Swami Vivekananda’s Iconic 1893 Speech in Chicago: Watch Full Video & Audio of the Historic Address at the US Parliament of World’s Religions

Swami Vivekananda is one of the most popular inspiring human beings in India, whose brilliant sayings continue to encourage generations. On January 12, the people of India celebrates his 156th birth anniversary by hosting several activities that include speeches, youth conventions, fests, seminars, yogasanas, recitations, competitions and many more. In these events, his great words and sayings are shared by the philosophers from across the world and engages talks on how we can incorporate them in our day to day life. Born in Calcutta on January 12, 1863, Vivekananda was deeply indulged into studies from his early age. He was the chief disciple of the 19th century Indian Mystic, Ramakrishna. Vivekanand has earned popularity for representing India and Hinduism globally, and he is best known for his iconic speech at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 that begins with “Sisters and Brothers of America”. 6 Inspirational Sayings by the Great Indian Philosopher on His 156th Birth Anniversary. 

Vivekananda was majorly influenced by his guru Ramakrishna Deva from whom he learnt that all living beings are an embodiment of the divine self. It was after the Indian Mystic’s demise when Swamiji began to travel across the Indian subcontinent to study the conditions of British India. He later travelled to Chicago in the United States to represent India in the Parliament of World’s Religions in 1893. Vivekananda gave a speech in which he introduced the western world to Hinduism. His great words were moving and are still remembered today inspiring every individual from children to the senior citizen of the country. On Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, let us look back at his popular Chicago’s speech. Best WhatsApp Stickers, Messages, GIF Image Greetings to Send Across on 156th Birth Anniversary of Great Influencer. 

Video & Audio of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech at the  Parliament of World’s Religions.

Full Transcript of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech.

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.

I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.”

Sectarianism, bigotry, and it's horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.”

Vivekananda just did not stop here. He conducted countless public lectures, seminars and classes throughout his life where he taught Hinduism and values of life not only to Indians but to the people of US, England and many other countries. He is widely known as the patriotic saint and Swamiji’s birthday is also observed as the National Youth Day. His great sayings and thoughts will always motivate people of all age groups and the upcoming generations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2019 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).