Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata, India.
When Narendranath met his spiritual mentor, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he asked, "Have you seen God?" Ramakrishna replied affirmatively, profoundly influencing Vivekananda's spiritual journey.
Vivekananda's teachings deeply influenced Western thinkers, including Nikola Tesla, who was inspired by Vivekananda’s ideas about energy and matter.
Vivekananda predicted his own early death, stating he would not live beyond 40. He passed away on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39.
Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, emphasizing service to humanity as the highest form of worship. This mission continues to engage in philanthropic activities globally.
Some of his key Western supporters were women, such as Margaret Noble (Sister Nivedita), who played a crucial role in spreading his teachings and supporting his mission.
Long before these practices became mainstream in the West, Vivekananda advocated for their benefits, emphasizing a holistic approach to health.
He promoted integrating Eastern spirituality with Western progress, believing in learning from the West while maintaining the spiritual wisdom of the East.
Vivekananda envisioned a universal religion that would transcend individual religions, embracing the common spiritual truths found in all of them.
His speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 brought global attention to Indian spirituality and made him an instant celebrity.