Swami Vivekananda Makes Historic Speech At Chicago – The Master Connected India To The World – 4
Posted: Saturday, January 22, 2011
by Drunken Mystic
http://drunkenmystic.wordpress.com
Swami Vivekananda set sail for Chicago on 31 May 1893 from Bombay. This was a long journey he would take by first reaching Nagasaki, and the different cities of Japan, observing their culture and mannerisms. He was deeply impressed by their physical and mental hygiene and called them as one of the most well-mannered people. He drew a contrast between the Japanese civilization and the Indians by saying that everybody was equal and there was no discrimination of caste system, people were not treated as untouchables (it existed a lot in British India), and also that the Japanese always relied upon themselves for technology and never looked forward to anything foreign.
Religion is realization; not talk, not doctrine, nor theories, however beautiful they may be. It is being and becoming, not hearing or acknowledging; it is the whole soul becoming changed into what it believes. – Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda further continued to travel through China and reached Canada. He finally arrived in Chicago, in July 1893. The U.S. Parliament of Religions had certain rules for delegates willing to participate and one of them was they must be associated with some organization to prove their credentials. This disappointed Swami Vivekananda a little bit. But still he was lucky enough to have met Professor John Henry Wright from Harvard University. The professor already impressed with Swami’s wisdom invited him to offer a guest lecture at Harvard. When he got to know about the problem at the parliament he told the swami, “To ask for your credentials is like asking the sun to state its right to shine in the heavens." – Ref: - Swami Vivekananda, P.R. Bhuvan
The professor sent a letter across to the parliament stating that he was more learned than all the professors put together. Finally, Swami Vivekananda was invited to the Parliament of Religions which opened on 11th September, 1893 held at the Art Institute of Chicago. This would be one of the greatest speeches offered ever by the Swami for every Indian to remember and feel proud of. The parliament opened at 10:00 a.m. There were several other delegates like Dr. Annie Besant who started the Theosophical Society of India at Madras, Pratap Chandra Mazoomdar of Brahmo Samaj and there was Dharampala from Ceylon to represent the Buddhists.
(Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of Religions)
Swami Vivekananda took seat among them in the hall packed with 7,000 people. On the list of delegates Swami Vivekananda’s number was thirty-one. The delegates appeared on stage one by one with their prepared speeches, but Swami Vivekananda was totally unprepared. According to the book, ‘Swami Vivekananda – A Biography’, he was totally nervous since he had never spoken in front of such a vast audience. The book further mentions, “When he was asked to give his message he was seized with stage-fright, and requested the chairman to call on him a little later. Several times he postponed the summons. As he admitted later: “Of course my heart was fluttering and my tongue nearly dried up. I was so nervous that I could not venture to speak in the morning session."
Dr. John Barrows finally introduced him and Swami Vivekananda arose to his feet and bowed to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of learning) and started his speech with “Sisters and Brothers of America". There was a thunderous applause immediately from the audience as never before in the history of the parliament did any orator address the audience with such informal warmth. The whole audience arose to their feet and clapped to these five words. According to Dr. John Barrows, the chairman of the assembly, they were deeply moved. It took a whole of two minutes for everybody to silence down to allow the Swami continue.
The speech:
“Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world. I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
My thanks, also to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient have, told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religions as true.
I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.
I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, and which is every day repeated by millions of human beings:
As the different streams having their sources in different places all minger their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which people take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita:
Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach them, all are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.
Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal." - Complete works of Swami Vivekananda - 1
The immediate link between the two great nations America and India had been established by Swami Vivekananda. He became a hero overnight not only for Indians but for Americans too – a spiritual figure soon to be admired and idolized by people from different religions all over the world. He changed the impression of India which was once known as a land of ignorance, underdevelopment, superstition to a land of great spiritual wealth and religious tolerance. The master Sri Ramakrishna connected India to the world through his disciple on this historic day.
While approaching the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on January 12, 2012, I continue to dedicate my articles to his imortal work.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)It's so good to read of a man who achieved greatness through his wisdom, and to see how that shone such a powerful light in America. His words still ring true...I am happy you are among the many who could resonate with Swami Vivekananda's words and they are not superficial or anything somebody is trying to impress, rather revolutionary thoughts expressed directly from the soul. There are more achievements which I would like to speak in my next articles, and among them one of the most remarkable is his meeting with Nikola Tesla. Thank you.
DM
with some correction:
Unknowingly eyes wet.
I recollect my college days dated back to 45 yeras wherein my College 'Hindu College' screened a film on Swamy Vivekandanda. I still remember.
During stay at Calcutta I visited Vivekananda GURU.
Now, going thr' this above moved my heart. 'Aakaasam patitam toyam yadha gachhati sagaraa, sarva devan namaskaram Kesavam pratigachati. Last verse in Mantra Pushpam informs us rain fall on earth mingling with other sources ultimately joins Sea, so also, salute by anyone in the name of their belief reaches to GOD.
This Swamy enlightened at Chicago in his speech. No, India speaks thro' Swamy Vivekananda.Thank you for your comments, Mr. Acharya. One can have nothing less than tears when you are not writing as 'Drunken Mystic', and just offering yourself to become an instrument to immortalize the 'Son of Bharatha'.
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