ATLANTA COMMUNITY CELEBRATES
125TH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S CHICAGO SPEECH

By Uma Banda

Atlanta, GA: Indian Professionals Network (IPN) Atlanta hosted a celebration to mark the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address in Georgia. IPN was established in November 1993 to bring together information technology professionals, doctors and other professionals by focusing on objectives of professional education, networking, socializing and community service. Taking this legacy ahead IPN hosted a wonderful celebration of 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s famous Chicago speech. The event was graced by community leaders from diverse cultures and shared views and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda.

2018 happened to be 125th year of Swami Vivekananda's Speech in 1893 at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago that is still remembered around world. Swami Vivekananda was one of the prominent spiritual leaders who carried Indian philosophy to the west including Vedanta a and yoga. To celebrate this milestone IPN Atlanta held a celebration at Ashiana restaurant in Global Mall, Norcross on December 20.
 

IPN members with Swami Sarvadevanandaji and brother Sankara, resident minister of Vedanta center of Atlanta

Swami Sarvadevanandaji, spiritual head of Vedanta society of California was the chief guest and gave an informative and knowledgeable discourse on Swami Vivekananda’s principle and its relevance in todays world. In his address, Swami Sarvadevanandaji said Swami Vivekananda started a dialogue between the east and west that has continued to this day. He wanted to bring the spiritual treasures of India to the west and the scientific achievements of the west to India. It has been said that India had a beautiful jewel, her religion; but it was lying in the mud. The west has a beautiful case, her technological advancement, but it was empty in side. Swami Vivekananda wanted to bring the two together. It was well known the great inspiration he had on America. He said Swami Vivekananda is not a human personality, a human face. It is a power. He is an awakened Indian. In freedom movement, Swami Vivekananda has the greatest contribution to Indian freedom movement and in getting freedom to India. Swami Vivekananda is the inspiration to our national leaders. Read Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Aravind Ghosh and other national leaders. They say that they greatly indebted to Swami Vivekananda. Mahatma Gandhi said I have come to pay respects to Swami Vivekananda when he visited Belur Math, started by Swami Vivekananda.

Speaking about Swami Vivekananda, the speaker said that he was in the form of human personality. He brought tremendous energy to the nation. His contribution to the world unparallel, incomparable. The impact he created in the world is tremendous. Swami Vivekananda came to US to preach Vedanta. His visit to United States had twin idea. One to bring ancient wisdom of India and to preach Vedanta.

Swami Vivekananda brought Upanishadic message to America. “Shrinwantu vishwe amritasya putra- Arya dhamani divyani thasthu Vedam ayetam purusham mahantam aditya varanam tamasa parasthath Tvameva vidhithva atimrityu methi, nanyah pantha vidyathe ayanaya”. What a grand message. Swami Vivekananda brought this message to America. Listen: men and women of the whole world, in the universe, whole cosmos, you are own children of divine bliss. He is calling all of us, children of divine nectar. This is said in ancient times, thousands of years ago. We are inheritors of divine bliss. We are not this mortal body. We do not know the name who says that sage’s name. What a great country.

Swami Sarvadevanandaji said only Indian spiritual tradition teaches God permeates everywhere. It is imminent who is transcendent in the spiritual realm of samadhi. It is imminent in every being. That was the declaration of Swami Vivekananda. It is his contribution and eternal message of Swami Vivekananda. He did not come to America to preach political India. He did not come here to preach special doctrine and dogma. But he wanted to teach universal religion. It was core of all humanity whether in whatever level one resides in his mental level or intellectual level. This point is very important to note, his contribution. It will remain forever.

Swami Sarvadevanandaji said in 1893 parliament of world religions convention, where every speaker spoke about superior status for his own religion or sect, Vivekananda daringly said that no religion was superior and all the streams would meet eventually in the ocean. His guru Sri Ramakrishna practiced all faiths and stated that he reached to the same goal.

Whatever Swami Vivekananda said is nothing but Upanishads. Upanishads declared all power is with in you. Swamiji said be a man of character. Swami Vivekananda asked everyone to learn how to concentrate and focus. Swami Vivekananda said the whole world is ready to express its secrets only if you know how to tap that. He taught us how to concentrate. Swami Vivekananda saw education as an important medium to empower people. Swami Vivekananda has come with a clarion idea to preach. He came here to preach whole humanity, world religion, world culture. He preached to whole world. Swami Vivekananda’s message is universal. It is for all. His message can be taken by any one, a student, a house wife, business man or a professional.

Swami Sarvadevanandaji appealed to the gathering take small things, read small books like “Thoughts of Power”. Keep these books in your pocket and see how you can improve your life.
Swamiji said Swami Vivekananda stand for universal religion. Swami Vivekananda stand for harmony of religions. Swami Vivekananda stand for courage, strength, positivity. Swami Vivekananda stand for giving all the positive inspiration for awakening woman empowerment.
Swamiji said we are grateful to south India for discovering Swami Vivekananda and greatly indebted to America for discovering Swami Vivekananda.

The speaker said Swami Vivekananda is not only for India, not for south India or Bengal, not for America, not for anybody. He belongs to universe. Swami Vivekananda said man is only responsible for all ills of society. Swami Vivekananda said I have seen democracy, socialism and all isms. But humanism must be a man of character. He declared character building is my mission. He said have trust in yourself and in God.

In conclusion Swami Sarvadevanandaji left it to audience and said “I ask you how much Swami Vivekananda is relevant, you have to judge yourself”

Swami Vivekananda preached Vedanta length and breadth of America. He was in America to harmonize all religions, all spiritual divisions, spiritual attitudes. He has harmonized whole world to think that we are all human beings and lifted us into the consciousness that we are divine and we ought to behave like a divine entity.
Earlier, Ravi Ponangi, IPN lead welcomed the gathering for the celebration and introduced Brother Sankara, resident minister of Vedanta Center of Atlanta. Brother Sankara introduced the chief guest of the evening, Swami Sarvadevanandaji, spiritual head of Vedanta Society of Southern California. At the end, Rajan Vedak, IPN team member proposed vote of thanks.