Swami Vivekananda was the pioneer in rebuilding of India that was completely destroyed during foreign rule. When Swamiji travelled across the nation he found horrendous poverty everywhere. The entire nation was mired under oppressive foreign rule with tremendous poverty, ignorance and superstition everywhere. The British were not at all interested in doing anything to improve the lives of the people.
The country was passing through one of the worst phases in its history. Swamiji wanted to do something about the situation. The perception of India in world at that time was of a primitive , uncivilized nation. The British back then thought of themselves as a superior race. They had already destroyed the Gurukul system of education, Indian industries, Indian trade . The system of education that they brought was just to get a few clerks and lawyers for themselves. It was expensive and very few could afford it.
Swamiji wanted to do something about the situation The Maharaja of Khetri had suggested him to visit "The Parliament of Religions" that was supposed to be held in Chicago, USA. Swamiji thought long and hard about it. Since he was travelling throughout the country at that time he decided to take the final decision at Rameshwaram in South India.
When he arrived in Cape Comiron(Kanyakumari) after visiting the temple of Goddess. His eyes fell on an islet in the ocean he swam across the ocean and meditated on the rock. He reflected his experiences of his travel across the country , about India's past and its future. It was here he took the decision of visiting the Parliament of Religions scheduled to be held in Chicago.
Before that one night he did have a dream in which he saw Ramakrishna on the sea asking him to "Go" . In his travels across India in which he followed the direction shown by his spirit, it seemed that he was always aided by god.
Swamiji had to overcome great difficulties to finally be able to speak at the "Parliament of Religions". While on his way from Boston to Chicago the Swami lost the address and his wallet. He had to spend a night in railway wagon and next day he was met with lot of indifference from people to whom he enquired about the directions of World Fair Grounds, because of his soiled cloth and unshaven appearance. He finally sat at the end of a road hungry and exhausted when Mrs George W Hale , who lived nearby noticed him and enquired if he was a delegate to the Parliament of Religions.
She took him to her house where he finally got something to eat and bath. Mrs Hale accompanied him to the offices of Parliament of Religions where she introduced Swamiji to Dr J.H. Barrows . Dr Barrows was the President of Parliament. After that Swamiji was accepted as a representative of Hinduism at the Parliaments of Religions.
The rest is history the first introductory speech given by Swamiji at the Parliament of Religions made him a superstar, his fame spread across USA and the news also made its way to India. Where the people who knew Swamiji were throughly overwhelmed.
Swamiji lived in US and lectured on India, Vedas and Indian history and religion in different cities of USA winning admirers, disciples and followers on the way. From there he went to England and continued his work also visited other places in Europe and met Max Muller.
Thus across America and Europe the image of India changed they knew more about the history of India and its past contribution to the world. The perception on Indian religion changed.
It was Swami Vivekananda who has inspired several Indian freedom fighters be it Gandhiji, Bose and many others. It one of his prophetic visions in 1897 Swamji had predicted that in around 50 India will become free with a very unique freedom struggle.
Swami Vivekananda's contribution in rebuilding of India is paramount the work continues till today. Infact it is Swamiji himself who had said that even after my death I shall work. I am sure he is watching us in his fine body(सुषम शरीर ) for the work is not over yet.
The country was passing through one of the worst phases in its history. Swamiji wanted to do something about the situation. The perception of India in world at that time was of a primitive , uncivilized nation. The British back then thought of themselves as a superior race. They had already destroyed the Gurukul system of education, Indian industries, Indian trade . The system of education that they brought was just to get a few clerks and lawyers for themselves. It was expensive and very few could afford it.
Swamiji wanted to do something about the situation The Maharaja of Khetri had suggested him to visit "The Parliament of Religions" that was supposed to be held in Chicago, USA. Swamiji thought long and hard about it. Since he was travelling throughout the country at that time he decided to take the final decision at Rameshwaram in South India.
When he arrived in Cape Comiron(Kanyakumari) after visiting the temple of Goddess. His eyes fell on an islet in the ocean he swam across the ocean and meditated on the rock. He reflected his experiences of his travel across the country , about India's past and its future. It was here he took the decision of visiting the Parliament of Religions scheduled to be held in Chicago.
Before that one night he did have a dream in which he saw Ramakrishna on the sea asking him to "Go" . In his travels across India in which he followed the direction shown by his spirit, it seemed that he was always aided by god.
Swamiji had to overcome great difficulties to finally be able to speak at the "Parliament of Religions". While on his way from Boston to Chicago the Swami lost the address and his wallet. He had to spend a night in railway wagon and next day he was met with lot of indifference from people to whom he enquired about the directions of World Fair Grounds, because of his soiled cloth and unshaven appearance. He finally sat at the end of a road hungry and exhausted when Mrs George W Hale , who lived nearby noticed him and enquired if he was a delegate to the Parliament of Religions.
She took him to her house where he finally got something to eat and bath. Mrs Hale accompanied him to the offices of Parliament of Religions where she introduced Swamiji to Dr J.H. Barrows . Dr Barrows was the President of Parliament. After that Swamiji was accepted as a representative of Hinduism at the Parliaments of Religions.
The rest is history the first introductory speech given by Swamiji at the Parliament of Religions made him a superstar, his fame spread across USA and the news also made its way to India. Where the people who knew Swamiji were throughly overwhelmed.
Swamiji lived in US and lectured on India, Vedas and Indian history and religion in different cities of USA winning admirers, disciples and followers on the way. From there he went to England and continued his work also visited other places in Europe and met Max Muller.
Thus across America and Europe the image of India changed they knew more about the history of India and its past contribution to the world. The perception on Indian religion changed.
It was Swami Vivekananda who has inspired several Indian freedom fighters be it Gandhiji, Bose and many others. It one of his prophetic visions in 1897 Swamji had predicted that in around 50 India will become free with a very unique freedom struggle.
Swami Vivekananda's contribution in rebuilding of India is paramount the work continues till today. Infact it is Swamiji himself who had said that even after my death I shall work. I am sure he is watching us in his fine body(सुषम शरीर ) for the work is not over yet.
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