99% People Don’t know these Secrets of Swami Vivekananda

Summary

The video presents Swami Vivekananda’s life as a story of intellectual curiosity, spiritual searching, hardship, and service to others.

Early Life and Values

Born Narendranath Datta in 1863 to a Bengali family, he was called Naren. The video describes him as curious and compassionate from childhood, with little regard for divisions of religion or social class. One anecdote says he smoked cigarettes from separate Hindu and Muslim boxes to challenge the distinction between them.

Learning and Spiritual Inquiry

Naren studied music and a wide range of subjects, reading both Indian religious works and Western philosophy. His questions about God and religion led him to explore reform movements and eventually meet the spiritual teacher Sri Ramakrishna. When Naren asked whether Ramakrishna had seen God, Ramakrishna said he had and became Naren’s guru.

Hardship and Faith

After his father’s death, Naren experienced poverty and struggled to support his family. The video says that when he prayed at the temple, he sought wisdom and dispassion rather than material relief. Ramakrishna’s support helped sustain his faith through this period.

A Life Devoted to Service

After Ramakrishna’s death, Vivekananda joined a monastic community and travelled across India to learn about people’s circumstances. He vowed to work for the welfare of his countrymen and alleviate suffering.

Chicago and Vedanta

In 1893, Vivekananda travelled to Chicago to represent India and share Hinduism, Vedanta, and Ramakrishna’s teachings. The video recounts that his opening address—“Sisters and Brothers of America”—received a two-minute standing ovation.

The video explains Vedanta as teaching that the search for God and the search for truth within oneself ultimately lead to the same reality.

Action, Education, and Social Reform

Vivekananda later established the Vedanta Society and, after returning to India, helped start the Ramakrishna Mission. The video emphasizes his support for Karma Yoga: putting spiritual principles into action and serving others, rather than relying only on reading or theory.

It also highlights his support for young people, opposition to untouchability, and support for inter-caste marriage.

Legacy

Vivekananda died in 1902 after a period of declining health. The video presents his lasting influence as an appeal to build character, serve others, and work toward a better life. It also quotes A. P. J. Abdul Kalam saying that Vivekananda wanted his ideas—not his name—to become widely known and followed.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Video narrator/host: The unnamed voiceover presenting Vivekananda’s biography and teachings.
• Swami Vivekananda: Quoted or paraphrased through his well-known sayings and teachings.
• Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Featured through accounts of his conversations with and guidance of Vivekananda.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: Quoted near the end about Vivekananda’s wish for people to follow his ideas.
• Kuku FM: Mentioned in a promotional segment for an audiobook about Vivekananda.