VIVEKANDA’S WORLD MISSION prose Summary

VIVEKANDA’S WORLD MISSION 

By Bhabani Bhattacharya

INTRODUCTION

Bhabani Bhattacharya has presented an account of Swami Vivekananda’s life. Vivekananda lived as a beggar in North India during 1888. He was not like the others. He was tall, broad with a wide forehead and dark eyes. He wore the saffron dress of a swami. He had nothing but a staff and a begging bowl with him. When Vivekananda was a college student, he used to read a lot. He was brilliant and learnt many philosophical things. But he was not at peace. He met the holy man Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. Ramakrishna was a priest in the temple of the Goddess Kali. After learning from the great man, Vivekananda left his home forever and became a swami. He meditated and prepared himself in the paths of the holy man. Vivekananda had a desire to see the world. He went to Benares, Ayodhya, Agra, Brindaban and Hathras. Here he found Sadananda who went to the Himalayas with him. 

VOWS AND PRINCIPLES

While travelling, he had great ideas in his mind. He believed in “Oneness of all” and preached Advita philosophy. He left his hometown of Baranagore and stayed away for six years. During this time, he travelled from the Himalayas to the Cape. He lived with beggars, untouchables and criminals. Sometimes he was the guest of maharajas. He saw that many people suffered. He strongly believed that religion will not fill the empty stomach. When he reached Cape Comorin, he did not have any money to pay for the boat. So he swam across the sea.

THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGION

He decided to take part in the Parliament of Religions to be held in Chicago. With the help of a friendly Maharaja he could travel to Chicago. As he reached America he suffered from cold and starvation. Now it's too late for registration of new speakers. Luckily with the help a Harvard Professor he got to represent Hinduism at the Parliament of Religion. He wanted to be a conveyor of the previous gift of Advita Philosophy. 

THE GREAT SPEECH

The great assembly opened on September 11,1893. He addressed the gathering as 'Sisters and Brothers of America!' and these created an electrical effect upon the audience. He shared the Vedantic concept of Advaita and his principle Oneness of all. His speech was admirable and the American press recognised him as the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religion.

THE RUMOURS

He condemned the narrowness of spirit, brutality and many evils of the Western Civilization. He saw Christianity as a religion of luxury and those who practice it don't really preach what Christ cared about. This enraged the clergymen and they spread rumours about Vivekananda that he ate beef. This created discontent among his followers in India. But to Vivekananda it was mere scorn. 

WILLPOWER

From America he travelled to many countries in Europe. He had to return to India when he was sick and marked by death. He was affected by Malaria and Diabetes but the diseases could not overcome his will power. He roused himself to a herculean task and laid the foundation of Ramakrishna Mission. He made clear that the keystone of religious quest is to live a life inspired with the spirit of Karma Yoga. He urged the ending of poverty, preached inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, abolition of untouchability. He doesn't want India to be a nation filled with brutes by practicing the social evils. 

CONCLUSION

He then set out again to America and Europe to establish branch Missions at different centers. Suddenly in Egypt he heard the call of death and hurried home to India. He undertook a journey to Mayavati ashram in Himalayas and lay dying in Belur. Though he was completely worn out by the disease, he felt that he had lived intensely and accomplished his task doing enough for fifteen hundred years.