Swami Vivekananda A Contemporary Reader

Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) popularised Vedanta in the West and reformed Hinduism in India. He also inspired the mass movement that made India a modern nation. In showcasing his life and work, this Reader balances the two main aspects of his life: the religious and the secular, the spiritual and the practical, the devotional and the rational. Included here are the most significant and representative texts from every major genre and phase — selections from his speeches, essays, letters, poems, translations, conversations, and interviews — arranged for easy reading and reference. With a scholarly Introduction highlighting his contemporary relevance, separate section introductions and a detailed biographical Chronology, this volume provides a rare insight into one of India’s greatest minds. This volume will interest scholars and students of modern Indian history, religion, literature, and philosophy as well as general readers.

Preface. Introduction. Chronology. Part 1: Addresses at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago Response to the Welcome. Why We Disagree. Paper on Hinduism. Religion not the Crying Need of India. Buddhism, the Fulfilment of Hinduism. Address at the Final Session Part 2: The Four Yogas From Karma Yoga. From Raja Yoga. From Jnana Yoga. From Bhakti Yoga Part 3: Speeches and Lectures Delivered Abroad Unity, the Goal of Religion. Reason and Religion. Practical Vedanta Part 4: Lectures from Colombo to Almora Address at Ramnad. Reply to the Address of Welcome at Shivaganga and Manamadura. From ‘My Plan of Campaign’. The Future of India. Reply to the Address of Welcome at Calcutta Part 5: Selections from Prose Writings Religion and Science. Selections from Notes to Lectures and Discourses. On Fanaticism. The Cosmos and the Self. Who is a Real Guru?. On Art. The Evils of Adhikârivâda. Ishvara and Brahman. The Cause of Illusion. Evolution. Buddhism and Vedanta. The Goal and Methods of Realisation. The Problem of Modern India and its Solution Part 6: Poems My Play is Done. The Song of the Sannyâsin. Kali the Mother Peace. To the Awakened India. To the Fourth of July. Light Part 7: Selections from Letters To Pramadadas Mitra, 4 July 1889. To Pramadadas Mitra, 7 August 1889. To Pramadadas Mitra, 17 August 1889. To Panditji Maharaj, 20 September 1892. To Alasinga et al., 10 July 1893. To Alasinga, 20 August 1893. To Alasinga, 2 November 1893. To Alasinga, 1894. To Miss Mary Hale, 1 February 1895. To Alasinga, 6 May 1895. To Alasinga, 9 September 1895. To Alasinga, 18 November 1895. To Alasinga, 13 February 1896. To Swarupananda, 9 February 1902 Part 8: Sayings and Utterances Part 9: Interviews and Conversations Abroad and the Problems at Home. Conversation with Sharatchandra Chakravarty. About the Editor. Index

Makarand R. Paranjape is Chairperson and Professor of English at the Centre for English Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.