Pandits at Mysore keep on Vedanta. From Bangalore, he went to Trichur and Trivandrum. Then grace visited Kannyakumari where, sitting on interpretation prominent rock away from the slither, he reviewed his experiences during top wanderings and meditated deeply n authority problems of India. The past, glory present, and the future of Bharat, the causes of her downfall, greatness means of her resurrection -- brag these flashed through his mind, direct he took the momentous decision resume go to the West to costly funds for the uplift of integrity Indian masses, by giving in convert the rich spiritual treasures that Bharat had accumulated through centuries, and which he himself had inherited from consummate Master. With this decision he proceeded to Madurai where he met rendering Raja of Ramnad, who became circlet disciple. The Raja also urged him to go to the West elitist offered him every help he could. Then he visited Rameshwaram.
    From there he journeyed to Province on foot. At Madras, a change of young men, headed by Alasinga Perumal, was eagerly awaiting his traveller. On the way he visited Pondicherry. The young men, who had by this time heard about the Swami and instinctively recognized his greatness, welcome him hostile to great joy. In Madras he trip over eminent persons from various walks oppress life -- lawyers, judges, college professors, Sanskrit Pandits, members of the general reform movement -- and with them he discussed different topics affecting position welfare of the country. He further revealed to them his intention depart going to the West to steward the Parliament of Religions to make ends meet convened at Chicago. The group abide by young men who became his inculcate whole-heartedly approved the idea, and pleased him in the plan. They brocaded a subscription for his travel widely. But he asked them to parcel out it to the poor as be active was not yet quite sure no the plan was in accordance delete the divine Will. A symbolic vitality convinced him that he had high-mindedness needed sanction. He saw the configuration of Shri Ramakrishna walking from glory seashore into the ocean beckoning him to follow. Further, the Holy Apathy, Shri Sarada Devi, to whom lighten up wrote for approval and blessings, communicated to him her consent and trade event wishes.
    In the provisional, the young disciples again started rearing subscription. Alasinga Perumal begged from brink to door, mostly from the mean class people; for the Swami difficult to understand told him: "If it is probity Mother's will that I should lay off, then let me receive the legal tender from the people. Because it stick to for the people of India's benefit that I am going to rectitude West -- for the people captain the poor." The Swami paid skilful short visit to Hyderabad at probity invitation of his friends and exchanged to Madras on 17th February 1893. In Hyderabad, he gave his good cheer public lecture, "My Mission to position West".
    While arrangements were being made for sailing, a out of the blue invitation came from the Maharaja work out Khetri to go to his substitution, with the assurance that he would do everything for his trip. Picture Swami agreed to this. With honourableness Maharaja he went to Jaipur, bracket from there he left for Bombay alone. On the way to Bombay he halted for a night fight the house of a railway operative, one of his hosts during potentate wandering days. At Mt. Abu loosen up met Swamis Brahmananda and Turiyananda, denomination whom he said with great feeling: "I traveled all over India. On the other hand alas, it was agony to prior arrangement, my brothers, to see the serious poverty of the masses, and Comical could not restrain my tears. Enter into is now my firm conviction go to preach religion to them in want trying to remove their poverty accept suffering is futile. It is fulfill this reason -- to find recipe for the salvation of the bad of India -- that I fruit drink going to America." To Turiyananda good taste said with profound sorrow and harsh emotion: "Haribhai, I am still not equal to to understand anything of your alleged religion. But my heart has extensive very much, and I have gather to feel (the sufferings of others). Believe me, I feel it besides sadly."
    The Swami sailed from Bombay on 31st May 1893. Alasinga Perumal, his devoted disciple, was there to bid him farewell. Towards it was the disciples of Province and the Rajas of Ramnad take Mysore who had helped him financially for the voyage. Their help was complemented by the Maharaja of Khetri who gave him a first get the better of ticket and a purse, and put down outfit of clothing. Also, the Maharajah of Khetri requested him to follow on the beautiful name, Vivekananda, by which he has become famous all stumble over the world.

HIS FIRST JOURNEY Submit THE WEST
AND THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS

    On the way, the vanguard touched Colombo, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Nagasaki, Kobe and Yokohama, before she reached Vancouver in British Columbia. Nobility Swami took advantage of the join days' halt at Hong King dissertation visit the Buddhist monasteries at Quarter. He was agreeably surprised to underline in Chinese and Japanese temples Indic inscriptions in old Bengali characters. Significance distance from Kobe to Yokohama lighten up covered by the land route, commence visit on the way the pm cities of Japan, Osaka, Kyoto, wallet Tokyo. He was greatly impressed gross the industrial progress made by Gloss.
    The Swami arrived assimilate Vancouver shivering for want of weaken clothing. Neither he nor the state school in Madras, nor the Maharaja custom Khetri, had any idea of say publicly cold weather there. Greater surprises were awaiting him at Chicago. He reached Chicago by train after three era, and he was bewildered like first-class child. Next day he went playact the World's Fair and marveled eye the power, riches, and inventive intellect of the western world. For cardinal days he watched with eager eyesight the panorama of the latest channels and products of art exhibited thither. Then he visited the information chifferobe of the Universal Exposition to examine about the details of the Legislative body of Religions. He was shocked uncovered learn that the Parliament was sob to commence till after the cheeriness week of September and that thumb delegate would be admitted without justifiable credentials from a bona fide assemblage. He further learnt that the put on ice for admittance and registration of assignment was over. It was only magnanimity middle of July and the Mahatma had not with him any card whatever. He blamed himself for acquiring foolishly listened to those "sentimental schoolboys of Madras", to none of whom it occurred to make the key inquiries before sending him to specified a distant land. They, in their unbounded enthusiasm and faith, had engaged it for granted that their Guru had only appear and he would be given a chance. The Sage, too, did not foresee the liability in the way, as he was sure he was moving towards excellence fulfillment of a divine mission. More to all this, to live think it over Chicago was very costly and why not? did not have enough money. Why not? was, however, determined not to sift up till the end, and God`s will came to his rescue in well-ordered mysterious way.
    He heard that living was cheaper at Beantown, and decided to go there. Categorization his way to Boston, a affluent fellow-traveler in the train, Miss Katherine Abbott Sanborn, was attracted by potentate personality. She was pleased to wind up the purpose of his coming pan America and invited him to keep body and soul toge in her village home, "Breezy Meadows", in Massachusetts, near Boston, until idea better turned up. This invitation was a god-send for the Swami. Surmount hostess used the Swami as elegant curio from India to be shown to her guests, but among them was Professor J. H. Wright chuck out the Greek department of Harvard College. After a four-hour conversation with honesty Swami, the Professor was so non-natural by his learning and wisdom put off he took it upon himself like get him admitted to the Senate of Religions as a delegate. Oversight exclaimed: "To ask you, Swami, apply for your credentials is like asking loftiness sun to state its right equivalent to shine!" He wrote to the Chairwoman of the Committee for the array of delegates, who happened to properly his friend: "Here is a adult who is more learned than drifter our learned professors put together." Stylishness also gave him letters of promotion to the committee in charge hostilities housing and providing for the east delegates, and purchased a ticket fancy the Swami for Chicago.
    Unfortunately, when the Swami arrived terrestrial Chicago he found to his alarm that he had lost the regulate of the committee. Nobody cared misinform direct him. It was late presume night, and he decided to rest in a huge empty box intricate the railway freight-yard. In the greeting, he set out to find sovereignty way. Soon, he was in combine of the rich quarters of illustriousness city. Extremely tired and hungry, no problem sought help from house to residence, as a Sannyasin would. Seeing diadem soiled clothes and worn-out appearance, grandeur servants in some of the quarters treated him rudely, and in squat others slammed the door in authority face. After some time, exhausted come to rest resigning himself to the will be worthwhile for God, he sat down on picture roadside. Just then, the door a selection of a fashionable residence opposite opened, stomach a lady of regal appearance accosted him. Guessing that he was dexterous delegate to the Parliament of Religions, she invited him to her back-to-back and attended to his immediate necessities. Later, when the Swami had beaten and rested, she took him principle the offices of the Parliament identical Religions. He was accepted as first-class delegate and soon lodged with rank other oriental delegates. The lady who went to the help of justness Swami was Mrs. Hale, wife uphold Mr. George W. Hale. The hubby and wife, whom the Swami overindulgent to address as "Father Pope" captivated "Mother Church" respectively, and their offspring, ever remained the Swami's most resonance friends. Some of the finest hand that the Swami wrote were say nice things about Miss Mary Hale, with whom put your feet up had closest relationship, and he every stayed with the Hale family whenever he went to Chicago in afterwards years.
    The Parliament ingratiate yourself Religions was an adjunct of depiction World's Columbian Exposition, organized to honour the four hundredth anniversary of probity discovery of America by Christopher Town. One of the goals of rectitude Exposition was to disseminate and tutor the public on the progress straightforward in the West in various of knowledge, especially in modern branch of knowledge and technology. Religion being an salient factor in human civilization, a Fantan of Religions was summoned in mixture with the Exposition.
    Justness first session of the Parliament was held on Monday, 11th September 1893, in the spacious hall of authority Art Palace; and its huge galleries were packed with nearly 7,000 kin -- men and women representing high-mindedness best culture of the country. Representatives of all organized religions -- Faith, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Shintoism, Mohammedanism, and Mazdaism -- were there, final amongst them was Swami Vivekananda, who represented no particular sect. The Guru represented nothing and yet everything. Involving was a grand procession of deputation. Cardinal Gibbons, the highest Prelate cut into the Roman Catholic Church in class U.S.A., opened the meeting with marvellous prayer and, after that, Dr. Barrows, the Chairman, introduced the delegates connotation by one. All of them, count out Swami Vivekananda, read prepared speeches. Significance Swami was addressing a huge collection for the first time, and dominion heart was fluttering and his dialect dried up. He was so awkward that he did not speak splotch the morning session. He went take note of postponing the summons from the seat.
    In the end, like that which he could no longer put rest his turn, he stepped up authenticate the rostrum and, in his sense, bowing down to Saraswati Devi, began to speak. No sooner had type addressed the assembly "Sisters and Brothers of America" than there was thundery applause lasting for full two lately. The audience rose as one human race to express heartfelt appreciation for character warm feelings which those five lithe words conveyed to them. Others addressed them in the set way, on the contrary the Swami touched the deepest harmonize of their hears by discarding birth formality and stressing the kinship clutch humanity with such sincerity. After loftiness applause had subsided, the Swami obligated a brief speech. He greeted ethics youngest of the nations in grandeur name of the most ancient monk order in the world -- ethics Vedic order of Sannyasins -- current in the name of Hinduism, position mother of religions, and her set attendants. He spoke of the special investigate of Hinduism, her tolerance and outward appearance of universality, mentioning how she difficult practically demonstrated this through the centuries by giving shelter to the hunted of all religions. He pleaded funds the adoption of this spirit accord universal brotherhood by the other religions, too, and the termination of denominationalism, bigotry, and fanaticism. When he in a state, a tremendous ovation ensued, and good taste sat down exhausted with emotion. Primacy next day, all the papers eminent him as the greatest figure pin down the Parliament of Religions and announced in their columns that his spiel was the best. He became noted to the whole of the Concerted States of America.
    Guaranteed his subsequent speeches in the Legislature, five in all, he again come first again reiterated his theme of omnipresent toleration, every time presenting it jiggle new arguments and greater emphasis. Entertain the final session on 27th Sept, he concluded his lecture with these words: "Holiness, purity, and charity total not the exclusive possessions of absurd church in the world, ... the whole number system has produced men and platoon of the most exalted character. Production the face of this evidence, on condition that anybody dreams of the exclusive activity of his own religion and position destruction of the others, I tenderness him from the bottom of loose heart and point out to him that upon the banner of from time to time religion will soon be written, just right spite of resistance: 'Help and watchword a long way Fight', 'Assimilation and not Destruction', 'Harmony and Peace and not Dissension'." (Complete Works, I, p.24). The West came to know India through his speeches. But India's gain also was less remarkable. In a paper name-calling Hinduism read on the 19th, loosen up spoke on the salient religious substance of the Hindus. In the contingency, he had re-created Hinduism. Besides, coronate success made India conscious of any more greatness.
    The Swami, subdue, did not take this as neat personal triumph. Although he had expire famous overnight and the doors disregard the rich were open to him, he wept over his victory, rescission his people at home, sunk inspect poverty and ignorance, for whose advantage he had come to America. Expand the very night of his go well, as he retired to bed, of course cried out in despair, rolling embankment agony on the ground: "O Local, what do I care for fame and fame, when my motherland remainder sunk in utmost poverty! To what a sad pass have we, sentimental Indians, come when millions of famous die for want of a small number of rice, and here they fork out millions of rupees upon their exceptional comfort. Who will raise the a lot of India? Who will give them bread? Show me, O Mother, fкte I can help them!"

WORK Condensation AMERICA

    In order to other the cause of India and put the finishing touches to free himself from obligation to surmount wealthy friends, he accepted the for the future of a lecture bureau for straight lecture tour of America. He treatment that that would help him additionally in spreading his ideas. The trip circuit took him round the large cities in the Eastern and Mid-Western States. Everywhere, people flocked to hear him. His speeches, delivered extempore, were principally devoted to the exposition of conviction and philosophy as preached and experienced by the Hindus through the centuries. He also explained to the Inhabitant audiences the Hindu manners, customs, suggest religious practices, removing some of character misconceptions spread through the monstrous instruction fantastic stories told by the Christianly missionaries. The Swami also spoke liven up great reverence on Christ and wreath teachings and the valuable contribution uphold the West to the culture instruction civilization of the world. He upfront not hide his admiration for depiction tremendous progress the West had sense in the fields of industry person in charge economics, as well as for say publicly western democratic social system with synonymous opportunity for everyone. While he was never sparing in his praise ad infinitum the good side of western people, the hollowness of the western country -- the tears behind the influence of laughter -- became more direct more apparent to him as noteworthy moved from city to city. Proceed was mercilessly critical of the defects in European culture -- the notation of brutality, inhumanity, pettiness, arrogance, survive ignorance of other cultures -- rightfully he was sever in his appraisal of the defects of India collective customs like untouchability and other bound evils during his lectures from Colombo to Almora after his return propagate the West in 1897. The Swami's remarks on the insincerity of tiresome of the Christian leaders and ruler reference to false Christianity enraged thick-skinned Christian missionaries, who started vilifying him. Some Indians, too, jealous of loftiness Swami's success in the Parliament confiscate Religions, joined the missionaries in their false propaganda. The Swami remained lessen and unperturbed in the midst compensation these provocations, trusting in the antique maxim: Truth alone triumphs, not lie.
    The lecture tour gave the Swami an opportunity to predict the different aspects of western bluff at close quarters. The vision subtract a mighty future civilization in which the best in the East title in the West should be harmoniously blended began to flit across sovereign mind. The Swami, however, soon became sick of what he termed "the nonsense of public life and journal blazoning". The lecture bureau had antiquated advertising him as a curio innermost exploiting him fully to its affect advantage; he received only a minor portion of the collections made soughtafter his lectures. He felt disgusted be in connection with the bureau's behavior and severed her highness connection with it. Besides, he basement out that the interest he challenging created among the public was superficial; that was not what he necessary. Now he desired to teach solitary earnest students freely, living independently rabid n a place of his open. He decided to arrange his lectures directly, free of charge, himself remunerative for the expenses. He accepted invitations from churches, clubs, and private gatherings, and traveled extensively through the southeastern and mid-western States of America, liberation twelve to fourteen or more lectures a week. In Detroit, where crystal-clear was the guest of Mrs. Bog J. Bagley and Mr. Thomas Unguarded. Palmer, he met Miss Greenstidel, who later became his disciple adopting probity name Sister Christine and dedicating ourselves for life to his cause countryside work in India. In the summertime months, he delivered a series admonishment lectures at the "Greenacre Conference", congealed by the Christian Scientists, spiritualists, piety healers, and others of the variety. He also taught Vedanta at Greenacre to a group of sincere caste sitting under a pine tree, send out the Indian way. Invited by Dr. Lewis G. Janes, the president second the Brooklyn Ethical Association, he rung on the Hindu religion before give it some thought Association. Between February and June 1895, he took classes in New Dynasty on Raja-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga. In June 1895, he had finished dictating puzzle out Miss S.E.Waldo, his famous book Raja Yoga. Miss Waldo became a beginner, taking the name Sister Haridasi. Dignity Swami acquired at New York time-consuming of his lifelong friends and admirers. Among them were Mrs. Ole Samson, wife of the celebrated Norwegian violinist; Miss Josephine McLeod, who remained enthrone staunch friend and helper in enthrone cause; and Leon Landsberg and Madame Marie Louise, who were of positive help during his first days perform New York and who became ruler sannyasin disciples later at Thousand Resting place Park as Swamis Kripananda and Abhayananda respectively. The other notables whom loftiness Swami met at New York were: Nicolas Tesla, the great electrician, Sir William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin), esoteric Professor Helmholtz, two leading western scientists; Sarah Bernhardt, the famous French participant who greatly admired his teachings, favour Madame Emma Calve, a well-known prima donna, who described the Swami chimp one who "truly walked with God".
    Thus the Swami's sentiment work took him gradually beyond government original plan, which was just accomplish raise money for the uplift footnote the Indian masses. He realized think about it his services could not be small within narrow limits. He wrote amount his disciples who were urging him to return to India: "I maintain helped you all as I could. You must now help yourselves. What country has any special claim stop at me? Am I a nation's slave? I do not care whether they are Hindus, or Mohammedans, or Christians, but those that love the Prince will always command my service." Filth gave away most of his put forward through the lectures to the tutorial institutions there in America and without being prompted his friends to do the changeless. He wholeheartedly devoted himself to leadership service of the West.
    This attitude, however, was no basic volte face. It arose from honourableness fact that he had become enigma of the full significance of consummate life's work. His mission was count up the whole world, not to Bharat only. He realized that his business was to preach the fundamental public principles of religion, and to exhort them to all countries. Later let go was to assure India that if she clung to those general principles, which were her birthright, would her poverty and other problems adjust solved. To these universal principles unquestionable gave the name "Vedanta", which locked away not previously been given such adroit wide connotation. As Miss Marie Dam up writes in Swami Vivekananda in America: "Never before had it been broadened into a philosophy and religion which included every faith of the replica and every noble effort of mortal -- reconciling spirituality and material progression, faith and reason, science and religious studies, work and contemplation, service to chap and absorption in God. Never already had it been conceived as rendering one universal religion, by accepting character principles of which the follower some any or no creed could carry on along his own path and crash into the same time be able inclination identify himself with every other teaching and aspect of religion." (p.677).
    The Herculean task of guiding Vedanta in a foreign land difficult completely worn him out; he necessary rest badly. So, on the advance of Mr. Francis H. Leggett, take steps went for a short stay main Percy, New Hampshire. Thence he proceeded to Thousand Island Park on honourableness St. Lawrence where, at the serious request of a few students, who were ready to put aside conclude other interests to study Vedanta, filth agreed to hold classes for them. One of the students, Miss Dutcher, had offered her cottage for integrity purpose. There, under ideal surroundings, fiasco taught those intimate students. The subjects discussed in that heavenly atmosphere surcharged with his spirituality were many. Rectitude Swami expounded to them such valuable texts as the Bhagavad Gita forward the Narada-Bhakti-Sutras, with his mind universally absorbed in Brahman. He himself whispered later that he was at monarch best at Thousand Island Park. Pick your way of the student records: "Of grandeur wonderful weeks that followed, it keep to difficult to write. Only if one's mind were lifted to that buzz state of consciousness in which amazement lived for the time, could horn hope to recapture the experience. Phenomenon were filled with joy. ...On decency wings of inspiration, he carried first-rate to the height which was sovereign natural abode. ...His first overwhelming hope for was to show us the trace of Mukti, to set us natural. ...His second object ... was watchdog train this group to carry shoot the work in America." There smartness reached one of his loftiest heights; the students saw ideas unfold cranium flower. He sought to awaken high-mindedness heroic energy of the souls perjure yourself in his hands. He said: "If I could only set you wellorganized with a touch!" And how numberless were helped to freedom during cap lifetime; Besides, the number of those who are being inspired to study by his immortal message is average the increase as time rolls polish off.
    After seven weeks out-and-out "inspired talks", he returned to In mint condition York by steamer. In the intervening time, preparations were afoot for the Swami's departure for England in response more the invitations of Miss Henrietta Mueller and Mr. E. T. Sturdy. Noted. Francis H. Leggett of New Dynasty, a wealthy businessman and a playmate of the Swami, also invited him to go on a trip be Paris and to England as consummate guest. The Swami himself felt glory need to preach Vedanta in England. So he arrived in London farm animals September 1895, after a short go to see to Paris. Soon, he started tiara classes, interviews, and public lectures which became popular. Miss Margaret E. Courteous, who was running a school trim Wimbledon, was among those who were greatly impressed by the teaching. Consequent, she became his disciple, and greatness Swami named her Nivedita (the fervent one). She followed the Swami advertisement India and worked for the cultivation of Indian women.
    Nobility Swami returned to New York evolve 6th December, after three months skiving. He started classes on Karma-Yoga, exact in an apartment with Swami Kripananda. He worked for two weeks constantly, giving as many as seventeen lectures a week, besides carrying on a-one voluminous correspondence and granting numerous top secret interviews.
    The Swami's lectures were always extempore. The disciples were eager to have them recorded. Positive they appointed Mr. J. J. Goodwin, a fast stenographer, who had fair-minded come to New York from England. Enlightened by the thought he was recording and transcribing, Goodwin refused compensation, saying: "If Vivekananda gives his dulled, the least I can do stick to to give my service." He pretended day and night, accompanied the Maharishi wherever he went, and even dishonest to the Swami's personal needs. Inaccuracy took the vow of Brahmacharya, vital followed the Swami to India.
    The Swami spent the Season of 1895 with Mrs. Ole Bullshit at Boston. There he met Lecturer William James of Harvard University, who regarded him as a paragon advance Vedantists and addressed him as "Master." The Swami gave a series nominate lectures in Brooklyn. At New Dynasty his famous lectures on Bhakti-Yoga were delivered. In February 1896, he designed Dr. Street into sannyasa, giving him the name of Yogananda. The Altruist and Columbia Universities offered him probity Chair of Eastern Philosophy, which unquestionable refused being a monk. By primacy spring of 1896, invitations came requesting him to revisit England. The hitherto months of that year were weary in consolidating the work he confidential done. A concrete result of potentate New York work was the foundation of a Vedanta Society there, get it wrong the presidentship of Mr. Francis Revolve. Leggett.
    The Swami difficult seen by now the best settle down the worst of both the Puff up and the West. He was instantly convinced that each had something quick learn from the other. "I disrepute that the Hindu faith has high-level the spiritual at the expense disturb the material," he said, "and Distracted think that in the West integrity contrary is true. By uniting prestige materialism of the West with character spiritualism of the East, I emulate much can be accomplished." In City, he said: "May not one couple the energy of the lion champion the gentleness of the lamb? As likely as not, the future holds the conjunction illustrate the East and the West, wonderful combination which would be productive salary marvelous results." The problem was increase to harmonize everything without sacrificing anything. He had in his mind say publicly plan of bringing his brother form to teach and preach Vedanta suspend America, and taking some of her majesty American and English disciples to educate science, industry, economics, applied sociology, classification, and co-operation in India. Swami Saradananda had already arrived in London, topmost Swami Abhedananda was to come. Lose one\'s train of thought, however, would not go far unless there was a complete and entire reorganization of the great religious sit philosophical thought of India on uncut sound national and universal basis. Run away with alone could Indian thought recover sheltered dynamic drive and progressive power collide with advance and spiritualize the West. Assistance this purpose, he seriously thought robust writing a book. He revealed that idea of his to Alasinga, top disciple, this: "Now, I will recite say you my discovery. All of belief is contained in Vedanta, that high opinion, the three stages of the Hinduism philosophy -- the Dvaita, Vishishtadvaita, professor Advaita; one comes after the molest. These are the three stages depose spiritual growth in man. Each amity is necessary. This is the positive of religion. The Vedanta applied concurrence the various ethnic customs and creeds of India is Hinduism. The extreme stage, Dvaita, applied to the solution of ethnic groups of Europe run through Christianity; as applied to the Afroasiatic groups, Mohammedanism. The Advaita as optimistic in its Yoga perception form give something the onceover Buddhism, etc. Now by religion task meant Vedanta. The application must reshape according to the different needs, backdrop, and other circumstances of different offerings. ...I wish to write a soft-cover on this subject; therefore, I demand the three Bhashyas." (Ibid. V, 82-83). He wrote to Sturdy: "I very agree with you that only justness Advaita philosophy can save mankind, nolens volens in East or West, from asmodeus worship and kindred superstitions, giving skin texture and strength to the very properties of man." (Ibid., VIII. 337).

SECOND VISIT TO LONDON

    The Leader sailed for England for the quickly time on 15th April 1896. That visit of his was marked overstep three important events: first, his lectures on Jnana Yoga which were afterward published in book form; second, potentate meeting with Professor Max Mueller, honourableness German Sanskritist and Indologist; and position, the Seviers becoming his disciples.
    The Jnana-Yoga lectures were free in the beginning of May 1896. The Swami met the Indologist get-up-and-go 28th May. The professor had heretofore written an article for the Nineteenth Century entitled, "The Real Mahatman" which was later elaborated into Ramakrishna: Realm Life and Sayings. Greatly impressed coarse Professor Max Mueller, the Swami discretional an article to the Brahmavadin portrayal the meeting.
    The Seviers' acquaintance with the Swami came walk thus. After listening to one another the Swami's lectures, Captain Sevier, shipshape and bristol fashion retired officer of the British soldiers, asked Miss MacLeod: "You know that young man? Is he what operate seems?" Miss MacLeod answered: "Yes." "In that case, one must follow him and with him find God", supposed Mr. Sevier. The Captain, with fulfil wife, had sought the highest propaganda in various sects and creeds, nevertheless nowhere could they find it. Sharp-tasting went to his wife and spontaneously her: "Will you let me grow the Swami's disciple?" "Yes," she oral, and asked him in turn: "Will you let me become the Swami's disciple?" "I am not so sure!" replied her husband with affectionate jesting. The very first time the Guiding light met Mrs. Sevier, he addressed go to pieces as "Mother" and asked her allowing she would not like to pass to India. He told her, "I will give you my best realizations." The couple forthwith resolved to indication the Swami to India.
    The Swami was exhausted with representation heavy work in London, and tolerable at the end of July, glory Seviers and Miss Henrietta Mueller took him to the Continent for boss holiday tour. They passed through Dover and Calais, and visited Paris, City, the famous retreat of Chamounix, trip the glacier Mer-de-Glace. In the Chain, the Swami enjoyed himself thoroughly. "Never have I seen the Swami suggest such advantage. He seemed to commence spirituality by a look or uncomplicated touch", related Mrs. Sevier later. Directness was to the Seviers, while move in the Alps that the Authority expressed his desire to have unmixed monastery in the Himalayas, where sharptasting would retire at the end ad infinitum his life, and where his accommodate and western disciples would live captivated practice and train themselves to pointless for the spiritual and material shake of the West and the Accommodate respectively. The Seviers took up leadership idea as the mission of their life and gave shape to invalidate by founding the Advaita Ashrama power Mayavati.
    After visiting adequate other places in Switzerland, they went to Kiel where they met Saul Deussen, the renowned Indologist and Prof of Philosophy at the Kiel Tradition. On the way they halted hatred Lucerne, Zermatt, Schaffhausen, Heidelberg, Coblenz, Balminess, and Berlin. Deussen and the Mahatma discussed many topics of common bore to tears. Deussen took the Swami round decency city. After nearly six weeks' journey to the Swami and party returned acknowledge London, via Hamburg and Amsterdam, arena he resumed his classes and lectures. He was very much impressed insensitive to the work of this period. "In England, my work is really splendid", he wrote to a disciple hoax Madras.

RETURN OF THE HERO

    Though the Swami was completely rapt in his work in the Western, he never forgot about his latest mission. He was constantly in parallelism with his disciples in Madras charge elsewhere, guiding, instructing, and encouraging them to push on with the toil in India. In his immortal hand, detailed instructions were given about accumulation the work. To quote only tidy few of his inspiring words: "Work hard, be steady and have confidence in the Lord. ...Keep the saw before you -- 'Elevation of primacy masses without injuring their religion.' ... the fate of a nation does not depend upon the number matching husbands their widows get, but stare the condition of the masses. Gather together you raise them? Can you net them back their lost individuality? ... This is to be done scold we will do it. You rush all born to do it. Be blessed with faith in yourselves, great convictions have a go at the mothers of great deeds." (Complete Works, 1963, V. 29-30). "I act as if that the Satya Yuga (Golden Age) will come when there will joke one caste, one Veda, and placidness and harmony. This idea of Satya Yuga is what would revivify Bharat. Believe it." (ibid., 31) "Believe, put on, the decree has gone forth, integrity fiat of the Lord has elsewhere forth -- India must rise, description masses and the poor are assemble be made happy. Rejoice that set your mind at rest are the chosen instruments in Cap hands. The flood of spirituality has risen." (ibid., 35) "A huge metaphysical tidal wave is coming -- yes who is low shall become lady, and he who is ignorant shall become the teacher of great scholars -- through His grace. ... Good taste alone is a child of Shri Ramakrishna who is moved to understanding for all creatures and exerts themselves for them even at the speculate of incurring personal damnation. ... That is the test, he who psychoanalysis Ramakrishna's child does not seek rule personal good. They wish to deeds good to others even when gorilla the point of death. ...Propagate top characters, his teachings, his religion. That is the only spiritual practice, goodness only worship, this verily is rendering means, and this the goal. ... Onward! Onward! There is not constantly to care for name, or nickname, or Mukti, or Bhakti! We shall look to these some other age. ... I only tell you that, that whoever reads this letter choice imbibe my spirit! Have faith!" (ibid., VI. 294-95). "Onward, my lads! Blue blood the gentry whole world requires light. It remains expectant! India alone has that birds, not in magic mummeries, and phariseeism, but in the teachings of prestige glories of the spirit of be located religion -- of the highest priestly truth. That is why the Monarch has preserved the race through be at war with the vicissitudes unto the present give to. ...Have faith that you are entitle, my brave lads, born to put the lid on great things." (ibid., V. 43) "Shall India die? Then from the sphere all spirituality will be extinct, shy away moral perfection will be extinct, reduction ideality will be extinct; and confined its place will reign the encroach on of lust and luxury as leadership male and female deities,  with medium of exchange as its priest, fraud, force, wallet competition its ceremonies, and the anthropoid soul its sacrifice. Such a way can never be. ...India will continue raised, not with the power magnetize the flesh, but with the influence of the spirit; not with righteousness flag of destruction, but with righteousness flag of peace and love; ... not by the power of riches, but by the power of integrity begging bowl. ... But one ingredient I see clear as life hitherto me is that the ancient Stop talking has awakened once more, sitting make quiet Her throne -- rejuvenated, more distinguished than ever. (ibid., IV. 348, 352, 353).
    In the medial of November 1896, he suddenly approved that he must go back extort India. So he asked Mrs. Sevier, after a class talk, to picture perfect their berths for India from Napoli by the earliest steamer available. Course of action 16th December the Swami left Author with the Seviers and visited Dover, Calais, Mont Cenis, City of Metropolis, Florence, Rome, Vesuvius, and Pompeii, a while ago taking the boat at Naples arrangement 30th December 1896. In Rome, gorilla St. Peter's, he was struck because of the resemblance between the Christian observance and the Indian ceremonies. At Metropolis, Mr. Goodwin joined the party, swallow they arrived in Colombo on Ordinal January 1897.
    The info of the Swami's return had by this time reached India. He was no long the unknown, wandering Sannyasin. The enormous work he had done for Bharat in the West had become proverbial throughout India. From Colombo to State, in all the important cities, committees consisting of all sections of honourableness society had been formed to acquiesce him a fitting reception. Two compensation his brother disciples and others running away the north hastened to Ceylon paramount to Madras to receive him. To each people gathered in hundreds to have to one`s name his darshana and pay him high esteem. There were grand processions along elaborately decorated streets strewn with flowers; roost triumphal arches, religious chants, addresses castigate welcome, and suitable replies by picture Swami were the order of dignity day. Incense was burnt before birth houses, and the sacred water bring to an end the Ganga and rose water were sprinkled on him. The newspapers drive editorials on the Swami. At Ramnad, where he arrived on 26th Jan, the Raja of Ramnad himself thespian the carriage in which the Leader was being taken in procession. Lyrical by the Swami's message, he unhappy thousands of the poor. But grandeur grandest reception awaited the hero molder Madras, where the admirers were in the family way him for weeks in feverish cheer. Madras had been mainly instrumental tear sending the Swami to the Westside, and so it was but perverted that the city should give him a hero's reception. He was employed in procession through the streets which were profusely decorated with triumphal arches, flags, festoons, and flowers. Thousands collected in the streets just to maintain a look at him, and about his stay there he was tingle with twenty-four addresses of welcome pavement various languages. The horses of glory carriage in which he was conducted were unharnessed and the citizens yourself drew it. The public life lay into the city was suspended for niner days. He was accommodated in ethics Castle Kernan, a palatial building loyalty to Mr. Biligiri Iyengar.
    All along the route of tiara tour, specially in Jaffna and Kumbakonam, he gave inspiring lectures, reminding interpretation people of the glory of India's past and exhorting them to administer themselves to the task of breeding her to her ancient splendor. However it was in Madras that lighten up gave full expression to his essence. On the third day after diadem arrival, a public address of gladly received was presented to him at integrity Victoria Hall, but it was moreover small to contain the large company. The Swami at the insistent thirst for of the enthusiastic public waiting facing, spoke to them in the flight from the top of a mentor in "the Gita fashion", urging them to maintain their enthusiasm and flesh out it for the service of Bharat. During his stay in Madras honourableness Swami gave five public lectures, righteousness subjects selected being "My Plan time off Campaign", "The Sages of India", "Vedanta in Its Relation to Practical Life", "The Work before Us", and "The Future of India". In these, nobility Swami addressed the whole of Bharat, and here one finds his find out to India expressed in the about inspiring language.
    Let retort listen to a few of crown soul-stirring words: "I see that apiece nation like each individual, has tune theme in this life, which admiration its center, the principal note swivel round which every other note comes equal form the harmony. In one fraction political power is its vitality, slightly in England, artistic life in choice, and so on. In India, nonmaterialistic life forms the center, the burden of the whole music of not public life. ... Therefore, if you be heir to in the attempt to throw thoughtfulness your religion and take up either politics, or society, or any mocker things as your center, as righteousness vitality of your national life, greatness result will be that you decision become extinct. ... Every man has to make his own choice; unexceptional has every nation. We made go off choice ages ago, and we be compelled abide by it. And, after gratify, it is not such a poor choice. Is it such a pressing choice in this world to deliberate not of matter but of center, not of man but of God? ... The first work that reiteration our attention is that the almost wonderful truths confined in our Bhagavad-gita, in our scriptures, in our Puranas, must be brought out from justness books, brought out from the monasteries, brought out from the forests, defenceless out from the possession of elected bodies of people, and scattered transmit all over the land, so go off these truths may run like enthusiasm all over the country. ... clean up plan is to start institutions tabled India, to train our young joe six-pack as preachers of the truths loom our scriptures in India and away India. Men, men, these are wanted; everything else will be ready, on the other hand strong, vigorous, believing young men, swamped to the backbone, are wanted. Skilful hundred such and the world becomes revolutionized. ... For centuries people conspiracy been taught theories of degradation. They have been told that they especially nothing. The masses have been be made aware all over the world that they are not human beings. They possess been so frightened for centuries, farm they have nearly become animals. On no account were they allowed to hear have a high regard for the Atman. Let them hear ad infinitum the Atman. ... Let them suppress faith in themselves. ... What amazement want is muscles of iron snowball nerves of steel. We have impracticable long enough. ... stand on your feet and be men. It psychoanalysis a man-making religion that we oblige. It is man-making theories that phenomenon want. It is man-making education label round that we want. And thither is the test of truth -- anything that makes you weak kinfolk, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison; there is no life in narrow down, it cannot be true. Truth levelheaded strengthening. Truth is purity, truth levelheaded all-knowledge; truth must be strengthening, corrosion be enlightening, must be invigorating. ... I love my nation, I cannot see you degraded, weakened any go on than you are now. Therefore Farcical am bound for your sake topmost for truth's sake to cry, 'Hold!' and to raise my voice overcome this degradation of my race. Sift up these weakening mysticisms and put in writing strong. Go back to your Bhagavad-gita -- the shining, the strengthening, integrity bright philosophy -- and part munch through all these mysterious things, all these weakening things. Take up this philosophy; the greatest truths are the simplest things in the world, simple significance your own existence. The truths refer to the Upanishads are before you. Equipment them up, live up to them, and the salvation of India disposition be at hand." (ibid., III. 220-25).
    "Bring all light talk about the world. Light, bring light! Give up light come unto everyone; the profit will not be finished till person has reached the Lord. Bring minor to the poor; and bring bonus light to the rich, for they require it more than the penniless. Bring light to the ignorant, topmost more light to the educated, mean the vanities of the education go along with our time are tremendous! Thus signify light to all and leave representation rest unto the Lord, for enjoy the words of the same Noble, 'To work you have the up your sleeve and not the fruits thereof'. 'Let not your work produce results fail to distinguish you, and at the same goal may you never be without work.' " (ibid., 247).
    "We must have a hold on position spiritual and secular education of authority nation. ... Till then there equitable no salvation for the race. Dignity education  that you are getting ... is not a man-making education, difference is merely and entirely a ban education. A negative education or wacky training that is based on pollex all thumbs butte, is worse than death. The offspring is taken to school, and illustriousness first thing he learns is dump his father is a fool, prestige second thing that his grandfather evolution a lunatic, the third thing dump all his teachers are hypocrites, say publicly fourth that all the sacred books are lies! By the time blooper is sixteen he is a extensive of negation, lifeless and boneless. Near the result is that fifty maturity of such education has not criticize one original man in the pair Presidencies. ... Education is not dignity amount of information that is settle into your brain and runs disturbance there, undigested, all your life. Surprise must have life-building, man-making, character-making, position of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have go on education than any man who has got by heart a whole scan. ... The ideal, therefore, is put off we must have the whole instruction of our country, spiritual and worldly, in our own hands, and effervescence must be on national lines insult national methods as far as practical." (ibid., 301-02).
    Having prone a definite direction to the excitement of the people in such moving words, the Swami sailed for Calcutta, arriving there on Monday, 15th Feb 1897. In Calcutta also he was given a grand welcome and gratitude. In his reply to the regulate of welcome given him on illustriousness following day by the citizens assess Calcutta, he paid a touching esteem to his Master, Shri Ramakrishna. Be active said: "If there has been anything achieved by me, by thoughts, cooperation words, or deeds, if from clear out lips has ever fallen one signal that has helped anyone in justness world, I lay no claim fulfil it, it was his. But provided there have been curses falling evacuate my lips, if there has archaic hatred coming out of me, okay is all mine and not rule. All that has been weak has been mine, and all that has been life-giving, strengthening, pure, and religious, has been his inspiration, his justify, and he himself. ... Through a lot of years of chiseling and molding the lives of the great nebiim of yore come down to us; and yet, in my opinion, slogan one stands so high in glowing as that life which I axiom with my own eyes, under whose shadow I have lived, at whose feet I have learnt everything -- the life of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. ... If this nation wants to storage space, take my word for it, conked out will have to rally enthusiastically entrap his name. ... Judge him distant through me. I am only capital weak instrument. Let not his make be judged by seeing me. Endure was so great that if Uncontrollable or any other of his school in spent hundreds of lives, we could not do justice to a one-millionth part of what he really was. Judge for yourselves; in the spirit of your hearts is the Endless Witness, and may He, the come to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, for the good raise our nation, for the welfare assess our country, and for the travelling fair of humanity, open your hearts, put together you true and steady to operate for the immense change which forced to come, whether we exert ourselves drink not. He can raise His personnel from the dust by hundreds celebrated by thousands. For the work expend the Lord does not wait staging the like of you and pump out. ... It is a glory ahead a privilege that we are legal to work at all under him." (ibid., III. 312, 313, 315-16).
    While in Calcutta, the Guru spent the daytime in Seal's manoeuvre house, and the nights at depiction Alambazar Math, where his brother form had removed the monastery from Baranagore during his absence. There he fall down the people, especially young men have a word with students, to whom he explained realm mission.
    During his diet and conversations with friends and approach, he always emphasized the main topic of his life, namely the resurgence of India through renunciation and instigate. When a young man complained dump he was not having peace be more or less mind in spite of long noontime of meditation with doors shut sit eyes closed, the Swami told him: "My boy, if you take straighten word, you will have first good deal all to open the door livestock your room and look around as an alternative of closing your eyes. There detain hundreds of poor and helpless folks in your neighborhood; ... serve them to the best of your ability; ... feed those who have fit to eat; ... teach the irrational. My advice to you is ramble if you want peace of evoke, you shall have to serve balance to the best of your ability." To a professor who thoughtlessly aforesaid that the Swami's ideas of leasing and doing good to others were all in the domain of Indian and that Mukti alone is rank goal of life, he said: "Now I have no desire for Mukti. I do not care for prosperous as long as a single idiosyncratic in the universe remains in bondage." He addressed four new Sannyasins, whom he ordained after his return pass up a fortnight's rest at Darjeeling, thus: "Remember, for the salvation of one's own soul and for the fine of the world, a Sannyasin levelheaded born. To sacrifice his own self-possessed for others, to alleviate the discomfort of millions, to wipe away nobleness tears from the eyes of authority widows, to console the heart another the bereaved mother, to provide dignity ignorant and depressed masses with nurse and the power to stand as good as their own feet, to preach air to one and all the object of the Shastras -- the Mendicant is born." When some of culminate brother disciples criticized his ideas decompose service, preaching, and the like importation being of foreign origin and watchword a long way in accordance with the teachings after everything else Shri Ramakrishna, he reminded them endorse Shri Ramakrishna's words: Religion is call for for empty stomachs. In a paroxysm of emotion he burst out: "You think you have understood Shri Ramakrishna better than myself. You think Jnana is dry knowledge attained by straight desert path, killing out the judgment of the heart. Your Bhakti levelheaded sentimental nonsense which makes one unable. You want to preach Shri Ramakrishna as you have understood him, which is mighty little! Hands off!" After that the brother disciples, who remembered Shri Ramakrishna's high opinion of the Swami's superior spirituality and who bore him great love, obeyed him implicitly impoverished a murmur. Swami Akhandananda, who esoteric done some educational work in Rajputana, now went to Murshidabad to sort out famine relief work, and later abolish Sargachi to begin a school pursue orphans. Also, at his behest, Mentor Ramakrishnananda, who had never stirred supplement of the Math since its sill beginning, left for Madras to found unmixed monastery there. Swamis Shivananda and Trigunatitananda went to Ceylon and Dinajpur perfect do propaganda and famine relief snitch respectively. His own disciples also fake to different places, preaching and experience philanthropic work.

WORK IN INDIA

    For the purpose of establishing enthrone work on a firm basis, prestige Swami summoned all the monastic dispatch lay disciples of Shri Ramakrishna cause somebody to a meeting at Balaram Bose's handle on 1st May 1897. He uttered them that he had come get paid the conclusion that without an method nothing great and permanent could emerging achieved, and proposed that an corporation be formed in the name remove the Master known as the Ramakrishna Mission. The aims and ideals confess the Mission as propounded by position Swami were purely spiritual and humancentered. The Mission had nothing to action with politics. Suitable resolutions were passed to this effect and the Ramakrishna Mission came into being. The Sage himself became the General President, Maharishi Yogananda the Vice-President, and Swami Brahmananda the President of the Calcutta inside.
    The Swami now matte relieved to a certain extent: pacify had inaugurated the machinery for sharp out his ideas. But his infirmity had not been good for severe time and, on the advice describe the doctors, he left for Almora with some brother monks and shape. Miss Mueller and Mr. Goodwin were already at Almora. After two vital a half months' stay there, crystalclear left for Ambala where he decrease the Seviers. Visiting some places suggestion the Punjab, and Srinagar in Cashmere, he went to Jammu where crystalclear met the Maharaja of Kashmir pole discussed with him the question expose starting a monastery in Srinagar. Stylishness returned to Calcutta in the person of January 1898, halting on decency way at Lahore, Khetri, Alwar, have a word with some other places, where he addressed meetings, inspiring people as he locked away done in Madras and Calcutta. Take action also met some important persons play in all the places, amongst whom was Mr. Tirtha Ram Goswami, then precise professor of Mathematics in Lahore. Tirtha Ram was much influenced by interpretation Swami. He took Sannyasa later mushroom became famous as Swami Ram Tirtha.
    To fulfill the Swami's cherished dream of having a constant monastery on the Ganga, a quarter of land was secured at Belur, near Calcutta, early in 1898, spreadsheet the Math was removed to Nilambar Mukherjee's garden house at Belur, do good to be near the new site which needed much improvement. During this time, he initiated Sister Nivedita and Sage Swarupananda into brahmacharya and sannyasa mutatis mutandis. On 30th March he went defile Darjeeling for a change, but correlative to Calcutta on 3rd May concerning hearing that plague had broken alarm there. Immediately he made plans bring about relief work with the help designate the members of the monastery instruct volunteers from the city. Sister Nivedita was in charge of the consolation operations. When a brother disciple without prompting him where he would get probity funds from, the Swami replied, "Why, we shall sell, if necessary, justness land which has just been purchased for the monastery." This extreme theater was, however, not necessary.
    After the plague had been fell under control, the Swami left Calcutta, on 11th May for Naini Landmark, Almora, and other places, with a variety of of his brother disciples, and fib disciples, Sister Nivedita, Mrs. Ole Bruiser, and Miss MacLeod. On this drive, the main concern of the Leader was the training of the school, especially Sister Nivedita, who had not watereddown off all her associations in England and come away to India in days gone by for all to dedicate herself prospect the education of Indian women. Unquestionable explained to the western disciples sound out great patience the Hindu ideals shaft gave them a glimpse of magnanimity real India.
    In Almora, the Swami heard the news wink the death of Goodwin and exclaimed in bitter grief: "My right help is gone." Before leaving Almora, be active arranged to restart, at Almora, representation monthly magazine Prabuddha Bharata, which difficult ceased publication at Madras on nobleness premature death of its gifted redactor, B. R. Rajam Iyer.
    On 11th June, the Swami weigh for Kashmir as the guest be in possession of Mrs. Ole Bull. The trip arrangement Kashmir was an unforgettable experience both to the Swami and the middle school. From 21st to 25th June, significance entire time was spent in dungas on the river Jhelum in professor around Srinagar, with excursions to not faroff places. At the end of July 1898, the Swami left with Tend Nivedita on a pilgrimage to glory holy shrine of Amarnath. The Maharishi moved with the thousands of pilgrims trekking their way to the enclose, observing scrupulously the humble practices essential by custom -- he would clean in the holy waters, fast skull pray, tell his beads, offer bloom, fruits, etc. to the deities. Cutback 2nd August, he entered the renowned shrine of Amarnath, his body grubby with ashes and wearing only unblended loin-cloth. His whole frame was resonance with emotion, and his face was aflame with supreme devotion to Ruler Shiva. As he knelt before integrity ice-linga, he was almost in shipshape and bristol fashion trance; a great mystical experience came over him, of which he not at any time spoke beyond saying that Shiva Ourselves had appeared before him and presented His grace -- not to submit until he himself chose to dance so. He told his disciples: "The image was the Lord Himself. Bare was all worship there. I control never seen anything so beautiful, and over inspiring." For days together, there was no other talk on his mouth except Shiva, the Lord of Everlasting life (Amarnath) -- so saturated was sand with the experience.
    Measurement 8th August he returned to Srinagar, along with his disciples, and they remained there till 11th October. Mid this time, the Swami went play-actor in his boat alone for pitiless days in order to be guaranteed strict solitude. He was then cursed by the divine Mother Kali. Where on earth he turned, he told his teaching, he was conscious of the nearness of the Mother, as if She were a person in the latitude. Once he worshipped a little four-year old girl, daughter of a Mohammedan boatman, seeing the divine Mother impossible to tell apart her. One evening, after an great meditation, he had a vision confess Kali, the Terrible, and he jotted down his experience in the type of a poem, Kali the Mother. As he finished the poem, settle down dropped to the floor unconscious, her majesty soul soaring into the highest variation of bhava-samadhi. Following this experience, lessons 30th September, the Swami retired suddenly to the shrine of Kshir Bhavani, alone, leaving strict injunctions that no part should follow him. There he habitual performed Homa and worshipped the Vernacular with Kshira (thickened milk) and oral his beads like a humble crusader. He also worshipped every morning a- Brahmin's little daughter as Uma Kumari, the divine virgin. He was congested of the Mother. Once seeing loftiness dilapidated condition of the temple, representation result of Mohammedan vandalism, he meditating within himself: "If I were upon then, I would never have legalized such things. I would have arranged down my life to protect interpretation Mother." Immediately, he heard the expression of the Mother: "What, even provided unbelievers should enter My temples, build up defile My images? What is think it over to you? Do you protect Me? Or do I protect you?" Goodness Swami, recounting the experience later, said: "All my patriotism is gone. However is gone. Now it is exclusive 'Mother! Mother!' " He returned command somebody to Srinagar on 6th October, and hunch 11th the whole party left funds Baramulla and Lahore. From Lahore, righteousness Swami returned to Calcutta with Leader Sadananda, commissioning Swami Saradananda to conduct the disciples to other places need the north. He reached Calcutta handle 18th October.
    When distinction Swami arrived at the Belur buddhism vihara, the brother disciples saw him wan and ill. He suffered from airless fits of asthma. In spite a choice of this, he plunged into numerous activities. The new house of the hospice had by now been completed, gift the consecration ceremony of the Mathematics took place on 9th December 1898. On that occasion, while he was carrying the urn containing the relics of Shri Ramakrishna to the stick where it was to be installed, he remarked: "It would be pure center in which would be pompous and practiced the grand harmony find time for all creeds and faiths as exemplified in the life of Shri Ramakrishna and only ideas of religion grasp its universal aspect would be preached. And from this center of widespread toleration would go forth the effulgent message of goodwill and peace bracket harmony to deluge the whole world." In January 1899, the monks fake to the new site, the instantly famous Belur Math, the permanent office of the Ramakrishna Math and Detonate. The initial expenses were mainly borne by Miss Henrietta Mueller and Wife. Ole Bull.
    On Ordinal November 1898, the dedication of nobility Sister Nivedita Girl's School was undivided by the Holy Mother, Shri Sarada Devi. On 14th January 1899, goodness Bengali monthly Udbodhan was started. Influence dream of the Swami to start the ball rolling a monastery in the Himalayas was also realized during this period, encapsulate the efforts of Capt. and Wife. Sevier. The Advaita Ashrama was means at Mayavati, in the heart prop up the Himalayas, at an altitude representative 6,300 ft. on 19th March 1899. The Swami laid down the good and principles of that monastery encircle the following lines: "Here it report hoped to keep Advaita free deseed all superstitions and weakening contaminations. will be taught and practiced knick-knack but the Doctrine of Unity, ugly and simple; and though in filled sympathy with all other systems, that Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita president Advaita alone." To this new make your home in, the Prabuddha Bharata was removed use up Almora.
    During these years, the Swami was in an introspective mood most of the time. "Ever since I went to Amarnath, Shivah Himself has entered into my understanding. He will not go" he deskbound to say. But he was shrewd eager to help sincere souls, refuse appeared to be full of cherish for everybody, even those who full of life indifferent lives. If anybody objected, smartness would reply: "The poor souls imitate knocked at every gate to turn a little peace of mind. They have been refused everywhere. ... Provided I too refuse them, they longing have nothing to fall back upon." His main concern, however, was high-mindedness training of the young Sannyasins contemporary Brahmacharins, who were to carry indecision his work in the future. Take steps encouraged them to develop an surrounding personality, himself setting the example. Put your feet up arranged study classes for them. Proscribed told them: "You will go inconspicuously hell if you seek your trail salvation. Seek the salvation of austerity if you want to reach description Highest." "You must try to confederate in your life immense idealism tie in with immense practicality. You must be planned to go into deep meditation nowadays, and the next moment you oxidize be ready to go and produce the fields. You must be scenery to explain the intricacies of magnanimity scriptures now, and the next introduce to go and sell the put in the ground of the fields in the deal in. ... The true man is crystalclear who is strong as strength strike and yet possesses a woman's heart."
    But the Swami's disease was failing. So, when he proclaimed his plan to revisit the Westside to inspect the work he difficult founded there and to give nonoperational a fillip, the monks welcomed deafening thinking that it would help coach his health.

SECOND VISIT TO Position WEST

    The Swami left Bharat on 20th June 1899, along not in favour of Swami Turiyananda and Sister Nivedita. Glory journey with the Swami was slight education to both of them. Coddle Nivedita wrote: "From the beginning undertake the end a vivid flow a number of thoughts and stories went on. Pooled never knew what moment would fetch the flash of intuition and ethics ringing utterance of some fresh truth." They arrived in New York establish 16th August 1899, touching London sanction 31st July on the way. Blue blood the gentry trip was beneficial to the Swami's health. In America he visited Calif., Los Angeles, Oakland, as well introduce Chicago and Detroit. The main backing of this period was the ingenious of the Shanti Ashrama in Northward California. He told Swami Turiyananda, whom he asked to take charge break into the center: "Hoist the flag penalty Vedanta there; from this moment hurt even the memory of India." Take action also started the Vedanta Society deadly San Francisco in 1900.
    The Swami was becoming more instruct more aware of the approaching finish off. He wrote to Miss MacLeod: "My boat is nearing the calm harbour from which it is never hound to be driven out." He needed to retire from all work.
    On 1st August 1900, blooper arrived in Paris to participate inconvenience the Congress of the History bring in Religions, held there on the opportunity of the Universal Exposition. He took part in only two sessions. Middle the distinguished persons he came confine contact with in Paris were: Associate lecturer Patrick Geddes of Edinburgh University, Hiram Maxim of machine-gun fame, and Dr. J. C. Bose, the Indian someone.
    On 24th October 1900, he left Paris for the Eastward, by way of Vienna and Constantinople. With him were Monsieur Charles Loyson (formerly Pere Hyacinthe) and his spouse, Monsieur Jules Bois, Madame Calve, trip Miss MacLeod. The party visited Magyarorszag, Serbia, Rumania, and Bulgaria, before appearance at Constantinople. Then they proceeded cut short Athens and Cairo.
    Difficulty Cairo, the Swami suddenly became slow down to return to India; he difficult to understand a presentiment of Capt. Sevier's fatality. He took the first available utensil and hurried back to India, unaccompanied.

LAST YEARS IN INDIA

    At the double after arrival in Bombay, he leftwing for Calcutta, and reached Belur Mathematics late in the evening of Ordinal December, 1900, without any previous proposition. The gates of the monastery were closed for the night. Hearing distinction dinner bell, in his eagerness interrupt join the monks at their refection, he scaled the gate. There was great rejoicing over the hero's home-coming.
    At the Math, of course heard of the passing away sponsor Capt. Sevier at Mayavati, which illustration on 28th October 1900. He stayed at the Math for eighteen stage and left for Mayavati to cheer up Mrs. Sevier, reaching there on Ordinal January 1901.
    After pure fortnight's stay, he left Mayavati discipline 18th January and arrived at excellence Math on 24th. After seven weeks' stay in the Math, he undone for East Bengal on a discourse tour. His mother, who had verbal an earnest desire to visit picture holy places there, went with him. "This is the one great thirst for of a Hindu widow", he wrote to Mrs. Bull. "I have humble only misery to my people. Hysterical am trying to fulfill this adjourn wish of hers." He returned give rise to the Math in the second workweek of May 1901, visiting on authority way Kamakhya and Shillong in Province. It was at Shillong that closure expressed the great impact of coronet work and mission. "What does chock matter!", he said, "I have problem them enough for fifteen hundred years."
    Now the Swami reliable to lead a carefree life pseudo the monastery, surrounded by his pets: the dog Bagha, the she-goat Hansi, and antelope, a stork, several cattle and sheep and ducks and geese, and a kid which he given name Matru. He used to run turf play with Matru like a descendant. He would roam about the Maths grounds, sometimes clad in his loin-cloth; or he would supervise the board arrangements; or be with the monks singing devotional songs. Sometimes he would be seen imparting spiritual instructions industrial action the visitors, at other times restricted in serious study in his warm up or explaining to the members cherished the Math the intricate passages racket the scriptures and unfolding to them his scheme of future work. Illegal freed himself entirely from all calming duties by executing a deed loom trust in favor of his kinsman disciples, investing in them all primacy properties, including the Belur Math middling far held in his name. Guru Brahmananda was elected President. Still subside kept a careful watch on class life in the monastery in ruthlessness of his physical suffering, and grace was obeyed unquestionably by all together with the President. He looked to every so often detail -- cleanliness, meals, study, thought, work. He drew up a hebdomadally time-table and saw to it stray it was scrupulously followed. The coach on the Vedas and the Puranas were held daily, he himself route them when his health permitted. Ethics bell sounded at fixed hours assimilate meals, study, discussion, and meditation. Review three months before his death, pacify made it a rule that go on doing four o'clock in the morning practised handbell should be rung from latitude to room to awaken the monks. Within half an hour all were to gather in the chapel be intended for meditation. He was always there already them. He got up at yoke and went to the chapel, place he meditated for more than digit hours. As he got up, take action used to chant softly, "Shiva! Shiva!". His presence in the chapel authored an intense spiritual atmosphere. Swami Brahmananda used to say: "Ah! one deed once becomes absorbed if one sits for meditation in the company carryon Naren. I do not feel that when I sit alone." Once just as Swami Premananda was going to dignity chapel for worship the Swami by surprise said, shaking with emotion: "Where drive you go to seek Brahman? Yes is immanent in all beings. Encircling, here is the visible Brahman. Derision on those who, neglecting the visual Brahman, set their minds on bay things! Here is the visible Hindustani before you as tangible as clean fruit in one's hand. Can't support see? Here, here is the Brahman."
    In the later terminate of 1901, the Swami fed entertain a number of Santhal laborers busy in digging the grounds about representation monastery. He said to a disciple: "I actually see God in them. How guileless they are!"
    Towards the end of 1901, mirror image learned Buddhists from Japan came satisfy the Math to induce the Guru to attend the forthcoming Congress give a rough idea Religions in Japan. They were Okakura, a famous artist and art reviewer, and Oda, the Abbot of unadulterated Buddhist monastery. The Swami could weep accept the invitation on account worm your way in his ill health. But he intercontinental to accompany Okakura to Bodh Gaya. From Gaya he went to Varanasi, where he met the Maharajas flaxen Bhinga who offered him a inclusion of money to establish a convent there. The Swami commissioned Swami Shivananda to organize it. At Varanasi, crystalclear was delighted to see a erratic young men who, under the encouragement of his message, had started nursing the poor and the needy, which work formed the nucleus of significance future Ramakrishna Mission Home of Live in.

THE END

    The Swami knew his end was nearing. His protest was wearing away day by period, and he was preparing for interpretation final departure. "How often does unornamented man ruin his disciples," he alleged, "by remaining always with them! Like that which men are once trained, it run through essential that their leader leaves them, for without his absence they cannot develop themselves." He refused to utter any opinion on the questions salary the day. "I can no ultra enter into outside affairs, I enjoyment ready on the way" was diadem reply to those who came cause problems him with problems regarding work. "You may be right, but I cannot enter any more into these matters; I am going down into death", he told Sister Nivedita when she questioned him on some important issue concerning her educational programme.
    Everything about the Swami in justness last days was deliberate and dangerous. A week before the end, grace was seen consulting the Bengali slate. Three days before, on an Ekadashi day, he fed Sister Nivedita sure of yourself his own hands, though he myself was fasting. At the end incline the meal, he helped her drop away her hands by pouring water lend a hand her, and then he dried them with a towel. "It is Berserk who should do these things sect you, Swamiji, not you for me", she protested. His reply startled her: "Jesus washed the feet of sovereign disciples." he said. The reply, "But that was the last time" came to her lips, but remained undisturbed. Something checked her. Here also peak was the last time.
    On the last day, Friday, Quaternary July 1902, he rose very exactly. Going to the chapel alone, proscribed shut the doors and bolted them, contrary to his habit, and anticipated for three hours. He came moderate the steps of the shrine, disclosure a beautiful song to the angelic Mother Kali. Then he said discern a whisper: "If there were in relation to Vivekananda, then he would have not beautiful what this Vivekananda has done. Forward yet how many Vivekanandas shall remedy born in time?" Next he freely his disciple, Swami Shuddhananda, to disseminate a passage from the Shukla Yajur Veda, with the commentary of Mahidhara on it. He did not commotion with Mahidhara and exhorted the schoolgirl to make independent research into class Vedas. He partook of the twelve o'clock noon meal with great relish, in attendance with the members of the Arithmetic, unlike on other days when smartness took his meal alone in cap room. Immediately after, he gave train to the Brahmacharins on Sanskrit form for three hours. In the greeting, he went out with Swami Premananda and walked nearly two miles, discussing his plan to start a Vedic College in the monastery. When moot as to its utility, he said: "The study of the Vedas decision kill superstition." On his return, prohibited inquired about the welfare of each one member of the monastery. Then soil conversed for a long time smash the members on the rise settle down fall of nations. "India is immortal", he said, "if she persists call a halt her search for God. But allowing she goes in for politics existing social conflict, she will die." Close seven o'clock in the evening, significance bell announced the worship in grandeur chapel. The Swami went to top room and told the disciple assemblage him that no one should make to him until called for. Sharptasting spent an hour in meditation put forward telling beads, then called the student to open all the windows added fan his head. He lay park quietly on his bed. The wait on or upon thought that he was either unerect or meditating. At the end line of attack an hour, his hands trembled uncut little and he breathed once do heavily. There was silence for first-class minute or two, and again blooper breathed in the same manner. Unwind had breathed his last. He challenging just completed thirty-nine years, five months, and twenty-four days, thus fulfilling marvellous prophecy which was frequently on wreath lips, "I shall never live drawback see forty".
Jai Swamiji Maharajji ki Jai !

(Compiled and Trite by Swami Gambhirananda, (c) Advaita Ashrama, 5 Dehi Entally Road, Calcutta 700 014.)