2017-09-11 Mon

Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk from India known for introducing Hinduism and Indian spiritualism in many western countries in the 1890's.

His first speech at the World Parliament of Religions of 1893 offers an overview of his faith and a call for unity between the world major religions.

On 11th September 1893, he delivered opening remarks to the Parliament. Even though he was initially nervous of addressing the large international gathering of seven thousand people, he bowed to Saraswati and began his speech by addressing all the gathered as "Sisters and brothers of America". Upon uttering these words, Vivekananda received a standing ovation that lasted more than a minute.

He began his speech by greeting the youngest nation on behalf of "the most ancient order of monks in the world, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance". During his speech, Vivekananda also quoted from the “Shiva Mahimna Stotram” through which he explained that even though people use different paths to reach the divine, they all ultimately reach Him, irrespective of the path they had chosen.

His address at Chicago kindled a surge of reawakening in India.

The Department of Posts paid homage to Swami Vivekananda by issuing a postage stamp in 1993 to commemorate the centenary of his historic Chicago address. The stamp depicts Swami Vivekananda against the background of the Arts Institute building at Chicago where the speech was delivered.