biography of swami vivekananda book review

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Guru to the World

The Life and Legacy of Vivekananda

Ruth Harris

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ISBN 9780674247475

Publication date: 10/18/2022

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From the Wolfson History Prize–winning author of The Man on Devil’s Island, the definitive biography of Vivekananda, the Indian monk who shaped the intellectual and spiritual history of both East and West.

Few thinkers have had so enduring an impact on both Eastern and Western life as Swami Vivekananda, the Indian monk who inspired the likes of Freud, Gandhi, and Tagore. Blending science, religion, and politics, Vivekananda introduced Westerners to yoga and the universalist school of Hinduism called Vedanta. His teachings fostered a more tolerant form of mainstream spirituality in Europe and North America and forever changed the Western relationship to meditation and spirituality.

Guru to the World traces Vivekananda’s transformation from son of a Calcutta-based attorney into saffron-robed ascetic. At the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, he fascinated audiences with teachings from Hinduism, Western esoteric spirituality, physics, and the sciences of the mind, in the process advocating a more inclusive conception of religion and expounding the evils of colonialism. Vivekananda won many disciples, most prominently the Irish activist Margaret Noble, who disseminated his ideas in the face of much disdain for the wisdom of a “subject race.” At home, he challenged the notion that religion was antithetical to nationalist goals, arguing that Hinduism was intimately connected with Indian identity.

Ruth Harris offers an arresting biography, showing how Vivekananda’s thought spawned a global anticolonial movement and became a touchstone of Hindu nationalist politics a century after his death. The iconic monk emerges as a counterargument to Orientalist critiques, which interpret East-West interactions as primarily instances of Western borrowing. As Vivekananda demonstrates, we must not underestimate Eastern agency in the global circulation of ideas.

This is a deeply researched and compellingly argued biography of Swami Vivekananda, one of the first Indian religious thinkers to become known in the west, and one of the makers of modern India. —Rana Mitter, BBC History Magazine

Guru to the World is a triumph of research and ambition, drawing connections between a dazzling array of philosophies, figures, languages, geographies and religions. —Abhimanyu Arni, Literary Review

This will be the standard biography of [Vivekananda] for years to come…Admirable. —Jon M. Sweeney, Spirituality & Practice

Vivekananda’s life was an embarrassment of epiphanies and contradictions, and Harris exhaustively uncovers all of them. —Pratinav Anil, History Today

Vivekananda was many things to many people: the first global religious celebrity, an apostle of Indian nationalism, a man whose message was heard, and heard differently, in salons as well as slums. It’s not just any biographer who can do justice to such a complex life. He’s fortunate to have found a perfect interpreter in Ruth Harris. —Benjamin Moser, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Sontag: Her Life and Work

In Ruth Harris’s vivid portrait of India’s Vivekananda, we discover a compelling story of interconnected lives—the guru, his disciple, the international followers, his own teacher—that sheds new light on religion, race, gender, colonialism, and nationalism. This impressive book introduces us to some important but half-forgotten cultural currents in the life of India, Europe, and America at the end of the nineteenth century. To understand contemporary India, we need to pay more attention to these currents, and Harris is a sure-footed guide. —Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

In Guru to the World , Ruth Harris gives us riveting accounts of both the Indian and the international sides of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most provocative personalities of the nineteenth century. The connections between tradition and modernity forged by him over a century ago continue to influence culture, politics, and religion worldwide. A brilliant read. —Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, author of An Aesthetic Education in the Era of Globalization

An inspired blend of religion, politics, and biography, Guru to the World takes a novel approach to the history of empire and cross-cultural encounters that foregrounds the workings of love, friendship, and faith. In the lives of Vivekananda and his associates, Ruth Harris delivers insight into topics ranging from yoga to anticolonial nationalism that should interest any readers curious to understand the workings of what might be called globalized culture. —Maya Jasanoff, author of The Dawn Watch

• Ruth Harris is the author of Lourdes and The Man on Devil’s Island , which won the Wolfson Prize and the National Jewish Book Award. She is Senior Research Fellow at All Soul’s College, University of Oxford, Fellow of the British Academy, and Professor of European History at the University of Oxford.

Book Details

• 6-1/8 x 9-1/4 inches
• Belknap Press

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Short Biography of Swami Vivekananda | Book Review | Asha Prasad |

Book Review of Biography of Swami Vivekananda

The biography written by Asha Prasad throws light on the life of Swami Vivekananda and his journey. She does not forget to give us some glimpse of the life of Swami ji guru Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa . As no one can reach one’s destined spot without the guidance of a Guru that’s even more true in the case of Swami ji. As he was the one who made him realize his true potential. Swami ji enjoyed his childhood in the same way as we all do but even then he stupefied others with strong his strong intellect and rational thinking.

Swami Vivekananda had gone through both luxuries and adversities in his life post his father’s death. He was well-educated but always found this western education insufficient to quench his thirst to meet GOD . He had even doubted on his guru at times but the love and belief showered on him cleared his doubts. He had attained Sanyasa at an age of 18 . He had a perpetual desire to meet GOD which led him to gain knowledge about every religion and religious texts. He never left the process of learning and took lesson from each event of life. At one point of time atheism enveloped his heart and mind, but he did overcome that phase.

He was so humble that he answered everyone’s queries and even compelled some to apologize who tried to take a dig at him. He journeyed the whole country to understand India and the different cultures and religions prevalent in the nation. He had an all-embracing nature, no matter who came to him, he greeted and conversed with same gratitude. When he decided to attend World Religion Forum, problem of funds, attaining membership, shortage of money during stay, extreme cold nothing could stop him. Every aspect of Swami Ji’s personality is well described in the book.

Even the western countries who were believer of Christianity were mesmerized by the oratorical skills and knowledge of his that they gave remembrance to him for giving speeches and offered him stay at their homes. Many people there, became disciples of his and accompanied him in all walks of his life.

But here we witness conspiracies against him even by his countrymen, a renown leader of Brahma Samaj out of jealousy with the American missionaries try to defense him and spread rumors about him. He believed in the capabilities of his Guru Brothers and disciples and gave them important responsibilities at different point of time. Back home after a long period of 4 years, he was heartedly welcome and received invitations from all parts of the country. He was totally engrossed in work and would never sit idle bit health deteriorated markedly and he has to take rest after some intervals of time. He knew that it is youth who can pull India out of all the adversities. It is facing and made constant efforts to make them realize their responsibilities towards their country.

He got the Belur Mutt up to give a boost to the organizational work and set various plans and rules for the Mutt and the brahmacharis who were expected to come there. He trained other Sanayasis to assist him in his propagational work, even the foreigners became his disciples and he took great care of them when they came to meet him.

Foreigners invited him to their home and took care of him but that does not mean he did not face any hardships. He did and it became a difficult task to collect money for work of poverty eradication in India. As death neared him, a new aspect of his personality came forward. Who yearned for his death and redemption gradually getting detached from his responsibilities by giving that to others.

During his last days, he realized his duties towards his mother and began to fulfill her wishes. Even after being an Advaita philosopher, he started to practice idol worship at times. He was such a person who did not became passive even on the day of his death. His biography teaches us many things through the different incidents of his life. Some of which are hard-work, determination, compassion, gratitude, getting above the boundations of caste, gender, religion, creed, status etc.

You may also read Book Review of I Too Had a Love Story’ by Ravinder Singh ,   Book Review of The Green Room by Nag Mani for better understanding of the books and their genuine reviews.

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What could be a better day than this to suggest, recommend and write about this collection – The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda published by Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata? Swami Vivekananda still, even after so many years since that historical and future-shaping speech at the assembly of religions in Chicago, finds himself as a leading figure who is idealised by the youths of the country who want to do something for others, something for the country they inhabit, something for the world. The collection, The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, comes in 8 volumes and each of these volumes contains writings, speeches, memoirs and letters spoken, written or noted by Swami Ji himself. And without a doubt, all these volumes are a must-read for any reader who wants to understand the philosophy of the monk who lived for the upliftment of others!

IN most of his works, Swami Ji talks about internal awareness, learning about oneself and talking to oneself to realise the internal strength. He writes about knowledge, belief, strength, meditation, nation-building, Hinduism, religion in general, spirituality and many other things that many other writers generally don’t deal with in their works. As a reader, most of the times, you will certainly be drawn to reading more and more, in a continuation, once you begin reading Vivekananda.

In brief, all those who want to begin reading Swami Vivekananda, and do it on his birth anniversary, you should begin reading him in a sequence – volume by volume and rather chapter by chapter – for at least first 3-4 volumes. After that, you should have an ideal position and then you can enjoy reading anything from anywhere when it comes to Swami Vivekananda. His writing is deep, almost enchanting and equally exciting because you cannot think about skipping any of the lines.

“The conception of God, therefore, is as essential and as fundamental a part of mind as is the idea of knowledge. Both are the outcome of the idea of freedom. There cannot be life, even in the plant, without the idea of freedom.” 

Vivekananda’s ideas were (and still continue to be) very important, revolutionary and, to a great extent, peculiar. I would like to invite the readers to read this collection of works by Swami Vivekananda and revel in the world of philosophy, a different kind of psychology and a very first of its kind spirituality. You can get the collection from Amazon India or get it from the bookstores near you.

Buy the collection online: Amazon India

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Vivekananda: A Biography

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Swami Vivekananda Books | A List of 28 Best Books

Are you looking for Swami Vivekananda Books? In this article, I list 28 books which are must-reads to understand the thoughts, ideals and philosophies of Swamiji.

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, public speaker , Vedanta philosopher and Yoga practitioner. He was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

He is best remembered as the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Math .

His speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 brought him International fame. It introduced the concept and philosophy to the Western World.

Named Narendra Nath Datta at birth by his aristocratic Bengali parents in Calcutta, he is considered a patriotic saint for propagating the message of Vedanta in the west through hundreds of speeches and lectures.

His works are still read by millions of followers even today. Some of his other books are Sangeet Kalpataru, Karma Yoga, and Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Raja Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy: An address before the Graduate Philosophical Society.

Table of Contents

1. complete works of swami vivekananda (9 vols.), 2. raja-yoga (1896), 3. karma yoga: the yoga of action (1896), 4. meditation and its methods, 5. jnana-yoga (1899), 6. teachings of swami vivekananda, 7. swami vivekananda on himself, 8. vedanta: voice of freedom, 9. lectures from colombo to almora, 10. lectures on bhagavad gita, 11. inspired talks by swami vivekananda, 12. letters of swami vivekananda, 13. my india: the india eternal, 14. powers of the mind, 15. chicago addresses, 16. my master, 17. essentials of hinduism, 18. living at the source, 19. my idea of education, 20. work and its secret, 21. steps to realisation, 22. to the youth of india, 23. pearls of wisdom, 24. women of india, 25. life after death, 26. the east and the west, 27. religion of love, 28. pathways to joy: the master vivekananda on the four yoga paths to god.

Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 vols.) is an exhaustive collection of Swami Vivekananda’s speeches and works.

It brings together his thoughts on Vedanta, philosophy, and human consciousness. His teachings in these volumes convey the core meaning of Vedanta philosophy in an easy-to-understand way.

This book, as the title suggests, is a book by Swami Vivekananda on Raja Yoga . It contains, for the most part, his interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

This book was written keeping his Western audience and reader in mind.

The book begins with a brief introduction to Yoga. It explains various techniques for practising basic Yoga exercises like Prânâyâma, Pratyâhâra, Dhyâna, Samâdhi etc.

The book also provides insights into developing concentration and the powers of practising Yoga.

Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda, as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin.

The main subject of the book is Karma (Work) and Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Vivekananda uses the concept of Karma as described in the Bhagavad Gita to explain his philosophy.

The final message is that work is worship and a path to enlightenment.

Meditation and Its Methods is divided into two sections:

• Meditation according to Yoga and
• Meditation according to Vedanta.

Vivekananda’s views on meditation are sprinkled throughout his “Complete Works”. These various views, thoughts, opinions, and lectures are compiled to make this book.

Jnana Yoga or The Yoga of Knowledge is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin. These lectures were delivered mostly in New York.

In this book, Vivekananda explains the knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita in a scientific manner.

According to him, knowledge is the ultimate goal. It is only knowledge which can give us freedom from Maya or illusion.

The book also touches upon other important Hindu philosophies like the atman , cosmos, immortality etc.

Jnana-Yoga , along with Karma-Yoga , Bhakti-Yoga , and Raja-Yoga , is a classic book on Hindu philosophy.

Teachings of Swami Vivekananda comprises a choice collection of his speeches, quotes, and teachings. These are categorised into 44 suitable sections.

This is a perfect book for a beginner reader looking to start Vivekananda’s books.

It is suitable for those who cannot make the time to go through his voluminous writings.

This book is a biography of Swami Vivekananda written in an autobiographical manner. It was first published in 1963.

The publishers have picked up excerpts from his various books and written them in the first-person voice.

The life and different incidents of Swami Vivekananda’s life have been documented in this book.

Vedanta: Voice of Freedom presents the spiritual wisdom of India as it has evolved over five thousand years. It does so in a clear, easy and concise form.

The book is a compilation of Vivekananda’s ideas on the subject of Vedanta. The ideas have been sourced from his various speeches and books.

After visiting the West, Vivekananda reached Colombo on 15 January 1897.

From there he proceeded to India and was received as a hero. He went around the country making speeches to thousands of people who were eager to hear him.

Lectures from Colombo to Almora is a collection of many of those speeches.

This book would be useful to people who are trying to understand the Gita.

“Lectures on the Bhagavad Gita” is an anthology of Vivekananda’s writings, opinions and comments on the sacred Hindu text.

The Bhagavad Gita was a lifelong companion of Swami Vivekananda and he used to carry one wherever he went.

All these lectures were delivered in 1900 and were recorded by Ida Ansell in shorthand.

In 1895, Vivekananda conducted a series of private lectures to groups of selected disciples. These lectures were recorded by one of the disciples, Sara Ellen Waldo (who was later known as Haridasi ).

Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda was first published in 1909 by The Ramakrishna Mission .

Letters of Swami Vivekananda is a close look at the personality and spirit of Swami Vivekananda as seen through his letters.

In this book, the reader gets a picture of Vivekananda that is untouched by any biographer.

The letters have been arranged in chronological order for the benefit of the reader. The letters show the plan of his work and the means he wanted to adopt for the fulfilment of his mission.

In the end, the book also has notes on the persons who are mentioned in these letters.

My India: The India Eternal talks about India’s past, its present and Vivekananda’s vision for its future.

Swami Vivekananda talks about the duties of India’s youth and the path they must follow to make India a great nation.

The book also includes his comments on education and religion.

This is a booklet but packs more information than other volumes written on the subject of mind.

It is a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles on January 8 th , 1900.

Powers of The Mind talks about the infinite possibilities and powers hidden within the human mind. It also explains how the powers of the mind can be unlocked using Yoga.

Swami Vivekananda attained global fame because of his speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Chicago Addresses contains those lectures delivered by him.

Through these speeches, Swamiji wished to impart the teachings of Vedanta to the world. The core theme of his lecture was – brotherhood and universal acceptance.

While in the West, Swami Vivekananda mostly talked about and preached the beauties of Vedanta. But on two occasions – in New York and England – he talked about his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa .

My Master contains both those lectures in which Swamiji discusses his Master’s life right from his birth in 1836 to his evolution from Gadadhar Chattopadhyay (Pre-monastic name of Ramakrishna) to Ramakrishna Paramhamsa .

This book is a detailed account of Hinduism.

It begins by describing the word ‘Hindu’ and goes on to discuss the various schools of thought in Hinduism.

It stresses upon the Vedanta Philosophy and the Advaita system. The book also talks about the various Hindu scriptures, Smritis and sects in Hinduism.

Swami Vivekananda discusses other deeper topics like the theory of creation, law of karma, aatma, mukti , idol worship, guru , divine incarnations and much more.

This book has many inspirational messages which have been selected from the various writings, speeches and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

The book is ideal for people seeking to live a spiritual life but are busy with their everyday material life.

Swami Vivekananda had many insightful and deep thoughts on education – a subject very close to his heart.

In My Idea of Education, he writes about the philosophy of education, the relationship between society and education, and The Teacher.

Swamiji presents some brilliant ideas on educating the masses and women – concepts which were far ahead of their times in India.

Swamiji also writes about the importance of practical experience, mother tongue and concentration.

The book ends with one of the main goals of a good education – Character Building.

Work and Its Secret is based on the speech by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles, California on January 4th, 1900.

In it, Swamiji talks about giving equal importance to both the means and the end while doing work.

He emphasises that the major reason for failure is a lack of attention while doing work.

Swamiji draws upon the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita to emphasise this point.

Steps to Realisation explains the secrets of self-realisation.

The book begins by explaining the concept of organs – the external organs i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth are mentioned as instruments and internal organs i.e., brain, and heart are considered as organs.

Swami Vivekananda explains the importance of shutting down the instruments to activate the organs –

“So in order to control the mind, we must first be able to control these organs. To restrain the mind from wandering outward or inward, and keep the organs in their respective centres” .

Other important concepts like Shama, Dama, Uparati, Titikshâ, Shraddhâ, Samâdhâna , and Mumukshutva which lead to self-realisation are also explained.

To the Youth of India is a collection of some of the rousing and inspiring lectures that Swami Vivekananda delivered to vast audiences in India and Sri Lanka after his rise to fame.

It has some of the best messages that can be given to the youth of India.

This book is recommended for all young minds and should be definitely read by girls and boys alike.

The content of this book is derived from “Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda” .

Pearls of Wisdom is a collection of all the quotes and thoughts by Swamiji, grouped into different themes like love, knowledge, leader etc.

These quotes have inspired many people over the years and will surely inspire many others in the future.

Women of India is based on the lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the Shakespeare Club House, in Pasadena, California, on January 18, 1900.

The content is focused on the position of women in Indian society.

Swamiji touches upon the glory and stature of Indian women and tries to clear some of the misunderstandings that Westerners might have about Indian women –

“Now, the ideal woman in India is the mother, the mother first, and the mother last.”

Swamiji also narrates the difference between the concept of women in the East and the West.

Perhaps no other subject has haunted the human mind, right from the hoary past, with such unerring consistency as the one regarding life and death.

Is man mortal or immortal? What is reincarnation? What happens when a man dies?

Every man is forced to ask these questions at some juncture in his life.

Life after Death by Swami Vivekananda provides brief but clear answers to these fundamental questions.

In The East and the West , Swami Vivekananda makes a comparative study of Eastern and Western cultures.

The book is divided into six chapters – Customs, Food and Cooking, Civilisation in Dress, Etiquette and Manners, France — Paris and Progress in Civilisation.

Religion of Love is based on a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in London on November 16, 1895.

Swamiji classifies love into 5 types –

• Shânta , a common, peaceful love, with such thoughts as those of fatherhood and help
• Dâsya , the ideal of service
• Vâtsalya , God as mother or child.
• Sakhya , God as a friend.
• Madhura , sweetest love, the love of husband and wife.

Pathways to Joy is a collection of 108 of the best teachings of Swami Vivekananda on Vedanta Philosophy.

Swamiji illustrates the four classical yoga paths – Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana .

The messages focus on the oneness of existence; the divinity of the soul; the truth in all religions; and unifying with the Divine within.

Invaluable and inspiring, the selections also explore karma, maya, rebirth, and other great revelations of Hinduism.

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Vivekananda: spirituality for leadership & success | book review.

Posted by: Editor2 January 12, 2022 in Books , English Leave a comment

Swami Vivekanand or Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta (shortened to Narendra or Naren) in Kolkata (then Calcutta). Since last few generation he is viewed as an inspiration, especially by Bharatiya (that is Indian) youth. His iconic speech in Chicago, his dedicated work and efforts to spread the “Ramakrishna Mission” are iconic and remarkable. His life is nothing less than a legend. He is known for his will power and incidents from his life are seen by the youth as as “life lessons”.

Pranay , an author from India (that is Bharat) has recently penned a few books in “ Spirituality for Leadership and Success ” series. In this series he represented his analysis and views for “how to learn Leadership lessons from various ancient Indian scriptures and lives of various prominent figures”. We found the concept interesting and with the hope that these book enlighten some of the interesting aspects of ancient Indian literature, we have started reading books from this series.

Here are quick links to his books in the same series we’ve reviewed so far.

• Hinduism: Spirituality for Leadership and Success
• GITA: Spirituality for Leadership and Success By Pranay
• BUDDHA: Spirituality for Leadership and Success By Pranay

Recently I got a chance to read another book in the series “ Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success ” by Pranay. Actually, this book review was planned to be published on some other date, but, what could have been better than the birthday of “Swami Vivekananda” (12 January) for the same?!

By the way, we are thankful to “Fingerprint! Publishing” for providing us the review copy. The views and reviews preseented here are uninfluenced and unbiased, as always.

This Is Here In For You

Book Cover:

Of course, we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But, the cover page is responsible for the first impression of the book. It also helps the book to stand out while put in display along with many other items. Without a doubt, an attractive cover page attracts potential readers towards it.

Let us take a look at the cover page of this book.

Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success | Book Cover

Like the other books in this series, this one also has a white background, reflecting the vastness and clarity – the spirituality – brings in.

The middle section holds an illustration of iconic pose of Swami Vivekananda surrounded by colorful artwork. It is really appealing and eye catcher. Definitely a well designed cover page that remains true to the book content.

The Book And My Views For The Same:

Usually, we talk about a book in two separate segment dedicated to the book content and our views and reviews distinctively. The nature of this book is quite different. So let us merge both these segments here.

I would love to start with a quote from the book, that summarizes the life of Swami Vivekananda, beautifully.

Vivekananda bridged the ancient and the modern, the East and the West. He was a spiritual warrior.

Leadership is all about attitude. While there are billions of people currently living on the planet, we remember only a few of them. Why? Because, they have made the impact. Consider how many people have lived on the earth during the last few hundred or thousands of years? And, yet, the list of people who made an impact on mankind and its history and “then future”, is small. If we remember Vivekananda even after this many years of his death, his life must have made an impact we cannot ignore right?

This feat could have been achieved by him with his leadership qualities.

In this book you find some practical rules of leadership that are reflected in the life events of Vivekananda.

Don’t Get Restricted by Ideologies His message is to expand our horizons, beyond ideologies or creeds. Fear blocks our energy! Infinity Is Your Inner Being. Faith is magical. It can make people move mountains. People May Not Be Happy with Visionaries! Without peace, success is very superficial. Do the Essential, Drop the Unessential. Welcome All Things. Realize Your Own Worthiness (Atma-Mulya). Give from Your Heart.

When you have a clear vision about your goal and the possible path you should take, it would be unlikely that you won’t achieve it. I remember reading incidents from Vivekananda’s life in my early childhood. The one thing that stuck with me is the incident reflecting his curiosity and clarity of thoughts at a very tender age. He was looking for someone who can guide him in life and his question was very specific, Have you met the God/Goddess? Can you make me meet him/her? And, he found his Guru – Ramkrishna Paramhans – whom he followed thoughout his life.

The book could have included more incidents belong to this Guru-Shishya duo and even from the life of Vivekananda. According to me, this is a downside of the book.

The following lines of the book reflects the impact of Vivekananda’s thoughts globally. As a matter of fact, this philanthropy drive is running in full-throttle.

The whole tradition of American philanthropy which was started by John D. Rockefeller, was actually influenced by Vivekananda. And following Rockefeller’s example, great American entrepreneurs such as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates continued the tradition of giving back their wealth for the good of humanity.

One very important reason why great world visionaries, leaders, and luminaries such as Jamsetji Tata, John D. Rockefeller, Emma Calve, Sarah Bernhardt, and others were deeply attracted to Swami Vivekananda was because he used to constantly tell people that his method is not about a particular “ideology” or a particular belief system.

The author, also didn’t forget to include quotes from other remarkable human beings ever walked on the earth.

In fact, Gautam Buddha also used to say that our consciousness shapes our world.

For those who are looking for leadership lessons, the author has mentioned them in just a couple of lines.

There are three essential power principles for leaders that Swami Vivekananda can teach us. The first is courage. The second is faith. And the third is strength.

And if you want to explore them in depth, with relevant references, you can find them spread over the book. Here I am quoting some of them:

Vivekananda used to emphasize the old Vedantic teaching that infinity (ananta) and endless power (asheshbal) are what comprise your inner being. And to know that truth is really to know yourself. Vivekananda talked about atomic theory in the pre-atomic age. He was so advanced in his thinking. Renowned figures such as Sarah Bernhardt, Emma Calve, J. D. Salinger, and others were great fans of his. Vivekananda used to say that the true person of spirituality is one who can welcome all circumstances within his or her life. One of Vivekananda’s most crucial teachings was to make people realize their own self-worth (atma-mulya).

In this book, the author tries to look up for the “leadership” qualities that lead to success from a spiritual perspective. Thus, discussion about consciousness and other abstract aspects is expected. The book talks about the “warrior” mentality to overcome the possible hurdles the life can bring form you.

The Mightier Warrior is in a Higher State of Consciousness. As Krishna tells Arjun, the true person of knowing is one who’s very way of walking, way of talking, way of functioning, changes. So too Vivekananda was trying to make people ‘know’ or be acquainted with their own higher self, which resides in the interior of their own existence.

And, while exploring the lessons, the author doesn’t shy away from using direct words.

Expand, Don’t Shrink. In fact, being creative is the art of expanding. Otherwise, we remain very superficial. We remain content with what we are and what we have.

The book also refers quote from other remarkable people like the founder of IBM, Thomas Watson Sr. and others. The author also knows that the life must have been taken seriously, as we get it to live once only, but, if we become serious in living it, we cannot enjoy our journey. And, Swami Vivekananda believed in the same as well.

Take Work as Play (Leela). Vivekananda strongly believed in the concept of leela which Krishna describes and exhibits through his divine avatar.

When you are caught by fear, the clarity of your vision would be affected and thus the decisions you take may not be the right ones. A leader cannot afford that. The following lines in the book can be used as guidelines during those circumstances.

People are always going past obstacles with a feeling of dread, or a feeling of fear within their hearts. It requires tremendous courage to give from the heart, but it is simply a question of adjustment in attitude. Most people spend too much time fighting with their own emotions and their own selves.

The above mentioned quotes must have given you a fair idea about the content of the book and its quality. To me, it is a book worth reading. Of course, you will miss some popular quotes from Vivekananda and you feel that many more incidents from his life could have been included here. It could have been a positive improvement in the book.

This book has a wide canvas, and what you learn from it, is strictly upon you. Rather than spending time watching/reading something meaningless, it is better to invest your most valuable asset, your time, reading such meaningful works. And if you are looking for only one sentence leadership lesson from Swami Vivekananda, just remember what he said:

Arise, Awake And Stop Not Till The Goal Is Reached.

Recently, there were some promotional offers going on for the Kindle edition of this book. So keep looking for such offers, and you may find it at a very competitive price.

A nice and enriching book that talks about spirituality and modern day management. Such books are not meant for time pass reading. You need to run a cycle to re-read and implement the thoughts in actions, to get the most of it. If you plan to do so, go for this book. It is a swift read.

ThinkerViews Rating:

Around 7 stars out of 10 .

Quick Purchase Links:

• Buy - Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success by Pranay - Paperback - Amazon IN
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• Buy - Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success by Pranay - Audiobook - Amazon IN
• Buy - Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success by Pranay - Kindle EBook - Amazon US
• Buy - Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership & Success by Pranay - Audiobook - Amazon US

Over To You:

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Tagged with: Books Fingerprint Publishing Inspirational Management Motivational Pranay Reviews Spiritual Views

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Vivekananda: A Biography Paperback – March 30, 2010

• Print length 392 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Advaita Ashrama, India
• Publication date March 30, 2010
• Dimensions 4.8 x 0.79 x 7.09 inches
• ISBN-10 8185301417
• ISBN-13 978-8185301419
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the author.

But the Swami's monumental work, for which he will ever be remembered, is The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna . This complete translation into English from the original Bengali of the Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita, as recorded by "M," has made the immortal words of this great prophet of the nineteenth century available to countless readers throughout the world. Aldous Huxley was pleased to write a foreword to The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna , and high praise was given to the book by such notable persons as Thomas Mann and Henry Miller. Time Magazine referred to The Gospel as "One of the world's most extraordinary religious documents."

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Advaita Ashrama, India; 24th re-print edition (March 30, 2010)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 392 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8185301417
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8185301419
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.8 x 0.79 x 7.09 inches
• Best Sellers Rank: #3,619,581 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books )

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‘Vivekananda’s views on justice, equality relevant’

India to become a developed country by 2047, says bihar guv.

Updated At: Jun 11, 2024 07:51 AM (IST)

VC SP Bansal honours Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Dharamsala on Monday.

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 10

The three-day national seminar organised by the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), on the topic ‘Modern Society-Direction and Challenges: Aspiring Responses from Swami Vivekananda’, was inaugurated by the Governor of Bihar, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

While speaking on the occasion, Arlekar shed light on the life of Swami Vivekananda and called him more of a social scientist than a social or political leader. He said Vivekananda stressed the importance of justice and equality in society and also highlighted the responsibilities of society towards the underprivileged sections.

“We did get political independence on 15th August, 1947, but the feeling of Swadeshi did not develop in us. Till the feeling of ‘self’ does not develop in us, independence has no meaning,” he added.

The chief guest said as a result of the new education policy, India would succeed in becoming a developed country by 2047 and he also emphasised on adopting indigenous systems.

While speaking on the importance of the seminar, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and the Chairman of the seminar, Sat Prakash Bansal, said there should be a sacred relationship between the teacher and the disciple, like there was between Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

The Vice-Chancellor said the CUHP is the first institute in the whole country where a Hindu Studies Centre has been established. “The UGC included this subject in the NET-JRF examination after our letter. Due to the new education policy, India is again on the path of becoming a Vishwaguru,” he added.

Dean (Academics) Prof Pardeep Kumar delivered a vote of thanks. Nivedita Bhide, Raj Kumar Bhatia, Prof Nagesh Thakur, Swami Divyasudhanand Maharaj, Prof ADN Vajpayee and Dr Girish Gaurav also presented their views.

About The Author

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

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#Bihar #Dharamsala

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