Swami Vivekanand ji Biography(Struggle in life year wise with financial condition)

Introduction:
Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata, India. His lifestyle was marked by a deep commitment to the spiritual path and the pursuit of knowledge. A towering spiritual and philosophical figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he played a pivotal role in introducing the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. Born as Narendranath Datta, he adopted the name Swami Vivekananda after becoming a monk.

Family Background:
Swami Vivekananda’s father, Vishwanath Datta, was a successful lawyer at the Calcutta High Court, and his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was a devout and spiritually inclined homemaker. The Datta family belonged to an educated Bengali Kayastha household. They were financially well-off and culturally enriched, living a comfortable middle-class life filled with books, music, and intellectual discussions.

Interests and Early Life:
His father profession exposed young Narendranath to the world of law and reasoning, shaping his analytical mindset. From a young age, Narendranath showed signs of brilliance, both intellectually and spiritually. He had a questioning mind and was curious about the nature of God and existence. He read extensively — from Indian scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads to Western philosophy and science. Narendranath’s search for spiritual truth grew stronger as he struggled with deep questions about life and existence. He joined the Brahmo Samaj, a well-known social and religious reform movement in India. However, the most important change in his life came when he met Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Ramakrishna saw Narendranath’s spiritual potential and became his spiritual teacher.

Education and Character:
Narendranath excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. However, after the sudden death of his father in 1884, the family faced financial collapse. Despite this, his commitment to truth, self-realization, and service only deepened. His strength of character, clarity of thought, and compassion for others made him a natural leader and reformer.

1881 (Age: 18): Faced spiritual turmoil and searched for a true guru.
Family: Living with parents and siblings; family reputation strong.
Financial Condition: Comfortable, supported by father’s thriving law practice.
1884 (Age: 21): Father died suddenly; severe financial breakdown followed.
Family: Mother left to manage household; siblings struggled with education and daily needs.
Financial Condition: Critical — often without food; sold furniture and books to survive.
1886 (Age: 23): Guru Ramakrishna passed away; loss of guidance and support.
Family: Still in deep poverty; Narendranath increasingly turned to monkhood.
Financial Condition: Bare survival — emotionally and financially strained.
1888 (Age: 25): Started wandering across India as a monk.
Family: Detached physically; focused on spiritual growth and national awareness.
Financial Condition: Lived on alms; slept in temples, forests, or under trees.
1890–1892 (Age: 27–29): Continued travels; observed India's social issues and spiritual depth.
Family: Still in hardship; his renunciation seen as both sacrifice and escape.
Financial Condition: Personally penniless, spiritually rich.
1893 (Age: 30): Gained global fame at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
Family: Inspired by his recognition; still lived in modest means.
Financial Condition: Travel funded by Maharaja of Khetri; lived simply in the West.
1894–1896 (Age: 31–33): Lectured in the West; established Vedanta Societies.
Family: Received occasional support; he arranged help for his mother through disciples.
Financial Condition: Slightly improved; supported by donations and well-wishers abroad.
1897 (Age: 34): Returned to India and founded the Ramakrishna Mission.
Family: Inspired and proud; his mother’s conditions began improving slowly.
Financial Condition: Mission operated with donor support; he lived simply.
1899–1902 (Age: 36–39): Continued spiritual and educational work despite deteriorating health.
Family: His legacy elevated their social respect, though he remained detached.
Financial Condition: Personally austere; mission grew steadily through support.
1902 (Age: 39): Swami Vivekananda passed away on 4 July 1902 at Belur Math.
Family: Survived by his mother; he had long embraced renunciation.
Financial Condition: Personally chose a life of simplicity; Ramakrishna Mission was established and respected.
He predicted his early death and passed away peacefully during meditation. Despite living only 39 years, he transformed India’s global image and left behind a legacy of education, service, and spiritual unity.

Books read:
Swami Vivekananda was a passionate reader with a strong desire to learn. He read many different subjects, including philosophy, history, literature, and science. Some of the books that deeply influenced him were the Bhagavad Gita, the teachings of his spiritual teacher Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the Upanishads, and the works of Western philosophers.

Character:
Swami Vivekananda was a well-known Hindu leader who spoke at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His famous speech, starting with "Sisters and brothers of America," made him popular. He traveled widely, sharing Hindu ideas and messages of tolerance. Although he died young in 1902, his teachings still inspire people around the world. His Ramakrishna mission continues to play an important role in charity and education.

Questions & Reflections

Q: How could Swami Vivekananda leave his family in poverty? Was it right?

A: It’s a morally difficult choice. After his father's death, Vivekananda did try to support his family but faced rejection and humiliation. Eventually, he chose the path of renunciation — not out of selfishness, but to serve a greater cause: the spiritual and social upliftment of all of India. Though he left physically, he ensured support for his mother later through his disciples and the Ramakrishna Mission. His decision reflects a balance between personal duty and higher calling.

Q: Did he completely abandon his family?

A: No. He remained emotionally connected and arranged support for his mother. He encouraged disciples like Sister Nivedita to care for her and expressed guilt and concern for her well-being in his letters.

Q: What can we learn from this?

A: His life teaches us about sacrifice, balance, and purpose. While personal responsibility is important, sometimes great individuals choose to serve a broader mission that ultimately benefits their families and many more.