Vivekananda: The foremost Hindu Icon

Vivekananda is known as the foremost Hindu icon of the 19th century. His spiritual power was fairly remarkable. Swamiji was a stanch follower of Ramakrishna and glued to the code that every man was proficient of vast potential, as long as they study how to access it in themselves.

Vivekananda resisted the traditional tyranny which the lower castes endured on a regular basis, expecting in its place to form a society where one and all had equal chances to create something of themselves. Strangely, he was also against the policy of peacefulness which is so often trait of Hindu spiritual best. As said by Swamiji, "the atman cannot be known by the weak."

In the year 1893, the monk was as the chief representative of Hinduism who built moderately an impression on various religious and social figures in America. For many, this impression was their first serious touch with that faith. We can seriously take William James, an American philosopher for instance, who praised Swamji greatly in both The diversities of Religious practice and in Pragmatism.

On January 12, 2013, Swamiji's birthday is also known as India's National Youth Day that is venerated with parades, youth conferences, seminar, yoga, sports, and other cultural activities.

The rare spiritual contents of Vivekananda’s writings have given the Indian youths of his time a distinctive character flowing in three aspects of feelings --- his compassion for the oppressed humanity and vast international understanding and sympathy and burning patriotism. Thus he says, ‘weakness is the cause of suffering. We become miserable because we are weak, we lie, steal, kill, and commit other crimes because we are weak.’

The Swamiji himself was a social reformer and rather a religious, preacher, and again, he was much more a nationalist Indian---an idealist and also a true humanist and a socialist. Vivekananda’s humanism was deeply rooted in the Indian soul while his socialism was based on high idealism linked to liberal humanism. Vivekananda had deep faith and confidence in the contemporary young generation of his time and his messages are embodiments of a living dynamic spirit that inspire human being for ever.

During the late 19th Century and early 20th Century, many religions organizations came forward to perform Public service in times of famine, floods, epidemics or any other natural calamities. The Ramakrishna Mission may very well be called the pioneers in this respect. Swami Vivekananda was quite as quite categorical when he said that he did not see any point in worshipping stone Gods in a temple. He taught people that to offer service to humankind was really offering service to God. Karma yoga, selfless service, is the central thought of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

The rare spiritual contents of Vivekananda’s writings have given the Indian youths of his time a distinctive character flowing in three aspects of feelings --- his compassion for the oppressed humanity and vast international understanding and sympathy and burning patriotism. Thus he says, ‘weakness is the cause of suffering. We become miserable because we are weak, we lie, steal, kill, and commit other crimes because we are weak.’