136. Reading Skills Comprehension: Swami Vivekananda

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Read the following Passage and answer the following Questions:-

Swami Vivekananda is known for his inspiring speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions at Chicago on 11 September 1893, where he introduced Hindu philosophy to the West. But this was not the only contribution of the saint. He revealed the true foundations of India’s unity as a nation. He taught how a nation with such a vast diversity can be bound together by a feeling of humanity and brotherhood. Vivekananda emphasized the points of drawbacks of western culture and the contribution of India to overcome those. Freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose once said: “Swamiji harmonized the East and the West, religion and science, past and present. Our countrymen have gained unprecedented self-respect, self-reliance and self-assertion from his teachings.” Vivekananda was successful in constructing a virtual bridge between the culture of the East and the West. He interpreted the Hindu scriptures, philosophy and the way of life to the Western people. He made them realize that in spite of poverty and backwardness, India had a great contribution to make to the world culture. He played a key role in ending India’s cultural isolation from the rest of the world.

 He has also associated with Brahmo Movement led by Keshab Chandra Sen, for some time. He also questioned the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion. During this spiritual crisis, Vivekananda first heard about Sri Ramakrishna from William Hastings, the Principal of the Scottish Church College.

One day in November 1881, Vivekananda went to Kali Temple in Dakshineshwar where Sri Ramakrishna was staying. He straightaway asked Sri Ramakrishna: “Sir, have you seen God ?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied: “Yes, I have. I see Him as clearly as I see you, only in a much deeper sense.” Vivekananda was astonished by Ramakrishna’s reply. He was also surprised to see a common simple man saying that “God can be seen”.

 Apart from removing doubts from the mind of Narendra, Sri Ramakrishna won him over through his pure, unselfish love. Vivekananda started visiting Dakshineshwar frequently and a relationship of “Master and disciple” developed between the two.          

(a) Where did Swami Vivekananda showcase India to the world?

(b) What was the highlight of his address?

 (c) What have Indians gained from his teachings?

(d) How did freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose appreciate Swami Vivekanand (e) What was Swami Vivekanand successful in creating?

 (f) What did Swami Vivekanand try to question?

(g) How was Sri Ramakrishna able to win over Swami Vivekanand?

(h) What kind of relationship did the two share?

Answers :

(a) He showcased India to the world at the Parliament of the World’s Religions at Chicago.

 (b) He introduced Hindu philosophy to the West.

(c) Indians have gained the wisdom of binding its vast diversity by a feeling of humanity and brotherhood.

 (d) Netaji appreciated Swami Vivekananda’s influence by praising his teachings which harmonized the East and the West, religion and science, past and present.

(e) Swami Vivekananda was successful in constructing a virtual bridge between the culture of the East and the West.

(f) He questioned the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion.

(g) Sri Ramakrishna won Vivekananda over through his pure, unselfish love.

 (h) They shared a relationship of “Master and disciple”.

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