Hi Guys,

I hadn't realized that we are already 10 days into the new year. Days seem to fly past you. Tomorrow is the 12th of January and it is indeed an important date in the history of India. A hero was born on this day who inspired and continues to inspire thousands and thousands of people to realize the innate Divinity in one and all. He was the first true ambassador of India who represented our country on the world stage. He is none other than Swami Vivekananda.

Born as Narendranath Dutta on Jan 12, 1863, Naren was brilliant in school and college. But he had the strange quest for God. He did not believe in superstition and was always rational in his thinking. He always had two distinct visions in his dreams. He saw himself as a very successful and wealthy man with all the comforts in life and in the other case he saw himself as a wandering monk. He chose the latter and India will be ever grateful to him for that. His quest for God led him to Sri Ramakrishna. The love between the Guru and the disciple blossomed slowly but steadily. The disciple did not commit to Sri Ramakrishna like others did. He tested him and after being convinced of Master's Divinity gave himself wholeheartedly to Sri Ramakrishna and his Mission. He was a scholar par excellence and was a pillar of strength and courage to all the fellow disciples of the Master. He took over as their guardian after the Master's death. To understand the problems of the people and the country he traveled the length and breadth of the country. He realized that India was a spiritual Giant and had to be shaken from a dormant stage. He also understood that we were deeply struck in poverty and illiteracy, and spirituality would make no sense to hungry mouths. On Divine command , he set forth to the land of opportunity which represented the fanfare,vanity and richness in opulence. He worked extremely hard during his 2 year stay in USA & UK. He lectured on the ancient Vedantic Philosophy and set up centers of excellence in both the countries. He initiated many monks who are continuing the great legacy.

With the money he had earned by his lectures he started the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Ashram independently. The former is the service wing of the organization while the latter being the spiritual. This tireless work had adverse affects on his health and he could only survive for 39 years. Millions of people have been benefited by the works of Ramakrishna Mission. He inspired people to aspire for God. He inspired people to aim for the true freedom. All great leaders of 20th century were truly inspired by him.

I want to end this post by a quote from Swami Vivekananda.
" It may be that I shall find it good to get outside my body-to cast it off like a worn out garment. But I shall not cease to work. I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God."
"May I be born again and again and suffer thousands of miseries, so that I may worship the only God that exists, the only God I believe in, the sum total of all souls."
Swami Vivekananda suffered and sacrificed his whole life for the mankind. Let us all try to follow his teachings and improve ourselves as better human beings.

Signing off for now,
Krishna