Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) was a key Indian spiritual leader known for introducing Vedanta and Yoga to the West. Born Narendranath Datta in Kolkata, he showed deep intellectual curiosity and spiritual insight from a young age. Under the guidance of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he committed himself to teaching the principles of Hinduism and self-realisation. His influence grew after his famous speech at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago, promoting religious tolerance and unity. He emphasised that spirituality involves recognising one’s higher potential through meditation, defining Yoga as a holistic path to spiritual growth. Vivekananda’s teachings continue to inspire millions on their journeys toward inner peace and enlightenment.

Notable works by Swami Vivekananda:

Karma Yoga (1896)

Lectures from Colombo to Almora (1897)

Raja Yoga (1899)

Jnana Yoga (1899)

Bartaman Bharat (in Bengali) (March 1899)

The East and the West (1909)