154th Birthday Celebration of

15th Inter School Quiz Contest – 2016

IMPORTANT & URGENT NOTE FOR THE KIND ATTENTION OF PRINCIPALS OF SCHOOLS Std. VII to Std. IX QUIZ PLEASE PHONE & CONFIRM IN WRITING THE NUMBER OF COPIES REQUIRED : 1) QUIZ BOOKLETS : To be given in advance to interested students. 2) QUIZ QUESTION : To be kept CONFIDENTIAL until the day of PAPERS the contest at school level. 3) ANSWER SHEET : For Correction

RAMAKRISHNA MATH, 12th Road, Khar (West), Mumbai - 400 052. Ph : 6181 8000, 6182 8082, 6181 8002 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.rkmkhar.org Contents

Unit 1: Multiple Choice Questions(50questions)

Unit 2: Fill in the Blanks 2a. ’s Utterances by theme (24 questions) 2b. Utterances of Swami Vivekananda (13 questions) 2c. Life of Swami Vivekananda (26 questions)

Unit 3: Choose any one option (10 questions)

Unit 4: True or False 4a. From Swamiji’s life (11 questions) 4b. From Swamiji’s utterances (8 questions)

Unit 5: Who said the following 5a. Who said the following to whom (5 questions) 5b. Who said the following (10 questions)

Unit 6: Answer in one line (4 questions)

Unit 7: Match the following (28 questions) 7a. Events and Dates from Swamiji’s first tour to the West 7b. Incidents that demonstrate Swami Vivekananda’s power of concentration 7c. The 4 locations of the Math 7d. People in Swami Vivekananda’s life who helped him in bleak situations 7e. Events in Swamiji’s life with what we can learn from them 7f. Period of Swamiji’s life with events from his life

Unit 8: Identify the Pictures (16 questions)

Note: Any of the questions below can be asked in any other format also. For example, ‘Match the Columns’ can come in ‘Fill in the Blanks’, ‘Multiple Choice Questions’ can come as ‘Who said to Whom?’ etc. 2 Unit 1: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1. Name the special train launched by the Indian Railways to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and create awareness among the masses about his thoughts and philosophy a] Vivekananda Express b] c] Narendra Express d] Amrita Express 2. A street in USA has been named after Swami Vivekananda as ‘Honorary Swami Vivekananda Way’. Name the city. a] b] New York c] d] London 3. Who spearheaded the building of the Vivekananda Memorial at ? a] EknathRanade b] Indira Gandhi c] V.V Giri d] Bhaktavatsalam 4. Swami Vivekananda’s first interaction with Sri Ramakrishna at the house of a neighbour a] transformed his life. b] left him disenchanted. c] made no particular impression on him. d] left him fully satisfied. 5. In which sport wasNaren said to have won the first prize? a] Athletics b] Football c] Cycling d] Wrestling 6. Vivekananda “is the maker of modern ”.Who said this? a] b] Jawaharlal Nehru c] C Rajagoplachari d] Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 7. The founder of , which is based on the principles of Practical was: a] Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa b] Swami Vivekananda c] d] Swami Brahmananda 8. Where did first meet Swami Vivekananda? a] New York b] Boston c] Chicago d] London 9. In 1899 Swami Vivekananda started a Bengali journal to carry forward the ideas propounded by the Ramakrishna Mission. It was called - a] b] c] Brahmavadin d] 10. What was the name of Swami Vivekananda’s sister? a] Sister Nivedita b] Swarnamayi Devi c] d] Parama Devi 11. What was the question that Swami Vivekananda asked Sri Ramakrishna at their first meeting? a] Have you seen God? b] Do you think God exists? c] Do you believe in God? d] Is there a God? 3 12. Ekanathji Ranade founded a non-monastic organization based on the principles preached by Swami Vivekananda. What is it called? a] Swami Vivekananda Youth Association b] c] Vivekananda Mission d] Vivekananda Educational Society 13. “” was written by? a] Sister Josephine Macleod b] Swami Vivekananda c] Swami Yogananda d] Sister Nivedita 14. The World’s Parliament of Religions where Swamiji gave the famous speech on the Universality of Religions was held in Chicago in: a] September 1886 b] September 1893 c] July 1893 d] July 1886 15. Where did Swami Vivekananda live during the last years of his life? a] b] Kanyakumari c] d] 16. Margaret Noble, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda is well known as a] Gauri-ma b] c] d] Sister Nivedita 17. Disgruntled with his father, Narendranath once asked him, “What have you done for me?” What did his father say in reply? a] Be you always a man, my son b] May no other father face such a question c] Go look at yourself in the mirror d] Be grateful all your life for what you have 18. One evening young Naren ventured into a grove of banana trees to meditate, expecting which God / Goddess to appear there? a] Ram b] Hanuman c] Shiva d] 19. Sri Ramakrishna said, “if Keshab is possessed of one sign of greatness which has made him famous, Naren has ______such signs to the fullest degree.” a] 7 b] 18 c] 1000 d] 108 20. As a young man, Narendranath was… a] Careful not to engage in arguments with anyone. b] Cheerful and made many friends who stayed close to him all his life. c] Studious and focused only on studies. d] Talented and showed-off his skills at every opportunity. 21. When Naren was not getting a job and went through many struggles in his life, what did he do? a] He gave up and wanted to end his life. b] He had faith in himself and found the strength to carry on. c] He sat down brooding over and analyzed why life had taken such a difficult turn. d] He prayed to God for a miracle. 22. Which of these ideas did Swami Vivekananda espouse all through his life? a] Have faith in yourself b] Never to live a life of secrecy c] Living a life of integrity d] All the above 4 23. According to Swamiji, “Politics has to be preached by showing how much it will improve the one thing that the nation wants – its… a] Wealth & development b] Yoga c] d] Both (a) & (c) 24. According to Swami Vivekananda, what should we seek? a] Western science coupled with Vedanta b] Eastern science coupled with Western religion c] Western science coupled with Eastern science d] Eastern religion coupled with Western religion 25. According to Swami Vivekananda, what kind of countries become great and strong? a] Ones which believe in its people b] Ones which believe in themselves c] Ones which believe in unity d] Ones which believe in the nation’s progress 26. Swami Vivekananda’s missionary effort in the UK didn’t create any ill feeling or sectarianism. Why? a] Because he promoted Christianity as well. b] Because he promoted . c] Because he was the promoter of ‘Religion’, and not of any one religion alone. d] Because he promoted everyone following all religions. 27. What happened because of Swami Vivekananda’s triumphal march through South India, especially the lectures he delivered in Madras? a] It aroused the latent energy of the Indian nation. b] It raised money for his trip to the West. c] It inspired people to be more religious. d] It inspired people to join the & Mission. 28. Which of these adjectives has been most widely used to describe Swami Vivekananda? a] Punditji b] Vedantic Scientist c] Mahatma of the masses d] Shaheed Bhagat 29. The spirit of ______was implanted in Swamiji’s mind when he studied Western thought during his college days. a] critical inquiry b] religion c] sportsmanship d] fierce patriotism 30. Before Narendranath became a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, he followed the socio-religious BrahmoSamaj as ______. a] it aimed to seek the revival of ancient customs and traditions. b] it believed in a formless God,condemned the worship of idols, and addressed various forms of social reform. c] it served as a platform to make friends with prominent religious leaders. d] he had ambitions of one day becoming the leader of the BrahmoSamaj.

5 31. Who was Swamiji referring to when he said this? “Who was there ever like Him? – the Lord, who never performed one action for Himself – with a heart that embraced the whole world! So full of pity, that He – prince and – would give His life to save a little goat! So loving that He sacrificed himself to the hunger of a tigress!” a] Gautam Buddha b] Sri Rama c] Sri d] Sri Ramakrishna 32. When Swamiji’s family was going through a difficult time, he prayed for ______to Mother Kali a] Wealth to alleviate poverty and distress of his family members b] Knowledge and devotion c] Spiritual bliss and liberation d] Personal fulfillment 33. , a disciple of Swami Vivekananda was entrusted the mission of ______by him. a] Alleviation of poverty in India b] Spreading the ideas of Sri Ramakrishna across India c] Spiritual regeneration of India and the world d] Building a hospital at Kedarnath for pilgrims &Sannyasis 34. After his visit to Kanyakumari, Swamiji meditated on a rock, off the South coast of India,to be able to- a] understand the causes of India’s downfall and seek the means for her resurrection. b] attain the highest spiritual experience of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. c] overcome the distress experienced by witnessing the poverty and misery in India. d] see a vision of God. 35. What would young Naren call himself while playing with his friends? a] Samrat, the King of kings b] Swamiji c] Young Mr. Dutta d] Bileh 36. Why did Narendranath give only as much time to examinations as was unavoidable? a] Because he wanted to put his time & energy to meditation & extra-curricular studies. b] Because he had a prodigious memory. c] Because he was not interested in the prosperity a university degree could get him. d] Both [a]&[c] 37. JJ Goodwin was a court-stenographer, engaged to put down every word of Swami Vivekananda’s talks. He was very expensive. Yet after one week, he refused any money. Why? a] The people working with Swami Vivekananda said “There are not enough funds for the work. Will you consider this as charity?” 6 b] Because Swamiji told him: “You are a noble person. Why not dedicate yourself to good work?” c] He said, “Of what use is my talent if it can be put to use only for money.” d] He said, “If Vivekananda gives his life, the least I can do is to give my service.” 38. What was Swami Vivekananda’s purpose in meeting Princes and Dewans? a] To spread the teachings of his Master. b] To build a wide set of followers. c] To influence them and through them ensure the welfare and prosperity of the common man. d] To teach science and religion to the rulers of the country. 39. Swami Vivekananda’s brother disciples initially thought that a monk should a] only pray and meditate and try to realize God. b] focus on building hospitals and schools. c] work for the upliftment of society. d] preach and evangelize the name of Sri Ramakrishna. 40. Swamiji was given to fits of temper as a child, and his mother found a strange remedy for it. What was it? a] Pour water on his head while chanting Shiva’s name. b] Give him a cold water bath and wrap him in a sacred cloth. c] Place him near the idol of Lord Shiva and sprinkle him with holy water. d] Tie a holy thread on his hand and feed him with butter and cold milk. 41. Which were the two religious practices that the agnostic young Narendra instinctively accepted as absolutely necessary for the seeker of truth? a] Continence and Meditation b] Animal Sacrifice and Meditation c] Worship and Fasting d] Meditation and Mantra Chanting 42. In 1898, while at , Swamiji received the news of the sad demise of three persons he loved very much. Who were they? a] Mrs. Seviers, Sister Nivedita and Haribhai b] Miss Macleod, Swami Premananda and Sri Sarada Devi c] Mr. Hale, Maharaja Ajit Singh, and d] Mr. Goodwin, Saint Pavahari Baba, and Rajam Aiyar 43. What is the lesson in this utterance of Swami Vivekananda – “The brave alone can afford to be sincere. Compare the lion and the fox.” a] How to fight b] Sincerity c] Study of animals d] Courage 44. Who is Swamiji talking about – “His was the first heart that was large enough to see truth in all, His the first lips that uttered beautiful words for each and all.” a] Sri Krishna b] c] Maharaja of Khetri d] Gautama Buddha 45. At the Parliament of Religions, Swami Vivekananda’s speeches were kept at the end of the day by the organizers because a] his speeches were too long. 7 b] people would stay till the end to hear him. c] his speeches always summarized every speaker’s speech. d] he was from India and not America. 46. In 1896 Swami Vivekananda started a monthly journal, which would become the voice of the Ramakrishna movement. What was it called? a] Prabuddha Bharata b] Brahmavadin c] Udbodhan d] Vedanta Kesari 47. In his concluding speech at the Parliament of Religions, Swamiji said that “upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance”: a] help and not fight b] assimilation and not destruction c] harmony and peace, and not dissension d] all of the above 48. What happened when Swami Vivekananda returned from the West the second time, on December 9, 1900? a] The entire monastery was decorated for his welcome. b] Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday celebrations were going on. c] There was a public lecture planned without his knowledge. d] The man at the gate did not let him in because it was late night, and he did not recognize Swami Vivekananda in his Western clothes. 49. What did Swami Vivekananda say when his disciple did not want to do service and wanted to remain engaged in spiritual practices? a] You will go to heaven if you seek your salvation alone. b] Work, my children, work heart and soul without caring for results. c] What is the use of going to hell while trying to do good to others? d] Better to retire to the forest, than to expend one’s energies in fruitless service. 50. Swami Vivekananda’s mother made religious offerings to which deity in , wishing that a son be born to her? a] KashiVishwanath b] Kashi Annapurna c] Gaya Vishnu d] Vireswara Shiva Unit 2: FILL IN THE BLANKS Any part of the sentence may be given as a blank. 2a.Swami Vivekananda’s utterances by theme What does it mean to have faith? 1. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself. 2. Never say, “No”; never say, “I cannot”, for you are infinite. Even time and space are as nothing compared with your nature. You can do anything and everything, you are almighty. 3. Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith in God – this is the secret of greatness. 4. Believe, therefore, in yourselves. The secret of Advaita is: Believe in yourselves first, and then believe in anything else. 8 How can we overcome the fear of failure? 5. Every idea that strengthens you must be taken up and every thought that weakens you must be rejected. 6. Hold the ideal a thousand times; and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more. 7. Be bold and fearless and the road will be clear. 8. Never mind failures; they are quite natural, they are the beauty of life – these failures. What would life be without them? It would not be worth having if it were not for the struggles. What is the code of ethics? 9. What is the watchword of all ethical codes? “Not I, but thou”. 10. Every thought, word, or deed that is unselfish is called moral. That definition holds good in every system of ethics. 11. Oneness is the rationale of all ethics and all spirituality. What is meant by knowledge? How do we gain ideal knowledge? 12. Only knowledge can free and save us, but with knowledge must go virtue. 13. The knowledge of Brahman is the ultimate goal – the highest destiny of man. 14. Let us work for that knowledge which will bring the feeling of sameness towards all mankind. 15. When knowledge comes, we find nothing but freedom in ourselves. What is the goal of life? 16. The ultimate goal of all mankind, the aim and end of all religions, is but one – reunion with God. 17. The goal of all knowledge of the Self, the realization of this Self. 18. We are all travelling towards the same goal, but by different paths. What is the power of meditation? 19. Meditation is one of the great means of controlling the rising of the waves in the mind. 20. It is meditation that brings us nearer to truth than anything else. 21. Beyond time, space and causation the worshipper and the worshipped, the meditator and the object of meditation, the knower and the known, all become one. Is there a God? How can we perceive God? 22. Today God is being abandoned by the world, because He does not seem to be doing enough for the world. So they say, “of what good is He?” Shall we look upon God as a mere municipal authority? 23. Where should you go to seek for God; are not all the poor, the miserable, the weak, Gods? Why not worship them first? 24. If there is a God, He is in our own hearts. 2b. Utterances of Swami Vivekananda 1. In language, simplicity is the secret. My ideal of language is ’s language: most colloquial and yet most expressive. 2. Let your work proclaim, let the tongue rest.

9 3. The highest manifestation of strength is to keep ourselves calm and on our own feet. 4. Evolution is in nature, not in the soul – evolution of nature, manifestation of the soul. 5. Let us never, never forget our Ideal. 6. From dreams awake, from bonds be free. 7. A great national sin [of India] is the neglect of the masses, and that is one of the causes of our downfall. 8. He who cannot literally worship his mother, can never become great. 9. The struggle is the greatest lesson. Mind you, the great benefit in this life is struggle. It is through that we pass. If there is any road to Heaven, it is through Hell. 10. It is a tremendous truth that if there be real worth in you, the more are circumstances against you, the more will that inner power manifest itself. 11. The older I grow, the more everything seems to me to lie in manliness. 12. We must struggle, and through struggle growth will come. 13. Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above all, love. 2c. Life of Swami Vivekananda 1. Swamiji’s professor had mentioned to him about Sri Ramakrishna. 2. The Swami’s New York classes, held during the first part of 1895, dealt largely with and . 3. Swamiji once said about Sri Ramakrishna, “it is his love for me that binds me to him.” 4. Swami joined Swamiji during his journey to the Himalayas, after returning from Tibet. 5. Swamiji assumed the name Vivekananda in the court of Maharaja of Khetri. 6. The New York Herald referred to Swamiji as ‘undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions’. 7. During his stay at Thousand Island Park in America, Swamiji wrote the Song of the Sannyasin, which became one of the most precious legacies to spiritually- minded souls. 8. The Ramakrishna Math & Mission is headquartered at the bank of the Hooghly River at Belur, . 9. Sri was one of those from Madras who dedicated himself, heart and soul to Swami Vivekananda’s work. 10. Sri Ramakrishna’s desire, that his band of select young people with Swami Vivekananda as leader take up monastic life, was symbolized by a gift of Gerua cloth. 11. Swami Vivekananda was deeply pained by the selfishness of the so-called educated. 12. Swami Vivekananda said to his young disciple: “you will go to hell if you seek your own salvation!” 13. Speaking of himself once, Swami Vivekananda said he was ‘Condensed India’. 10 14. Swami Vivekananda started his memorable speech at the Parliament of Religions by saying “Sisters and Brothers of America”. 15. Swami Vivekananda admired the capacity to organize of the West. 16. Less than a month after returning from the West for the second time, Swami Vivekananda went to Mayavati because his good friend Mr. Sevier had died. 17. The Japanese scholar with whom Swami Vivekananda visited Bodh Gaya and Benaras was Mr. Okakura. 18. Sri Ramakrishna especially rejoiced at the intellectual sincerity of Narendra. 19. The two things that helped Swamiji follow his ’s words were his brilliant intellect and fiery enthusiasm. 20. Swamiji was offered the chair in Oriental Philosophy at Harvard and the chair in Sanskrit at the Columbia University during his first successful voyage to the West. 21. Swamiji wanted to learn Hathayoga from Pavahari Baba to free his body from diseases. 22. In his early childhood, Naren learnt by heart the aphorisms of the Sanskrit grammar Mugdhabodha. 23. A wandering monk is called Parivrajaka. 24. At the Belur Math, Swami Vivekananda’s dream was to start a Vedic College. 25. When Swamiji said “The wonderful poem, without one note in it, of weakness or unmanliness”, he was referring to the Bhagvad Gita. 26. Swami Vivekananda says that India is a “punyabhumi” because it is the land of introspection and spirituality. Unit 3: CHOOSE ANY ONE OPTION 1. Complete Swamiji’s quote: If there is a sin, this is the only sin; ______. 1. To say that you are weak, or others are weak. 2. To say that God doesn’t exist. 2. Complete Swamiji’s quote: The remedy for weakness is______1. Not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength. 2. Reading scriptures and following prescribed rituals. 3. While conducting classes to impart the religious teachings in Brooklyn, Swamiji would hold “question classes” to ______1. Hear their opinions & gain valuable lessons from them. 2. Create an opportunity for giving elaborate explanations to students for whom these teachings were new and strange. 4. Swami Vivekananda’s success in the West ______1. Gave Indians self-respect. 2. Began a religious movement throughout the world. 5. The Master, Sri Ramakrishna, realized that all religions pointed towards the same goal ______1. After listening to a person talking about religion. 2. By practising other religions.

11 6. Narendranath accepted Sri Ramakrishna as his Guru after ______1. Sharing mystical experiences with the Master. 2. Testing every word of the Master by his own experience or reason. 7. One of the principle purposes of Swamiji for organizing classes in the of New York was______1. Exchanging of ideas and ideals between . 2. Spreading the awareness about greatness of India in the West. 8. Swamiji asked the Dewan of the court to spit on the picture of Prince Mangal Singh of Alwar to______1. Help the Prince understand the meaning of idol worship. 2. Help the masses see the value of democracy & condemn anarchy. 9. At the Parliament of Religion, Swamiji proclaimed ______1. Hinduism as the true religion. 2. The universality of all religions. 10. Name the professor at Oxford University who wrote a book on Sri Ramakrishna 1. Max Müller 2. Paul Deussen Unit 4:TRUE OR FALSE 4a. From Swamiji’s life 1. Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘O my Naren, do you know that I would do anything for you, even go about begging from door to door!’ – True 2. Narendranath was born an idealist and seeker of Truth, not content with mere worldly enjoyments. –True 3. Sri Ramakrishna once said to Narendranath – “if one can keep one’s mind steadily on God after eating beef or pork, these things are as good as Havishyanna. But vegetables eaten by a man engrossed in worldliness are no better than beef or pork.” – True 4. Swamiji’s religious teachings propagated that religion was not a question of belief but of practise and realization. – True 5. Other children came to Naren for settlement of their quarrels. – True 6. On one occasion, when Narendra was seated in meditation, he saw in a vision, a luminous person of serene countenance who was carrying the staff and water-bowl of a monk (which he later thought might have been a vision of the Buddha). – True 7. Swami Vivekananda left his mortal remains on July 4th1902 – True 8. As a wandering monk, Swamiji took a vow not to touch money. – True 9. Swamiji believed that it was possible to live according to Indian ideals even in the strange environment of America. – True 10. Swami Vivekananda had no patience with sectarianism or fanaticism. – True 11. When Narendranath saw Sri Ramakrishna for the first time, he thought he was a madman. – True 12 4b. From Swamiji’s utterances 1. When you believe a thing is true, you do it, you do not dream about it. That is your power. –True 2. Gratitude and hospitality are the peculiar characteristics of Indian humanity. – True 3. First bread and then religion. –True 4. India will be raised, not with the power of the flesh, but with the power of the spirit. –True 5. It is better to be an outspoken atheist than a hypocrite. – True 6. Raja yoga teaches us to believe nothing until you find it out for yourself. – True 7. There has been more bloodshed in the name of God than for any other cause, because people never went to the fountain-head; they were content only to give a mental assent to the customs of their forefathers, and wanted others to do the same.– True 8. The power of suffering is infinitely greater than the power of doing; the power of love is infinitely of greater potency than the power of hatred. – True Unit 5: WHO SAID THE FOLLOWING 5a. Who said the following to whom? 1. “Ask me whatever you like from these ten volumes, and I can answer it satisfactorily.” Ans: Swami Vivekananda to Saratchandra Chakravarty 2. “How shall I conduct myself in the world?” Ans: Narendranath to his father 3. “Lord, I know you are that ancient sage Nara, the Incarnation of Narayana, born on earth to remove the miseries of mankind.” Ans: Sri Ramakrishna to Narendranath 4. “If you have a real desire to realize God, then come to the Master at Dakshineshwar instead of visiting and other places.” Ans: Ramchandra Dutta, a close relative of young Narendra 5. The task is not as easy as it looks. Let us see how you do it. Ans: Young boys practising shooting, to Swami Vivekananda 5b.Who said the following? 1. “Swami, whatever you tell me, I have gone to various places in this world and mixed and lived with great kings. I know how they talk, how they walk, how they sit, how they behave. All those traits are in you.” Ans: The Secretary of Mr. Francis Leggett 2. “According to Ramaswami Sastri, who said this about Swamiji? “He had a beautiful voice like a violoncello, grave without violent contrasts, but with deep vibrations that filled both hall and hearts?” Ans:

13 3. “Here is a man more learned than all our learned professors put together” Ans: J. H. Wright 4. “Vivekananda was a soul of puissance if ever there was one, a very lion among men, but the definite work he has left behind is quite incommensurate with our impression of his creative might and energy.” Ans: Sri Aurobindo 5. “I have gone through his [Swami Vivekananda’s] works very thoroughly, and after having gone through them, the love that I had for my country became a thousand-fold.” Ans: 6. “…I felt that Swamiji had unlimited power, that he could move heaven and earth if he willed it. This was my strongest and lasting impression of him.” Ans: Brahmachari Gurudas 7. “Nobody could understand Vivekananda unless he saw at least a fraction of the volcanic feelings (about India) which were in him.” Ans: Swami 8. “The qualities I most admire in Vivekananda are his activity, manliness and courage...He spoke up and acted. For this, all must honor him, who, whatever be their own religious beliefs, values, sincerity, truth and courage, which are the badges of every noble character.” Ans: Sir John Woodroffe 9. “Follow the truth always, whatever happens.” Ans: Bhuvaneshwari Devi 10. “Stop running. Face the Brutes!” Ans: Old monk at Varanasi Unit 6: ANSWER IN ONE LINE 1. Why did Naren want to test the hookahs kept for people of various castes? Ans: He wanted to see what would happen if he broke caste. 2. Why did young Narendranath identify himself with the newly formed ? Ans: Because his intense desire for freedom made him willing to identify himself with anything that promised liberation from obsolete methods. 3. When Narendra asked Sri Ramakrishna, when he would be blessed with Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the highest spiritual experience, why did the Master admonish him? Ans: Because he was seeking personal liberation instead of thinking about alleviating the distress of others. 4. What was the chief trait of Narendranath’s character that his companions perceived when they were with him? Ans: The radiance of purity

14 Unit 7: MATCH THE COLUMNS 7a. Events and Dates: Swamiji’s first tour to the West Significance Events 1. 1893May 31 Sails for America from Mumbai 2. 1893September 11 First Address at the Parliament of Religions 3. 1894May 16 Speaks at 4. 1896May 28 Meets Prof. Max Müller in Oxford 5. 1896 December 16 Leaves for India from London

7b. Incidents that demonstrate Swami Vivekananda’s power of concentration 1 Did not respond to someone calling out to With Paul Deussen him when he was reading a book of poetry. 2 Undisturbed by a “sheet” of mosquitoes on With his body when sitting in meditation. 3 Perfect shot at egg-shells floating in the river. In a small town in America with young boys 4 Undisturbed by bullets whizzing past him. In a cowboy village in America

7c. The Ramakrishna Math shifted to four locations – the fourth being where it is housed right now. What are the 4 locations? 1 First location Nilambar Mukherjee’s garden house 2 Second location Baranagore 3 Third location Alambazar 4 Fourth location Belur

7d. Who are these people in Swami Vivekananda’s life who helped him in bleak situations? 1 When wandering Swami Vivekananda has A sweetmeat seller who is no food and a rich man taunts him that he has instructed by Lord Rama in a food because he earns money but Swamiji dream to give Swamiji food has no food because he depends on God and does not earn. Just then someone comes and gives Swamiji fresh food and begs him to eat it. 2 He loses the address of the committee of the Mrs. George W. Hale Parliament of Religions and is begging from door to door at Chicago. A lady sees him on the road, takes him into her house, and takes him to the Parliament. 15 3 Since he has no official letter from any J. H. Wright organization, he is not allowed entry at the Parliament of Religions. A professor from Harvard University recognizes his caliber and gives him a letter of recommendation. 4 A noble lady on the train invites him to visit Mrs. Sanborn her if he ever visits Boston. He is able to take up this invitation when he is running out of money in Chicago before the beginning of the Parliament of Religions. 7e. Match these events in Swamiji’s life with what we can learn from them Insight we get into Swamiji’s Incident in personality from this incident Swamiji’s life 1 Putting others need before his When there was insufficient food to eat in the house, he would refuse to eat on the plea that he had already eaten at the house of a friend, when the fact was, he did not eat at home for fear of depriving the others of a full meal. 2 Impatient with superstition He climbed trees, swung to and fro on them, even when he was told by an old grandfather that there was an evil spirit that broke the necks of people who climbed that tree. 3 Never misusing his powers Swamiji felt extraordinary Yoga powers spon- taneously manifest in him, but very rarely did he deliberately exercise them. Whenever he did so, it was always for a grave reason, and for the benefit of others. 4 Taking initiative He organized an amateur theatrical company where he presented plays; and started a gym- nasium in the courtyard of his house where he and his friends did regular physical exercises. 7f. Match the period of Swamiji’s life with the life events 1 1863 – 1878 a] Throughout his childhood, he displayed outstanding quali- ties of character, devotion, talent, a deep philosophical mind, and a capacity for both deep meditation and intense compassion for his fellow men. 2 1879 – 1884 b] In college, he explored Western Philosophy and at the same time, was attracted by the ideal of renunciation em- bodied in the Great Rishis of India. It was a deep spiritual urge that took him to Sri Ramakrishna.

16 3 1881 – 1886 c] In these years, the extraordinary bond between Sri Ramak- rishna and the future Swami Vivekananda was revealed. This is also the story of the quelling of a great and rebel- lious spirit by an even greater master. 4 1890 – 1893 d] He plunged into the life of austerity and the years saw the shaping of the future World Transformer – Swami Vive- kananda. This phase included the wandering as a “name- less monk” across the length and breadth of India, and the extraordinary realizations at Kanyakumari. 5 1893 – 1897 e] The “period of contact” between Swami Vivekananda and a world hungry and thirsty for ideas to rejuvenate it. The new beginning was heralded by the triumphant addresses at the Chicago “Parliament of Religions”. The West gave him a core group of disciples who would carry the work forward. 6 1897 – 1900 f] On coming back to India, he presented to his motherland a new vision of India as a Heroic Nation in its own right. Put his work into a firm institutional framework with the setting up of the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math. This time he consolidated his work in the West by starting the Vedanta Society. 7 1900 – 1902 h] After his return, one and half years were spent not only in travelling and meeting people, but also in Belur Math with brother disciples and young novitiates. Towards his end he said, “It may be that I shall find it good to get outside my body – to cast it off like a worn-out garment. But I shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God!”

Unit 8: IDENTIFY THE PICTURES Recognize these persons and places associated with Swamiji 1. Swami (Swami Vivekananda’s monastic disciple) 1. He first met Swamiji at Nilambar Mukherjee’s garden house in 1897, soon after Swamiji returned from his first trip to the West, and expressed his desire to become a Sannyasi. 2. On 29th March 1898, Swamiji offered him at the Lotus Feet of Sri Ramakrishna, in the service of mankind. 3. He, along with Captain Sevier, took over the sacred mission of publishing the Prabuddha Bharata, at Swamiji’s request.

17 3. Maharaja of Khetri 1. Assisted Swamiji to go to the US. 2. Gave him the flaming robe. 3. Was the Maharaja of a place in Rajasthan.

4. Swami 1. In his youth, instead of attending college, he would frequently visit the college office to collect the latest news about Swamiji. 2. He first met Swamiji at the Sealdah station in February 1897, while Swamiji was returning to Calcutta from his first visit to the West. 3. Soon after having joined the , he had the mettle to transmit the dynamic message of Swami Vivekananda to the world. 5. Swami Kalyanananda 1. Swamiji asked this disciple to do something about the sick and ailing around the Rishikesh-Haridwar belt, as there was no one to look after them. 2. He established himself at Kankhal, which is at a short distance from Haridwar, to carry out the work ordained by his Master, till his death. 3. Swamiji said about this disciple “A day will come when he will be blessed by the attainment of the State of a Paramahamsa.” 6. South Pasadena, California 1. When Swami Vivekananda left this house for San Francisco, he placed his pipe on the mantel of the fireplace saying, “This house won’t remain the same.” 2. It is now known as Vivekananda House, and this photograph was taken in 1900. 3. It belonged earlier to the Mead Sisters. 7. Swami 1. Swamiji loved this disciple for his spirit of service, and lovingly called him “Kedar Baba”. 2. This disciple was initiated by Swamiji on Lord Buddha’s birthday. 3. He was Swami Vivekananda’s last monastic disciple.

18 8. Swami Bodhananda 1. In his school days, when he would see Swamiji, he would wonder, “Can a human being have such radiant eyes? Surely he is an extraordinary person.” 2. His first meeting with Swamiji, after long associations with the Ramakrishna Order, happened on a birthday of Sri Ramakrishna, and he felt as though the sun itself, the dispeller of all darkness, had emerged in front of him. 3. He never considered any work to be lowly, and performed all activities with his whole heart, and in a spirit of worship. He made no distinction between the study of the scriptures, spiritual disciplines, and service to his Master. 9. Swami Atmananda 1. During the plague epidemic in Kolkata, he rendered memorable service in the relief work organized by Swamiji himself. 2. He learnt to play the drums on Swamiji’s request, and became an excellent player. He would accompany Swamiji on the drums on several occasions. 3. His expositions of the Bhagvad Gita, the Upanishads, and the Brahma Sutras were not only scholarly, but also inspiring. Swamiji would ask him to teach the scriptures to other monastics. 10. Captain Henry Sevier 1. He was the joint founder and manager of the Advaita Ashram in Mayavati. 2. At the end of his strenuous summer work in 1896, when Swamiji badly needed rest, he arranged a six weeks’ trip for him to Switzerland, accompanying him and bearing the expenses of the journey 3. He died on 28 October 1900, while Swamiji was out of India and he was cremated by the nearby river Sarada, according to Hindu traditions as he wished. 11. Swami Vivekananda on the Platform of the Parliament 1. The picture was taken on September 11, 1893. 2. On this platform Swami Vivekananda gave his world famous address, “Sisters and Brothers of America.” 3. He let go his turn to speak time and again until the afternoon session, after four other delegates had read their prepared papers.

19 12. Swami Sadananda 1. When Swamiji was travelling from Vrindavan to Rishikesh, he got down at the Hathras station, where this person was the station-master. 2. When Swamiji told this disciple about the great mission that Sri Ramakrishna had entrusted him with – that of propagating his message, and the regeneration of India, he said, “Here I am Swamiji, please tell me how I can serve you?” 3. Recalling his early days at the Baranagore monastery, Swamiji would say, about this disciple, “But for his love and guidance, I don’t know what would have become of me.” 13. Hale House 1. Swamiji went to this house on Sept 10, 1893. 2. Address: 451 Dearborn Street. Later became 1415 North Dearborn. 3. Swami Vivekananda sat down exhausted after his long walk from the railway station after which the lady of this house welcomed him in. 14. House at Thousand Island Park 1. Swami Vivekananda spent time here in 1895, staying for 7 weeks. 2. He also trained a group of close disciples here. 3. His talks were recorded by a student and later published as “”. 15 Swamiji’s Temple at Belur Math 1. Its site was selected in 1902 & consecrated in 1924. 2. There is a Bel tree next to this temple which is very significant in Swami Vivekananda’s life. 3. The temple is built in the very place where Swamiji was cremated. 16. Professor J.H. Wright 1. He was Greek Professor at Harvard University who wrote a letter of introduction to the Chairman of the Parliament of Religions, so that Swamiji could be a delegate. 2. He had bought Swamiji a train ticket to Chicago 3. His famous words to Swamiji were, “To ask you, Swami, for credentials, is like asking the sun to state its right to shine!”

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