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 father, Vishwanath Datta, was a successful attorney with interests in a wide range of subjects, and his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was endowed with deep devotion, strong character and other qualities. Narendra excelled in music, gymnastics and studies. By the time he graduated from Calcutta University, he had acquired a vast knowledge of different subjects, especially Western philosophy and history. Born with a yogic temperament, he used to practice meditation even from his boyhood, and was associated with Brahmo Movement for some time. In America Vivekananda's mission was the interpretation of India's spiritual culture, especially in its Vedantic setting. He also tried to enrich the religious consciousness of the Americans through the rational and humanistic teachings of the Vedanta philosophy. In America he became India's spiritual ambassador and pleaded eloquently for better understanding between India and the New World in order to create a healthy synthesis of East and West, of religion and science In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami's native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world. His meeting with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in November 1881 proved to be a turning point in his life. Though at first Narendra could not accept Ramakrishna and his visions, he could not neglect him either. As a member of Brahmo samaj, he revolted against idol worship and polytheism, and Ramakrishna's worship of Kali. . In time, Narendra accepted Ramakrishna as guru and under his guidance; he made rapid strides on the spiritual path. With Ramakrishna s death on August 15, 1886, Vivekananda set out on a pilgrimage throughout India for seven and a half years. His moment of revelation came in Kanyakumari in the Southern tip of India, on a small rocky island. Reaching the end of his travels, he meditated intensely through the night of Christmas of 1892 for three nights, and found the answer to his life. He decided to dedicate his life to revitalizing the country and serving the people of India. He returned in 1901 to his beloved Belur Math, the center of the Ramakrishna Mission. He immersed himself in his work but his illness became more severe and he had to take longer and longer periods of rest. He died on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39. But the work he had done had created its own momentum, and his message continues to grow and spread till today. Vivekananda did not merely interpret ancient Hindu scriptures and philosophical ideas in terms of modern thought. He also added several illuminating original concepts based on his own transcendental experiences and vision of the future. Reckless in his sacrifice, unceasing in his activity, boundless in his love, profound and versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions, merciless in his attacks but yet simple as a child - he was a rare personality in the contemporary leaders of the world.