Swami Vivekananda’s Message to Youth inspired millions of people around the globe. Since then, Vivekananda is revered as one of the most prolific thinkers, and also as a guiding light who took India’s message to the entire world.
Today, many youths even in the modern era follow the words of Swami and is trying to assimilate his teachings. Swami Vivekananda, who is very popular among the youth, has solved the curiosities of the youth in a highly intuitive and rational manner from time to time. Many episodes of Swamiji are a pioneer for all of us even today.
Swami Vivekananda is one of the most influential modern monks, of which the entire nation is proud. When he addressed a global audience at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on 11th September, 1893 in Chicago, India beamed with pride as he represented our nation on the huge international forum.
Swami Vivekananda Birth, Life History & Teachings
To begin with, Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863 in an aristocratic and influential family in Bengal to mother Bhuvaneshwari Datta and father Vishwanath Datta. His original childhood name was Narendranath Datta. He was a disciple of the 19th century saint, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who preached that all living beings are manifestations of the divine and hence serving mankind is ultimately service to God.
In particular, he was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western World. After the death of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda travelled across the nation to study the situations that the colonial India was facing.
In short, Vivekananda’s life mission was to see India and its people rise and reclaim its past glory. His efforts helped in uplifting the destitute section of society and establishing of Dharma.
Later in his life, Swami Vivekananda explored the United States, England and other countries of Europe and delivered lectures at both private and public forums where he shared his thoughts, and introduced the fundamental principles of Hinduism to the Western world. One such world-renowned speech was the one he delivered at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago on 11th September, 1893, where he introduced India to the West.
Despite being initially nervous about addressing seven thousand well learned international audiences, Swami Vivekananda bowed to the Goddess Saraswati and opened his speech by saying “Sisters and Brothers of America” for which he received a two-minute standing ovation from the entire crowd.
Especially for the youngsters, Swami Vivekananda’s message to youth was simple about the religious harmony and peace. He described how people take different paths in life, but ultimately reach the Divine, regardless of the path they have chosen. Very well received by the masses and the President of Parliament of The World’s Religions, Mr. John Henry Barrows, Swami Vivekananda’s message earned him praises from philosophers and thinkers across the globe, following which Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts received massive attention.
Vivekananda’s speech undoubtedly painted a fresh and learned image of India on the global canvas. The foreign newspapers acknowledged and published that how foolish is it of the missionaries to be sent to a nation as learned as India. Numerous excerpts and quotes from the speeches of Swami Vivekananda continue to fuel the youth with motivation till date. Some of the Famous Swami Vivekananda’s quotes for youth are:
Famous Swami Vivekananda Quotes For Youth
Swami Vivekananda also penned down several books that progressive youngsters abide by. Raj Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Meditation and its methods, Lectures from Colombo to Almora are few which continue to attract youth. Not only has Swami Vivekananda himself written books, but many modern-day authors have also been writing about him.
Books on Swami Vivekananda
The Master As I Saw Him.
The Life of Swami.
Inspiring Thoughts.
The Monk as a man: The unknown life of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda: Essential writings and many more.
As an icon for millions of youth, Swami Vivekananda taught about the goal of life and how to lead the life. Life is all about sacrifice, selfless service, living for others, avoiding distractions created by Unwanted Things etc.
Sacrifice and Selfless Service
Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts set the young minds thinking.
Quoting his words, “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youth of my country. My hope is in you. With an immense amount of feeling and enthusiasm in the blood, I believe heroes will come, and are going to march from one corner of the earth to the other, preaching and teaching the eternal spiritual truths of our forefathers.”
“What I want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel, inside which dwells a mind of the same material as that of which the thunderbolt is made.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in yourself. Do not believe that you are weak. Do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays. Hence, you can do anything and everything, without even the guidance of any one. Stand up and express the divinity within you.”
“Particularly, my hope of the future lies in the youth of character, intelligent, renouncing all for the service of others, and obedient – by the way good to themselves and the country at large.”
An Interesting Life Incident
Let’s take a look at one instance from Swami Vivekananda’s life, which shows how gentle and thought provoking his nature was.
Swami Vivekananda was once living at a railway station in Rajasthan, India. People kept visiting him all day long. They had numerous queries which were mostly religious, and Swamiji was tirelessly answering them. In this manner, three days and three nights passed. Swami Vivekananda was indulged in solving masses’ spiritual concerns so much that he did not even take a break to have a meal even once. The people who crowded to meet him did not spare him for a short while, and didn’t seem bothered to ask him if he had had any food to eat!
On the third night l, after all the visitors had left, a poor man came forward and said to him with courtesy, “Swamiji, I noticed that you have been interacting with people for three days straight. You have not even taken a gulp of water! This pains me very much.”
Looking at him, Swami Vivekananda said, “Could you please give me something to eat?” The poor man was a cobbler, so with hesitation he said, “Swamiji, my heart yearns to give you some bread, but, how can I? I have touched it. If you permit, I will bring you some coarse flour and dal and you can prepare them as you please!” To which, Vivekananda said, “No, my child; give me the bread you have baked. I shall be more than happy to eat it.” At once, the poor cobbler got scared. He was afraid that the king will punish him if he was told that a cobbler, from a low caste, prepared food for a sanyasi. But the eagerness to serve Swami Vivekananda overpowered his fear. He rushed back home hurriedly and returned with freshly baked bread for Swami Vivekananda.
The kind and selfless gesture of this compassionate man brought tears to Vivekananda’s eyes. He thought about more people like this man, who live in the huts of our country but go unnoticed. Financially, they might be poor, but they are humble, large-hearted and noble.
Meanwhile, people from so called higher caste, the gentlemen, found out that Swami Vivekananda had food offered by a shoemaker, and this annoyed them too much. They came to see Swami Vivekananda and told him that it was inappropriate of him to accept food from a man born in a low caste. Swami Vivekananda, after patiently hearing them said, “For the past three days, you people made me talk about your spiritual concerns, but not once did you even care to know if I had had any food or rest. You call yourself gentlemen and boast of higher caste. On top of that, you condemn this poor man for being from a lower caste. The humanity he just showed, can it be overlooked just like this?”
My Favorite Quote
The following are some of my favorites quotes of Swami ji, out of which Be a Hero. Always say, I have no fear stands in the top place.
In a nutshell, Swami Vivekananda’s life mission was to see India and its people rise and reclaim its past, long lost glory. His efforts helped in uplifting the destitute section of society and establishing of Dharma.Therefore, the whole country rightly celebrates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day.
Today, many youths even in the modern era follow the words of Swami and is trying to assimilate his teachings. Swami Vivekananda, who is very popular among the youth, has solved the curiosities of the youth in a highly intuitive and rational manner from time to time. Many episodes of Swamiji are a pioneer for all of us even today.
Swami Vivekananda is one of the most influential modern monks, of which the entire nation is proud. When he addressed a global audience at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on 11th September, 1893 in Chicago, India beamed with pride as he represented our nation on the huge international forum.
Swami Vivekananda Birth, Life History & Teachings
To begin with, Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863 in an aristocratic and influential family in Bengal to mother Bhuvaneshwari Datta and father Vishwanath Datta. His original childhood name was Narendranath Datta. He was a disciple of the 19th century saint, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who preached that all living beings are manifestations of the divine and hence serving mankind is ultimately service to God.
In particular, he was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western World. After the death of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda travelled across the nation to study the situations that the colonial India was facing.
In short, Vivekananda’s life mission was to see India and its people rise and reclaim its past glory. His efforts helped in uplifting the destitute section of society and establishing of Dharma.
Later in his life, Swami Vivekananda explored the United States, England and other countries of Europe and delivered lectures at both private and public forums where he shared his thoughts, and introduced the fundamental principles of Hinduism to the Western world. One such world-renowned speech was the one he delivered at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago on 11th September, 1893, where he introduced India to the West.
Despite being initially nervous about addressing seven thousand well learned international audiences, Swami Vivekananda bowed to the Goddess Saraswati and opened his speech by saying “Sisters and Brothers of America” for which he received a two-minute standing ovation from the entire crowd.
Especially for the youngsters, Swami Vivekananda’s message to youth was simple about the religious harmony and peace. He described how people take different paths in life, but ultimately reach the Divine, regardless of the path they have chosen. Very well received by the masses and the President of Parliament of The World’s Religions, Mr. John Henry Barrows, Swami Vivekananda’s message earned him praises from philosophers and thinkers across the globe, following which Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts received massive attention.
Vivekananda’s speech undoubtedly painted a fresh and learned image of India on the global canvas. The foreign newspapers acknowledged and published that how foolish is it of the missionaries to be sent to a nation as learned as India. Numerous excerpts and quotes from the speeches of Swami Vivekananda continue to fuel the youth with motivation till date. Some of the Famous Swami Vivekananda’s quotes for youth are:
Famous Swami Vivekananda Quotes For Youth
- Be a Hero. Always say, I have no fear.
- Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.
- Strength is life, Weakness is Death.
- Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.
- Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise you may miss meeting an excellent person in this world.
- You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual.
- There is no other teacher but your own soul.
- The greatest sin is to think yourself weak.
Swami Vivekananda also penned down several books that progressive youngsters abide by. Raj Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Meditation and its methods, Lectures from Colombo to Almora are few which continue to attract youth. Not only has Swami Vivekananda himself written books, but many modern-day authors have also been writing about him.
Books on Swami Vivekananda
The Master As I Saw Him.
The Life of Swami.
Inspiring Thoughts.
The Monk as a man: The unknown life of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda: Essential writings and many more.
As an icon for millions of youth, Swami Vivekananda taught about the goal of life and how to lead the life. Life is all about sacrifice, selfless service, living for others, avoiding distractions created by Unwanted Things etc.
Sacrifice and Selfless Service
Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts set the young minds thinking.
Quoting his words, “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youth of my country. My hope is in you. With an immense amount of feeling and enthusiasm in the blood, I believe heroes will come, and are going to march from one corner of the earth to the other, preaching and teaching the eternal spiritual truths of our forefathers.”
“What I want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel, inside which dwells a mind of the same material as that of which the thunderbolt is made.”
“All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in yourself. Do not believe that you are weak. Do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do nowadays. Hence, you can do anything and everything, without even the guidance of any one. Stand up and express the divinity within you.”
“Particularly, my hope of the future lies in the youth of character, intelligent, renouncing all for the service of others, and obedient – by the way good to themselves and the country at large.”
An Interesting Life Incident
Let’s take a look at one instance from Swami Vivekananda’s life, which shows how gentle and thought provoking his nature was.
Swami Vivekananda was once living at a railway station in Rajasthan, India. People kept visiting him all day long. They had numerous queries which were mostly religious, and Swamiji was tirelessly answering them. In this manner, three days and three nights passed. Swami Vivekananda was indulged in solving masses’ spiritual concerns so much that he did not even take a break to have a meal even once. The people who crowded to meet him did not spare him for a short while, and didn’t seem bothered to ask him if he had had any food to eat!
On the third night l, after all the visitors had left, a poor man came forward and said to him with courtesy, “Swamiji, I noticed that you have been interacting with people for three days straight. You have not even taken a gulp of water! This pains me very much.”
Looking at him, Swami Vivekananda said, “Could you please give me something to eat?” The poor man was a cobbler, so with hesitation he said, “Swamiji, my heart yearns to give you some bread, but, how can I? I have touched it. If you permit, I will bring you some coarse flour and dal and you can prepare them as you please!” To which, Vivekananda said, “No, my child; give me the bread you have baked. I shall be more than happy to eat it.” At once, the poor cobbler got scared. He was afraid that the king will punish him if he was told that a cobbler, from a low caste, prepared food for a sanyasi. But the eagerness to serve Swami Vivekananda overpowered his fear. He rushed back home hurriedly and returned with freshly baked bread for Swami Vivekananda.
The kind and selfless gesture of this compassionate man brought tears to Vivekananda’s eyes. He thought about more people like this man, who live in the huts of our country but go unnoticed. Financially, they might be poor, but they are humble, large-hearted and noble.
Meanwhile, people from so called higher caste, the gentlemen, found out that Swami Vivekananda had food offered by a shoemaker, and this annoyed them too much. They came to see Swami Vivekananda and told him that it was inappropriate of him to accept food from a man born in a low caste. Swami Vivekananda, after patiently hearing them said, “For the past three days, you people made me talk about your spiritual concerns, but not once did you even care to know if I had had any food or rest. You call yourself gentlemen and boast of higher caste. On top of that, you condemn this poor man for being from a lower caste. The humanity he just showed, can it be overlooked just like this?”
My Favorite Quote
The following are some of my favorites quotes of Swami ji, out of which Be a Hero. Always say, I have no fear stands in the top place.
- Take risks in your life, If you win, you can lead! If you loose, you can guide!
- Strength is life; weakness is death.
- If you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.
- Meditation can turn fools into sages but unfortunately fools never meditate.
- In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.
- You cannot believe in god until you believe in yourself.
- You are the creator of your own destiny.
- All power is within you; you can do anything and everything.
- Arise awake and stop not until the goal is achieved.
- Be a Hero. Always say, I have no fear.
In a nutshell, Swami Vivekananda’s life mission was to see India and its people rise and reclaim its past, long lost glory. His efforts helped in uplifting the destitute section of society and establishing of Dharma.Therefore, the whole country rightly celebrates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day.
