Swami Vivekananda and His Philosophic Relevance in Today’s Life

As we are in the beginning of New English calendar year 2026, we will observe so many events right from the word go. Most of them are celebrations. Merely celebrating or observing the day, might not suffice at all. Rather it is high time for us to evaluate the life philosopher of a notable thinker, philosopher and monk, Swami Vivekananda. Whose birth anniversary, meaning 163rd anniversary of his appearance in this earth. The birth anniversary is scheduled to be observed on January 12.

Mere observance of the birth anniversary of Swamiji, is not our sole criteria. Rather the time has rightly arrived at that how to revamp the societies around us. Though it is indeed a tough task for the humanity across the globe. But still the efforts should be initiated so that humanity around us should get a feel of our manoeuvring to all the length and breath of this universe.

In the Indian state of West Bengal, we find every year when the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is celebrated to preach the doctrine of communal amity and integrity. But my query is that are we sincere enough to stick to our goal. In reality I don’t find at all. Why state holiday is declared by the state government of West Bengal? Illogical stance adopted by the state government and the honourable chief minister.

Now arriving at the key points of my deliberation, that the life philosophy of Swami Vivekananda is centred upon various aspects of life. Swami Vivekananda’s life philosophy clearly states that is purely based upon the theory of inherent divinity, art of self-realization, render service to the poor and downtrodden sections of societies. Also, Swamiji’s mission was to be involved between material and spiritual life, cultivation of inner strength, courage and character building.

So far, I have touched upon the basics of Swami Vivekananda’s life philosophy. But he framed certain core principles of his life. Which might act as a cakewalk for the proliferation of creative faculties of humanity in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe. Thus, the core principles of Swami Vivekananda which are stated as such,

Human divinity- Every human being in this progressive era possesses inherent potential. It is through this inherent potentiality; human being aims to nurture this inner divinity.

Service to Man, Worship to God- It indicates that those love humanity across the world, they are the true worshiper of the God or The Superpower.
Balance-In life we must cherish deeply to balance between material and spiritual needs of humanity.

Strength and Character: Emphasising of physical and mental upliftment of humanity is achievable so as to transform our life to the path of courage, truth, purity and self-discipline.

Feeling of being universal- As per the life philosophy of Swami Vivekananda is concerned, it was an all-pervading inclination of his life. He always preached all other religions (excepting Hindu religion), everybody falls under similar wavelength. There shouldn’t be any trace of discrimination between people of each religion.

It was on various occasions in the past; I have noticed that in professional life as well as in familial discriminations were noticeable on large counts. Which was treated as highly despicable. Swamiji throughout his shortest span of longevity always propagated for not only human welfare, but also preached the gospel of uniformity among all sections of societies.

What is sorrowfully noticeable is that humanity doesn’t possess the semblance of affection and amiable towards others. That means art of materialism should be completely defaced from the threshold of our mind and heart in today’s world.

Humanity across the globe is now in the midst of severe challenge. It reflects glaringly upon self what a tough challenge we face in today’s world. As Swami Vivekananda has taught us that whatever tough challenge we face everything must be accepted with a pleasant mind. But there might be multiple processes involved by which we are able to overcome relevant challenges. Basic trait which humanity across the globe should have upon them is that we should be a person of utmost honesty and integrity. Swami Vivekananda’s was one of such. However, as my focal point of my discussion is on relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy of life, hence sticking to it.

Thus the life philosophy of Swami Vivekananda are stated as such, knowledge of self, nurture educative, spiritual and moral values upon child through proper education, development of concentration, objective of education, realization upon self about positives and negatives of life, building of character, personality development, serviced to humanity, ushering in a feeling of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, we should be self-sufficient, treatment to humanity across the globe under one banner, imparting knowledge to fellow human beings, women’s emancipation and finally campaign against fraudulent activities in today’s world.

There is a feeling generated among the citizens of today that Swami Vivekananda and his noble philosophies might not have relevance upon citizens of the globe. As because he was born in such a period of time, when undivided India was under the scourge of colonial conflagration. Plus, his longevity was short-lived.  But still, I sincerely believe like other citizens of the globe, the citizens of South Asian Sub-Continent still have firm belief upon his life philosophy.

The society at present in India, Bangladesh, South Asian nations plus rest of the globe have firm belief upon the life philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. As per ideals and philosophies of Swamiji goes by, I believe that we should be excel our attitude and demeanour in such a manner which might catch the eye of citizens of India, Bangladesh, other South Asian nations plus rest of the globe. Through all his writings, Swamiji spread the message of love, tolerance and honesty across the globe. He was a person of down-to-earth disposition, which I have grave doubts about how many of us adhere to his teachings. In this regard, one of the most famous song composed by Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Tomarei Koreachi Jibonero Dhrubatara’ till date remain deeply remain embedded in mind of entire humanity across the globe.

When Swami Vivekananda (originally Narendra Nath Datta), was born in Shimla, hub of undivided North Kolkata, in the year 1863 on January 12. It was two years prior to his birth, poet and Nobel Laureate of repute Rabindranath Tagore was born in Jorasanko, also part of undivided North Kolkata. Both were in equally good terms. Despite basic difference of temperament.  Only on one point they have similarity in temperament. That means both have similar opinions regarding compassion towards poor and downtrodden sections of societies. At the present juncture, compassion towards poor and downtrodden are on the diluting point, but if anyone glancing over the life philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, then at least motivation will pounce upon us as regards compassion and amiability towards poor and downtrodden sections are concerned. The monk also propagated for women’s emancipation like Rabindranath Tagore. Both opined that women in the modern age shouldn’t be sidetracked at all from the mainstream of life.

Now women are advancing in various field of academic and professional discipline in India, Bangladesh, other South Asian nations like rest of the globe. At present the way the political and social situations in India, Bangladesh, other South Asian nations plus other nations of the globe. Then we could easily feel the pulse of Swami Vivekananda through his noble teachings. His one of the noble teachings like treating the entire humanity under one banner might sound jocular, but in reality, I feel that it is apt and true to our heart and mind.

Before I wind up my tributes about Swami Vivekananda, noted monk and thinker of the globe. The names of the books written by Swamiji are stated as such, Powers of the mind, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Practical Vedanta, Inspired talks, The complete book of Yoga, Living at the source, Pathways to joy, Teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Hinduism, Vedanta Philosophy and Swami Vivekananda essential writings.

Despite having born in undivided India, Swami Vivekananda was of a modernist temperament. Apart from his philosophic and literary temperament, the monk was a hardcore sports lover. He was an ardent fan of cricket, because he used to bowl with left hand. Plus, he was an ardent lover of vocal music.

We are now passing through a most critical juncture. Every morning whenever we turn the pages of print media, we find that there is political and social turmoil not only in our nations, but also across Sub-Continent plus rest of the globe. In the midst of this tumultuous situation, I sincerely cherish from my heart that humanity around us should be moulded into self-introspection and vistas of life. The reason behind is that Swami Vivekananda showed us the path of progress and prosperity in life. This should be followed religiously till the last breath of our life. Nobody can erase from our mind, Raj Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnan Yoga.

Summation of my above discourse about Swami Vivekananda is not at all an easy task for this writer. As each and every day of our life, pass off like a thrift of current, still I feel the noble legacies of Swami Vivekananda cannot be erased off from the threshold of our life and heart.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.