Swami Vivekananda was born in Kolkata on 12 January 1863 to Vishwanath Datta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi. His father was a successful attorney, and he used to practice meditation even from his boyhood. He was associated with the Brahmo Movement for some time.
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In 1881, Narendra went to meet Sri Ramakrishna who was staying at the Kali Temple in Dakshineswar and made rapid strides on the spiritual path. Narendra had to pass through a period of spiritual crisis when he was assailed by doubts about the existence of God.
After a few years two events took place which caused Narendra considerable distress, the sudden death of his father in 1884 and Sri Ramaratriya’s death in 1886. In 1890 he embarked on a long journey to explore and discover India and went on a pilgrimage all over the country.
He adopted the name Swami Vivekananda on the eve of leaving for the World Parliament of Religions which was scheduled to be held in Chicago in 1893. For three years he spread the Vedanta philosophy and religion in America and England and then returned to India. He founded the Ramakrishna Math and Mission on 1 May 1897 and established Belur Math in 1898.
In June 1899 he left India for a second visit to the West. The rest of his life was spent in India, inspiring and guiding people. His health deteriorated and Swami Vivekananda breathed his last on 4 July 1902. He left behind an immortal legacy not just in the hearts of his contemporaries, but for all generations to come.
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