161 years ago, a man was born on this day, 12 Jan 1863, in West Bengal, India and still influences the world with his words. The Chicago speech, where he addressed the gathering saying, "Sisters and Brothers of America", still echoes! The man we are talking about is Narendranath Datta, also called Swami Vivekananda. On July 4, 1902, at the age of 39, Swami Vivekananda passed away while meditating at Belur Math in Howrah, West Bengal. It is believed that he attained mahasamādhi, with a ruptured blood vessel in his brain being reported as a possible cause of death. This day, 4th July also commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a pivotal event in American history, USA Independence Day.
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About Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda, born in West Bengal, India, is an Indian Hindu who proudly flaunted Hinduism as his armoury throughout his entire life, yet never shied away from understanding the world religions and promoting interfaith awareness, evident from the fact that he participated in the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 as a Hindu monk, where he said, "I thank you in name of the mother of all religions"…………"We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true." The wandering monk from India had presented Hinduism to the global stage. Nobody thought a Saffron-robed person from India would leave a long-lasting impression on everyone present at the event and listen to it on the radios elsewhere in the world. Swami Vivekananda was groomed by his parents to inculcate a progressive, rational attitude. Bhubaneswari Devi, his mother, a devout housewife, was influential in shaping his thinking and spirituality so much that William Haste, his principal during graduation, said Narendra was, " A genius …with enormous talents and possibilities…" Swami Vivekananda as a child was an avid learner of various subjects. His parents always encouraged him to learn everything, from Indian Hindu scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, and Vedas to Western philosophies. Swami Vivekananda says, " I am indebted to my mother for the efflorescence of my knowledge". Learning that we should not underestimate our mother. She might not always be a working woman, but her knowledge is immense, and we must be thankful for it.
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Swami Vivekananda
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Vivekananda's father Vishwanath Datta was an attorney and played a crucial role in shaping his progressive and rational attitude. His father's demise in 1881 left him with a vacuum without a guide in his life and then Ramakrishna became his spiritual master. Vivekananda never believed in accepting anything without questioning. He had various debates even with his master asking about troubles in their life after his father's death. Ramakrishna, helped him to focus on education and spirituality and said, " Service to men was the most effective worship of God".
After the death of his guru Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda established Ramakrishna Math, which provides spiritual training, and the Ramakrishna Mission which provides charity, social work and education.
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Ramakrishna Math
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Swami Vivekananda is known for introducing Vedanta, which teaches the concepts of the soul, and its relationship with God, and Yoga to the Western world and contributed enormously to nationalism during colonial India.
America Celebrates Independence Day
In American history, the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress. Its adoption is celebrated as the Fourth of July holiday in the United States. The Congress had voted in favour of independence from Great Britain on July 2 but did not complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence, initially drafted by Thomas Jefferson in consultation with committee members John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and William Livingston, until two days later on 4th July 1776.
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USA Independence day
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