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Swami Vivekananda Quotes


Swami Vivekananda was one of the great spiritual leaders of India. He was a philosopher, author and a key figure in introducing the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.

His master was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. 

In 1984, the Government of India declared January 12 as National Youth Day to honour a great spiritual leader’s contributions and ideals aimed at inspiring young people of the country. 

Since January 12, 1985, Swami Vivekanand’s Birthday Is Celebrated as The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Diva on January 12.  

Swami Vivekananda is best known in the United States for his ground-breaking speech to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in which he introduced Hinduism to America and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism.


12 Life Changing Quotes
of Swami Vivekananda



1. On Focus and Determination

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success."


2. On Self-Belief

"All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak."


3. On Overcoming Fear

"Be not afraid of anything. You will do marvellous work. It is fearlessness that brings Heaven even in a moment."


4. On Personal Growth

"You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your soul."


5. On Persistence

"Arise, awake, stop not till the goal is reached."


6. On the Nature of Success

"The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful."


7. On Thoughts and Reality

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so care what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."


8. On Strength and Weakness

"Strength is life, weakness is death. Expansion is life, contraction is death."


9. On Believe in God

“You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."

This teaching emphasises the importance of self-belief as the foundation of spiritual growth. Vivekananda urged that true faith in a higher power can only be realised once a person recognises their strength, worth and potential


10. On conflict between the heart and the brain

“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart."

Vivekananda believed that intuition and passion often lead to more fulfilling outcomes than purely rational decisions. By following your heart, you align yourself with your true desires and purpose, leading to deeper fulfilment and authenticity. 


11. On serving  others

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." 

Swami Vivekananda emphasised that self-realisation comes through selflessness. Serving others, without expectation of reward, helps to transcend the ego, fostering a sense of unity with the world and leading to true personal growth.


12. On Patience and perseverance

"Purity, patience and perseverance overcome all obstacles. All great things must of necessity be slow." 

 





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