RAMAKRISHNA MATH

& MISSION

CONTENTSSR. NO

TOPIC

PAGE NO.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

LIFE HISTORY

RAMAKRISHNA MATH

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

HISTORY

OVERVIEW

ADMINISTRATION

MOTTO AND PRINCIPLES

10

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

11

INSTITUTIONS

10

12

BRANCHES

11

13

EMBLEM

11

14

ACTIVITIES

11

15

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

13

16

CONCLUSION

14

17

BIBLIOGRAPHY

16

INTRODUCTION-1
Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 - July 4, 1902) is one of the most inspiring
personalities of India, who did a lot to make India a better place to live in. within a short
span of time, he achieved a lot and went a long way in serving humans. He was the
principal disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. It is Swami Vivekananda who can be
attributed the credit for laying the foundation for the establishment of Ramakrishna
mission and math that are actively involved in carrying out philanthropic works. The
national day that is celebrated on the 12th of January every year is dedicated to Swami
Vivekananda, as it is on this day that this impressive personality was born. His influence
led to the introduction of Vedanta philosophy in America and England. His efforts were
acknowledged even by the noted Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash
Chandra Bose. Subhash Chandra Bose called him "the maker of modern India".
According to Gandhiji, it was the influence of Swami Vivekananda that his love for his
country increased thousand fold. He deserves a major credit for giving the nation a
modern vision. His influence led to the introduction of Vedanta philosophy in America
and England.

LIFE HISTORYBirth and childhood-2

Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta (shortened to Narendra or Naren) at his ancestral
home at 3 Gourmohan Mukherjee Street in Calcutta, the capital of British India, on 12 January
1863 during the Makar Sankranti festival. He belonged to a traditional Bengali Kayastha family
and was one of nine siblings. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was an attorney at the Calcutta High
Court. Durgacharan Datta, Narendra's grandfather, was a Sanskrit and Persian scholar who left
his family and became a monk at age twenty-five. Narendra's mother, Bhuvaneswari Devi, was a
devout housewife. The progressive, rational attitude of Narendra's father and the religious
temperament of his mother helped shape his thinking and personality.

Education-3
1 http://www.studymode.com/essays/Swami-Vivekanand-Life-551376.html (17/04/2014, 6:04 pm)
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivekananda (16/04/2014, 3:52pm)
3 Id at 2
3

In 1871 Narendra enrolled at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Metropolitan Institution, where he

studied until his family moved to Raipur in 1877. Narendra was an avid reader and was
interested in a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, religion, history, social science, art
and literature. He was also interested in Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, the Upanishads,
the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Narendra was trained in
Indian classical music, and regularly participated in physical exercise, sports and organised
activities. Narendra studied Western logic, Western philosophy and European history at the
General Assembly's Institution. In 1881 he passed the Fine Arts examination, and completed a
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1884. Narendra studied the works of David Hume, Immanuel Kant,
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Baruch Spinoza, Georg W. F. Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Auguste
Comte, John Stuart Mill and Charles Darwin. He became fascinated with the evolutionism of
Herbert Spencer and corresponded with him

With Sri Ramakrishna-4

At the threshold of youth Narendra had to pass through a period of spiritual crisis when he was
assailed by doubts about the existence of God. It was at that time he first heard about Sri
Ramakrishna from one of his English professors at college.

Travels-5
In 1888, Narendra left the monastery as a Parivrjaka the Hindu religious life of a wandering
monk, "without fixed abode, without ties, independent and strangers wherever they go". His sole
possessions were a kamandalu (water pot), staff and his two favourite books: the Bhagavad Gita
and The Imitation of Christ. Narendra travelled extensively in India for five years, visiting
centres of learning and acquainting himself with diverse religious traditions and social patterns.
He developed sympathy for the suffering and poverty of the people, and resolved to uplift the
nation. Living primarily on bhiksha (alms), Narendra travelled on foot and by railway (with
tickets bought by admirers). During his travels he met, and stayed with Indians from all religions
and walks of life: scholars, dewans, rajas, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, paraiyars (low-caste
workers) and government officials.

Difficult situations-6
After a few years two events took place which caused Narendra considerable distress. One was
the sudden death of his father in 1884. This left the family penniless, and Narendra had to bear
4 http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm (17/04/2014, 9:43am)
5 supra note 2
6 Supra note 4
4

the burden of supporting his mother, brothers and sisters. The second event was the illness of Sri
Ramakrishna which was diagnosed to be cancer of the throat.

Discovery of real India-7

During his travels all over India, Swami Vivekananda was deeply moved to see the appalling
poverty and backwardness of the masses. He was the first religious leader in India to understand
and openly declare that the real cause of Indias downfall was the neglect of the masses. The
immediate need was to provide food and other bare necessities of life to the hungry millions. For
this they should be taught improved methods of agriculture, village industries, etc. It was in this
context that Vivekananda grasped the crux of the problem of poverty in India.

Last daysIn June 1899 he went to the West on a second visit. This time he spent most of his time in the
West coast of USA. After delivering many lectures there, he returned to Belur Math in December
1900. The rest of his life was spent in India, inspiring and guiding people, both monastic and lay.
Incessant work, especially giving lectures and inspiring people, told upon Swamijis health. His
health deteriorated and the end came quietly on the night of 4 July 1902.8
According to his disciples, Vivekananda attained mahasamdhi; the rupture of a blood vessel in
his brain was reported as a possible cause of death. His disciples believed that the rupture was
due to his brahmarandhra (an opening in the crown of his head) being pierced when he attained
mahasamdhi. Vivekananda fulfilled his prophecy that he would not live forty years.9

RAMAKRISHNA MATH-10

7 Supra note 4
8 Supra note 4
9 Supra note 2
10 http://www.belurmath.org/ (17/04/2014, 5:20 pm)
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RAMAKRISHNA MATH is a monastic organization for men brought into existence by Sri
Ramakrishna (1836-1886), the great 19th century saint of Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet
of the Modern Age.

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION-11
RAMAKRISHNA MISSION is a registered society in which monks of Ramakrishna Math and
lay devotees cooperate in conducting various types of social service mainly in India. It was
founded by Sri Ramakrishna's chief apostle, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of the
foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age, who is regarded as 'one of the main
molders of the modern world', in the words of an eminent Western scholar A. L. Basham.

HISTORY-12
Ramakrishna Mission was founded in the year 1897 in the name of Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa, by his illustrious disciple Swami Vivekananda.13
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (18361886), regarded as a 19th-century saint, was the founder of
the Ramakrishna Order of monks and is regarded as the spiritual founder of the Ramakrishna
Movement. Ramakrishna was a priest in the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and attracted several
monastic and householder disciples. Narendranath Dutta, who later became Vivekananda was
one of the chief monastic disciples. Shortly before his death in 1886, Ramakrishna gave the
ochre cloths to his young disciples, who were planning to become renunciates. Ramakrishna
entrusted the care of these young boys to Vivekananda. After Ramakrishna's death, the young
disciples of Ramakrishna gathered and practised spiritual disciplines. They took informal
monastic vows on a night which to their pleasant surprise turned out to be the Christmas Eve in
1886.
After the death of Ramakrishna in 1886, the monastic disciples formed the first Math
(monastery) at Baranagore. Later Vivekananda became a wandering monk and in 1893 he was a
delegate at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions. His speech there, beginning with
"Sisters and brothers of America" became famous and brought him widespread recognition.
Vivekananda went on lecture tours and held private discourses on Hinduism and spirituality. He
11 Id at 10
12 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna_Mission (19/04/2014, 3:22 pm)
13 http://www.rkmissionvijayawada.org/history.htm (18/04/2014, 4:18 pm)
6

also founded the first Vedanta Society in the United States at New York. He returned to India in
1897 and founded the Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897.Though he was a Hindu monk and
was hailed as the first Hindu missionary in modern times, he exhorted his followers to be true to
their faith but respect all religions of the world as his guru Ramakrishna had taught that all
religions are pathways to God. One such example is his exhortion "to become like Jesus Christ"
and that one can be born in a church but he or she should not die in a church meaning that one
should realise the spiritual truths for themselves and not stop at blindly believing in doctrines
taught to them. The same year, famine relief was started at Sargachi by Swami Akhandananda, a
direct disciple of Ramakrishna. Swami Brahmananda, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna was
appointed as the first president of the Order. After the death of Vivekananda in 1902, Sarada
Devi, the spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna, played an important role as the advisory head of
a nascent monastic organisation. Gayatri Spivak writes that Sarada Devi "performed her role
with tact and wisdom, always remaining in the background.

OVERVIEW-14
The Math and the Mission are the two key organisations that direct the work of the socioreligious Ramakrishna movement influenced by 19th-century saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
and shaped by his chief disciple Vivekananda. Also referred to as the Ramakrishna Order, the
Math is the movement's monastic organisation. Founded by Ramakrishna in 1886, the Math
primarily focuses on spiritual training and the propagation of the movement's teachings.
The Mission, founded by Vivekananda in 1897, is an humanitarian organisation which carries out
medical, relief and educational programs. Both the organisations have headquarters at the Belur
Math. The Mission acquired a legal status when it was registered in 1909 under Act XXI of 1860.
Its management is vested in a Governing Body. Though the Mission with its branches is a
distinct legal entity, it is closely related to the Math. The elected trustees of the Math also serve
as Mission's Governing Body. Vedanta Societies comprise the American arm of the Movement
and work more in purely spiritual field rather than social welfare.

ADMINISTRATION-15
The Ramakrishna Math is administered by democratically elected Board of Trustees. From
amongst themselves the Trustees elect President, Vice-Presidents, general secretary, Assistant
Secretaries and Treasurer. For the confirmation of the election of the President, Vice-Presidents
and the general secretary, the opinion of monks of twenty years standing is sought and taken.
14 Supra note 12
15 Supra note 12
7

The Ramakrishna Mission is administered by a Governing Body, which is composed of the

Trustees of Ramakrishna Math. The headquarters of Ramakrishna Math at Belur (popularly
known as Belur Math) serves also as the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. A branch centre
of Ramakrishna Math is managed by a team of monks posted by the Trustees led by a head monk
with the title Adyaksha. A branch centre of Ramakrishna Mission is governed by a Managing
Committee consisting of monks and lay persons appointed by the Governing Body of
Ramakrishna Mission whose Secretary functions as the executive head.
All the monks of the Ramakrishna Order form the democratic base of the administration. A
representative meeting of all monks is held every three years when the report of all the activities
of the Organization are approved and the accounts passed and guidance sought for further
development.
This conference places its seal of approval on the decisions taken by the Trustees elected by them
and gives policy guidance.
The scope of the Administration follows the detailed rules made by Swami Vivekananda when he
was the General President of Ramakrishna Mission after the monastic brothers opined that there
should be specific rules for the work of the Ramakrishna Mission (as the Ramakrishna
Movement is commonly known). These rules were dictated by Swami Vivekananda to Swami
Suddhananda between 1898 to 1899, and has been accepted as the consensus of the opinion of all
the monks of the Ramakrishna Mission then, consisting of all the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna
and their disciples. Later for clear and formal legal confirmation of these rules, a Trust Deed was
registered by Swami Vivekananda and many of the other disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, during
1899 1901.

THE MOTTO AND PRINCIPLES-16

The aims and ideals of the Mission are purely spiritual and humanitarian and has no connection
with politics. Vivekananda proclaimed "Renunciation and service" as the twofold national ideals
of modern India and the work of the mission strives to practice and preach these ideals. The
service activities are based on the message of "Jiva is Shiva" from Ramakrishna and
Vivekananda's message of "Daridra Narayana" to indicate that service to poor is service to God.
The Principles of Upanishads and Yoga in Bhagavad Gita reinterpreted in the light of
Ramakrishna's Life and Teachings is the main source of inspiration for the Mission. The service
activities are rendered looking upon all as veritable manifestation of the Divine. The Motto of the
organisation is Atmano Mokshartham Jagad-hitaya Cha. Translated from Sanskrit
it means For one's own salvation, and for the good of the world.
16 Supra note 12
8

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES-17

The goals and objectives of these twin organizations are based on the principles of Practical
Vedanata

To spread the idea of the potential divinity of every being and how to manifest it through
every action and thought.
To spread the idea of harmony of religions based on Sri Ramakrishna's experience that
all religions lead to the realization of the same Reality known by different names in
different religions.
The Mission honours and reveres the founders of all world religions such as Buddha,
Christ and Mohammed.
To treat all work as worship, and service to man as service to God.
To make all possible attempts to alleviate human suffering by spreading education,
rendering medical service, extending help to villagers through rural development centres,
etc.
To work for the all-round welfare of humanity, especially for the uplift of the poor and
the downtrodden.
To develop harmonious personalities by the combined practice of Jnana, Bhakti, Yoga
and Karma.

INSTITUTIONSThe Ramakrishna Math and Mission is an organization that has numerous institutions under it.
These institutions are either schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, service homes and so on.
The names of a few are mentioned below-18

RamaKrishna Mission High School, MaharaniPeta, Visakhapatnam, AP.

Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar

Kondavil Ramakrishna Vidyalayam, Sri Lanka

Rama Krishna Institute of Moral & Spiritual, Education Mysore, Karnataka

17 Supra note 10
18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ramakrishna_Mission_institutions (17/04/2014, 11:45 pm)
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Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Varanasi

Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School, Barahanagar, WB

Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur WB

Ramakrishna Mission Shilpayatana (I.T.I. & Higher Secondary Vocational), Belur Math,
District: Howrah, WB

Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Vivekananda Vidyabhavan, WB

Ramkrishna Mission Multipurpose School,Kamarpukur, WB

Rahara Ramkrishna Mission School, WB

Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore Tamil Nadu

Ramakrishna Mission Hospital,Vivek Vihar, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Ramakrishna Mission School, Narottamnagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Purulia West Bengal

Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University

Ramakrishna Sevashram Chittagong, Bangladesh

BRANCHES-19
The Math and Mission have 171 centres all over the world: 128 in India, 13 in USA, 12 in
Bangladesh, 2 in Russia, and one each in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France,
Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka,
Switzerland, and UK. Besides, there are 33 sub-centres attached to some of these centres.

19 http://www.rkmkhar.org/ramakrishna-math-ramakrishna-mission-the-organization/ (18/04/2014, 7:28

pm)
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EMBLEM-20
The emblem of the Ramakrishna Order designed by Swamiji is a unique and unparalleled work
of art created by one of the richest minds in contemporary history in an exalted mood of spiritual
inspiration. It is a profound symbol of harmony and synthesis for reverential meditation in this
present age of conflict and disharmony. This symbol is the epitome of Swamijis message of
harmony and synthesis, leading to lifes fulfilment. This is indeed the most eloquent expression
of what he really preached, what he wanted every man and woman to be, to realize, either in the
East or in the West. The goal is to realize, even in this very life, ones real Self, the self-effulgent
Atman, the Swan in the emblem and through this realization to be free of all limitations, all
bondages, all littleness. This spiritual freedom is one thing to be aspired for and achieved in this
very life. It releases one from ones prison-house of limited individuality and confers upon him
or her, the blessing of universal existence. He then becomes one with Existence-KnowledgeBliss Absolute. Be free. This is the whole of religion said Swamiji. The meaning behind this
emblem, in the language of Vivekananda himself:
In the words of Swami Vivekananda himself, The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of
Karma, the lotus of Bhakti, and the rising-sun of Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of
Yoga and awakened Kunadalini Shakti, while the swan in the picture stands for Paramatman.
Therefore, the ideal of the picture is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the
vision of the Paramatman is obtained21

ACTIVITIES-22
The principal workers of the mission are the monks. The mission's activities cover the following
areas,

Education
Health care
Cultural activities
Rural uplift
Tribal welfare
Youth movement etc.

20 http://www.rkmkhar.org/the-emblem-of-ramakrishna-order/ (17/04/2014, 9:47 am)

21 Supra note 12
22 Supra note 12
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The mission has its own hospitals, charitable dispensaries, maternity clinics, tuberculosis clinics,
and mobile dispensaries. It also maintains training centres for nurses. Orphanages and homes for
the elderly are included in the mission's field of activities, along with rural and tribal welfare
work.
The mission has established many renowned educational institutions in India, having its own
university, colleges, vocational training centres, high schools and primary schools, teachertraining institutes, as well as schools for the visually handicapped. It has also been involved in
disaster relief operations during famine, epidemic, fire, flood, earthquake, cyclone and
communal disturbances.
The mission played an important role in the installation of photovoltaic (PV) lighting systems in
the Sundarbans region of West Bengal. Due to the geographical features of the Sunderbans, it is
very difficult to extend the grid network to supply power to its population. The PV lighting was
used to provide electricity to the people who were traditionally depending on kerosene and diesel
Educational Work:23 The Math and Mission run 748 educational institutions (including 12
colleges, 22 higher secondary schools, 41 secondary schools, 135 schools of other grades, 4
polytechnics, 48 vocational training centres, 118 hostels, 7 orphanages, etc) with a total student
population of more than 200,000.
Medical Service:24 The twin organizations run 15 hospitals (with 2182 beds), 125 dispensaries,
and 48 mobile medical units which treat about 8,000,000 patients every year. Besides these, a
considerable number of medical camps are organized, mostly in rural areas, where thousands of
patients are treated and more than 3000 operated on for cataract free of cost every year. The
Math and Mission run a medical research institute and 5 nurses training centres.
Work in Rural and Tribal Areas:25 For rural and tribal people, the Math and Mission run 3
institutes of agriculture and 4 rural development training institutes. Besides, farmers are taught
improved methods of cultivation and also provided with agricultural inputs and financial help.
Projects such as construction of pucca houses, wasteland development, planting of fruit and
forest trees, etc are undertaken. Drinking water is provided by digging bore wells and tube wells.

23 Supra note 19
24 Supra note 19
25 Supra not 19
12

Relief:26 During natural or man-made disasters, the Missions work includes primary relief with
food, clothes, medicine and permanent relief activities like construction of new full-fledged
townships, bridges, and roads, sometimes a project going over Rs. 150 million.
Publication:27 The Missions publication centres produce some of the best publications on
religion, philosophy, and spiritual culture. The total turnover in 2004-05 was Rs. 86 million.
Spreading Religion and Culture:28 The Math and Mission spread the spiritual teachings and
cultural ideals through a large number of public libraries, lectures, discourses and seminars,
audio-visual units, exhibitions, museums, retreats and publishing books, journals, etc. Books on
Vedanta, the message of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda,
spirituality and world religions in almost all the major languages of India and in some of the
important languages of other countries are published form the 21 publication centres of the Math
and Mission.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES-29
The mission is a non-sectarian organization and ignores caste distinctions.
Ramakrishna ashrama's religious activities include satsang and arati. Satsang includes communal
prayers, songs, rituals, discourses, reading and meditation. Arati involves the ceremonial waving
of lights before the images of a deity of holy person and is performed twice in a day.
Ramakrishna ashramas observes major Hindu festivals, including Maha Shivarathri, Rama
Navami, Krishna Asthami and Durga Puja. They also give special place to the birthdays of
Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and other monastic disciples of Ramakrishna.
The 1 January is celebrated as Kalpataru day.
The math and the mission are known for their religious tolerance and respect for other religions.
Among the earliest rules laid down by Swami Vivekananda for them was, "Due respect and
reverence should be paid to all religions, all preachers, and to the deities worshiped in all
religions." Acceptance and toleration of all religions is the one of ideals of Ramakrishna Math
and Mission. Along with the major Hindu festivals, Christmas Eve and Buddha's Birthday are
26 Supra note 19
27 Supra note 19
28 Supra note 19
29 Supra note 12
13

also devoutly observed. Cyril Veliath of Sophia University writes that the Ramakrishna Mission
monks are a relatively orthodox set of monks who are "extremely well respected both in India
and abroad", and that they "cannot be classified as just another sect or cult, such as the groups
led by the gurus". Veliath writes that "of the Hindu groups I have worked with I have found the
Ramakrishna Mission to be the most tolerant and amenable to dialogue, and I believe that we
Christians couldnt do better, than to cooperate wholeheartedly in their efforts towards interreligious harmony. Bob Robinson writes, "Unlike more militant Hindu organisations, the mission
has consistently advocated and itself displayed a tolerant, friendly attitude towards minority
religious traditions and a sympathetic acquaintance with at least parts of the scriptures of those
faiths."

The Mission had declared themselves to be non-Hindus and asked for

Minority status-30
The matter went to the Supreme Court. Swami Ramananda set out the features of Ramakrishna
religion. The Court held that Ramakrishna Religion was very much part of Hindu religion and
thus could not like Christian colleges, avail of Constitutional benefits granted by article 30 (1).
However, the Court said that considering the special circumstances in which the College at Rahra
came into existence, we feel the interests of Justice may suffer by directing the State Govt to
constitute its own governing body on standard pattern of the usual sponsored colleges, as prayed
for by the writ petitioners. But, the view expressed herein shall not come in the way of the State
government wanting to change their earlier arrangement with the Mission college.
The West Bengal government was trying to exercise control over the Mission schools. Therefore
provisions must favor minorities to the extent that forced the Ramakrishna Mission to apply for
Minority Status.

CONCLUSIONSwami Vivekananda was a patriot. He was worried for the poverty in India. He also tried to
remove poverty from this country. He was the greatest spiritual figure in India.31

30 http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Why-did-the-Ramakrishna-Mission-say-they-are-notHindus-1.aspx (18/04/2014, 6:32 pm)

31 http://www.preservearticles.com/201104296018/essay-on-swami-vivekananda.html (17/04/2014, 5:39
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He was a world famous monk.He was a good scholar, a good actor, player and wrestler. He was
very popular for his knowledge in Sanskrit. Above all, he was a speaker of truth. He was never
known to tell a lie.32
In 1897 Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission to provide institutional shape for the spread
of his message and that of his Guru. In 1899 the foundation of a monastery at Belur expedited
the works of the Mission.33
The mission was to train monastic workers to live upon and propagate the Vedic religion in the
light of Ramakrishna's life and teaching, establish fellowship among the followers of different
religions, and serve suffering humanity without making any distinction of caste, creed or
community.34
The mission had many branches in different parts of the country and carried on social service by
opening schools, hospitals, orphanages, libraries, etc. Branches of Ramakrishna Mission were
also opened in America, Germany, England, and Switzerland and in other states after the death of
Vivekananda.35
In his long lecture, Swami Vivekananda explained to the world that God is One, and that the
different religions are like different rivers (or routes) to terminate in the sea (the same destination). Hence there should not be any dispute among the preachers of different religions that
they worship god in separate forms or with different beliefs. The realization of the eternal truth
of One God can avoid hatred among the people.36
Swamiji's views were acclaimed with great appreciation, and a number of American men and
women became his disciples, who later joined the Ramakrishna Mission.37
32 Id at 31
33 http://www.preservearticles.com/2012010920189/essay-on-the-life-of-swami-vivekananda.html
(18/04/2014, 7:29 pm)
34 Id at 33
35 Id at 33
36 http://www.preservearticles.com/2011112517881/562-words-short-essay-on-swami-vivekananda.html
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37 Id at 36
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Swami Vivekananda taught us the essence of nationalism in his bold writings. He wrote : "Our
sacred motherland is the land of religion and philosophy-the birthplace of spiritual giants-the
land of renunciation, where and where alone, from the most ancient to the most modern times,
there has been the highest ideal of life open to man."38
He also said, "Have faith that you are all, my brave lads, born to do great things."Swamiji's call
to the nation is: "Arise, awake; wake up yourself, and awaken others. Achieve the consummation
of life before you pass off. Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."39
Ramakrishna Mission breathed the spirit of not only personal salvation but also social liberation.
Ramakrishna Mission through its humanitarian works for the last one century epitomizes the
spirit of sacred soul of Swami Vivekananda and his illustrious philosophical mentor
Ramakrishna Paramhansa.40

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna_Mission
http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivekananda
http://www.belurmath.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ramakrishna_Mission_institutions
http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Why-did-the-RamakrishnaMission-say-they-are-not-Hindus-1.aspx
http://www.preservearticles.com/201104296018/essay-on-swamivivekananda.html
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Swami-Vivekanand-Life-551376.html
http://www.preservearticles.com/2011112517881/562-words-short-essay-onswami-vivekananda.html

38 Supra note 36
39 Supra note 36
40 Supra note 33
16

 http://www.rkmkhar.org/ramakrishna-math-ramakrishna-mission-theorganization/
http://www.preservearticles.com/2012010920189/essay-on-the-life-ofswami-vivekananda.html
http://www.rkmkhar.org/the-emblem-of-ramakrishna-order/
http://www.rkmissionvijayawada.org/history.htm

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