Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902), born Narendranath Datta, became the most influential disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He carried the torch of his guru and established the Ramakrishna Order as well as the Ramakrishna Mission. Arguably the biggest hit of the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, he introduced Hinduism to America. As a great reformer and spiritual teacher, he has been called the “patriot saint of modern India.”

Living only 39 years, Vivekananda remains one of the most influential people in the history of India and the history of religion. His journey, though brief, was deep and varied. He joined the Brahmo Samaj in college, dedicating himself to its social reforms. Although his interest in social action never waned, he left the Brahmo Samaj, seeking a more spiritual path, ultimately taking Ramakrishna as his guru. Trained in Western history and philosophy and passionate in his search for God, Vivekananda portrayed a keen duet of rationality and...