Puli Thevar

 Swami Vivekananda [Narendranath, Naren]

Swamy Vivekananda was the great Hindu Monk in history records. Hindu religious events mostly identified by Vivekananda all over the world. Chicago Conference and speeches of Vivekananda was the top most identification of India and Indian Culture. Vivekananda or Narendranath Datta or simply Naren was born on 1836 January 12 Monday. His father Viswanath Datta his mother Bhuvaneswari Devi. He was born in Calcutta. The Datta family was rich, respectable and renowned for charity, learning and strong spirit of Independence. Narendranath's grandfather Durgacharan Datta was well versed in Persian and Sanskrit and was skilled in law. But after the birth of his son Viswanath he renounced the world and became a monk. He was then 25 years old. Viswanath Datta was an Attorney at law in the Calcutta High Court. He also enjoyed the study of the Bible and of the Hindu Scripts in Sanskrit. Viswanath was rationalistic and progressive in outlook in matters religious and social, owing perhaps to the influence of western culture. Bhuvaneswari Devi was an accomplished lady with a legal bearing. She was deeply religious. Before the birth of Narendranath she had daughters. Narendranath was was born some time afters.

In his early childhood Narendranath was rather restless and given to much fun and frolic. But at the same time he had a great attraction for spiritual matters and would play at worshipping or meditating on the images of Rama, Sita, Siva etc. The stories of the Ramayana, Mahabharatha which his mother told him, left an indelible impression on is mind. Traits such as courage and sympathy for poor and attraction towards wandering monks appeared spontaneously in him. Even in childhood he demanded convincing arguments for every proposition. With these qualities of head and heart he grew into a vigorous youth. As a youth his leonine beauty was matched by his courage. He had the build of an athlete a resonant voice and a brilliant intellect. He distinguished himself in athletics, philosophy, music and among his colleagues was was the undisputed leader. At college he studied and absorbed western thought. and this implanted a spirit of critical inquiry in his mind. He was the student of Presidency College he studied western logic and western philosophy. In 1881 he passed Fine Arts Examination and completed Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1884. Also his inborn tendency towards spirituality and his respect for ancient religious traditions. 

After his life he involved religious moments. Narendranath met prominent religious leaders but could not get a convincing answer them to his questions about the existence of God. This only accentuated his spiritual restlessness. In this situation he knew about a saint lived at Dakshineswar just outside Calcutta. His cousin Ramachandra Datta induced him to visit the saint. Thus came about, in 1881 the historic meeting of these great souls, the prophet of Modern India and the carrier of his message. Narendranath asked: Sir, have you seen God? Sri Ramakrishna answered his question in the affirmative: 'Yes I have seen Him just as I see you here, only more intensely.'At last here was one who could assure him for his own experience that God Existed. His doubt was dispelled. The disciples training had begun. While Sri Ramakrishna tested him in so many ways Narendranath in turn tested Sri Ramakrishna in order to ascertain the truth of his spiritual ascertains. At one stage after the passing of his father in 1884 his family suffered many troubles and privations.  At the suggestion of his Master, Narendranath tried to pray to Mother Kali at Dakshineswar for the alleviation of the family's distress. He found however that although his need was for wealth, he could pray only for knowledge and Devotion. 

Gradually Narendranath surrendered him self to the master. And Sri Ramakrishna with infinite patience, calmed the rebellious spirit of his young disciple and led him forth from doubt to certainty and from anguish to spiritual bliss. But more than Sri Ramakrishna's spiritual guidance and support. With Ramakrishna's illness and his removal to Cossipore on the outskirts of Calcutta for treatment began Narendranath's final training to his Guru. It was a time remarkable for the intense spiritual fire which burned within him and which expressed itself through various intense practices.The master utilized the opportunity to bring his young disciples under the leadership of Narendra. And when Narendra asked that he might be blessed with Nirvikalpa Samathi-highest spiritual experience. Three or four days before his Maha Samadhi, Sri Ramakrishna transmitted to Narendranath his own power and told him: 'By the force of the power transmitted by me, great things will be done by you, only after that will you go to whence you came. After the passing away of the Master in August 1886, many of the young disciples gathered together in an old dilapidated house at Baranagore under the leadership of Narendranath. 

From the guidance of his Guru, Narendranath became a monk and identified by the world as Great Leader and also Monk to the whole world. See his achievements after his life.