Puli Thevar

 Swami Vivekananda-Monk

After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna in August 1886 Swami Vivekananda became a monk in his life activities. Under the influence of his burning desire to know India better. He then went first to Varanasi. At first he met Swami Sadananda his first disciple. Then he met Pavhari Baba at of Gazipur. Also he visited other places of pilgrimage and historical places of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Mysore, Kerala, Madras and Hyderabad. He always thinking of political, cultural, spiritual events of Indian society. He met leading personalities and rulers. At Poona he stayed with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and also Maharaj Ajit Singh of Ketri. Maharaja of Mysore gave him support to visit other places of South India. Also visited Trivandrum and Kanya Kumari. He prostrated himself with great feeling before the image of Mother Kumari at the Kanya Kumari Temple. Then he swam across the sea to a roch off the south coast and sitting there for the whole night went into deep meditation. This is the important event in history records. Kanya Kumari Memorial Rock is a historical place of Tamilnadu. Tamilnadu Government arranged Tourist Place and shipping event there.

Swami Vivekananda also visited Rameswaram and Madurai. Then visited Madras in Alasinga Perumal Temple and arrived to America from this place. He visited America to attend the Parliament of Religions that was being held at Chicago. This was opened on 11 September 1893. The spacious hall of the Art Institute was packed with nearly 7000 people, representing the best culture of the country. On the platform every organized religion from all corners of the world had its representatives. Whole countries attended their culture speeches on the stage. The Swami had never addressed such a huge and distinguished gathering. He felt extremely nervous. When his turn came, he mentally bowed down to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning, and then began his address with the words, 'Sisters and Brothers of America'.Immediately, there was thunderous applause from the vast audience, and it lasted for full two minutes.'Seven thousand people rose to their feet as a tribute to something, they knew not what.' The appeal of his simple words of burning sincerity, his great personality, his bright countenance, and his orange robes was so great that next day the newspapers described him as the Greatest Figure in the Parliament of Religions. The Simple Monk with a begging bowl and became the man of the hour. 

All the subsequent speeches of Swami Vivekananda at the parliament were listed to the great respect and appreciation. Swami spoke of a religion that was peak also as deep as the ocean. Though Vivekananda provided him with opportunities of knowing the different aspects of western life and also the difference of Indian culture. He founded Vedanta Society at New York and defined culture events there. Also visited London for culture speeches for some days. Also visited Rome and other places of Italy. On 1897 January 15 he reached Colombo then return to India. Visited throughout India and explained his thoughts of culture movements. In Madras speech of Vivekananda,'My India, Arise! Where is your virtual force? In your Immortal Soul' Also five public lectures delivered by Swami at Madras for that time. Then Swami sailed to Calcutta for his native. Swami paid a touching tribute to his Guru:' If there has been anything achieved by me, by thoughts, or words, or deeds, if from my lips has ever fallen one word that has helped anyone in the world, Ilay no claim to it, it was his. ...If this nation wants to rise, take my word for it, it will have to rally round his name.' This is his desire to the nation. Then Swami Vivekananda journeyed with Sister Nivedita to the Holy shrine of Amarnath.

Swami Vivekananda Then visited Paris in the year 1900. On January 3, 1901 Swami stayed at Himalayan Ashrama. Return to Belur he stayed some weeks. On July 1902 he meditated from early morning. Then he went for a walk. In the evening he tired to his room and spent an hour in meditation. Then he lay down quietly and after some time took two deep breaths and passed into eternal rest. He was believed that the world shall know it is one with God. He was died but his soul around all of us. Memories of Vivekananda never gone. While National Youth Day in India is observed on his birth day 12, January the day he delivered his master speech at the Parliament Religions, and 11 September 1893 is Worlds Brotherhood Day in 2010. Vivekananda was the maker of Modern India.Vivekananda's influence increased 'Love for his country a thousand fold' Vivekananda influenced India's Independent movement. His writings inspired Independence activists such as Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bagha Jatin. 

Swami Vivekananda was a youth. He gathered youths for his life. 'Give me Thousand youths I will change Whole India'-Swami asked the nation. He was courage and confident about the native country. His words are true. His words are honest. His words are best. -Arise, Awake, Stop not Reach the End.