Swami Vivekananda’s birthday is commemorated as National Youth Day in India to honor one of the country’s foremost philosophers and spiritual leaders. It also reflects his views on how young people should engage in the modern world while maintaining their principles.
Swami Vivekananda was the principal follower of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a 19th-century mystic and yogi. He established the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order in Kolkata based on his guru’s teachings, as well as the Ramakrishna Mission, a worldwide spiritual movement based on the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.
Many of India’s nationalist leaders, who were battling colonial control, were influenced by Vivekananda’s writings and teachings. Vivekananda was called “the builder of modern India” by Subhas Chandra Bose, and Mahatma Gandhi praised him for strengthening his “passion for his nation a thousandfold.”
Vivekananda was India’s representative at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. During his remarks, he emphasized the significance of eliminating all types of fanaticism. He introduced Hinduism’s concepts of love and empathy. Swami Vivekananda’s remarks drew a standing ovation from the audience.
In 1984, the Indian government declared the 12th of January as National Youth Day to celebrate his achievements to the country.
The goal was to instill Vivekananda’s ideas and principles among the youth, particularly students. The day is also marked to encourage young people to think rationally. He often emphasized the nation’s youth, claiming that if a nation’s youth are strong physically, psychologically, and spiritually, no one can stop the country from being strong.
His lessons reflected his encouragement, inspiration, and disciples.
We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. Swami Vivekananda
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. Swami Vivekananda
You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself. Swami Vivekananda
You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul. Swami Vivekananda
Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached. Swami Vivekananda
The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong. Swami Vivekananda
