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Vivekananda: A Biography
Nikhilananda
4.34
493 ratings46 reviews
An absorbing biography of Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902) that presents his vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture, deep spiritual insight, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, and colorful personality. Swami Vivekananda, India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, proclaimed the universal message of Vedanta: the non-duality of the Godhead, the divinity of the soul, the oneness of existence, and the harmony of religions. This 256 page book details the life of Swami Vivekananda and contains 28 photographs, as well as, an appendix containing the Swami's most important teachings.
216 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1989
Book details & editions
992 people want to read
About the author
Swami Nikhilananda (1895–1973), born Dinesh Chandra Das Gupta was a direct disciple of Sri Sarada Devi. In 1933, he founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, a branch of Ramakrishna Mission, and remained its head until his death in 1973. An accomplished writer and thinker, Nikhilananda's greatest contribution was the translation of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita from Bengali into English, published under the title The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (1942).
Ashish Iyer
800 reviews531 followers
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July 6, 2022
I always wanted to read book on Swami Vivekananda. And Finally i read one now. I always had a bit of influence of him in my childhood days. There was a Ramakrishna Math near my home, I used to go with my parents and sometime with my neighbor (they were like family). I am so pleased that I read this biography, actually i wanted to read The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 volumes) then I thought why not read his biography then delve into deeper level and his philosophies.
Vivekananda was India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, went to represent the Sanatan Dharma. Author Nikhilananda lays it out very clearly how Vivekananda was, what was his life like and what was his belief system. Through this book one meets an extraordinary human being. Swamiji’s message of loving everyone inspite of what they do and how they behave are spiritually enlightening. This book is a must read not to know Swamiji better but because in this journey of knowing Swami Vivekananda better one will actually end up knowing themselves much better. This book is not just description of life events, but is also an intellectual, spiritual biography, as the author wonderfully traverses through the many moods and thought streams of Swamiji over time. Both the human and the super human side of Swamiji's personality comes alive all through the book.
This monk's 39 years of life, a life so full of blessedness, indomitable energy, vigor, sacrifice, vision and hard work. The life of Swamiji is a lofty scripture in itself and presents an ideal, along with his message that is awakening, refreshing, invigorating and inspiring at once.
If you are interested in reading in Hindi, look for न भूतो न भविष्यति by Narendra Kohli. Its a beautiful Hindi literature.
biography indian-author non-fiction
...more
31 likes
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Rucha
Author 1 book10 followers
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November 16, 2022
I cried when I finished reading this book. The way it is written, it was as though I was walking alongside Swami Vivekananda, my brother and friend, for his entire life up until he took his last breath.
We often think the life of a monk means experiencing never-ending bliss, a constant flow of peace, and an unbreakable stream of good fortune. This wasn’t the case in Swami Vivekananda’s life. There were many moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, as well as people who betrayed him and made him feel less than.
The thought even entered the mind of such a realized person of how he gave so much of himself and put in so much selfless work for other people, but all he received in return is botheration. When such a great personality can think such things, we should not be down on ourselves for those fleeting moments of selfishness.
One thing that was constant in his life was the work he endlessly gave for the upliftment of his countrymen, the poor and indigent, even when his physical body was deteriorating. He could never give up the idea of improving the circumstances of those around him. He worked tirelessly day and night for society.
He seemed to repeatedly say to his brother disciples when they would desire a life of solitude and to realize their own enlightenment, what is the point of reaching such a high state of consciousness, if you are not going to share what you have realized with others. His life was a testament to what can be achieved when the mind is pure, sharp, contemplative, and focused on the divine.
7 likes
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Ramakrishnan
19 reviews
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July 15, 2008
I have read this book from cover to cover about 5/6 times.
It is very hard to read this book without profusely crying (being an Indian that I am) just thinking about his super human accomplishments in the 1890's America with unbelievable odds working against him. Yet what he did on 911 (sep 11, 1893) in Chicago will be heard for centuries .. to inspire mankind of all faiths.
6 likes
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Ajay
241 reviews3 followers
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August 16, 2019
Great book on Swami Vivekananda. We need more of such people in this world.
3 likes
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Lucas Gialluisi
7 reviews1 follower
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April 4, 2014
One of the best biographies that i have read in these last years so far. A must read for those who wants to know about probably the first hindu leader coming from the oriental word to speak in the western world uniting both worlds. Vivekanda have reached this point in the Parliament of Religions hold in Chigago in the beginning of 1900.. As it says in the book we started his famous speech saying ``Sisters and brothers of America`` removing all sectarianisms behind the religions and praying for the union as ramakhrisna used to say..``All religions are ways to find god``. The book also contains a detailed insight about his relationship with western disciples and his trips along europe , america and finally his coming back for India in his last days before enter in a state of eternal samadhi. It also shows the appreciation of Vivekanda for Buddha , Jesus and other enlightened soul such as his two visits at Bodhi -Gaya and also a small trip to Rome where Swami Vivekananda shows a profound love of Christ in his earthy journey.
swamis-and-other-philosophers yoga
3 likes
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Dan Gheorghita
15 reviews5 followers
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December 26, 2020
It is indeed an interesting account on the life of the Swami.
Contentwise, it is a good book. Structurewise it is a bit messy. I'd ascribe the fact, perhaps, to the lack of skills of the writer. There is no chronology of time, but rather a mish-mash of happenings, so it's hard to follow the order of events ad the value that is communicated through them.
There is the feeling of the hand of the writer, his reverence for the Swami and India, too much perhaps, for in some moments the book is gaining the shape of idolatry and a mild propaganda. This should not happen in a biography, I'd say, where the language should be rather factual and direct, with much care to not alter or add anything.
In the end, I remain with the feeling that I must read perhaps another one or two biographies to really get to know the ife of the Swami. However, I could withdraw from the book a solid idea of what was the mind of this great Sannyasin.
3 likes
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Shalini Goyal
56 reviews48 followers
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October 31, 2022
Update 31st October 2022:
So I was rereading the book, and it so happened that I read it in Hindi this time around. Having already read the English version twice, I had some paragraphs imprinted in my memory. So when I couldn't find a particular paragraph in Hindi, I immediately compared the two versions and found a strange discrepancy. Attaching the two in the review, notice that the paragraph I have boxed in English version is missing in the Hindi one. (If there is a Bengali reading good Samaritan out there, could they please compare the Bengali version as well?)
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sporadicv...
2023-list biography tbr-again-2018
3 likes
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Pushpam Singh
Author 1 book21 followers
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August 27, 2013
This book is a beautiful portrayal of life of Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest monks of all times India has seen. Many of us know swami by name and by reference but not many of us know him by person. The stories of his childhood days and his adulthood discussed in this book opens up a new world of insight for us.
He was a great inspiration and a very difficult character to convince for anything. He wasn't easy going when it came to logic.
Another striking characteristic that comes out is the relation between him and Ramakrishna Paramhansa. It might be surprising for some and for some it is depiction of a different type of relationships.
Somewhere one can judge about the typical life of a person during those days.
This is the first book I read on greatest monk.
It is a must read.
2 likes
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Comment
Abhijeet Parihar
31 reviews2 followers
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May 20, 2019
What a great story and it very beautifully written. .
The most difficult part in spirituality is to be totally convinced that reaching god is possible or it is possible for oneself. This self-doubt is the biggest enemy for any seeker.
Turning away from this doubt will not help you but reading the life story of great spiritual giants such as Vivekananda will definitely help you understand that there were others just like you who had fears and doubts but still perceived and reached their goals.
Just a side note:
Read biographies to draw inspiration but never try to imitate someone else's life because it will only lead to confusion and depression.
2 likes
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Anugrah Nagaich
27 reviews7 followers
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June 29, 2012
The detailed biography of Swami Vivekananda, describing his life vividly.
I read it just for ascertaining the miracles/super-human abilities (rumored to be) associated with SwamiJi & found that most of the supposed rumors which I heard were actually true.
This can be thus very inspiring for people who are followers of Ramakrishna Mission as well as people who want to know about the person who en-lighted India's intellectual superiority & spread it across the globe by his extra-ordinary capabilities, way before the era of globlization or IIT's.
2 likes
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 46 reviews
Nikhilananda
4.34
493 ratings46 reviews
An absorbing biography of Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902) that presents his vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture, deep spiritual insight, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, and colorful personality. Swami Vivekananda, India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, proclaimed the universal message of Vedanta: the non-duality of the Godhead, the divinity of the soul, the oneness of existence, and the harmony of religions. This 256 page book details the life of Swami Vivekananda and contains 28 photographs, as well as, an appendix containing the Swami's most important teachings.
Publication date, 1 December 1953
216 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1989
Book details & editions
992 people want to read
About the author
Swami Nikhilananda (1895–1973), born Dinesh Chandra Das Gupta was a direct disciple of Sri Sarada Devi. In 1933, he founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, a branch of Ramakrishna Mission, and remained its head until his death in 1973. An accomplished writer and thinker, Nikhilananda's greatest contribution was the translation of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita from Bengali into English, published under the title The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (1942).
Ashish Iyer
800 reviews531 followers
Follow
July 6, 2022
I always wanted to read book on Swami Vivekananda. And Finally i read one now. I always had a bit of influence of him in my childhood days. There was a Ramakrishna Math near my home, I used to go with my parents and sometime with my neighbor (they were like family). I am so pleased that I read this biography, actually i wanted to read The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 volumes) then I thought why not read his biography then delve into deeper level and his philosophies.
Vivekananda was India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, went to represent the Sanatan Dharma. Author Nikhilananda lays it out very clearly how Vivekananda was, what was his life like and what was his belief system. Through this book one meets an extraordinary human being. Swamiji’s message of loving everyone inspite of what they do and how they behave are spiritually enlightening. This book is a must read not to know Swamiji better but because in this journey of knowing Swami Vivekananda better one will actually end up knowing themselves much better. This book is not just description of life events, but is also an intellectual, spiritual biography, as the author wonderfully traverses through the many moods and thought streams of Swamiji over time. Both the human and the super human side of Swamiji's personality comes alive all through the book.
This monk's 39 years of life, a life so full of blessedness, indomitable energy, vigor, sacrifice, vision and hard work. The life of Swamiji is a lofty scripture in itself and presents an ideal, along with his message that is awakening, refreshing, invigorating and inspiring at once.
If you are interested in reading in Hindi, look for न भूतो न भविष्यति by Narendra Kohli. Its a beautiful Hindi literature.
biography indian-author non-fiction
...more
31 likes
Like
Comment
Rucha
Author 1 book10 followers
Follow
November 16, 2022
I cried when I finished reading this book. The way it is written, it was as though I was walking alongside Swami Vivekananda, my brother and friend, for his entire life up until he took his last breath.
We often think the life of a monk means experiencing never-ending bliss, a constant flow of peace, and an unbreakable stream of good fortune. This wasn’t the case in Swami Vivekananda’s life. There were many moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, as well as people who betrayed him and made him feel less than.
The thought even entered the mind of such a realized person of how he gave so much of himself and put in so much selfless work for other people, but all he received in return is botheration. When such a great personality can think such things, we should not be down on ourselves for those fleeting moments of selfishness.
One thing that was constant in his life was the work he endlessly gave for the upliftment of his countrymen, the poor and indigent, even when his physical body was deteriorating. He could never give up the idea of improving the circumstances of those around him. He worked tirelessly day and night for society.
He seemed to repeatedly say to his brother disciples when they would desire a life of solitude and to realize their own enlightenment, what is the point of reaching such a high state of consciousness, if you are not going to share what you have realized with others. His life was a testament to what can be achieved when the mind is pure, sharp, contemplative, and focused on the divine.
7 likes
Like
Comment
Ramakrishnan
19 reviews
Follow
July 15, 2008
I have read this book from cover to cover about 5/6 times.
It is very hard to read this book without profusely crying (being an Indian that I am) just thinking about his super human accomplishments in the 1890's America with unbelievable odds working against him. Yet what he did on 911 (sep 11, 1893) in Chicago will be heard for centuries .. to inspire mankind of all faiths.
6 likes
Like
Comment
Ajay
241 reviews3 followers
Follow
August 16, 2019
Great book on Swami Vivekananda. We need more of such people in this world.
3 likes
Like
Comment
Lucas Gialluisi
7 reviews1 follower
Follow
April 4, 2014
One of the best biographies that i have read in these last years so far. A must read for those who wants to know about probably the first hindu leader coming from the oriental word to speak in the western world uniting both worlds. Vivekanda have reached this point in the Parliament of Religions hold in Chigago in the beginning of 1900.. As it says in the book we started his famous speech saying ``Sisters and brothers of America`` removing all sectarianisms behind the religions and praying for the union as ramakhrisna used to say..``All religions are ways to find god``. The book also contains a detailed insight about his relationship with western disciples and his trips along europe , america and finally his coming back for India in his last days before enter in a state of eternal samadhi. It also shows the appreciation of Vivekanda for Buddha , Jesus and other enlightened soul such as his two visits at Bodhi -Gaya and also a small trip to Rome where Swami Vivekananda shows a profound love of Christ in his earthy journey.
swamis-and-other-philosophers yoga
3 likes
Like
Comment
Dan Gheorghita
15 reviews5 followers
Follow
December 26, 2020
It is indeed an interesting account on the life of the Swami.
Contentwise, it is a good book. Structurewise it is a bit messy. I'd ascribe the fact, perhaps, to the lack of skills of the writer. There is no chronology of time, but rather a mish-mash of happenings, so it's hard to follow the order of events ad the value that is communicated through them.
There is the feeling of the hand of the writer, his reverence for the Swami and India, too much perhaps, for in some moments the book is gaining the shape of idolatry and a mild propaganda. This should not happen in a biography, I'd say, where the language should be rather factual and direct, with much care to not alter or add anything.
In the end, I remain with the feeling that I must read perhaps another one or two biographies to really get to know the ife of the Swami. However, I could withdraw from the book a solid idea of what was the mind of this great Sannyasin.
3 likes
Like
Comment
Shalini Goyal
56 reviews48 followers
Follow
October 31, 2022
Update 31st October 2022:
So I was rereading the book, and it so happened that I read it in Hindi this time around. Having already read the English version twice, I had some paragraphs imprinted in my memory. So when I couldn't find a particular paragraph in Hindi, I immediately compared the two versions and found a strange discrepancy. Attaching the two in the review, notice that the paragraph I have boxed in English version is missing in the Hindi one. (If there is a Bengali reading good Samaritan out there, could they please compare the Bengali version as well?)
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sporadicv...
2023-list biography tbr-again-2018
3 likes
Like
Comment
Pushpam Singh
Author 1 book21 followers
Follow
August 27, 2013
This book is a beautiful portrayal of life of Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest monks of all times India has seen. Many of us know swami by name and by reference but not many of us know him by person. The stories of his childhood days and his adulthood discussed in this book opens up a new world of insight for us.
He was a great inspiration and a very difficult character to convince for anything. He wasn't easy going when it came to logic.
Another striking characteristic that comes out is the relation between him and Ramakrishna Paramhansa. It might be surprising for some and for some it is depiction of a different type of relationships.
Somewhere one can judge about the typical life of a person during those days.
This is the first book I read on greatest monk.
It is a must read.
2 likes
Like
Comment
Abhijeet Parihar
31 reviews2 followers
Follow
May 20, 2019
What a great story and it very beautifully written. .
The most difficult part in spirituality is to be totally convinced that reaching god is possible or it is possible for oneself. This self-doubt is the biggest enemy for any seeker.
Turning away from this doubt will not help you but reading the life story of great spiritual giants such as Vivekananda will definitely help you understand that there were others just like you who had fears and doubts but still perceived and reached their goals.
Just a side note:
Read biographies to draw inspiration but never try to imitate someone else's life because it will only lead to confusion and depression.
2 likes
Like
Comment
Anugrah Nagaich
27 reviews7 followers
Follow
June 29, 2012
The detailed biography of Swami Vivekananda, describing his life vividly.
I read it just for ascertaining the miracles/super-human abilities (rumored to be) associated with SwamiJi & found that most of the supposed rumors which I heard were actually true.
This can be thus very inspiring for people who are followers of Ramakrishna Mission as well as people who want to know about the person who en-lighted India's intellectual superiority & spread it across the globe by his extra-ordinary capabilities, way before the era of globlization or IIT's.
2 likes
Like
Comment
Displaying 1 - 10 of 46 reviews
====
From other countries
meera yadav
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended.
Reviewed in India on 23 September 2022
Verified Purchase
Speechless. Must read book.
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NP
5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase
Reviewed in Canada on 30 November 2020
Verified Purchase
This was purchased for my dad who really enjoyed reading this book
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J'aime Lire
5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring reading
Reviewed in the United States on 3 April 2014
Verified Purchase
Very well written. I have learned a lot about this very humble, spiritually advanced human being. The Vedas and Hindu Scriptures explained in a way easy to grasp. I am so grateful to have bump into this fine book. India made a great advanced being in Vivekananda. If you want to learn about a man who worked like a... horse no more than that ... elephant.... more than that... for the cause of bridging East and West spiritually, for the uplifting of the human race into its own "nature", this book will inspire you. He made a colossal contribution to humanity. I recommend this book AND what he wrote during his stay on this planet.
10 people found this helpful
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vipul chitalia
5.0 out of 5 stars Book for the spiritual seeker
Reviewed in the United States on 14 May 2021
Verified Purchase
A must read book for the spiritual seeker. Some of the original letters from Vivekananda are shared in the book verbatim. Inspiring read.
One person found this helpful
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RADHAKRISHNA SHENVI
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on 1 June 2017
Verified Purchase
Book is good
One person found this helpful
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Varun
4.0 out of 5 stars Good if you are interested in his life
Reviewed in the United States on 28 September 2015
Verified Purchase
Read it if you want to know more about Swami's life. Book doesn't consists of his teachings and great lectures.
3 people found this helpful
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Ramakrishnan Krishnan
5.0 out of 5 stars A must book for every citizen from India. Certainly ...
Reviewed in the United States on 15 March 2018
Verified Purchase
A must book for every citizen from India. Certainly inspiring for any one who is embarking on a spiritual journey and loves to know India.
Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote: If you want to learn about India, read Swami Vivekananda's biography. He is an embodiment of India"
2 people found this helpful
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mdw 7htn7g6yyyyyy6yyyyyyuyyuuuuyyyyy
5.0 out of 5 stars This book transcends religious and ethnic boundaries
Reviewed in the United States on 3 July 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a biography of - call him what you may- the leader of exposition of a universal religion and inherent divinity of all mankind, a saint, a realised soul, or a peerless intellect, and transcends religious and ethnic boundaries. Clearly the author, seems to have been a realised soul himself and hence the inferences have great depth. This book has the potential to change lives, and help advance a sincere aspirant in search of the Truth.
6 people found this helpful
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Mukher
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration
Reviewed in the United States on 4 September 2020
Verified Purchase
Great biography by a Swami about the peerless Swami Vivekananda
If you are truly seeking some answers about life, give this book a try.
One person found this helpful
=======
VIVEKANANDA: A Biography
1953, by Swami Nikhilananda
Trustee of the Estate of Swami Vivekananda
----
PREFACE
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade
of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.
In America Vivekananda's mission was the interpretation of India's spiritual culture, especially in its Vedãntic setting. He also tried to enrich the religious consciousness of the Americans through the rational and humanistic teachings of the Vedãnta philosophy. In America he became India's spiritual ambassador and pleaded eloquently for better understanding between India and the New World in order to create a healthy synthesis of East and West, of religion and science.
In his own motherland Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness. To the Hindus he preached the ideal of a strength-giving and man-making religion. Service to man as the visible manifestation of the Godhead was the special form of wor¬ship he advocated for the Indians, devoted as they were to the rituals and myths of their ancient faith. Many political leaders of India have publicly acknowl¬edged their indebtedness to Swami Vivekananda.
The Swami's mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedãntic Oneness of existence. A mystic of the highest order, Vive-kananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soul-stirring language of poetry.
The natural tendency of Vivekananda's mind, like that of his Master, Rama-krishna, was to soar above the world and forget itself in contemplation of the Absolute. But another part of his personality bled at the sight of human suffer¬ing in East and West alike. It might appear that his mind seldom found a point of rest in its oscillation between contemplation of God and service to man. Be that as it may, he chose, in obedience to a higher call, service to man as his mission on earth; and this choice has endeared him to people in the West, Americans in particular.
V
vi Preface
In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities—and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering—he left for posterity his four classics: Jn21na-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and R5ja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises On Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers.who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami's native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world.
Swami Vivekananda once spoke of himself as a "condensed India." His life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the "paragon of Vedntists." Max Muller and Paul Deussen, the famous Orientalists of the nineteenth century, held him in genuine respect and affection. "His words," writes Romain Rolland, "are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!"
NIKHILANANDA
Ram akrishna-Vivekananda Center
New York
January 5, 1953