UNIT-4

EXCERPTS FROM SWAMI

VIVEKANAND'S ADDRESS AT THE
WORLD'S PARLIAMENT OF
RELIGIONS CHICAGO, 11 SEPTEMBER
1893
Members of the
group 
Greeshma Govind Kamath
Sri Varsha 
 Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda; Bengali (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta , was an
Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic
Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is
credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world
religion. Born into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha  family in Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined from a
young age towards religion and spirituality. After the of his Guru ,Ramakrishna, Vivekananda extensively
toured the Indian Subcontinent  , acquiring first-hand knowledge of the living conditions of Indian people
in then British India. Moved by their plight, he resolved to help his countrymen and found a way to travel
to the United States, where he became a popular figure after the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago,
in which he began his famous speech with the words: Sisters and brothers of America... before
introducing Hinduism to Americans. He was so impactful at the Parliament that an American newspaper
described him as "an orator by divine right and undoubtedly the greatest figure at the Parliament". In
1871, at the age of eight, Narendranath enrolled at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Metrpolitan Institution,
where he went to school until his family moved to Raipur in 1877.In 1879, after his family's return to
Calcutta, he was the only student to receive first-division marks in the Presidency College entrance
examination. Swami Vivekananda was one of the most influential philosopher and social reformers in the
contemporary India and the most successful missionaries of Vedanta in the Western World.  His legacy
also continues in his contributions to Neo-Vedanta,  Indian Nationalism and many other admirable
changes.  
Some of his
literary
contributions 
Although Vivekananda was a powerful orator and writer in Bengali , he was not a thorough
scholar . Hence, most of his works consist his lectures in various places . Raja Yoga , one of his
main works consists of talks he delivered in New York .
Bartaman Bharat meaning "Present Day India" is an erudite Bengali language essay written by
him, which was first published in the March 1899 issue of Udbodhan, the only Bengali
language magazine of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. The essay was reprinted
as a book in 1905 and later compiled into the fourth volume of The Complete Works of Swami
Vivekananda. In this essay his refrain to the readers was to honour and treat every Indian as a
brother irrespective of whether he was born poor or in lower caste.  
          Sangeet Kalpatru (1887, with Vaishnav Charan Basak)
          Karma Yoga(1896)
          Vedanta Philosophy: lectures on jnana Yoga  (1902) Vedanta Society, New York
          Lectures from Colombo to Alomora (1897)
           My Master (1901), The Baker and Taylor Company, New York
           Vedânta philosophy: lectures on Jnâna Yoga (1902) Vedânta Society, New York
            Jnana yoga (1899)
Published posthumously
Published after his death (1902)
Addresses on Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga
The East and the West (1909)
Inspired Talks (1909)
Narada Bhakti Sutras – translation
Para Bhakti or Supreme Devotion
Practical Vedanta
Speeches and writings of Swami Vivekananda; a comprehensive collection
Complete Works: a collection of his writings, lectures and discourses in a set of nine
volumes
Seeing Beyond the Circle (2005)
Introduction
The Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago , as part of the World's Columbian
Exposition. On this day, Vivekananda gave a brief speech representing India and Hinduism. He was initially nervous, bowed to
Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) and began his speech with "Sisters and brothers of America!". At these words, Vivekananda
received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd of seven thousand. According to Sailendra Nath Dhar, when silence was
restored he began his address, greeting the youngest of the nations on behalf of "the most ancient order of monks in the world, the Vedic
order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance". Vivekananda quoted two
illustrative passages from the "Shiva Mahimna Stotram": "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle
their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take, through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked
or straight, all lead to Thee!" and "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths
that in the end lead to Me." According to Sailendra Nath Dhar, "it was only a short speech, but it voiced the spirit of the Parliament."
Parliament President John Henry Barrows said, "India, the Mother of religions was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the Orange-monk
who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors". Vivekananda attracted widespread attention in the press, which called
him the "cyclonic monk from India". The New York Critique wrote, "He is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its
picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave
them". The New York Herald noted, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him
we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation". American newspapers reported Vivekananda as "the greatest figure
in the parliament of religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the parliament". The Boston Evening Transcript  reported
that Vivekananda was "a great favourite at the parliament... if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded". He spoke several more
times"at receptions, the scientific section, and private homes" on topics related to Hinduism, Buddhsim and harmony among religions
until the parliament ended on 27 September 1893. Vivekananda's speeches at the Parliament had the common theme of universality,
emphasising religious tolerance. He soon became known as a "handsome oriental" and made a huge impression as an orator.
Continuation.............
Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have
given to us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the
name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu
people of all classes and sects.
My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient,
have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands
the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and
universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance, but we accept all religions as true. I
am proud to belong to a nation which has shelter the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all
nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of
Israelites, who came to southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy
temple was shattered to pieces by roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has
sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian Nation. I will quote you, brethren, a
few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earlier boyhood, which is everyday
repeated by millions of human beings: As the different streams having their sources in different places
all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different parts which men take through different
tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee . 
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a
vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preach in the Gita:
"Whosever comes to Me, through whatsoever from, I reach him; all men are struggling through
paths which in the end lead to me". Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, and
fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the Earth with violence,
drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nation to
despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than
it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor
of this convention may be the death – knell of fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with
the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same world. 
Summary

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda went to the United States and joined the Parliament of
the World's Religions as a delegate of Hinduism and India, which ran from 11 to 27
September in that year in Chicago. This event also marked the first world conference
of the representatives of Eastern and Western religions. After his introductory speech
to the Parliament of religions on 11 September 1893, which was of a general nature
stating no religion was superior or inferior to the other, his subsequent lectures were
on 15th, 19, 20 and 26 September were on specific issues of religion.
Theme
TO SERVE MAN IS TO SERVE GOD
In the history of mankind, there have been rare instances where the introductory words spoken by a
person have electrified the whole audience as much as Swami Vivekananda’s groundbreaking speech
to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions.  Beginning with the words “Sisters and Brothers of
America”, the speech managed to eliminate the difference between Swamiji’s status as a person
belonging to a different nation and religion.
It also made the people realise that they were in the audience of someone who could show them the
path of universal brotherhood. In today's times, Swamiji’s speech serves as a beacon light and a
‘source of truth’ for the nation and the leaders to help them implement strategies, formulate policies
and take corrective steps to bring their citizenry together, in order to help build bridges with other
nations.
The speech by Swamiji has also been often referred to by leaders from across the globe in
present times to remind the people of the values which Swamiji’s speech stood for and are
the most critical in today’s times that are compassion, brotherhood, tolerance, acceptance.
While we see the whole world living in the throes of sectarianism, fanaticism and
persecution; there has never been a better time to turn towards Swamiji’s speech and really
focus on the key values highlighted therein to make this world a better place. Across the
globe, we have countries fighting each other (externally) and their population divided over
caste, creed and colour.
Swamiji, in his speech, emphasised on the two vital requirements for world peace -
brotherhood and universal acceptance; and it would not be an exaggeration if we state that
these are what the world needs to make it a better place to live.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Mr. Vinay
for the opportunity to present the
essay of Swami Vivekananda. I
would also like to thank my
fellow classmates for allowing us
to present this amazing
presentation.
Reference 

VIBGYOR-II
Wikipedia
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