Swami Vivekananda’s 120th death anniversary:

We pay our humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his death anniversary. Regarded as one of the finest spiritual leaders & intellectuals India has produced.

Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s most prolific spiritual leaders, was instrumental in introducing the Indian philosophies of Vedanta to the Western world.

He was named Narendra Nath Datta and was born in Kolkata on January 12, 1863. He was a devoted follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, an Indian saint whose ideologies influenced him. In 1887, he and other Ramakrishna Paramhansa disciples took formal sanyasa vows and renounced worldly pleasures. He founded the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission later in life.

In order to spread his message around the world, he traveled to the United States in 1893 to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He delivered a landmark speech that touched on universal acceptance, tolerance, and religion. He received a standing ovation for his speech, and the Art Institute of Chicago commemorated it with several rare photos and plaques bearing his quotes and signature.

On the 120th anniversary of his death, July 4, here are some of his inspirational quotes.

• “The greatest sin is to believe oneself to be weak.”
• “Take one concept and make it your life.” Consider it, dream about it, live on it, fill your brain, muscles, nerves, and every other part of your body with it, and ignore every other idea. This is the way to achieve success.”
• “While leading, be the servant. Be selfless. Success is yours if you have infinite patience.”