Swami Vivekanand, originally named Narendra Nath Dutt was born in Calcultta on 12^th January 1863. His mother nicknamed him ‘Vireshwar’. Swami Vivekanand was an Indian Philosopher and Social Reformer.

Swami Vivekanand believed in the openness of all creation in God. He devoted his life to working for social reform. He opposed what he regarded as abuses, such as caste discrimination, child marriage and lowly status of women in society. He encouraged care for the sick and poor, supported education for all.

Swami Vivekanand remained single and was influenced by Ramakrishna Paramhans. In 1887, he left home to live in a monastery. Prior to this, he got his arts degree in education and acquired sound knowledge of English, Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi and French. He also absorbed himself in the study of Vedanta; understood spiritual recognition and achieved self realization. His earlier education had familiarized with western Philosophy but he later used to interpret Hinduism.

In 1893, Swami Vivekanand earned International Recognition as he represented Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He founded Brooklyn Naitik Sabha and Vedanta Society in New York. In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction.

Swami Vivekanand died on 4^th July 1902 at Calcutta.