Step into the world of profound wisdom and intellect as we explore Swami Vivekananda’s unique insights and timeless teachings that continue to inspire and enlighten millions around the world. In this article, we unlock the wisdom encapsulated in the most transformative and thought-provoking Swami Vivekananda’s most powerful quotes and explore their clear relevance to our personal growth and fulfillment.
From concepts of self realization and spirituality to education, social justice, and human equality, vivekananda quotes touch upon a wide array of topics that resonate with people of all backgrounds. His words have the power to awaken our minds, challenge our perspectives, and inspire us to become the best versions of ourselves.
Whether you are seeking guidance, motivation, or simply a fresh perspective on life, his short inspirational quotes are a treasure trove of enlightenment. Be prepared to be uplifted, inspired, and awakened as we dive into the profound wisdom of one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders.
Swami Vivekananda – An Indian spiritual leader and a great philosopher
Swami Vivekananda (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), a key figure in the Hindu Renaissance, was a spiritual leader, philosopher, and social reformer who played a pivotal role in introducing Indian philosophies to the Western world. Vivekananda Swami in his pre-monastic life was known as Narendra Nath Datta. Narendra in his youth had an unsettling and baffling doubt about the existence of God. He had asked the question of the existence of God to several scholars and Spiritual Gurus but did not receive satisfactory answers. It was that time when he first met his Spiritual Master Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa. He then posed a question to Sri Ramakrishna, “Sir, have you seen God?”. Without a moment’s hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied: “Yes, I have. I see Him as clearly as I see you, only in a much intense sense.”
The importance of wisdom in life
Wisdom is a pure gift that can guide us through life’s challenges, inspire us to make the right decisions, and lead us toward a path of self-realization and contentment. It is the understanding and application of knowledge, coupled with experience and reflection, that allows us to navigate the complexities of life with much clarity and purpose.
Vivekananda understood the importance of wisdom in one’s journey towards self-realization. He believed that true wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge and encompasses a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. His teachings emphasize the importance of seeking wisdom not only through external sources but also through introspection and self-reflection.
Understanding Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy
Vivekanda’s teachings were rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and old sacred texts of Hinduism.
To truly appreciate the profound life inspirational quotes of Swami Vivekananda, it is essential to understand the philosophy that underpins his teachings. Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, a renowned spiritual leader, and his teachings were deeply rooted in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Swami Vivekananda did not formulate a new philosophical system, he only explained Sankara’s advaita vedanta philosophy in modern terms.
Vedanta philosophy emphasizes the unity of all existence and the interconnectedness of all beings. It teaches that the ultimate reality is divine and that every individual has the potential to realize their own divinity. Swami Vivekananda’s quotes reflect this philosophy, encouraging individuals to seek self-realization, embrace their inner divinity, and manifest their true potential.
Swami Vivekananda’s quotes on spirituality, self-realization and enlightenment
Spirituality and enlightenment are recurring themes in Swami Vivekananda’s quotes. He believed that spirituality is not limited to religious rituals or dogmas but is a universal experience that transcends all boundaries. His teachings emphasize the need to cultivate a spiritual outlook in life, embracing the divine essence within ourselves and recognizing it in others.
Swami Vivekananda’s spiritual quotes also shed light on the concept of enlightenment, which he described as “the realization of the oneness of all existence.” He believed that true enlightenment comes from transcending the limitations of the ego and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. His teachings inspire individuals to strive towards this higher state of consciousness, where the boundaries of the self dissolve, and unity with the universe is realized.
One of his enlightening quotes on spirituality is, “Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy – by one or more or all of these – and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details.”
Vivekananda’s quotes offer a comprehensive approach to spiritual growth, highlighting the importance of self-discipline, devotion, and knowledge in manifesting our divine nature. Below are some of his most liked quotes on spirituality and enlightenment.
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
“Think of the lotus of the heart, with petals downwards, and running through it, the Sushumna; take in the breath, and while throwing the breath out imagine that the lotus is turned with the petals upwards, and inside that lotus is an effulgent light. Meditate on that.”
“The appearances of happiness or unhappiness of the soul are but reflections.”
“To the Yogi everything is bliss, every human face that he sees brings cheerfulness to him. That is the sign of a virtuous man.”
“Breathing, posturing, etc. are no doubt helps in Yoga; but they are merely physical. The great preparations are mental. The first thing necessary is a quiet and peaceable life.”
There is a vast difference between saying “food, food” and eating it, between saying “water, water” and drinking it. So by merely repeating the words “God, God” we cannot hope to attain realization. We must strive and practice.
“As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”
Remember the words of Christ: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” These words are literally true, not figures or fiction.
Applying Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom in daily life
Swami Vivekananda’s teachings are not meant to be confined to the realm of philosophical contemplation but are intended to be applied in our daily lives. His quotes offer practical guidance on how to live a purposeful and fulfilling life, rooted in wisdom and compassion.
One of his insightful quotes on daily life is, “Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead. If you lose, you can guide.” This quote encourages individuals to embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It reminds us that every experience, whether positive or negative, has the potential to shape us into better versions of ourselves.
Another practical quote by Swami Vivekananda is, “The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.” This quote highlights the importance of authenticity and self-belief in our journey towards self-realization. It encourages individuals to trust their instincts, embrace their unique qualities, and live in alignment with their inner truth.
“The highest manifestation of strength is to keep ourselves calm and on our own feet.”
“The present is determined by our past actions, and the future by the present.”
“In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
“Every work that we do, every movement of the body, every thought that we think, leaves such an impression on the mind-stuff, and even when such impressions are not obvious on the surface, they are sufficiently strong to work beneath the surface, subconsciously. What we are every moment is determined by the sum total of these impressions on the mind.”
“Most of our difficulties in our daily lives come from being unable to hold our minds in this way. For instance, if a man does evil to us, instantly we want to react evil, and every reaction of evil shows that we are not able to hold the Chitta down; it comes out in waves towards the object, and we lose our power.”
“Do not spend your energy in talking, but meditate in silence; and do not let the rush of the outside world disturb you. When your mind is in the highest state, you are unconscious of it.” “Things do not grow better. They remain as they are; and we grow better by the changes we make in them.”
Inspiring quotes on hard work and success by Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational quotes for success are a powerhouse for those seeking to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. His words offer valuable insights into the mindset and qualities necessary for success.
One of his powerful quotes on success is, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” This quote emphasizes the importance of focus and single-minded dedication in achieving our aspirations. It reminds us that success comes not from scattered efforts but from wholeheartedly pursuing a singular goal.
“Infinite faith and strength are the only conditions of success.”
The essence of true success is what you make of yourself. It is the conduct of life that you develop, it is the character that you cultivate and it is the type of person you become. This is the central meaning of successful living.
“When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to it for the time being.”
To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. “I will drink the ocean”, says, the persevering soul; “at my will mountains will crumble up.” Have that sort of energy, that sort of will, work hard, and you will reach the goal.
“Spread ideas – go from village to village, from door to door – then only there will be real work. Otherwise, lying complacently on the bed and ringing the bell now and then is a sort of disease, pure and simple.”
Swami Vivekananda’s quotes on motivation also highlight the significance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. He once said, “Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny.” This quote encourages individuals to take ownership of their lives, accept challenges as opportunities for growth, and believe in their ability to shape their own destiny.
“Do not lower your goals to the level of your abilities. Instead, raise your abilities to the height of your goals.”
Live for an ideal, and that one ideal alone. Let it be so great, so strong, that there may be nothing else left in the mind; no place for anything else, no time for anything else.
“Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead! If you lose, you can guide!”
“All the great accomplishments are hard. Nothing worthwhile comes easy but do not lower your ideal because it is difficult to attain. Hold the banner of freedom aloft. Strength… Strength…Strength… Say that to yourself day and night, you are strong, pure and free. No weakness in you, no sin, no misery.”
“Go on; remember — patience and purity and courage and steady work. . . . So long as you are pure, and true to your principles, you will never fail”
“What work you do expect from the men of little hearts? Nothing in the world! You must have an iron will if you would cross the ocean. You must be strong enough to pierce mountains.”
There is the danger of frittering away your energies by taking up an idea only for its novelty, and then giving it up for another that is newer. Take one thing up and do it, and see the end of it, and before you have seen the end, do not give it up. He who can become mad with an idea, he alone sees light.
“Have you got the will to surmount mountain-high obstructions? If the whole world stands against you sword in hand, would you still dare to do what you think is right?”
“All great undertakings are achieved through mighty obstacles. Keep up the deepest mental poise. Take not even the slightest notice of what puerile creatures may be saying against you.”
“Do not go for glass beads leaving the mine of diamonds. This life is a great chance. What, seekest thou the pleasures of the world? He is the fountain of all bliss. See for the highest, aim at that highest, and you shall reach the highest.”
“If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished— mountains can be crumbled into atoms.”
“The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves. That faith calls the divinity within. You can do anything. You fail only when you do not strive sufficiently to manifest infinite power.”
“He who struggles is better than he who never attempts…. Stand up for God; let the world go. Have no compromise.”
“This body is the boat which will carry us to the other shore of the ocean of life. It must be taken care of. Unhealthy persons cannot be Yogis. Mental laziness makes us lose all lively interest in the subject, without which there will neither be the will nor the energy to practice. Doubts will arise in the mind about the truth of the science, however strong one’s intellectual conviction may be, until certain peculiar psychic experiences come, as hearing or seeing at a distance, etc. These glimpses strengthen the mind and make the student persevere. Falling away … when obtained. Some days or weeks when you are practicing, the mind will be calm and easily concentrated, and you will find yourself progressing fast. All of a sudden the progress will stop one day, and you will find yourself, as it were, stranded. Persevere. All progress proceeds by such rise and fall.”
“Always keep your mind joyful; if melancholy thoughts come, kick them out.”
“When we have succeeded in preventing all the forces in the world from throwing us off our balance, then alone we have attained to freedom, and not before.”
Never mind failures; they are quite natural, they are the beauty of life, these failures. What would life be without them? It would not be worth having if it were not for struggles. Where would be the poetry of life? Never mind the struggles, the mistakes. I never heard a cow tell a lie, but it is only a cow—never a man. So never mind these failures, these little backslidings; hold the ideal a thousand times; and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more.
Swami Vivekananda’s views on education and learning
Education and learning were of paramount importance to Swami Vivekananda, who believed in the power of knowledge to transform individuals and society. His quotes on education shed light on his vision of holistic learning that goes beyond mere academic knowledge.
One of his insightful quotes on education is, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.” This quote emphasizes the innate potential within every individual and highlights the role of education in bringing forth that inherent perfection. It reminds us that education should not be limited to the acquisition of information but should nurture the holistic development of individuals, enabling them to realize their true potential.
Swami Vivekananda also emphasized the need for practical education that equips individuals with life skills and prepares them for real-world challenges. He once said, “We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s feet.” This quote underscores the importance of character development, critical thinking, and self-reliance in the educational process.
Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life. We must have life building, man-making, character-making assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library.
“The goal of mankind is knowledge. That is the one ideal placed before us by Eastern philosophy. Pleasure is not the goal of man, but knowledge. Pleasure and happiness come to an end. It is a mistake to suppose that pleasure is the goal. The cause of all the miseries we have in the world is that men foolishly think pleasure to be the ideal to strive for.”
“Education is not filling the mind with a lot of facts. Perfecting the instrument and getting complete mastery of my own mind [is the ideal of education]. If I want to concentrate my mind upon a point, it goes there, and the moment I call, it is free [again]….”
“Those who believe in God should pray — not for money, not for health, nor for heaven; pray for knowledge and light; every other prayer is selfish.” “After a time man finds that it is not happiness, but knowledge, towards which he is going, and that both pleasure and pain are great teachers, and that he learns as much from evil as from good.”
Swami Vivekananda’s inspiring quotes on love, compassion, and service to others
Love, compassion, and service to others were central themes in Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. He believed in the power of love to unite individuals and transform society. His quotes on love and compassion inspire individuals to cultivate a spirit of selflessness and empathy towards others.
One of his profound quotes on love is, “Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?” This quote highlights the divinity present in every individual and reminds us to treat others with love and respect. It encourages us to recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and to extend our compassion beyond boundaries.
Swami Vivekananda’s teachings also emphasize the importance of service to others as a means of spiritual growth. He once said, “The greatest service to mankind is to help the individual to help himself.” This quote emphasizes the empowering nature of selfless service and encourages individuals to support others in their journey towards self-realization.
“The Himalayas, how grand and beautiful they are; I love them. They do not give me anything, but my nature is to love the grand, the beautiful, therefore I love them. Similarly, I love the Lord. He is the source of all beauty, of all sublimity. He is the only object to be loved; my nature is to love Him, and therefore I love. I do not pray for anything; I do not ask for anything. Let Him place me wherever He likes. I must love Him for love’s sake. I cannot trade in love.”
That which is selfish is immoral, and that which is unselfish is moral.
Do not stand on a high pedestal and take five cents in your hand and say, “Here, my poor man”; but be grateful that the poor man is there, so that by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself. It is not the receiver that is blessed, but it is the giver. Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.
Conclusion: The timeless inspirational quotes of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda’s quotes continue to resonate with people from all walks of life, transcending time and cultural boundaries. His profound wisdom offers guidance, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on life’s challenges. Whether it is the pursuit of self realization, the embrace of spirituality, or the cultivation of love and compassion, Swami Vivekananda’s teachings provide a roadmap for personal growth and fulfillment.
Unlock the transformative power of Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational quotes for students, young and old. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. Let his profound quotes serve as a guiding light, inspiring you to awaken your inner wisdom, transcend limitations, and manifest your true potential.
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