Page 5 - NIS English September 2020 16-30
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Culture
Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech
Swami Vivekananda:
A youth icon
The famous ‘Chicago speech’ of Swami
Vivekananda, which he delivered on
September 11, 1893 is still relevant. In
his speech, Swami Vivekananda touched
upon the fact that though people may
follow different religions, yet all paths
eventually lead to the same God
wami Vivekananda – same God. lectures at various places of
the name symbolizes Vivekananda said in his repute during his visit to the
Scourage, energy and speech, “I am proud to belong country.
enthusiasm. Millions of to a religion which has taught After coming back to
people have been influenced the world both tolerance and India, he worked for youth
by his thoughts and persona. universal acceptance. We with his teachings for an all
His oratory and words shake believe not only in universal encompassing society.
people out of their passive toleration, but we accept There was a vision for India
approach towards life. With his all religions as true.” His and its youth in the mind of
September 11, 1893 speech Swami Vivekananda when
in Chicago, the saint achieved BORN: JANUARY 12, 1863 he said play football before
global recognition as it has DIED: JULY 4, 1902 reading Srimad Bhagwadgita.
changed the course of debate He further said that a man is
on many issues. Swami complete understanding not poor without a rupee, but
Vivekananda introduced of various philosophical a man is really poor without
Hinduism, its tradition and facets of his motherland a dream and ambition. You
Indian civilization to the West. reflected in that historic are the creator of your own
His speech that began speech of the disciple of Shri destiny. Swami Vivekananda
with “Sisters and Brothers of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. founded the Ramakrishna
America” got him a standing He also presented a paper on Math, a monastic order based
ovation at the Parliament of Hinduism at the conference on his guru – Ramakrishna
the World Religions. In his and talked at length about Paramhansa – teachings
speech, Swami Vivekananda religious unity. Swami in Kolkata and a worldwide
touched upon the fact that Vivekananda’s teachings and spiritual movement known
though people may follow his style of oratory captured as the Ramakrishna Mission
different religions, yet all the imagination of America based on the ancient Hindu
paths eventually lead to the and he was invited to deliver philosophy of Vedanta. n
New India Samachar 3
