Swami Vivekananda (The Master Builder of Our Nation)

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HIS MISSION - SERVICE TO THE NATION

It was at Kanyakumari, that he vowed to dedicate himself to the service of India, particularly to the service of her starving, oppressed outcaste millions. His wanderings in the country had transformed him from a spiritual aspirant into a patriotic monk in whose religion, upliftment of the masses formed an integral part. It was at Kanyakumari that the full import of the great mission bequeathed to him by his master became clear to him.

 

WITH THE RAJA OF RAMAND

On his return from Kanyakumari, he met the Raja of Ramnad, Bhaskara Setupathi, who became one of his ardent admires and later, an enthusiastic helper, who strongly urged him to participate in the Parliament of Religions to be convened at Chicago from where he could spread India's message of strength and glory to all corners of the world.

 

VIVEKANANDA DISCOVERED

Swamiji came to Madras after a brief halt at Pondicherry. It was in Madras that the great Swamiji was "discovered" His strong build, the fiery glow in his beautiful eyes, the charisma of his most handsome face, his fluent and flawless English, frank and intelligent ideas that he expressed, his happy blending of monkhood with the most modern scientific approach, the intensity of his love for the masses, the crystal clear sincerity of purpose coupled with unblemished patriotic fervor, all added to create a personality which enchanted and attracted the youth of Madras to him. He became their hero. It was in Madras again that Swamiji first expressed publicly his desire to participate in the World Parliament of Religions. His friends and admirers of Madras headed by Alasinga Perumal (Who later became one of Swamiji's closest friends and disciples) lost no time in collecting the requisite money, mostly from his well-wisher from the middle class of the society, to meet his expenses to go abroad to participate in the Parliament of Religions. Both the Raja of Ramnad and the Maharaja of Khetri helped him in the endeavor. It was at this time that he took to donning his famous ochre-colored coat and turban and assumed the new world-renowned name - Swami Vivekananda.

 

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