Inspiring Message

THE LIVING PRESENCE OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA– A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE

The Epiphanic Moment

A couple of months back, I had gone to address a group of principals from CBSE schools. There I met
a lady who is a heritage specialist. After her inspiring address, she started narrating her life story. She
said after struggling for two decades, she had to call off her marriage in 2005. Soon after, she visited our
Belur Math RK Mission headquarters in Kolkata with a group of students. Standing on the banks of the
Ganga behind the temple of Swami Vivekananda — where his mortal remains were consigned to flames
— she closed her eyes and stood in silence for two minutes. When she opened her eyes, she ‘saw’
Swami Vivekananda standing by her side. He placed his hand on her head and blessed her. She said that
since then, she has not looked back. Even recalling the experience seemed to move her to tears and new
resolve.

From the talk
The Monk Who’s A Youth IconBy: Swami Shantatmananda on Jan 05, 2013—secretary, RK Mission, Delhi.

A Letter by Jamsetji N. Tata

In his letter dated 23rd November 1898, Jamsetji Tata wrote to Swami Vivekananda as follows[i]:
Dear Swami Vivekananda,
I trust, you remember me as a fellow traveller on your voyage from Japan to Chicago. I very much recall at this moment your views on the growth of the ascetic spirit in India, and the duty, not of destroying, but of diverting it into useful channels.
I recall these ideas in connection with my scheme of Research Institute of Science for India, …
…I am of the opinion that, if such a crusade in favour of an asceticism of this kind were undertaken by a competent leader, it would greatly help asceticism, science and the good name of our common country; and I know not who would make a more fitting general of such a campaign than Vivekananda….
… … …
With kind regards,
I am, dear Swami,
Yours faithfully,

Jamsetji N. Tata
23rd November 1898
Esplanade House, Bombay