Born as Narendranath Datta in Kolkata on January 12, 1863, Vivekananda displayed extraordinary intelligence and spirituality from an early age.
His name "Vivekananda" means "Bliss of Discerning Wisdom," given by his guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, to reflect his mission.
In 1893, at just 30, he
mesmerized the world with his speech at the
Parliament of Religions in Chicago, beginning with
"Sisters and Brothers of America."
He believed in empowering youth to awaken their inner potential, famously saying, "Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached."
Vivekananda envisioned an India where education, self-reliance, and spirituality empowered every individual to thrive.
He introduced the Western world to India’s ancient practice of yoga, emphasizing its role in physical and spiritual well-being.
He
emphasized unity across religions, saying,
"We may follow different paths, but all lead to the same goal."