Swami Vivekananda – A brilliant Indian philosopher and mentor of youth

The country's spiritual master Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendra Nath Dutt on 21 January 1863 in the Kayastha caste of Calcutta. He belonged to an upper-middle-class family. He was sent to a Western-style university to complete his studies, where he was given information about Western Philosophy, Science, etc. Swami Vivekananda was a person of sharp intellect since childhood. 

[Swami Vivekananda]

The name of Swami Vivekananda's guru was Ramakrishna Paramhansa. He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in the name of his guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Soon he became one of the most famous disciples of Ramakrishna. He joined the Brahmo Samaj whose aim was to eliminate child marriage and illiteracy and bring education to the lower classes and women. Vivekananda had a deep attachment to Hinduism and spirituality. Swami met him while he was searching for God. 

Social reform had become an integral part of Swami Vivekananda's ideas. After the death of his father in 1884, Narendranath i.e. Swami Vivekananda had to face a financial crisis. He asked Ramakrishna to pray for his condition to improve. Ramakrishna Paramahansa told him that he should go and pray himself. Swami did the same and reached the temple to pray and asked for discretion and detachment for himself. From that day Narendranath became attracted to the life of an ascetic. While wandering, Swami came to know about the World Parliament of Religions. The World Parliament of Religions was to be held in Chicago, the USA in 1893. 

Swami Vivekananda's wish was that he should participate in the World Parliament of Religions and take the thoughts of India and his Guru to the world. Though reaching Chicago was not easy for him but his resolve did not leave him. 

When Vivekananda gave his speech with words like My Brothers and Sisters of America, the entire audience stood up and applauded him. He remained in America for the next two years and in 1894 founded the Vedanta Society. Along with this, he traveled to the United Kingdom where he preached about the principles of Vedanta and Hindu spirituality. 

The people of India celebrate National Youth Day on 12 January, every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of the social reformer, great thinker, and philosopher, Swami Vivekananda. National Youth Day is observed to honor the ideals and thoughts of Swamiji Vivekananda who had tremendous faith in youth. 

Swami Vivekananda's “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.”

Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902, near Kolkata, at the age of only 39, he merged with the Panchatattvas but left behind many ideas. Young people carry those ideas in their lives even today. Swami Vivekananda, the mentor of youth, had chosen the path of sannyasa at the age of just 25. Vivekananda had a deep attachment to Hinduism and spirituality. His guru's name was Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Swami met him when he was searching for God. Swami Vivekananda's Samadhi at Belur Math on the shore of Hubli river at Howrah.