Swami Vivekananda: My Hero — Swami Bhaskarananda

Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on January 15, 2017.In this talk, Swami Bhaskarananda reflects on why Swami Vivekananda became the defining inspiration of his own life. Beginning with memories of growing up in India during the struggle for independence, he describes how Vivekananda's life and teachings inspired generations of freedom fighters and awakened in many young people a spirit of courage, service, and idealism. He recounts his own journey from youthful patriotism through a period of atheism, explaining how Vivekananda's emphasis on reason, self-confidence, and direct spiritual experience restored his faith and eventually led him to join the Ramakrishna Order. Throughout the lecture, Swami Bhaskarananda illustrates Vivekananda's vision of combining the pursuit of knowledge of the Self with dedicated service to humanity, highlighting his fearlessness, compassion, intellectual brilliance, and insistence that lasting social change must be grounded in spiritual transformation.The second part of the talk explores Vivekananda's historic mission to the West, including his appearance at the 1893 Parliament of Religions and his enduring message of the harmony of religions. Swami Bhaskarananda shares stories from Vivekananda's life, the influence of Sri Ramakrishna, and the ideals that continue to guide the Ramakrishna Order. Concluding with tributes from figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Professor John Henry Wright, U Thant, and President Sukarno, he explains why he regards Swami Vivekananda not only as a national hero but as his lifelong guide, whose example continues to inspire service to God through service to humanity.