Celebrate - Swami Vivekananda 150 @ Triplicane

Today, 12^th January 2013  marks the 150^th birth anniversary of a noble soul.

• We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.”
• The senses cheat you day and night. Vedanta found that out ages ago, modern science is just discovering the same fact.
• It will not do merely to listen to great principles. You must apply them in the practical field, turn them into constant practice.
• While real perfection is only one, relative perfections must be many.
• The wind of grace of the Lord is blowing on, for ever and ever. Do you spread your sail.
• If money help a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.
• Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.
• Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.

~ the above are some of the famous quotes of the great Hindu monk Swami Vikeananda, born as Narendra Nath Datta, 150 years ago….   Swami Vivekananda inspires the Nation by his deeds and grand pieces of advice.  Swami Vivekananda, known in his pre-monastic life as Narendra Nath Datta, was born in an affluent family in Kolkata on 12 January 1863.

His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in September 1893 made him famous as an ‘orator by divine right’ and as a ‘Messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world’. He returned to India in January 1897. In response to the enthusiastic welcome that he received everywhere, he delivered a series of lectures in different parts of India, which created a great stir all over the country.

In his Master, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, living and teaching in the temple-garden at Dakshineshwar, the Swami Vivekananda — "Naren" as he then was — found that verification of the ancient texts which his heart and his reason had demanded.  He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India and contributed to the notion of nationalism in colonial India. 

Triplicane is proud of its connection with Swami Vivekananda, for Swami in 1897  after his return from the West,  stayed at Ice house nearer beach for 9 days between 6 February 1897 to 14 February 1897. During his nine day stay, he shook India’s national consciousness through his fiery lectures at Chennai. When Vivekananda was about to depart, he agreed to his disciples' request to set up a permanent centre at the Ice House.

The present day Vivekanandar Illam stands proudly at the very same place where the Great monk stayed and delivered lectures.

Today being his 150^th anniversary, let us all play floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda, at home, in our Colony and everywhere

the rock memorial at Kanyakumari.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.         

12^th  Jan 2013