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Swami Vivekananda
The Universal Man - 6
Swami Vivekananda Arrives In
America
Swami Vivekananda began to plan for his visit to America, and on 31st May 1893
he set sails for that far off land; the ochre robed sadhu planning to conquer
the scientific reason of West with Vedantic intuition of the East.
Simple in life style, unknown of exact dates of the Parliament, Swami
Vivekananda reached Chicago much ahead of the commencement of the Parliament. He
had no letter or credentials from any society or organization; he was not aware
what religion he would represent at the Parliament, and most importantly he was
short of money. In the Chicago Science Fare he was impressed by the advances
America had made in the field of science and technology in comparison to which
India was poor, very backward, as far as the material progress was concerned.
The glamour, the innovative application of electricity, telephone,
communication, applied aspects of physics for the welfare and comfort of the
masses, all filled his heart with amazement and excitement. He used to think:
Oh, how much India needs to learn and acquire!
Soon Swami Vivekananda started feeling the shortage of money, and thus he was
forced to retreat to nearby Boston where life was somewhat easier and less
costly. Here he got acquainted with one Professor John Wright of Harvard
University. This professor was highly learned man, holding prestigious and
privileged position in the social circle. During his talks and discussion with
the Hindu monk, the professor realized the uniqueness of Swami Vivekananda; he
realized that this sannyasin is no common man; he is very highly intellectual
and spiritual soul. Thus, he arranged for the admission of Swami Vivekananda to
the Chicago World Parliament Of Religions, gave him enough money, and letters of
references for his comfortable and unobtrusive stay in Chicago.
After troublesome arrival at Chicago station, as it happened, one Mrs. George W.
Hale invited the Swami to her house and gave orders to servants that he should
be taken to a room and attended to in every way. She promised the Swami that
after he had had his breakfast she herself would accompany him to the venue of
the Parliament of Religions. The Swami was grateful beyond words. Mrs. George W.
Hale, her husband, and children became his warmest friends. With Hale he called
on the officers of the Parliament, gave his credentials, and was accepted as a
delegate. He felt with the passing of each moment that the Parliament of
Religions would be the great test, the crucial experience for him. He passed his
time in prayer, in meditation, and in earnest longing that he might be made the
true instrument of the Lord, the true spokesman of Hinduism, the true bearer of
Sri Ramakrishna's message. He became acquainted with many distinguished persons
who were to attend the Parliament. In this grand circle of ecclesiastics he
moved as one lost in rapture and prayer. He had no personal feelings in the
matter save as related to the carrying out the mission entrusted to him by his
Master.
At The Parliament Of Religions: 11th To 27th Of September 1893
Initially anxious, for the Swami had never spoken on public platform before, the
swami went on postponing his turn on the day one of the Parliament: 11th
September 1893. However, towards the end of the day, the swami rose to speak,
and instantly became the celebrity, as we all know.
(1) 11th September 1893: 'Response To Welcome' Address
Swami Vivekananda addressed the august assembly of seven thousand people
starting with the words: "Sisters and Brothers of America..." and the whole of
audience went into inexplicable rapture with standing ovation and clapping that
lasted for more than three minutes. What Swami Vivekananda spoke came from the
inmost depth of his illumined soul, from his conviction and deep spiritual
insight. This explains why his common words -'Sisters and Brothers of America'-
created an unprecedented spontaneous spiritual upsurge of emotion in the minds
of the audience of seven thousand members and raised them to their feet.
He continued, "I thank you in the
name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of
mother of religions; I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu
people of all classes and sects".
The lord says in Gita, "Whosoever
comes to Me; through whatever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through
paths which in the end lead to Me."
"I fervently hope that the bell that
tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all
fanaticism, of all of persecution with the sword or with the pen."
(2) 19th September: Paper on Hinduism
"...Just as the law of gravitation existed before its discovery, and would exist
if all humanity forgot it, so is it with the laws that govern the spiritual
world. The moral, ethical, and spiritual relation between soul and soul and
between individual spirit and Father of all spirits, were there before their
discovery, and would remain even if we forgot them."
"...Allow me to call you; brethren,
by that sweet name-heirs of immortal bliss-yea, the Hindu refuses to call you
sinners. Ye are the children of God, the sharers of immortal bliss, holy and
perfect beings. Ye divinities on earth-sinners! It is a sin to call a man so; it
is standing libel on human nature..."
(3) 27th September 1893: Address at the Final Session
"If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world it is this: It
ahs proved to the world that holiness, purity, and charity are not the exclusive
possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men
and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if
anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction
of others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that
upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance:
"Help and not Fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction," "Harmony and Peace and
not Dissension."
In USA After The Parliament
The unification of the world through the progress of science and technology,
communication and commerce necessitated parallel spread of culture and religious
ideas. To fulfill this global mission, Swami Vivekananda reached America in the
year 1893. After his astounding success at the Chicago Parliament of Religions,
he decided to stay in America to spread the message of Vedanta. His power to
enthrall the audience, his eloquence, and his depth of spiritual knowledge
automatically attracted many agencies and bureaus to invite him for a nationwide
lecture series. Accordingly, for nearly one year, he traveled, toured, and
lectured in various cities in big and small states of America.
Towards the end of 1894, Swamiji was 'tired and disgusted with the fame he had
acquired, and felt that the interest he had awakened was not what he wanted; to
his mind it was too superficial.' The Swami wanted earnest minded young people
to take interest in his teachings of Vedanta. Therefore in the month of January
1895, the Swami established himself in a lodging in the city of New York at 54
West, 33rd Street. Here he held classes for the aspirants according to his
choice of time and the topic, and free of cost.
… Continued
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