New Delhi : To celebrate the 160th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, “PanchamDham Conclave – YuvaEvamSanatanSanskar” was organized at VigyanBhawan, New Delhi. Some of the leading intellectuals delivered their lectures in the conclave on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
While speaking in the last session of the conclave, Nikhil Yadav, (PrantYuvaPramukh), Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant said “that Swami Vivekananda (born NarendranathDutta) was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata, bestowed with intense patriotism, spiritual commitment, and a real character. Swamiji experienced a spiritual awakening in his youth when he met his guru, Sri Ramakrishna. His guru also asked him to serve the human(“Shiva BhaveJivaSeva – Service to God-incarnate as humanity.”) Swamijitraveled through the country to the people and the land closely. After around five years of wandering as a monk, he reached Kanyakumari, where he meditated on a rock for three days and nights ( 25,26,27 December 1892) on the past, present, and future of the country. He found that the countrymen have lost self-confidence, self-esteem, self-faith, and belief.
In 1893 he left for America to participate in the world parliament of religions; despite several obstacles, he reached the podium where his opening speech on September 11, 1893, made him a popular figure. Swami Vivekananda received two-minute applause from an audience of 7,000 people.
Following the Parliament, Swamiji spent approximately three and a half years preaching the ancient philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga in several parts of the United States, England, and other western countries. He returned to India in January 1897. In response to the warm welcome and thronging audiences that greeted him everywhere, he delivered a series of lectures in various parts of India, causing quite a firestorm throughout the country. He also founded Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897, with the motto of “ATMANO MOKSHARTHAM JAGAD HITAYA CHA, “For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world.”
Swami Vivekananda’s Influence on the Indian Freedom Movement
Nikhil Yadav added, “Swami Vivekananda was the backbone behind the Indian Freedom movement. He directly and indirectly inspired freedom fighters in the 19th and 20th centuries, including BalGangadharTilak, Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose, HemchandraGhosh, and Sister Nivedita, among others. His speeches and writings encouraged the Indian Youth to participate in the Freedom movement. However, History and Historians have portrayed him merely as a religious or spiritual leader. Several intellectuals from Delhi-NCR attended the conclave.
