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Subject- English
Class – 5
Chapter-2

Among all young generation monks in world, the name of Swami

Vivekananda flashes bright and clear. He was one of the most influential
monks of all times. Swami Vivekananda’s life was not a smooth ride at all.
January 12 is celebrated as the National Youth Day in honour of Swami
Vivekananda, who was born on this day. Swami Vivekananda was the man
who took the Vedanta philosophy to the West and reformed Hinduism
drastically.
Swami Vivekananda was the name he took up after he became a monk.
Originally, he was named as Vireshwara by his mother and was often
referred to as 'Biley'. Later, he was named Narendra Nath Dutta.
Swami Vivekananda was a man of great charisma. His address at the
Chicago Parliament of Religions is a classic masterpiece which put India into
the top list of countries where spirituality still thrives.

(More information provided about Swami Vivekanand on page 21 of your

Literature book.)

Significance of the title

The title is very appropriate. ‘Selfless Service’ means performing a service or act without expectation of
result or reward. In this chapter the poor cobbler performs the selfless service. The service performed by
him was that he served food prepared by him to Swami Vivekanad. He knew that he could be punished by
the king for serving a sannyasi as he was from low-caste, still he only thought about Swamiji. He was the
only one who was concerned about Swamiji’s health.
 SUMMARY
This chapter tells us one of the stories of Swami Vivekanand’s life. He was an Indian Hindu monk who
worked a lot for the upliftment of the society. This chapter deals with untouchability and discrimination
against poor people. Untouchability was very prevalent in India in the past. It is a practice in which lower
caste people are kept at a distance from the other people.

Swami Vivekanand ji was once at a railway station in Rajasthan. Many people kept visiting him for the
entire day as they had many religious questions. He answered them all without getting tired. This went on
for three days and three nights without any stop. He was so involved in talking about spiritual matters
that he didn’t even stop to eat. No one noticed this except a poor man who was a cobbler. On the third
night that man came to Swamiji and said that he was very hurt to see that Swamiji has not even had a
drop of water from the past three days. Swamiji felt like God had appeared before him as no one except
the poor man noticed that he had not taken any rest and food. Swamiji asked the poor man to get food
for him. The poor man (cobbler) said that he wanted to get food for Swamiji, but as he is of low caste
Swamiji won’t eat the food touched by him. He even offered to bring some dal and coarse flour so that
Swamiji can prepare the food himself. Swamiji being a kind soul did not care about that and said that he
would be happy to have food prepared by the cobbler. Although the poor man was afraid as he knew that
he might be punished by the king if he came to know about this incident, still he prepared food for
Swamiji. His kindness and curiosity to serve Swamiji overpowered his fear. Swamiji was so touched that
his eyes filled with tears when he saw this sweet gesture of the poor man. He thought that though our
country is filled with such people who are poor because they don’t have money, but these people are rich
from heart. Some gentlemen saw this entire incident and were annoyed. They went to Swamiji and said
that it is very wrong to accept food from a person who belongs to low caste. Swamiji patiently heard the
men and then explained that no one except this man noticed that he had not taken food and rest for the
past three days. Everyone else wanted something from him but the noble man’s intention was to give him
something. He even explained them that it is very bad to judge someone because of his caste. They
should not ignore the humanity shown by the man. The gentlemen realized their mistake. Swamiji taught
a very valuable lesson that we should not judge anyone on the basic of colour, caste etc. We should treat
others with respect.
 CHARACTER SKETCH

Swami Vivekanand
This chapter tells us that Swami Vivekanad was a great social reformer. He was a great personality who
worked for humanity. He was against discrimination. When the gentleman objected his action of taking
up food from a cobbler of low-caste he taught a lesson to them. He explained them that it is wrong to
condemn someone for being of low-caste. This showed that he was a great human being. He even stood
against the wrong and happily accepted the food prepared by the cobbler.

The Poor Cobbler

The poor cobbler was very different from Swamiji’s other disciples. He was the best example of a true
human being. He was very kind-hearted human being. Everyone else wanted something from Swamiji but
the noble cobbler’s intention was to give him something. He was the only one who noticed that Swamiji
had not taken even a single drop of water from the past three days which showed how caring he was. He
even served food to Swamiji prepared by him without thinking about the end result. He initially had fear
of punishment from the king but his kindness over-powered the fear.
 Difficult words/ phrases
all day long-for the entire day tireless-without getting tired

flocked-move in group lovingly-in a way that show a lot of love

pained-feeling hurt/pain appeared-become visible

profession-a paid occupation/work that needs special training

frightened-scared/afraid sannyasi-who denies material satisfaction

eagerness-keen to do something monk-a man who is a member of a group of

coarse-rough in texture religious men who live a simple life

materially poor-lack of means to meet basic needs hurriedly-done very quickly

humble origin-from a family that does not have much money noble-having high moral principles

large-hearted-generous and sympathetic annoyed-slightly angry

improper-not according to accepted standards boast-talk with excessive pride

humanity-kindeness/fellow-feeling patiently-calmly

respite-a short period of rest enquire-ask