Swami Vivekanand (स्वामी विवेकानंद)

Bhaktamal | Swami Vivekanand
Real Name - Narendranath Datta
Guru - Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Aaradhya - Lord Shiva, Maa Kali
Born - 12th January 1863 (Magh Krishna Saptami, Vikram Samvat 1919) (National Youth Day)
Place of Birth - Calcutta
Marital Status - Unmarried
Language - English, Bengali, Sanskrit
Father- Vishwanath Datta
Mother - Bhubaneswari Devi
Chief Disciple - Sister Nivedita
Depart This Life - 4 July 1902
Founder: Ramkrishna Mission
Literary works: Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, My Master, Lectures from Colombo to Almora
Famous Quotation: Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, writer, religious teacher and a chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in bringing Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising inter-faith awareness and raising Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.

Vivekananda ji had an attachment towards religion and spirituality from a young age. He became a monk after coming in contact with the Guru, Ramakrishna. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively, gaining firsthand knowledge of the living conditions of the Indian people. Seeing the plight of his countrymen, he resolved to help, and traveled to the United States, where he was highly successful.

In India, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math, which provides charity, social work and education, and the Ramakrishna Mission, which provides spiritual training. Vivekananda was also a major force in contemporary Hindu reform movements, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. He is regarded as a patriotic saint, and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.

Vivekananda attained Mahasamadhi while meditating at Belur Math on 4 July 1902.