Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: Reflecting on the Values of the Legendary Saint

The fact that you see multiple Hindu temples across the globe in international locations is surely due to the contributions of Swami Vivekananda. The man you see in subtle clothing and simplicity is the one who spread values of spirituality. Popularly known as the first Hindu monk, his teachings are celebrated even in today’s time. That is exactly why Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is an important part of Indian festivities.

Check out the values and teachings of the divine saint on Swami Vivekananda Jayanti — *Swami Vivekananda Jayanti*

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is basically the celebration of the birth of this legendary man. It falls on every 12th of January and is significantly impactful for schools, universities and Hindu devotees in general. Being the global ambassador of oneness of religions, his influence truly shapes the education system and the societies today. So, let’s dive into his life and philosophies to honour him in the right way.

Early Life of Narendranath Datta

Swami Vivekananda, born as Narendranath Datta, was always keen on spirituality and religion. Born in the beautiful city of Kolkata, he was highly intelligent and from an affluent background. He was excellent in academics, specifically philosophy and history. While he knew everything about Western culture, he was drawn towards the Vedas, Upanishads and Hinduism. He even adapted values of kindness, courage and dedication to serving the society.

Due to mystical questions about God and his existence, he indulged in many conversations with spiritual leaders. That’s when he met Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a saint of Dakshineswar. It was at this point in life when he clearly received answers to the mystical queries he had ever had. By sharing his knowledge and understanding of the world, Ramakrishna created curiosity and boldness in his disciples.

As Swami Vivekananda took teachings from Ramakrishna, he decided to spread his legacy. After Ramakrishna passed away, Vivekananda continued the spiritual practice with other disciples. He then began leading a group of young disciples, thereby forming a monastic brotherhood. That is exactly how he got the name Swami Vivekananda after taking vows of monasticism.

Evolution of the Ramakrishna MathSwami

Vivekananda was always keen on spreading the values and virtues of Hinduism. He wanted to continue the significance of the teachings of Ramakrishna. That is also why he felt the need to create an organisation where people could join as disciples. His idea was to provide spiritual development along with personal liberation through a well-known centre. This vision led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Math.

During its creation, he came up with the motto Atmano Mokshartham Jagaddhitaya Cha, which means for the liberation of the Self and the good of the world. You can clearly understand how well Vivekananda tried to bring harmony by blending different paths of spirituality.

In today’s time, Ramakrishna Math is more than just a spiritual organisation. You can witness the humanitarian essence when you discover multiple activities and noble works of the organisation. On the educational front, they arrange a lot of elocution, drawing, poetry and essay writing competitions. Moreover, the organisation is dedicated to contributing to educational, disaster relief and healthcare services across the country.

Wondering where you can find the spiritual centre dedicated to Swami Vivekananda in India? Visit Kolkata tourist places only to witness the grandeur of the Belur Math.

Swami Vivekananda and His Influence on the Western World

The world knows the Ramakrishna Math and its associated universal values all because of the influence of Swami Vivekananda in the western world. He successfully bridged the gap between the east and the west by promoting interfaith harmony.

It was a historic speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions that changed everything. Did you know the audience was flabbergasted simply by one statement of Vivekananda? It was in Chicago where he started the speech by addressing the crowd as Sisters and Brothers of America. He significantly sent the message of brotherhood between the nations. It was enough to receive a standing ovation from the audience, making it a big deal for the world out there.

This one speech changed the course of his life. Vivekananda inspired global leaders, scientists and philosophers to ponder upon his teachings. Motivated by his words, Nikola Tesla discovered connections between Vedantic concepts and science. Even the famous philosophers like William James and Josiah Royce were impressed by his contributions.

Diving Into the Main Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

1. Unity of All Religions

Even though Vivekananda was born into a Hindu family, he always believed in the oneness of all religions. For him, every religion, culture and people were true, no matter their backgrounds. In fact, he spread out the message stating that all religions have the same ultimate purpose and they should coexist in a peaceful manner. In today’s time, we get an excellent opportunity to develop the value of interfaith harmony due to his teachings.

2. Service to Humanity

Many saints and leaders have stressed on the idea of serving humanity. On Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, you must understand that serving is clearly the highest form of worshipping. He stressed on the idea of giving back to the society and engaging in works that lead to community development. He even encouraged people to dedicate their lives to reduce the sufferings of the world.

3. Divinity of the Soul

According to Swami Vivekananda, every soul on earth is divine. He promoted the idea of discovering oneself from within. He even believed in the potential of every being to do the best for the world. His belief encouraged self-confidence and inner strength in people. Even in today’s time, his teachings and recorded speeches talk about leaving cowardice and being brave. Such teachings and ideas stand as a significant pillar urging you to recognise your inherent power.

4. Emphasis on Education

Vivekananda was himself an intelligent student and progressed well on the academic front. He strongly believed education to be the foundation of courage, strength and knowledge in the minds of the youth. Along with this, he laid emphasis on the overall development of people. Physical and spiritual knowledge was equally important for succeeding in various areas of life. Hence, a lot of his teachings are directed at character-building by adapting to humanitarian values.

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: Celebrations and Traditions Across India

1. Educational Efforts

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is an important part of education as students get an opportunity to draw inspiration from him. As he also taught about self-confidence and fearlessness, most schools and colleges try to spread this great message. You can find students participating in elocution competitions. This helps the entire class to learn and reflect on Vivekananda’s teachings.

What’s more? Many schools also organise drawing contests, quizzes and debates to create an engaging environment. Due to his association with yoga, a lot of educational institutions organise yoga sessions too. Some might even make it all grand by arranging a seminar and inviting a guest lecturer to educate the youth. That is how the current generation learns about the usage of his philosophies in modern times.

2. Prabhat Pheris

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti remains incomplete without the witnessing of Prabhat Pheris. They can be termed as public rallies; however, they are a big procession in many cities and towns. Prabhat translates to morning and Pheri means a walk. That is also why the procession begins early in the morning. It is also believed that knowledge and wisdom are best delivered as the sun rises.

The procession generally passes through main neighbourhoods and roads with all the vibrancy. You can see students, adults and the elderly carrying posters of the famous monk. Interestingly, many children are dressed as Swami Vivekananda with saffron robes and a turban. Such inclusion of people makes the walk worth joining!

What’s more? It is not just a simple walk. Most followers/devotees keep chanting rhythms dedicated to the philosopher. At times, children prepare small skits and enact them in public areas to spread important messages to society out there. Prabhat Pheris are a perfect way for communities to gather and foster a sense of collective pride. It also helps youth engage with thoughtful philosophies on the day of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti.

3. Charity Events

While Ramakrishna Math is super active in various activities, you can still find a lot of charity events on Swami Vivekananda Jayanti. While some are purely about money donations, you can also find various blood donation camps and free health check-ups. At times, even schools set up book stalls to collect donations for the needy on this auspicious day. Most of these events are dedicated to community building and service for the needy.

Quotes and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”

“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”

“Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man.”

“The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified and God will be in them.”

“They alone live who live for others; the rest are more dead than alive.”

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”

Honouring the Day of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti!

While there are no specific temples dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, you can still visit many memorials and Ramakrishna math spread across India. The best way to honour the legendary saint is by visiting one of the centres and engaging in spiritual activities. You can visit Kanyakumari tourist places and begin the journey with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

While some centres organise health check-ups, others might arrange a marathon for the youth. By participating in such activities, you get an interesting opportunity to contribute to society’s well-being. The best way to stay connected with his teachings is to keep checking websites of the Ramakrishna Math.

You can also be a part of Prabhat Pheris, online discussions and lectures at public places. Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is all about adapting the values of oneness and humanity in your life. So, make sure to do so in the best possible way.