By the time the six speeches were completely delivered, the news papers were full of Swamiji’s victorious story. The very church which was struggling to prove its greatness, now stood mesmerized by the firm and flowing ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
That speech has completed 125 years now. We have listened to so many speeches by the time we completed our college education. It’s a great achievement if we remember the words of a speaker till he is in front of us in the crowd. But that speech is not only remembered in India even after 125 years, but still remembered in every nook and corner of the world. May be that is the only speech that is celebrating its 125th anniversary in a grand manner after its centenary celebrations! No doubt, you have guessed it right obviously. We are talking about the speech made by Swami Vivekananda in Chicago. The conference was held on September 11, 1893 which was held in the memory to mark 400th anniversary of columbus finding America. The main agenda of this meeting was to showcase the progress made by the western countries and spread the awareness to the entire world. However, it is remembered even today because of one and only Swami Vivekananda’s addressing the gathering.
Even before this conference was held, Swami Vivekananda had spoken to his brethren Sanyasis and pointing at his own chest, he had told, ” This conference is being conducted for him,”. This turned out to be completely right. Nevertheless, the festivities of this occassion took place for a total of 179 days and was attended by 2 million people. Millions of celebrities and many different guests attended. Countless lyricists, scientists, revolutionists participated in this program. But even today, it is the picture of Swami Vivekananda that comes to our sight when we think about the Columbia exposition in Chicago!
It was a universal effort. In an attempt to show that the progress of western countries surpasses that of east in every aspect, they had forgotten about the religious aspect. Then Dr. Barros decided to showcase that the caste system being followed in the west is superior and hence he was very keenly following up for organizing the parliament of the world’s religion. But the conservative christians opposed it to the core. The Arch bishop of canterbury exclaimed, “It is surprising to see Christianity as equal to other religions of the world”. This was very silly just like some Sadhus who sit on high pedestals to show their high values. The Presbyterian church also opposed the conference and also accused that this whole thing is misguiding in a way. Some of the churches strictly told that they will not send their representatives, but few of them deliberately escaped. Inspite of all these hostile events, the preparations for the all religions conference was going on. Invites were sent to the leaders of 10 different religions. Even though there were representatives from Islam and other religions, there was no one to represent Hinduism. Hinduism had its own hurdles and reasons for not sending any delegates . The self imposed rule that says a Hindu monk is not supposed to cross the sea. Along with this, under the influence of British rule, the personality of the Hindu leaders were suppressed within a shell in order to avoid their influence and trouble. All efforts put by the organizers were in vain. But no representatives could be finalized for Hindu religion. A news paper had clearly published, “Hinduism is dead, it has nothing left to give to the world”.
By this time in South of India, Swami Vivekananda was in attempt of collecting funds for his abroad trip. The king of Ramanad who had earlier assured all possible support had ditched him at the needy hour. Disappointed Swamiji had mentioned in one of his letters that the people of South are not prompt in keeping up their words unlike people of north India. At that time, the king of Khetra who was a great disciple of Swamiji had invited him for the grand celebrations on the occasion of his son’s birth. Once he learnt about Swamiji’s wish, he sent him off to America with utmost respect. After facing so many challenges and finally when Swamiji was sitting on the dias of the all relegions conference, it was very evident that he looked very different from the crowd with regards to his personality. In his very first speech, he introduced himself as a representative of such a religion which is the mother of all religions. He never claimed that fulfilment could be attained only by following his religion. He proclaimed the greatest faith of Hindu Dharma which says that every religion leads a path to reach out to god and also all the paths will reach the same god. His speech might not even have crossed four minutes. But the kind of unique inspiration it was for the vedanta campaign that he carried out in the near future was significant. He performed six speeches in chicago. The first one was a bumper hit. A newspaper certainly exclaimed Swami Vivekananda to be the real hero of the day’s conference. Suddenly, as a result, Vivekananda’s luminance was extensively covered in all journals and debates. Swamiji had embarked the complete consious effort of christianity’s proclaimation as the best. Naturally, he had made more enemies than admirers. It was easy to face the opposition from outsiders as compared to that from some Indians who were representing other relegions in the conference. They started criticizing Swamiji and told he is not a Monk. They said, he lacked the personality to talk about the Hindu relegion. Finally, they started accusing about his character in a very bad manner!
Either praises or accusations, it was Swamiji who was in limelight and talk of the town. So, more and more crowd started showing interest in his speech. Inevitably, there was a situation to shift his speech to a different auditorium of the conference. By looking at people’s welcoming response, Swamiji put a little more insight to some serious matter in his discussions. Swamiji ruthlessly opposed the christian missionaries who rudely blamed hiduism as inferior. In his second speech itself he called the christian monastics as narrow minded just like a frog that lives in a well that has confined knowledge of its surroundings but unaware of the life outside the well. While the people around him were busy in tempting the other people to convert to their relegion in increasing the headcount of their followers, Swamiji was impatiently indulged in re-establishing India and Hinduism by valiantly telling the truth. By the time the six speeches were completely delivered, the news papers were full of Swamiji’s victorious story. The very church which was struggling to prove its greatness, now stood mesmerized by the firm and flowing ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
Such was the situation of the people of America. They had got the glimpse of the huge tree of Hinduism for the very first time. Till then, they had known India only by believing the lies told by the christian missionary people who had been to India for conversion spree. After seeing Vivekananda, they changed their opinion about India. The time when Swamiji set foot in America was really a breakthrough time. In America-Europe, that was a transitional time. Women had begun to fight for their right to vote. The cries of women equality was widespread. Swami Vivekananda, who bravely spoke the thoughts of his mind, became the favourite leader of the American ladies. Wherever he went to deliver speech, he was surrounded by a group of women. They loved him, his way of speaking, his principles and also his lifestyle. This created unbearable misery for the churches. Be it any society, if the women make up their minds for a change, it should happen. The women of America had already accepted Swami Vivekananda. Thus the new Sun’s incarnation was guaranteed in the west. The churches did not accept this without protest. The newspapers were asked to write abusively about Vivekananda. In the gatherings, he was asked embarassing questions. Finally, whichever house he visited, the people there were informed that his character is flawed. Many a times when Vivekananda arrived at a place after getting invited, the house used to be locked and the people be gone when he reached the place. Even in India, attempts were made to spread misconduct rumours about him. False accusations were made like, Vivekananda who crossed the sea is now eating meat and is always seen in company of females. Overall the challenges faced by Swamiji was not limited to one or two. Plans were made to kill him also. But Swamiji did not get bothered by any of these hurdles. He was well aware of his purpose of visit and his responsibilities. So, he was continuously occupied by his vedanta campaigning.
Quite possible that if Swamiji was like any other religious campaigner, America would have forgotten him. But he had the great capability to practically realize his teachings and also transplant his teaching to the other person. Vivekananda’s mastery in science was astounding. The intellectuals of America lost to Vivekananda in this regard. He surprised them by embodying his ideas intertwined with the latest scientific facts. Intellects such as Rock Feller, Emma Calve, Robert Inger Saul had utmost respect for Vivekananda. Researchers such as Hiram Maxim have voiced out that they have been proud of Vivekananda. Many journalists not only published Vivekananda’s interview, but also stood up and gave supportive answers to the questions raised by the church regarding him.
It is still unbelievable that a 30 year old saint, played effortlessly with the westerners who considered themselves to be very wise. The world is remembering this magic which took place 125 years ago. It is the best time for introspection. As Hindus there is a need that we understand ourselves once again. true that we need not fight with the other sects, but we have to gain the power to rationalize them. There is a need to re-emphasize to the whole world about the dignity of Indian culture, heritage and glory. Once Swami Vivekananda has hoisted the flag of triumph. Now we need to stride towards the triumph. In past four years, there is a such a huge change in the way India is being seen in the eyes of the world that it seems like about time for the dreams of Swami Vivekananda to come true. We need to broaden our shoulders and get ready to bear the burden of the country.
~ Chakravarthy Sulibele
~ Translated by Sahana Kishore
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