Vivekananda: A Biography [Paperback]

Swami Nikhilananda (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0911206256 | ISBN-13: 978-0911206258 | Publication Date: June 1989

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

His whole life and teaching inspired my generation . . . . he brought his great spirituality to bear upon his patriotism and thus his message was not confined to India only, but was for the whole world. I pay my homage to his memory. -- Jawaharlal Nehru

His words 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! -- Romain Rolland, author and Nobel Laureate

My homage and respect to the very revered memory of Swami Vivekananda . . . .after having gone through [his works], the love that I had for my country became a thousandfold. -- Mahatma Gandhi

Swami Nikhilananda's [biography] is an extremely helpful interpretation to the West of the life and wisdom of a key figure in the religious culture of the East by a responsible scholar thoroughly at home in both cultures. -- Irwin Edman, Columbia University

The man [Vivekananda] is simply a wonder for oratorical power . . . the Swami is an honor to humanity. -- William James

[Vivekananda is] one of the very greatest historical figures that India has ever produced. When one sees the full range of his mind, one is astounded. -- Christopher Isherwood, author

From the Publisher

Swami Vivekananda, India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, came to represent the religions of India at the World's Parliament of Religions, held at Chicago in connection with the World's Fair (Columbian Exposition) of 1893. His message of the unity of humankind and harmony of religions was embraced by the public and press of the time as representing the essence of the Parliament. The Swami wished to create a bridge between the East and the West by bringing to America the gift of India's ancient spirituality, in exchange for the scientific and industrial outlook of the West. After four years of traveling and teaching in America and Europe, the Swami returned to India, where he is revered as a "Patriot Saint." The government of India has declared his birthday a national holiday. In 1976 on the occasion of the American Bicentennial, Swami Vivekananda was honored by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery as one who came to America from abroad during the past 200 years and made a significant impact on its spiritual development.

Upon his return to India, Swami Vivekananda founded The Ramakrishna Order of India in the name of his teacher, Sri Ramakrishna, who is regarded as the Prophet of Harmony of Religions. The Order is the pre-eminent religious organization of modern India. More than 1000 monks of the Order serve throughout the world. While in the West the work is mainly in the form of conducting worship, teaching, writing and lecturing, in India the Order is widely known for its vast charitable activities -- running hospitals and schools, rural uplift, and extensive relief work in times of emergency. The Swamis of the Order work tirelessly in the spirit of "Service of God in Man," regarding the service of all people as a veritable form of worship.

The Centers of the Order in America, often referred to by such names as Ramakrishna or Vivekananda Centers, or Vedanta Societies, were first organized by Swami Vivekananda for the propagation of the Swami's teachings. Today there are Centers in many of America's major cities, including New York, Boston, Providence, Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, and Hollywood. Because of their belief in the underlying truth of all religions, the Centers of the Ramakrishna Order are at the forefront of the Interfaith Movement. (Publisher's comments written by Swami Adiswarananda, Spiritual Leader, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York).

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Ramakrishna Vivekanada Center (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911206256
• ISBN-13: 978-0911206258
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating..., July 29, 2002

By 

Vasudevan Srinivasan "vasya" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vivekananda: A Biography (Paperback)

This is the first biography I owned and at the end of reading, left a feeling that is a combination of optimism, enthusiasm and a fire in the belly to accomplish something in life.

Swami Vivekananda, a Saint/Patriot of India is an amazing personality. He is kind of a super-man, with exceptional oratorial skills, unfailing memory, with a mind stretching to the limits and with a heart of gold. There are hatha-yogis, bhakti yogis and raja yogis etc. But Vivekananda is all in one. Above all he seems to be a perfect Karma yogi - which is very difficult to be.

The book starts with his early days of attachment to Western thinking, then suddenly shifts to narrating the life of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Then when the meeting of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda happens - it is the one of the most exciting part of his life and a turning point in Indian history too. Every important part of his life is neatly depicted - his wanderings throughout India, his journey to America, the famous speech in Chicago and his subsequent journeys to the rest of the world. I tried to find the building where the PoR was held in 1893, but I could not. I was told it was turned into "Field Museum", but its Museum Director didnot know when I enquired about it.

I expected the book to contain the original text of his first speech, but it doesnot. This book does not have many photographs too. Anyway reading Vivekananda's life, one is sure to catch his optimism, enthusiasm and purpose of life and indeed think about reforming oneself.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book on Vivekananda...., December 20, 2005

By 

Siva Balan "Cosmic Consciousness" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vivekananda: A Biography (Paperback)

This biography on Vivekananda captivates the reader immensely. It starts of in the early life of this remarkable soul and ends with a few priceless sayings of this colossal figure. This book also contains a glossary on Sanskrit words for the uninitiated reader.

Surprisingly, this book contains no chapters. But this should not put the reader off. The sub-headings in this book makes this work an easy read but the lack of photographs is a minor shortcoming. However, Vivekananda's life is a remarkable one and this should captivate the reader deeply.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Soul - Great Biography, October 16, 2010

By 

Mr. Richard Pettinger - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vivekananda: A Biography (Paperback)

Vivekananda was a real trail blazer. An unorthodox monk, who sought to offer real spirituality to both East and West. The author manages to convey the dynamism and enthusiasm of Vivekananda as he learns under his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna and then begins his own mission in India and the West.

Vivekananda had a huge heart, I love the stories of his disdain the Indian caste system and belief in the oneness of humanity. My only complaint, the book is too short! You feel there were many more great stories of Vivekananda which never made it it.

But, it is the kind of book you can re-read again. The biography of Vivekananda will inspire you to want to do something good with your life.