Rev. Dr. Selvam Robertson

Vivekananda His original name was Narendra Nath Datta. He was a Bengali from Calcutta belonging to Kayastha caste. He was born on 9 th January 1862/1863’ He had good English education. Obtained degree in philosophy from Mission College in Calcutta. During his student days, influenced by Brahma Samaj. He had fine voice and sang Bengali Hymns. He was adept in boxing, swimming, wrestling and riding. After his degree, he studied law. In 1852 his uncle for the first time took him to meet Ramakrishna That was the turning point of life. He got answer to his question whether God can be seen. Ramakeishna singled him as one destined to do great things for God. Vivekananda became sannyasi on his master’s death. And spent six years in retirement on the Himalayas. It is also said that he visited Tibet to study Buddhism. In 1892 he travelled to Trivandrum and Madras This was the time the preparations for the World Parliament of Religions, to be held in Chica

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Defense   Ramakrishna was a Bengali ascetic. His original name was Gadadhar Chatterji. Born on 20 th February 1834 in a village called Kamarpukur in the Hooghly District of West Bengal. His was a poor Brahmin family. It is ascribed that quite a boy, he had wonderful power of memory. Used to remember religious books and stories. Did not receive formal education. At the age of 17 he lost his father and then moved to Calcutta with his elder brother Pandit Ram Kumar to try to make a living. Some time worked as pujari for household idols. A wealthy Bengali lady (Rani Rashmoni) constructed a temple at Dakshinesvara, four miles north of Calcutta, on the bank of river Hooghly. It was opened on 31 may 1855. His elder brother was appointed chief priest. Soon Gadadhar was appointed as one of the assistant priests. Worship of the image of Kali in the temple crated new religious assertion in Gadadhar’s life.   There was a new religious passion.