Swami Vivekananda: A Visionary of Modern India

New Enlarged Edition Swami Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness. His inspiring personality was well known both in India and the West. This spiritual leader of India leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, and colourful personality evoked popular interest in Hindu philosophy. He introduced the philosophy of vedanta to the west and preached the ideal of a strength-giving and man-making religion. Service to man as the visible manifestation of the Godhead was the special form of worship he advocated. In this volume Gautam Sen pieces together the representative portions of the Swami’s philosophy along with a running commentary of his own.

स्वामी विवेकानंदांचं ‘योद्धा संन्यासी’ म्हणून बहुतांश लोकांना नाव ठाऊक असतं. स्वामी विवेकानंदांबरोबरच श्रीरामकृष्ण परमहंसांचे अन्य पंधरा अंतरंग शिष्य होते. या पंधराही जणांनी स्वामी विवेकानंदांना मनाच्या, बुद्धीच्या खोल तळापासून आपला नेता मानलं. रामकृष्ण संघाचं काम ङ्गुलवण्यात आपापलं आयुष्य देऊन टाकलं. त्या सर्वांच्या योगदानाची कल्पना मराठी वाचकांना यावी म्हणून त्यांच्या आयुष्यातील निवडक १०० प्रसंगांचं हे संकलन ! प्रसंग घडून जातात लहानशा क्षणांच्या अवधीत; पण देऊन जातात तत्त्वज्ञानाचं मर्म. हे मर्म कसं? तर जगताना आपल्यालाही नैतिक सामर्थ्य मिळवून देणारं, आयुष्याचा खरा अर्थ सांगणारं! हे सर्वजण आपल्याला चिंतनाच्या वाटेवर नेणारे सोयरेच आहेत.

Swami Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a profound Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, and disciple of Ramakrishna. He introduced Vedanta and yoga to the West, championed interfaith awareness, and significantly influenced Indian nationalism. His legacy includes founding the Ramakrishna Mission and shaping modern Hinduism and spirituality.

After so much tapasya I have understood this as the highest truth: God is present in every being. There is no other God besides that. He who serves all beings serves God indeed.

'Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live/ on that idea...This is the way to success...'/ / Swami Vivekananda is well known for not just his spiritual wisdom and/ reformatory ventures, but also for his ground-breaking speech to the/ 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, in which he introduced/ Hinduism to America and advocated for religious tolerance as well as an/ end to religious extremism. Such was the effect of his iconic message, that/ he was given a two-minute standing ovation after his speech ended! His/ words are remembered by everyone in the modern world, for their wisdom, / kindness, inclusivity, eloquence as well as simplicity. His words continue/ to teach not just India, but the entire globe, about spirituality, personal/ growth, acceptance and harmony. This book contains 25 of Vivekananda's/ most eloquent and illuminating speeches, such as 'Paper on Hinduism', / 'Bhakti', 'Krishna', 'The Soul and God', 'The Sages of India', 'Practical Religion: / Breathing and Meditation' and several others, which have not only taught us/ the true meaning of worship and life, but have also evoked in us, a desire/ to explore and enhance our bodies, minds and spirits as well as our love/ for God and one another./

Swami Vivekananda for Our Times presents the timeless wisdom of one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders. Through curated selections of his writings and speeches, this volume reveals Vivekananda’s vision of Vedanta, universal religion, self-realization, and nation-building rooted in strength, service, and faith.

Edited and compiled by Rajiv Sikri, with an introduction by S. Gurumurthy, it bridges India’s spiritual heritage with modern challenges—offering guidance for youth, professionals, and seekers alike. A powerful call to rediscover courage, compassion, and purpose in everyday life.

💫What You’ll Discover Inside
• The true meaning of religion as a force for unity and universal brotherhood
• India’s philosophical foundations drawn from Vedanta and the Upanishads
• Practical guidance on self-mastery, fearlessness, and purposeful living
• Reflections on education, nation-building, and youth empowerment
• A vision for harmonizing spiritual strength with modern progress

💡 The Relevance Today
✔ Captures Swami Vivekananda’s teachings in a concise, coherent framework
✔ Bridges nineteenth-century wisdom and twenty-first-century challenges
✔ Offers moral clarity and intellectual courage for today’s leaders and students
✔ Encourages inner strength, self-confidence, and service to humanity

🌟 Voices Behind This Volume
Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) was a philosopher, monk, and nation-builder whose vision of universal religion and spiritual humanism reshaped modern India.

This volume is edited and compiled by Rajiv Sikri, a former Indian diplomat, with an introduction by S. Gurumurthy, noted writer, journalist, and economist.

A Guide for Every Generation
Whether you’re a student, professional, educator, or seeker, this book will help you:
➤ Understand the core of Vivekananda’s Vedantic philosophy
➤ Find inspiration for ethical leadership and national service
➤ Develop spiritual strength to face life’s challenges with equanimity
➤ Connect India’s spiritual heritage to its modern aspirations
In an age of uncertainty and rapid change, this book reminds us that true progress begins within—with clarity of thought, purity of purpose, and steady inner strength.

A spiritual soldier, a multi-disciplinary scholar, a wandering monk and orator par excellence are some of the adjectives that best describe Swami Vivekanand who spent his life in search of truth and God. Well versed in the Vedas and other spiritual texts he is credited for popularizing the Vedanta philosophy and Yoga across the world. His books on the four Yogas are considered the most definitive text for anyone interested in understanding its philosophy and practice. This selection of one hundred quotations and thoughts reveal the timeless genius and appeal of Swami Vivekanand.