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• Swami Vivakanand was a Hindu monk who proclaimed in
America the greatness of Hinduism and of Indian culture.
• He was the first Indian saint to take the divine knowledge
of Indian scriptures to the western world.
• He is best known for his inspiring speech beginning with
"Sisters and Brothers of America "through which he
introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of world’s
religions at Chicago in 1893
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•Swami Vivakananda was born on January 12th 1863 in
Calcutta to Vishwanath Datta and Bhuwneshwari Devi.
•His childhood name was Narendra.
•Narendra was very lively and naughty. He was a natural
fearless leader of the children’s in the neighborhood.
•He practiced meditation from childhood and had great
respect for Sanyasis or ascetics.
• He would give away anything to anybody if asked for.
Once on his birthday he gave away his new clothes.
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• By 1880, Narendra joined college.
• His thirst for knowledge had no
limitation.
• He would read not only the course books
but also anything he found in the library.
• As Narendra advanced in his studies, he
had several questions about God’s
creation and his very own existence.
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• As young Narendra was growing up,
his curiosity was also growing by
leaps and bound to know about
God, so he would ask every scholar
about God.
• Someone suggested him to meet
Ramkrishna who was a priest at the
Kali temple in Dakshineshwar. The
meeting turned out to be a turning
point in Narendra’s life.
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After couple of meetings, Narendra asked Ramakrishna,
Narendra: “Have you seen God?”
Sri Ramakrishna : “Of course I have. I have seen him just as I am
looking at you.”
Narendra : “Will you show me?”
Sri Ramakrishna: “Why not? Let the right time come. I will show
you God! To meet God, you will have to give up all your desires
and surrender to God Almighty.”
Narendra accepted Sri Ramakrishana as his Guru.
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In 1884, Narendra’s father passed away and poverty hit the
family. To take care of his family’s financial needs, he accepted
teaching profession. Despite this difficult time, he never forgot
to meet his Guru regularly.
Sri Ramkrishana transferred all his spiritual knowledge and
power to Narendra before leaving his mortal body and asked to
use this knowledge for the service of the mankind. At this time
Narendra was only 22 years of age and became Swami
Vivekananda.
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• There was a conference of religions in Chicago on 11
September 1893.
• Thousands of delegates and scholars from different parts of
world had gathered at the conference.
• A young Hindu monk from India was also amongst them.
• Looking at his age, all other delegates were assuming that he is
immature and inexperienced.
• He was not even getting a chance to speak.
• At last, this young Hindu monk got a chance to speak.
• He began by addressing his audience as “ Brothers and Sisters
of America----” and what a wonder!!!.There Was a thunderous
applause, it lasted full 3 minutes!!!.
.
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The audience loved the affectionate and respectful way with
which had addressed them. He won their hearts with his
opening line.
He then explained to them the meaning of God according to
Hinduism. In his speech he said "people born in different
religion finely reach same God, as all rivers finally reach the
sea”. The delegates ,everyone of them praised his speech very
much.
Newspapers published his photograph and speech. And he
become a famous Hindu monk in one night.
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•After the parliament speech, he stayed in America giving talks on
Hindu philosophy. Americans started getting very interested in
learning more about India and its traditions. He started Vedanta
Society in NY.
•After America, Swamiji went to Europe, where he was invited to
give talks at many places.
•He spent almost 4 years in America and England giving lectures in
different universities and kindled westerns interest in Hinduism.
•During this time, he spent many sleepless nights remembering
his countrymen stricken with poverty and returned back to India.
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Swami Vivekananda returned to India in 1897. By now, people across the
country had heard so much about his lectures in America and Europe that they
were waiting for his triumphant return to his motherland.
He made them all feel proud of the great heritage of India. He inspired his
followers to dedicate themselves to God-Realization and the service to
humanity. He delivered a series of lectures in India and this set of lectures is
known as “Colombo to Almora”
He emphasized the importance of service. For the service of mankind he
established Ramakrishna Mission. The Mission conducts extensive work in
health care, disaster relief, rural management, tribal welfare, elementary and
higher education and culture.
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Swami Vivekananda spent the rest of his life in preaching
the message of spirituality and universal goodwill. He
inspired the thinking of many national and international
leaders.
He is regarded as India’s foremost national-builders. After
the relentless effort for his mission on 4th July 1902 at the
age of 39, Vivekananda breathed his last breath and
attained eternal bliss.
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The Vivekananda rock memorial is dedicated to one of the
greatest spiritual philosophers of India, Swami Vivekananda.
Vivekananda came to Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu on
24.2.1892 before his departure for Chicago to participate in
the World Religious Conference in 1893. He sat on this rock
for two days in meditation and later became a powerful
spiritual leader and philosopher.
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•What was the childhood name of Vivakananda?
•Where was he born?
•What was the name of his Guru?
•At what age he got the honor of Swami ?
•Why did he come to USA?
•How many years he spent in America and Europe ?
•Why did he establish Ramkrishna Mission?
•Where is Vivakananda memorial?
•Why that particular rock was chosen to build Vivakananda
Memorial?
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Please show this movie after presentation
http://www.kidsgen.com/swami_vivekananda/
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• “Great Person Celebration” for their parents, where they will present projects
about a great person of their choice including posters, dioramas, and
booklets. In addition each student can choose a “great person” they knew
personally (such as a grandparent, parent, or coach) and draw a portrait of
that person. They can write an essay describing the achievements and inner
qualities of their chosen person. Coordinator will run the show, that include
singing bhajan, shloka recitation, student presentations and potluck lunch.
• Ask Kids to write one or two paragraph “What they liked most about Swami
Vivkananda”