“One of the greatest lessons I have learnt in my life is to pay as much attention to the means of work as to its end.”
Monk, teacher and voice of India's youth
Swami Vivekananda
12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902 · Born in Kolkata, West Bengal
Who was Swami Vivekananda?
Born Narendranath Datta, Swami Vivekananda was the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. His address at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago introduced Vedanta and yoga to the West, and his call to strength, service and self-belief still speaks to young people today.
Key dates
- 1881
Meets Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar.
- 1893
Speaks at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago on 11 September.
- 1897
Founds the Ramakrishna Mission.
- 1902
Passes away at Belur Math at the age of 39.
- 1985
India begins observing his birthday as National Youth Day.
Swami Vivekananda quotes
“If we take care of the cause, the effect will take care of itself.”
“All fears will vanish when you begin to assert your own nature. If you think that you are bound, bound you will remain. If you think you are free, free you will be.”
“Our best work is done, our greatest influence is exerted, when we are without thought of self.”
“One atom in this universe cannot move without dragging the whole world along with it.”
“He knows that it exists and that religion is the search after the highest ideal.”
“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
“The secret of Advaita is: Believe in yourselves first, and then believe in anything else.”
“Know through Advaita that whomsoever you hurt, you hurt yourself; they are all you.”
“Only my most precious possessions should I give to my friends who have made me at home in this great country.”
“I say there is but one remedy for one too anxious for the future — to go down on his knees.”
“Thou art He that beareth the burdens of the universe; help me to bear the little burden of this life.”
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