Narendra Datta was born on 12th January 1863. As a child he was very lively and naughty but one thing quality stood out even in his early years was his natural leadership qualities. Meditation, too, was a sport to him. He meditated so deeply that he was oblivious to the whole world and it helped sharpen his concentration.
Even as a child, Narendra had great respect for sannyasis. The spirit of sacrifice and renunciation was also highlighted in his youth – he would give away anything to anybody if asked for. In her spare time, his mum would tell him stories of the Ramayana which led him to have great reverence for Hanuman.
Narendra’s father was a lawyer. Therefore, everyday his house was crowded with clients all belonging to different castes. It was custom to provide the guests with hukkas (long pipes) to smoke after food. There was a different pipe for clients of each caste. Narendra always wondered what would happen if he smoked the pipe meant for people of a different class. Finally he experimented and nothing untoward happened. He concluded that caste had no meaning.
His parents had a great affect on him. His father used to always tell him, ‘you need fear no one so long as you keep to the path of truth and Dharma.’ Love of one’s religion should not mean hatred of other religions. His mother was dear to Narendra as his own life. In his eyes, there was no one as ready to make sacrifices as the mother. She must have the highest place not only in the home but also in society.
By 1880, Narendra had passed his examinations and joined college. Day by day, his thirst for knowledge increased. He would read history, science as well as western philosophy. Doubts and uncertainties overtook him. He gave up blind beliefs but could not realise the truth and had no direct experience of God. This led him in his search for a Guru….
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